Washington Blade, Volume 56, Issue 48, November 28, 2025

Make the Yuletide Gay

Our annual roundup of the season’s best in theater & film, PAGES 24 & 28

or before 12/31/25.

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Acclaimed bisexual activist, author Loraine Hutchins dies at 77

i el n area re i ent a ri ht a ate, e e at r

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. | lchibbaro@washblade.com

Loraine Adele Hutchins, a nationally known and acclaimed advocate for bisexual and LGBTQ rights, co-author and editor of a groundbreaking book on bisexuality, and who taught courses in sexuality, and women’s and LGBTQ studies at a community college in Maryland, died Nov. 19 from complications related to cancer. She was 77.

Hutchins, who told the Washington Blade in a inter ie that he el i entifie a a bisexual woman, is credited with playing a lead role in advocating for the rights of bisexual people on a local, state, and national level as well as with LGBTQ organizations, many of which bi activists have said were ignoring the needs of the bi community up until recent years.

Throughout her life, Loraine dedicated herself to working and speaking for those who might not be otherwise heard,” her sister, Rebecca Hutchins, said in a family writeup on Loraine Hutchins’s life and career. rn in a hin t n, , an rai e in Takoma Park, Md., Rebecca Hutchins said her sister embraced their parents’ involvement in the U.S. civil rights movement.

She was a child of the ‘60s and proudly recalls attending Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a ream ee h ith her m ther n the all, he a in her rite he a steeped in the civil rights movement, was a mem er the t ent n i lent r inatin mmittee, an a r t a he had an FBI record.”

The write-up says Hutchins received a a hel r e ree r m himer lle e in nt arr ll, ll in , an a h in 2001 from Union Institute. It says she was also a graduate of the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality’s Sexol i al r er ertifi ati n trainin program.

The family write-up says in the 1970s Hutchins became involved with efforts to assist tenants, including immigrant tenants, in a r a le h in r ram inam r an nei h rh

In 1991, she co-authored the ground-

breaking book, ‘Bi Any Other Name: Bisexual People SPEAK OUT’ with friend and colleague Lani Ka’ahumanu,” the write-up says. It notes that the acclaimed book has been republished three times and in 2007 it was published in Taiwan in Mandarin.

According to the write-up, Hutchins delivered the keynote address in June 2006 at the inth nternati nal n eren e n i e alit , en er an e al i er it n October 2009, ’s Rainbow History Proje t h n re her a ne it mm nit Pioneers for her activist work.

Loraine is one of the few people who has explained, defended and championed bisexuality and made sure the B” got into the LGBT acronym,” the Rainbow History Project says on its website in a 2009 statement. Sensitivity to bisexual issues, civil rights, and social justice issues is Loraine’s life work,” the statement concludes.

The write-up by her sister says that up until the time of her retirement, Hutchins taught women’s and LGBT studies as well as health issues in sexuality at Montgomery mm nit lle e an n ni er it in Maryland.

She was a friend and mentor to many in the LGBTQ community,” it says. She thoroughly enjoyed adversarial banter on the many topics she held dear: sexuality, free-

dom of speech, civil rights, needs and support of those with disabilities, especially in the area of mobility, assisted housing, liberal politics and many other causes,” it points out.

She retired to the Friends House community in Sandy Springs, Md., where she contin e her a ti i m, the rite n l e Hutchins was among several prominent bisexual activists interviewed by the Washington Blade at the time of her retirement in June 2023 for a story on the status of the bisexual rights movement. She noted that, among other things, in her role as co-founder the organizations BiNet USA and the Alliance of Multicultural Bisexuals, she joined her bi colleagues in prodding national LGBTQ advocacy organizations to im r e their a a r r i e al , which Hutchins said had been inadequate in the past but had been improving in recent years.

t hin i r i e her i ter, e ea t hin her h an , a e hman ne he , re hman an hi i e eah all hman an in , the amil rite a It says a private memorial service was he le r e em er an a li memorial service recognizing her contributions to the LGBTQ community will be held in the spring of 2026.

al e ent t mmem rate rl a

he area iller e rl a n e thr h a ariet community events.

Established by the World Health Organization in , rl a aims to raise awareness a t an h nor the individuals affected by the epidemic. he l al theme r i er min i r ti n, tran rmin the re n e

Washington, D.C.

ealth ill h t a rl a event at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library r m n n t m n e tten ee an expect live performances, free food and free HIV testing.

The all-day event will also feature comm nit re r e r m ealth, li i rar , ealth in , er e , an the a r fi e air

The Lily and Earle M. Pilgrim Art Foundati n i artnerin ith i al , a e r a e n n r fit that e art t fi ht , t re e t n rl a ith a film reenin n e

he a i eth el amie n t i House at Walbridge in Mount Pleasant will remiere eet here e re t, an

hour-long collection of six videos. The free screening highlights the complexity of drug use in intersection with the global HIV epidemic.

The videos, commissioned by artists in Brazil, Germany, Nigeria, Puerto Rico and ietnam, h a e the fir than e erien e of drug users, harm reduction programs, and personal narratives. The program intends to showcase drug users as key individuals in the global response to HIV.

In addition to streaming the videos, the event will include an evening potluck and conversation led by Peter Stebbins from 6-8 p.m.

he athe ral t atthe the tle will hold a 5:30 p.m. Mass and candlelight ra er i il at m in h n r rl a n e he e ent i en t all an includes a subsequent reception at 6:30 p.m. he a ital e i h e m i h tin a ea er erie n e r m m that e l re the re n e t ithin the Jewish community. Speakers include LGBTQ psychiatrist Jeffrey Akman, physician assistant Barbara Lewis and Larry Neff, lay service leader at Bet Mishpachah, a synagogue founded by LGBTQ Washingtonians. Heather Alt, deputy director of nursing at Whitman-Walker Health, will moderate the event. The program is free for museum mem-

er eneral a mi i n i an hai tiets, which help subsidize the cost of general admission, are $18. Tickets include access to e in the e eral it , a tem rar exhibition that collectively explores Washington, Judaism, and LGBTQ history. The exhibition is on view through Jan. 4, 2026.

Virginia

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and local re i ent ill mmem rate rl a n e at the ee enter

The event, which is free to attend, will include music, choir performances, educational moments and more. The commemoration will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Maryland

he re eri enter ill h t tal , ta lin an a ra e in h n r rl a he re eri nt ealth e artment ill conduct free HIV testing.

The event, which is free to attend, will be held on Nov. 30 from 1-4 p.m. The Frederi nt ealth e artment al a er free, walk-in HIV testing on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

he rin e e r e nt l mnae ha ter elta i ma heta r rit ill host a community day of awareness in honor rl a n e r m a m t

m he ree e ent ill eat re ree, nfidential HIV testing, private talks with medical professionals and health workshops. he e ent ill e hel at itlan mm nit enter in re t ille an ill in l e breakfast and snacks.

amien ini trie i mmem ratin rl a n e thr h the ran enin the e the e le mm nit & ellne lla rati e he e ent, hel at 11:30 a.m. at 4061 Minnesota Avenue, N.E., is free to attend.

amien ini trie i a aith a e n n r fit mmitte t rtin th e ith

e in ne , a altim re n n r fit that provides education, outreach and resources to improve public health, wellness and economic stability, is hosting its 4th Annual rl a mm nit ele rati n n e al n i e mm nit artner

Hosted at the University of Maryland BioPark from noon to 3 p.m., the program will feature keynote speaker Jason E. Farley of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. The celebration will also dedicate awards to l al her e e n fi htin and promoting health equity.

The free event includes lunch, live entertainment and networking opportunities with health advocates and partners.

New LGBTQ bar Rush set to debut

The LGBTQ nightlife hotbed at 14th and U is about to get another member. Rush, a bar years in the making, is set to open its doors on Friday, Nov. 28.

Filling the hole left by Lost Society, Rush will be a tech-forward, two-story bar featuring fully integrated light and sound to deliver “an immersive experience,” according to owner Jackson Mosley.

Mosley began conceptualizing such a bar back in 2017. His career linking tech and hospitality stretches even further back, beginning his career at LivingSocial and Uber. And even before that, he moonlighted at Town during his college years, where he developed a passion for drag and LGBTQ nightlife.

Rush is this manifestation of both tech and nightlife coming to fruition, but it

hasn’t been without setbacks. Mosley originally planned to open farther east, on 9th and U streets, but received pushback from the building in which it was supposed to be housed. “It was the universe telling me it wasn’t the right spot,” he says. Earlier this year, coming across the Lost iet a an , le finall n hi host. As the center of LGBTQ nightlife has shifted to 14th Street – as reinforced by this week’s Shakers shuttering – Mosley was eager to join the festive fray.

Rush is in the same building as Bunker, settling on the top two levels of the struct re r a e i le, in r t r combination and 6.000 square feet, Rush entirel ha e it t r a real reimagining so that it feels entirely new,” he says, with new equipment and a new vision and a capacity of at least 300.

he l er r lean int a l n e i e

Relaxed seating and a huge bar dominate the area. It will feature a sound booth, furniture with built-in lighting, and plenty of places to chat.

Upstairs is the club, dance-forward space. It has a “proper drag stage,” Mosley says, one of the largest among fellow LGBTQ bars, at 7.5 feet deep by 22 feet wide. Set up for live performances and painted in matte black, this rooftop level

can open the doors to the deck allowing the entire level to participate in performances.

Rush will also boast a full kitchen, distinct from many other LGBTQ bars. Set to start serving in a couple of months, it will serve a large menu of bar food and more, a ell a a li el r n h n the r t

“It’s long overdue to have a brunch with good food at a bar,” he says.

Mosley emphasizes sound and lighting as part of his tech focus. Dropping more than $150,000 on this multi-sensory experience, he realized his “life dream to build out a sound system I love,” he says. “Enough lighting to power Echostage,” he joked. Lasers, hazers, smoke machines, and CO2 cannons are just a few elements. “One piece lacking at a drag show has been integrated light and sound with the performers’ choreo,” he says, like when a queen performs a death drop, there should be a light and sound crescendo.

Rush also differentiates itself with its unique business model. All Rush employee are ll time e em t ith enefit like healthcare and PTO. Mosley takes up the iti n hi firm ment , which will operate Rush. Mosley envisions growth to open Rush locations in other cities along the same model. Patrons will

swipe their credit cards at the door, reducing the number of swipes for bar staff (and reducing credit card fees), and wear wristbands to track purchases. The approach negates the need – and request – for tips. Service charges will only be levied when patrons don’t close their tabs. “I’m rethinking the role of staff, down to the barback,” he says.

As for what the staff will pour, Rush will slowly roll out an eclectic, cheeky signature cocktail list to be served beyond the usual vodka-sodas. Such drinks might include the “14th & Unhinged,” with tequila, mezcal, tamarind, and lime; the “Power er , ith in, el er er, lem n, an pink peppercorn foam; and the “Flight Attendant,” which comes with a spread a e n the e er lar in i htie, Biscoff.

The bar’s opening is set for Friday, Nov. 28, with a promising lineup — popular DJ Sidekick, and a trio of local drag favorites: Cake Pop, Druex Sidora, and Mari Con Carne. A social media post promised “good energy, controlled chaos, and hot strangers.”

Rush, says Mosley, might be like “if Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga had a baby, plus drag queens,” he says.

EVAN CAPLAN

Va. Dems seek to repeal marriage amendment

Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates on Monday announced passage of a resolution that seeks to repeal a state constit ti nal amen ment that efine marria e as between a man and a woman is among their 2026 legislative priorities.

State Del. Mark Sickles (D-Fairfax County) introduced the resolution in the chamber.

State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) is the sponsor of an identical proposal in the state Senate. Both are gay.

Voters approved the Marshall-Newman Amendment in 2006.

ame e le ha e een able to legally marry in Virginia since 2014. e lian lenn n in la t ear signed a

Comings & Goings

ill that ifie marria e e alit in tate law.

A resolution that seeks to repeal the Marshall-Newman Amendment passed in the General Assembly in 2021. The resolution passed again this year.

Two successive legislatures must approve the resolution before it can go to the ballot.

Heng-Lehtinen joins Trevor Project as SVP

By PETER ROSENSTEIN

The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at comingsandgoings@washblade.com.

Congratulations to RODRIGO HENG-LEHTINEN on his new role as Trevor Project Senior Vice President of Public Engagement Campaigns. On accepting the position, he said, “My mission has long been to stop LGBTQ, and especially trans, people from being perceived as political footballs and start getting us seen as real people - your friends, your families, your neighbors. Now I get to focus on that 100% at The Trevor Project.”

Prior to this, he was executive director, Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE), where he co-led the merger of

two national transgender rights organizations, NCTE and TDLEF, to create the new organization. He had served as executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, leading that organization through a period of growth, restoring organizational size and stability. He had served as deputy executive director prior to that. Previously he served as vice president of Public Education, Freedom for All Americans, where he led a successful campaign for transgender nondiscrimination protections in New Hampshire. He oversaw a full range of legislative l in , fiel r ani in , an mm ni ati n trategies and oganized a leadership coalition, established structure, and divided roles for key committees of 17 state and national partner organizations and local activists.

Heng-Lehtinen conducted English-language inter-

Democrats on Election Day increased their majority in the House of Delegates. Their three statewide candidates — Gov.elect Abigail Spanberger, Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi, and Attorney General ele t a ne ill ta e fi e in anary.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

views with outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, and Politico. He planned a Transgender Leadership Summit for the Transgender Law Center and served as Development & Donor Services Assistant, Liberty Hill Foundation. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from Brown University.

fire ran lea in n re ami r m e

By JOE REBERKENNY | jreberkenny@washblade.com

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced on Friday that she is resigning from Congress.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Georgia 14th Congressional District representative announced her sudden decision to re i n r m fi e

The nearly 11-minute-long video shows Rep. Greene stating she will step down from her role representing one of Georgia’s most Republican districts on Jan. 5, 2026. She cited multiple reasons for this decision, most notably her very public separation from Trump.

In recent weeks, Greene — long one of the loudest and most supportive MAGA members of Congress — has butted heads with the president on a slew of topics. Most recently, she supported pushing the DOJ to release the Epstein Files, becoming one of only four Republicans to sign a discharge petition, against Trump’s wishes.

She also publicly criticized her own party during the government shutdown. Rep. Greene had oddly been supportive of Democratic initiatives to protect healthcare tax credits and subsidies that were largely cut out of national healthcare policy as a result of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” passed in July.

“What I am upset over is my party has no solution,” Greene said in October.

Trump recently said he would endorse

a challenger against the congresswoman if she ran for reelection next year, and last week went as far as to declare, “Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Green is a disgrace to our GREAT REPUBLICAN PARTY!” on his Truth Social platform.

Trump told ABC News on Friday night that Greene’s resignation is “great news for the country,” and added that he has no plans to speak with Greene but wishes her well.

Despite her recent split with the head of the Republican Party, Rep. Greene has consistently taken a staunch stance against legislation supporting the LGBTQ community — notably a hardline “no” on any issue involving transgender people or their right t en er a firmin are

Rep. Greene has long been at odds with the mm nit ithin her fir t m nth in fi e, he riti i e em rat attempts to pass the Equality Act, legislation that would bar anti-LGBTQ employment discrimination. She went as far as to suggest an apocalypse-like scenario if Congress passed such a measure.

“God created us male and female,” she ai n the e r “In his image, he created us. The Equality Act that we are to vote on this week destroys God’s creation. It also completely annihilates women’s rights and religious freedoms. It can be handled completely differently to stop discrimina-

tion without destroying women’s rights, little girls’ rights in sports, and religious freedom, violating everything we hold dear in God’s creation.”

Greene, who serves one of the nation’s most deeply red districts in northwest Georgia, attempted to pass legislation dubbed the “Protect Children’s Innocence Act,” which would have criminalized gener a firmin are r min r an re tri te federal funding and education related to en er a firmin are in 2023. The bill was considered dead in January 2025 after being referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Her push came despite multiple professional medical organizations, including the nati n lar e t an m t in ential the American Medical Association — stating that ithh l in en er a firmin are l do more harm than any such care would.

She has called drag performers “child predators” and described the Democratic Party as “the party of killing babies, grooming and transitioning children, and pro-pedophile politics.”

Greene has also publicly attacked Delaare e arah ri e, the nati n fir t and only transgender member of Congress. She has repeatedly misgendered and attacked McBride, saying, “He’s a man. He’s a biological male,” adding, “he’s got plenty of places he can go” when asked about bath-

rooms and locker rooms McBride should use. Greene has also been vocal about her support for a bathroom-usage bill targeting McBride and transgender Americans as a whole.

She has repeatedly cited false claims that transgender people are more violent than their cisgender counterparts, including falsely stating that the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooter in Texas was transgender. he rmer fir t la al alle for an end to Pride month celebrations. She criticized the fact that the LGBTQ community gets “an entire” month while veterans get “only one day each year” in an X post, despite November being designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. Under Georgia law, Gov. Brian Kemp (R) must hold a special election within 40 days of the seat becoming vacant.

The Washington Blade reached out to th the hite e an reene fi e for comment, but has not heard back.

Most D.C.-area cities receive highest score in HRC Equality Index

e r rea in ri i ti n nati n i e re ei e t ran in

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. | lchibbaro@washblade.com

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation on Nov. 18 released its 14th annual Municipal Equality Index report showing that a record number of 132 cities across the country, including nine in Virginia and seven in Maryland, received the highest score of 100 for their level of support for LGBTQ equality through laws, policies, and services.

m n the area itie an m niipalities receiving a perfect score of 100 were Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County in Virginia and College Park, Bowie, Gaithersburg and Rockville in Maryland.

he it eh th ea h i li te a the only city or municipality in Delaware to re ei e a re eh th it ficials released a statement hailing the high score as a major achievement over the previous year’s score of 61, saying the improvement came through a partnership with the local LGBTQ advocacy and services group CAMP Rehoboth.

he n ati n, hi h er e a the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organization, includes the District of

Columbia in a separate State Equality Index rating system under the premise that D.C. should be treated as a state and receive full statehood status.

In its 2024 State Equality Index report, D.C. and 21 states, including Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware, were placed in the “highest rated category” called Working Toward Innovative Equality, which does not use a numerical score.

he h a re r reaing 132 cities scoring the highest possible

marks on the index, representing a combined population of approximately 49 million people,” the HRC Foundation said in a statement announcing the 2025 report.

hi hi h ater mar i riti al a resure continues from states that pass laws and policies that seek to shut transgender people – particularly trans youth – out of public life,” the statement continues. It adds that many cities that have put in place trans supportive laws and policies, including health in ran e enefit , are in man aes no longer able to provide that coverage in a meaningful way as a result of discriminatory decisions made by state legislatures.”

he tatement e n t a , eer, more cities than ever are doing what the MEI characterizes as ‘testing the limits of restrictive state laws’ – pushing back against various checks on municipal power or disriminat r tate la ith nearl itie in

The HRC statement notes that this year’s Municipal Equality Index rated a total of 506 itie t a that n m er in l e the state capitals, the 200 largest cities in the

, the fi e lar e t itie r m ni i alitie in each state, the cities that are home to the tate t lar e t ni er itie , an the cities or municipalities that have high proportions of same-sex couples.

The report shows this year’s index rated 11 cities or municipalities in Virginia with the following rating scores: Alexandria, 100; Arlington County,100; Fairfax County, 100, Richmond, 100; Charlottesville, 100; Chesapeake, 80; Hampton, 100; Newport News, 100; Norfolk, 91, Roanoke, 100, and Virginia Beach, 100.

In Maryland a total of 10 cities were rated: Annapolis, 100; Baltimore, 100; Bowie, 68; College Park, 100; Columbia, 100; Frederick, 100; Gaithersburg, 100; Hagerstown, ille, an n in altim re County, 85.

A total of eight cities were rated in Delaware: Rehoboth Beach, 100; Bethany Beach, 51; Milford, 83; Dover, 69; Wilmingt n, e ar , m rna, an idletown, 64. he ll n ati n alit Index Report can be accessed at hrc.org.

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re

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Nov. 19 released what it called an updated “peer reie e er i n an earlier re rt laimin ientifi ei en e h that en er a firmin are r treatment r juveniles that attempts to change their gender is harmful and presents a danger to “vulnerable children.”

he re rt, relea e thr h the fi e the i tant e retar ealth, fin that the harm r m e re e tin r e re in l in ert l er , r e h rm ne , an r i al erati n are i nifi ant, l n term, and too often ignored or inadequately tracked,” according to a statement released by HHS announcing the release of the report.

he meri an e i al iati n an the meri an a em e iatri e le the lie that hemi al an r i al e re e tin r e re l e r hilren, ai e retar ert enne r in the tatement, he etra e their ath t fir t n harm, an their alle en er a firmin are ha in i te lasting physical and psychological damage on vulnerable young people,” Kennedy says in the statement.

The national LGBTQ advocacy organizations Human i ht am ai n an i e tatement n the same day the HHS report was released, denouncing it as a sham based on fake science and politics.

HRC called the report “a politically motivated document fille ith tri ht lie an mi in rmati n

In its own statement released on the same day the HHS re rt a relea e , ai alle eer re-

viewed report is similar to an earlier HHS report released in a that ha a re etermine t me i tate grossly uninformed political actors that have deliberately mi hara teri e health are r tran en er th eite the ni rm, ien e a e n l i n the merian me i al an mental health e ert t the ntrar he tatement a , ran e le health are i delivered in age-appropriate, evidence-based ways, and decisions to provide care are made in consultation with doctors and parents, just like health care for all other people.”

n a e arate tatement, arah ate lli called the HHS report a form of “discredited junk science.” She added the report makes claims that are “grossly misleading and in direct contrast to the recommendations of every leading health authority in the world … This report amounts to nothing more than forcing the same discredited idea of conversion therapy that ripped families apart an harme a , le ian, an i e al n e le r decades.”

In its statement announcing the release of its report, HHS in i t it n e ert rather than th e ite it riti are the ones invoking true science.

“Before submitting its report for peer review, HHS commissioned the most comprehensive study to date of the ientifi e i en e an lini al ra ti e rr n in the treatment of children and adolescents for ‘gender dysphoria, the tatement ntin e he a th r ere ra n from disciplines and professional backgrounds spanning

medicine, bioethics, psychology, and philosophy.”

n a n l in mment in the tatement, itant Secretary for Health Brian Christine says, “Our report i an r ent a e all t t r an arent a t the clear dangers of trying to turn girls into boys and vice versa.”

LOU CHIBBARO JR.

h n re e a ine ater ali ith the ati nal ham i n ti e a ar rin their ann al e a e ti e e ent in a hinton.

ater ha re re ente ali rnia r n re inal i tri t in l in m h n ele in e and has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights since her swearing-in.

er tra re r in l e in the e en e arria e t, hi h l ha e ma e marria e nl et een a man an a man n rin the e e t r arria e t, ltimatel re irin all tate t re ni e ame e marria e er rme ther tate an i a l n time rter the alit t, hi h l i m rehen i e r te ti n r meri an In addition to her work on marriage equality, she also reate the in rit nitiati e t hel a re the e a tatin im a t n min rit mm nitie , particularly communities of color.

The award reception took place Tuesday at the headarter the meri an e erati n ea her , here ater a re ente ith the a ar rmer e arne ran a , the enl a mem er nre ran rai e ater r her n a erin rt r the LGBTQ community and her lifelong commitment to advancing equality for all.

“One of the most encouraging developments in the fi ht r h man ri ht i the ail re th e h tra fi in any form of bigotry, including bigotry to divide the Black and LGBTQ+ communities,” said Frank, who came out in hile in fi e ne e er e m re re niti n r tren thenin r nit than a ine ater

n r a ine ater

rin the re e ti n, ater e a t her e ten i e history of LGBTQ advocacy within the halls of Congress, emphasizing that her idea of government centers around uplifting its most vulnerable and threatened communities.

r m the er e innin m li li e e elie e that the government must protect those that are vulnerable, including LGBTQ+ people, who have been pushed to the margins, criminalized and told that their lives and their l e n t matter, ater ai i riminati n ha n place in our laws.”

She continued, adding that the discrimination LGBTQ people have dealt with — and continue to deal with — is unconstitutional and wrong.

“I am proud to stand with LGBTQ+ families against ef-

forts to write discrimination into our constitution, against attempts to deny people jobs, housing, healthcare and basic dignity because of who they are or who they love,” she said. ater in a le ther a ate h ha e received this award, beginning with the late-Georgia Conre man hn e i in a t h n ree in l e alan ali a r ar ara ee, h a then a mem er n re , en amm al in i , ran , l raare li , h a then a mem er n re , an ea er merita an el i ali rian n mmente n the ntine fi ht r ri ht in the a anti tran en er rhet ri an li ie min r m the r m an e hite House grow each week.

“LGBTQ+ people and their families — and all of you here — know too well the reality of the political climate, the attitudes of the public, and the sheer lack of respect that e le are e erien in in the rl t a here n en t the h tile arra e harm l la , it ordinances, and regulations, especially against our trans loved ones,” Bond said. “This particular moment in history calls us to increase and fortify our work, advocating at every level of government.”

He ended with some hope — reminding the LGBTQ community they have been on the receiving end of discrimination and unjust treatment before, but have risen above and changed the laws — saying we can do it again. mem er an rter are ni el ite r thi m ment, e a e e are fi htin r an al n i e our LGBTQ+ loved ones, we know that our love is louder … and love and liberty are inseparable,” said Bond.

JOE REBERKENNY

Black, trans singer wins three Latin Grammy Awards

A Black transgender singer and songwriter from Brazil on Nov. 13 won three Latin Grammy Awards.

Liniker, who is from Araraquara, a city in São Paulo State, won for Best Portuguese Language Song for her song “Veludo Marrom,” Best Portuguese-Language Urban Performance for her song “Caju” from her sophomore album of the same title, and Best Portuguese Language Contemporary Pop Album for “Caju.”

She accepted the awards during the Latin Grammy Awards ceremony that took place in Las Vegas. Liniker also performed.

“I’ve been writing since I was 16. n ritin , an etr , ha e een m reate t rm e i ten e t here fin mself; where I celebrate so many things I experience,” said Liniker as she accepted her fir t atin ramm n “And being a composer … Being a trans composer in ra il a ntr that ill i e tremel i fi lt ini er in e ame the fir t enl tran man t in a atin ramm FROM STAFF REPORTS

Dominican court strikes down police, military sodomy ban

The Dominican Republic’s Constitutional Court on Nov. 18 ruled the country’s National Police and Armed Forces cannot criminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations among its members.

Human Rights Watch in a press release notes the landmark decision struck down Article 210 of the National Police’s Code of Justice and Article 260 of the Armed Forces’ Code of Justice.

li e fi er an er i emem er h en a e in ame e m faced up to two years or one year in prison respectively. Human Rights Watch in its press release said the provisions violated “constitutional guarantees to nondiscrimination, privacy, free development of personality, and the right to work” in the Dominican Republic.

r e a e , the e r i i n r e fi er t li e in ear nishment simply for who they are,” said Cristian González Cabrera, a senior man i ht at h re ear her hi r lin i a re n in a firmati n that a more inclusive future is both possible and required under Dominican law.”

Consensual same-sex sexual relations have been legal in the Dominican Republic since 1822, more than two decades before it declared independence from neighboring Haiti.

The Armed Forces Code of Justice had been in place since 1953. The National Police Code of Justice took effect in 1966.

Anderson Javiel Dirocie de León and Patricia M. Santana Nina challenged the policies in court.

“This decision marks a decisive step toward ensuring that these institutions, as well as any public or private body, adapt their rules and practices to guarantee that no person is discriminated against or sanctioned for their sexual orientation,” said Santana in the press release.

Dominican law does not ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, education, housing, and other areas. The ntr n tit ti n efine marria e a et een a man an a man

James “Wally” Brewster, who was the U.S. ambassador to the Dominican Republic from 2013-2017, is openly gay. Religious leaders frequently criticized him and his husband, Bob Satawake.

Brewster in a text message to the Washington Blade said the Constitutional Court ruling is “important.”

MICHAEL K. LAVERS

PEPFAR delivers new HIV prevention medicine to Africa

The State Department last week ann n e ha eli ere the fir t doses of a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug to two African countries.

The lenacapavir doses arrived in Eswatini and Zambia.

The State Department in September unveiled an initiative with Gilead Sciences to bring lenacapavir “to market in high-burden HIV countries.”

Lenacapavir users inject the drug twice a year.

The State Department in its September announcement noted everyone who participated in Gilead’s clinical trials remained HIV negative. It also said lenacapavir “has the potential to be particularly helpful for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, as it safely protects them during and after pregnancy to prevent motherto-child transmission.”

“In our new America First Global Health Strategy, the Department of State is esta li hin a fir t it in inn ati n

fund to support American-led research, market-shaping, and other dynamic advancements in global health,” said PEPFAR on Tuesday in a press release.

he arri al the fir t e lena apavir in Eswatini and Zambia mark an important milestone in HIV prevention and re e t r mmitment t rtin communities with the greatest need,” added Gilead CEO Daniel O’Day. “For the fir t time, a ne me i ine i rea hin communities in sub-Saharan Africa in the same year as its U.S. approval.”

The September announcement came against the backdrop of widespread criticism over the Trump-Vance administration’s reported plans to not fully fund PEPFAR and to cut domestic HIV/AIDS funding. The Washington Blade has previously reported PEPFAR-funded programs in Kenya and other African countries have been forced to curtail services or even close because of U.S. funding cuts.

MICHAEL K. LAVERS

Global Respect Act arrives in U.S. House

U.S. Reps. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) on Thursday reintroduced a ill that l an ti n rei n fi ial h carry out anti-LGBTQ human rights abuses.

A press release notes the Global Respect Act would direct “the U.S. government to identify and sanction foreign persons who are responsible for torture, arbitrary detention, physical atta , m r er, an ther a rant a e a ain t LGBTQI+ individuals.” The measure would also require “annual human rights reporting from the State Department and strengthens coordination with foreign governments, civil society, and the private sector to prevent anti-LGBTQI+ persecution.”

“Freedom and dignity should never depend on your zip code or who holds power in your country,” said McBride.

he ela are em rat h i the fir t enly transgender person elected to Congress notes consensual same-sex sexual relations remain criminalized in more than 60 countries, while “far too many (countries) look away from the violence that follows.”

he l al e e t t rea firm a im le truth: no one should be targeted for who they are or whom they love,” said McBride. “This bill strengthens America’s voice on human rights.”

“No person should ever face imprisonment, violence, or discrimination on the basis of who they are,” added Fitzpatrick. “The Global Respect Act imposes real and necessary sanctions on those who carry out these abuses and strengthens America’s resolve to uphold basic

human rights worldwide.”

The Global Respect Act has 119 co-sponsors. McBride and Fitzpatrick reintroduced it in the U.S. House of Representatives on the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.

“As we mark Transgender Day of Rememran e, e rea firm that n ne, n matter where they live in the world, should be persecuted or subjected to violence simply because h the are r h m the l e, ai ar Bromley, co-chair of the Council for Global Equality. “The Global Respect Act seeks to hold the world’s worst perpetrators of violence against LGBTQI+ people accountable by leveraging our sanctions regimes to uphold the human rights of all people.”

Outright International, Amnesty International USA, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, ORAM (Organization for Refuge, Asylum and Migration), and the Human Rights Campaign are among the other groups that have endorsed the bill.

U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in June introduced the Global Equality Act in the U.S. Senate. Gay California Congressman Robert Garcia and U.S. Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) on Monday introduced the International Human Defense Act that would require the State Department to promote LGBTQ and intersex rights abroad. The promotion of LGBTQ and intersex rights was a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris administration’s overall foreign policy.

MICHAEL K. LAVERS

GERALD BURLEY

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re an er ei ht, a la in e t altim re, n hat it eel li e n t t it int a rl that a n t reall ma e r hen a , m m ther a e r m n e ti e heart ail re, an itne e ame a an t ar r m mental health rather than t a la e t il m hat i the line en m t ee he ith hen e le a h am an h tarte he tr th i that little ne er reall le t me en n , at ear l , tan in eet in he an n a a itne ine ner, till arr the ear , ment , an in e ritie that r en i an e r int ne ea n li e, t the me a e e a r e hen e ere n lin er an ha e the t rie e tell r el e la n i en e r in he me t ha e er e ti n a a e , r e, en e in a hin t n, , hi h l in l all the m t er e ti n e e it in the rl han e are that i are rea in thi , eel me that t i a la e here r re me al thr h the r e re , here e ree , alarie , an the er e t eel li e n en e e ta ti n n the a e ial me ia, the re re i e en l er e are all r ll in thr h ea h ther hi hli ht reel , m ar in r ehin the ene t me ne el e rate m ment n am n t a e it ha e te the er e t h t ith the in irati nal i it a ain a ti n hen am eelin reat an then ne m letel iet hen li e eel hea am ilt l in ein the tr n rien hile hatin t a mit that metime am the rien h nee rt e are all a ht in a tem that tea he er e ti n r n thin at all t hat n r re n i thi er e ti n i a lie an lnera ilit i the ne tren th hen ir t te e int lea er hi , tr in t e the er e t , n ren r n , arin reatl an imme iatel ra e nt the i ea that lnera ilit i tren th ante t reate a mm nit at here e le elt a e en h t e real ta , mem er , artner , e er ne el me me e ame r m tt r a rea n r mi i n i t reate a rl here e er ne eel n i ent in their in

t in m e rt t il that rl r ther , r t t il it r m el in e la n hin a a n rai er in , enin r ir t ri an m rtar in , r i in , reemer in an alin , an n re arin t en r i th l ati n in ha in e r ar , li e ha een ll l n the a , ent r m ha in a ti ht trainer i a t ainin nearl n a a tre e t entre rene r l t m a ther n er ent hi re la ement r er le t a relati n hi that l e ine n a er t a n t ri ht t n e tra t ee the ine ali e attle al h li m a e e re i n an l neline here are m re t rie than an it in ne ie e t the har e t attle a the ne in m hea e m el r n t ha in the n e ha a e m el h l lea a itne m an i a n t in er e t ha e a e m el h l e a a man in thi it an n t l the a e t hen ame the healin raternit r ther ai t me n the h ne, , ha e t r i e r el t t e me in m tra ha ne er n i ere r i in m el nl ne h t h har er, ha e m re, an hi e the ra hen e h n , rie hat m ment ene methin in me reali e ha n t ne le te m ha hel m li e an m ine t ether the e t a ne h thr h nima ina le ea n t e hamin m el r n t l in li e m a t tarte h n rin the ne a ha r en a tr n here i hat ant t er an ne h i in that ar a e n i e r el the ame ra e i e e er ne el e e r el thr h e er ha e, n t t the hin ne e ni e r th e en hen r th im l mean are till here hen reate , h e t il a h me here e le elt rth t a the are, m tl e a e nee e that h me t mi i n n i t arr that me a e e n r all an int the it l e il a DC.

e a e tren th i n t er e ti n tren th i learnin t l e an im er e t

With love and gratitude, Coach G.

is a longtime LGBTQ rights and Democratic Party activist. He writes regularly for the Blade.

Happy Thanksgiving to all

Dreaming of a brighter future for America

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and can enjoy it with family and friends and that you have things you can be thankful for this past year. That you have your health. Now here is the column I would have liked to share with you this Thanksgiving:

To all my friends and family. This year I am thankful the felon has left the White House. It feels we can all finally breath again. I am so happy his idea of a ballroom at the White House was a joke, and we can once again walk in Jackie Kennedy’s rose garden, and visit the beautiful East Wing. I am thankful the felon’s personal Goebbels, Stephen Miller, lost his job when the reality that he was a fascist was too much to take. It was wonderful to see the Supreme Court wake up and do their job once again. They stopped drinking the MAGA KoolAid and voided all the executive orders calling on museums to hide the history of Black Americans, women, and the LGBTQ community. They told the president he didn’t have the right to place tariffs, and that he couldn’t fire legally appointed members of commissions under the rubric of Congress’s control.

Then I am thankful the Congress began to do its job. That so many Republicans grew a set of balls and decided to challenge Speaker Mike ‘sycophant’ Johnson, reminding him they were an independent part of government, and didn’t need to rubber stamp everything the felon wanted. I was thankful to see them extend the SNAP program indefinitely, and the same with the tax credits for the ACA, agreeing to include these important programs in next year’s budget. Then they went further, and paid for the programs, by rescinding all the tax benefits they had given to the wealthy, and corporations, in the felon’s big ugly bill. Finally realizing it is the poor and middle class who they had to help if the country was to move forward. Then I can’t thank them enough for finally passing the Equality Act, and doing it with a veto proof majority, so the felon had to sign it, before he left office. They did the same for the Choice Act, and the Voting Rights Act. It was a glorious year with so much to be thankful for.

Then I am so thankful Congress finally stood up to the felon and said he couldn’t start wars without their approval, and the Supreme Court ruled they were right. That attacking Venezuela was not something he had the right to do. Then the final thing the court did this year I am thankful for, is they actually modified their ruling on presidential immunity, and said the felon’s grifting was not covered, as under their decision that was private, and not done in his role as president. Again, can’t thank them enough for waking up and doing that.

Then there is even more I am thankful for this year. It was so nice to see Tesla collapse, and Musk lose his trillion-dollar salary. The people finally woke up to him and insisted Congress mandate the satellite system he built, basically with money from the government, was actually owned by the government, and he could no longer control who can use it. It was determined he alone would not be able to tell Ukraine whether or not they can use it in their war defending against the Russian invasion. Then I am so thankful Congress went even further, and approved the funds needed by the Ukrainians for long-range missiles, and a missile defense system, accepting Ukraine was actually fighting a proxy war for the West, and Ukraine winning that war would help keep our own men and women off the battlefield.

And speaking of our military, I thank Congress for lifting the ban on transgender persons in the military, and honoring their service, along with the service of women, Black service members, all members of the LGBTQ community, and all minorities. It was fun to see Pete Hegseth being led out of the Pentagon, and being reminded he wasn’t the Secretary of War. There is no Department of War, it is still the Department of Defense, with congressional oversight. Again, so many things to be thankful for this past year. It seemed like my heart runneth over.

Then my alarm went off and I woke up from my big beautiful dream, only to realize I was still living in the Trumpian nightmare.

Native Art Market

Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7

10 AM–5 PM

One weekend ONLY! Make your holiday shopping special and support Indigenous artists.

Visitors will have the unique opportunity to purchase traditional and contemporary handcra ed artworks, including beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, and sculpture.

Visit the museum’s exhibitions, enjoy lunch at the Mitsitam Cafe, and join a curator-led tour.

Kids can enjoy a make-and-take cra activity in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center.

AmericanIndian.si.edu | @SmithsonianNMAI

With its familiar music, yuletide imagery, and storytelling, theater can be a big part of the holidays. Add to that making memories and theater tickets wrapped as presents under the tree, and it’s a seasonal no brainer.

Folger Theatre presents “Resplendent Joy: Christmas Traditions from Spain and Portugal” (Dec. 5-14); the marvelous Folger Consort will perform early Spanish Christmas carols and traditional holiday music from early modern Spain and Portugal: folger. edu/resplendent

At Round House Theatre, playwright Sam Holcroft’s “Rules for Living” (Dec. 3-Jan. 4) makes its U.S. premiere. The darkly funny holiday comedy was a hit in London and is now hoping to repeat that success with a version tailored for the states. The seven-person cast includes versatile actors Naomi Jacobson and real-life spouse John Lescault. Ryan Rillette directs.

Theatre J presents “Chanukah in the Dark” (Dec. 6-21), an hour-long play ideal for a e fi e an hen the li ht t rin han ah, a an amil e in sharing songs, stories, and traditions — only to discover the lights they needed and the miracles they searched for were in their midst all along.” www.edcjcc.org

The Cathedral Choral Society’s “Joy of Christmas” (Dec. 13-14) presents a wonderful program of carols and beloved holiday favorites at the festively decorated National Cathedral. The program features Seraph Brass, organist Edward Hewes, Carillonneur ar a r, er i ni t ar a lan he re i ent n arine Band, and the Eastern Concert Choir from Eastern Senior High School. Cathedralchoralsociety.org

With “The Holiday Show,” e , , an , the a en h r ret rn t entertain audiences with its annual and most popular show. hi ear the h li a e tra a an a i i er than e er at hi t ri Lincoln Theatre with ne , l l arran ement a rite h li a ar l he rein eer ill e hi h i in an the n a e ill ar le n in l e l i ht, l h the e e ein eer, et t n , e i h the errie t, an ell t n the ntain www.gmcw.org

t lne intimate lit el heatre a , t a t r i hael tt i a for the holiday season in his solo show “Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas” (through Dec. 28). The talented Russotto portrays nearly 50 different characters from the harle i en la i , that r e nnier an ar m re rele ant than mi ht

D.C. theater scene has something for everyone this holiday season

‘Nutcracker,’ ‘A Christmas Carol,’ and much more

By PATRICK FOLLIARD

ima ine lne theatre r l n h li a er in the are a ll n h m i al he tn t a ell a reliable Christmas crowd-pleasers. n l e n the r ter i lne heatre r ti n err erman “Hello, Dolly!” thr h an tarrin the me a talente a a t n a e n the la he at hma er ame a la ri ht h rnt n il er, the m i al ha r e a e hi le r man a i a in l in ar l hannin , earl aile , ette i ler, an ar ra trei an a t n n the mantle an the i

Another beloved musical is “Fiddler on the Roof” (through Jan. 25), the story of Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman, his family and their tight-knit community who honor tra iti n hile nten in ith r m in ari t ia rrentl ein er rme intimately in the round at Signature Theatre in Arlington and directed by Joe Calarco, the lar e a t eat re a t r la ill , hri her l h, an terrifi t a t r a e e enthal a the r tail r tel am il, all in in r a a a rite li e n ri e, n et ere a i h an an at hma er i theatre r

At Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Harman Hall is Frank Loesser’s “Guys and Dolls” (through Jan. 4). Based on tales from famed American journalist Damon Runyon, the show focuses on two overlapping love stories set in Depression-era Times Square. The terrifi re in l e n li e e a a , it n, re in the at, Bushel and a Peck,” and more songs you’ll know. Directed by Francesca Zambello and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse.

he a t in l e lie en , am nt r n, an ll r a eneral atil a B. Cartwright, which is reason enough to buy a ticket. shakespearetheatre.org

And for hardcore traditionalists there’s the Washington Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” (through Dec. 29) with its balletic magic at the charming gilded Warner Theatre. The beloved production of Tchaikovsky’s ballet, here set in 1882 Georgetown, features a retin e a ile artier , hil ren, l ier , rat , an n ta le fi re r m meri an hi tory. washingtonballet.org

And last but hardly least, historic Ford’s Theatre presents “A Christmas Carol” thr h e , an en rin a hin t n tra iti n in e a n i h n ei e i hael ar n, thi harmin i en m ne ma er a ain tli ht rai alla e a mi erl ene er r e h a ter a ni ht h tl i it , re i er hri tma joy. Fords.org

Holiday movie season off to a ‘Wicked’ good start

From Hallmark to horror, something for all tastes

By JOHN PAUL KING

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to look ahead to the movies headed our way for December – and t li e la t ear, the er e t film t la n h it all i alrea here.

We’re talking, of course, of “Wicked: For Good” (now in theaters), the follow-up to last year’s smash adaptation of the hit Broadway musical that turns the witchy mythos of “The Wizard of Oz” inside out. A continuation rather than a sequel, director John M. Chu’s sumptuously crafted epic adapts the show’s second act to conclude the saga of green-skinned Elpheba – branded as a “wicked” witch by the authoritarian Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) for her rebellion against his suppression of Oz’s animal population – and her complicated relationship with “frenemy” Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera), who is now serving as a sort of “double agent” by working to change the regime from within. As ith the m ie r e material, there a efinite eond act slump,” which Chu and co-screenwriters Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox attempt to counter with some minor retooling of the plot, incorporating more material derived from the Gregory Maguire novel that inspired it all, and adding a couple of new, original songs; it works, to a large degree, but the second half still lacks the bubbling en e an e itement that ma e the fir t h an infectious hit.

Still, that’s just a quibble – and while this one may not leave us as giddy, it’s a worthy completion of the project, arguably improving the show by granting it levels of emotional resonance, political subtext, and overall depth that always seemed to be the missing element to the material r the a t hi h al in l e fir t t a e ie t man alive” Jonathan Bailey, alongside Michelle Yeoh, Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater, and Bowen Yang), they all continue to deliver powerhouse performances, breathing the kind of fully developed life into their fantastical characters that ma e them all ti ith a ter the final hi h n te i n So never mind the inevitable letdown that comes with the splitting of the story into two parts – taken as a whole, Chu’s “Wicked” saga is still a cinematic triumph that, frankly, very few of us expected it to be, and that’s hardly a reason to be disappointed.

As for the rest of the holiday season, there’s not much in the way of directly LGBTQ content coming to our screens – but there are still plenty of promising titles for us to look forward to.

Cutting to the chase for fans of the “Queer Christmas

Romance” genre, we’re happy to report that Hallmark – the reigning champion of such fare – has two queer holiday entries lined up for you this season. First up is “A Keller Christmas Vacation” (Hallmark+, now streaming), a quirky tale of three adult siblings on a holiday cruise with their parents in Europe, each dealing with their own personal issues a the fin ne e te , r man e, an amil n along the way – and gay heartthrob Jonathan Bennett, who’s pretty much become the poster boy for this genre, stars as one of them, with former Superman Brandon Routh providing extra eye candy for good measure. The second is “The Christmas Baby” (Hallmark, 12/21), starring Ali Liebert and Katherine Barrell as a lesbian couple who get a h li a r ri e hen the fin a a n their r te they decide to adopt – which, naturally, requires them to negotiate the process of balancing their relationship and careers with the challenge of being new moms.

There’s also “The Christmas Writer” (Tello, now streaming) in which a lesbian romance author (Shelby Allison Brown) returns to her hometown in search of some Christmas spirit after the death of her mother, an ugly breakup, an a a a e riter l hat he fin i a in le le ian m m allie ell , an in ar en e

For heartwarming Christmas cheer without the romcom trappings, there’s “Oh. What. Fun.” (Prime Video 12/3), which serves up Michelle Pfeiffer as a mom and grandma whose knack for putting on the perfect holiday gathering is taken for granted by her self-absorbed family – until they leave her behind on a family outing, forcing them to pull it together themselves. Pfeiffer leads an ensemble cast that includes co-stars like Eva Longoria, Felicity Jones, Denis Leary, Danielle Brooks, Jason Schwartzman, Maude Apatow, Joan Chen, and Chloë Grace Moretz as the queer daughter whose vegan girlfriend throws a last-minute wrench into the dinner menu. Sounds relatable!

Not holiday-themed but still a gift, “Merrily We Roll Along” (limited theaters 12/5) is the multiple-Tony-winning 2023 Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s musical that tells the story – in reverse – of three high school BFFs as their relationship (and their ideals) shift across three decades. Featuring some of Sondheim’s most personal compositions, director Maria Friedman’s production of the show (starring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Linde en e a immer i el a t re n film e re ling in 2024 – and now, it’s on its way to movie screens as a special holiday treat for musical theatre lovers. Likewise unseasonable and just as intriguing is “100 Nights of Hero” (limited theaters 12/5), an adaptation of the graphic novel by Isabel Greenberg (itself based on the classic folk tale “1,001 Nights”) in which a woman (Maika Monroe) is left alone by her neglectful husband (Amir El-Masry) for 100 nights at the estate of his seductive friend (Nicholas Galitzine, “Red, White, and Royal Blue”) as a test her fi elit , ith nl her l al mai mma rrin, he Crown”) as an ally. A sexy and stylish period fantasy with a queer-inlusive cast, it comes with buzzy acclaim from its eni e ilm e t e t, e e efinitel t thi ne n our list.

Kristen Stewart fans will be excited to see the debut of “The Chronology of Water” (limited theaters 12/5), the eer reen een fir t film a r er, ire t r, an co-writer. Adapted from Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, it stars Imogen Poots as a woman who overcomes personal trau-

ma through her writing, and earned a lengthy standing ovation at its Cannes premiere earlier this year. The release is limited, with a wider expansion in early 2026 – but we’re nfi ent it ill e rth aitin r, i ha e t “Hamnet” (Theaters, 12/12), from Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao, delivers a speculative slice of behindthe-scenes history with a period tearjerker about William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and his wife, Agnes (Jessie Buckley), as they struggle to cope with the death of their 11-year-old son – a real-life tragedy that inspired the playwright in his creation of “Hamlet.” Advance reviews have offered high praise for this one, especially regarding Buckley’s performance; but as his fans know, Mescal is no slouch either, and they’ll no doubt be standing in line for this one whether they’re interested in Shakespeare or not. Emily Watson and Joe Alwyn also star.

It’s been 15 years since iconic producer/director James L. Brooks has made a movie, but the “Terms of Endearment filmma er i a thi m nth ith “Ella McCay” (theaters, 12/12), a political dramedy set in the Obama era, which follows a young Lieutenant Governor (Emma Mackey) as she prepares to take over after her boss and mentor (Albert Brooks) accepts a Cabinet position with the new administrati n l eat rin lar an r lifi eer all amie Lee Curtis, alongside Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani, Ayo Edebiri, and Woody Harrelson, it’s sure to be a highlight of the season – after all, besides all his movies, Brooks is the man responsible for “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Simpsons,” so the track record speaks for itself.

Daniel Craig returns for one more round as Master Detective Benoit Blanc in “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” et i , , the thir in tallment in filmmaker Rian Johnson’s series of all-star comedic “whodunnits” that both spoof and pay homage to the classic murer m ter enre efine atha hri tie an ther authors of her era. This time, the eccentric gay detective investigates a murder within a devout church community centered around a charismatic priest (Josh Brolin), in what’s described as “his most dangerous case yet,” and the list of suspects includes Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church. If it e en hal a ia li all le er a the fir t t film , it bound to be a fun ride.

CALENDAR |

Friday, November 28

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. To RSVP, visit the DC enter e ite r email a am the enter r GoGayDC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen Bar. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, November 29

GoGay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 12 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and converati n tten an e i ree an m re etail are a aila le on Eventbrite.

Sunday,

November 30

GoGay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Coffee and Conversati n at m at re e t are en ra e to come and enjoy stimulating conversation. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Monday, December 01

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of h i e r m re in rmati n, nta t am a amhell er@thedccenter.org).

“Soulfully Queer: LGBTQ+ Emotional Health and Spirituality Drop-In” will be at 3 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This group will meet weekly for eight weeks, providing a series of drop-in sessions designed to offer a safe, welcoming space for open and respectful conversation. Each session invites participants to explore themes of spirituality, identity, and belonging at their own pace, whether they attend regularly or drop in occasionally. For more details visit the DC Center’s website.

Tuesday, December 02

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. Email andyaria mail m ith an e ti n

Friends of Dorothy Cafe will host “Choose Our Blend” at 6 p.m. at Stardust Vintage & Gift. Guests are encouraged to come sip, sample, and vote on a lineup of custom coffee blends from Rustic Route Coffee Co., a DMV-based queer-owned roaster. Guests’ votes will hel ti te h e the a fi ial i nat re roast. Event organizers will take donations, and more detail are a aila le n ent rite

By TINASHE CHINGARANDE

Wednesday, December 03

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confi en e, m ti ati n, re ilien e an r ti it r e e tive job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email centercareers@thedccenter.org or visit www.thedccenter.org/ careers.

Center Aging Women’s Social Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, email adamheller@thedccenter. r

Thursday, December 04

DC Center’s Fresh Produce Prowill be held all day at the DC Center be

gram for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email supportdesk@thedccenter.org or all

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom.

This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a suprt r r the ian an a ifi Islander Queer Community. For more details, email supportdesk@thedccenter.org.

OUT & ABOUT

Impulse Group DC to host fundraiser

Impulse Group DC, a local advocacy organization, will host “Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour” on Tuesday, Dec. at m at h r t n e hi e ent i a e ial ha h r n rai er fille ith good vibes, great food, and community connection. DJ Obie will be on deck keeping the energy high while you enjoy tacos, cocktails, and the kind of atmosphere only

Thurst can deliver. for the D.C. community.

rti n e er i nat re tail l e ire tl toward supporting Impulse Group D.C.’s work in sexual health, mental health, harm reduction, and social justice mi i n i ree an m re etail are a aila le n

Eventbrite.

Fadi Jaber’s Middle Eastern background shapes Adams Morgan bakery

The Cakeroom debuts on 18th Street

By SHREYA JYOTISHI

Fadi Jaber is the gay owner behind the Cakeroom’s bright pink facade on 18th Street, N.W. He combines his Middle a tern a r n an meri an a r t rin a n talgic spread of desserts to Adams Morgan.

Born and raised in a U.S. compound in Saudi Arabia, a er fir t nl e an intere t in la i meri an e ert from his classmates.

“I was jealous that their moms would bring these delicious cupcakes to school when it was their birthdays, and my mom ne er ma e t li e that t a t ra e lea e an h mm an er ra i , a er ai

After years of making boxed cake mixes in Saudi Arabia, Jaber tried a carrot cake from a friend’s wife from the U.S. He soon decided to make the recipe himself. When letting his parents sample the treat, Jaber’s mother suggested adding dates instead of carrots.

Now, Jaber sells the same date cake at the Cakeroom. a er li ifie hi a re iati n r meri an a e goods after a friend took him to Magnolia’s Bakery in New r he i it in ire him t enr ll in the n tit te linary Education.

t ell in l e ith the n e t, an it a er m h m alle , a er ai a alrea a in r m rat h an making homemade style desserts that weren’t super chichi and elegant, but more just delicious and fun and nostalgic, an a thr a t e le hil h

n lea in linar h l, a er m e t r an, here hi arent rel ate e e i e t lea e hi rrate job and open a bakery. According to Jaber, his father initially refuted the idea until he tried the desserts Jaber perfected in culinary school.

“He was part of the Palestinian diaspora. So, you know, i en all the in ta ilit in hi li e ha in een r e t their h me in , it a reall a er ar th ht t a more instability by going out on your own and starting your n ine , a er ai

a er then ene ar a , hi fir t a er , in mman, r an, in

r in t a er, the a er a the fir t a e h in the Middle East. He soon launched additional locations in eir t, e an n, an ai, nite ra mirate

After six years, Jaber decided to return to the U.S. Jaber n te that he ha al a l n e t li e there, t he trle t ma e hi a e a n el n e t t an meri an adience.

“I’m kind of bringing pasta to the Italians, in a sense, where m a e ere er ni e in r an, the l n t e a ni e in , a er ai t m m m ha nfi en e he i n t e en at an e e, an he a li e, thin h l it

ear ri r, a er e an i itin a hin t n hile atten in the lle e illiam & ar n the m e, he ettle n a hin t n a a le m etiti e mar et than New York, citing his appreciation for the city’s international feel, architecture and nature.

ter re r itin in e t r , a er ene ar a in am r an in e em er e er, n ein struck with a cease and desist letter from a bakery in Ohio with a similar name, Jaber experimented with 20 different

name r the ine

Finally, he settled on the Cakeroom in the summer of 2014.

a t all t me all r m ernment em lees thanking me for the name change, because they said Sugar Daddy’s didn’t look good when they would Google it n their r la t , a er ai , in l

As for Jaber’s identity as a gay man, he notes that he h e t mer i it the a er m e a e the li e r r t rather than e t hi e al i entit till, he n te that operating the bakery in an LGBTQ-friendly city increases business opportunities to bake for LGBTQ weddings.

“A lot of people know me as the owner, I’m the face behind the brand. People in D.C. know that I’m gay, so I think we do get some business that way, but I would hate for people to just support my business because of my sexual orientati n, a er ai

Jaber manages the Cakeroom remotely, focusing on online r er , eli erie , he lin , r erin , a h mana ement, and more. He notes that while most days are routine, at lea t t , three time a ee there me firefi htin that nee t ha en

While Jaber does not intend on opening another location of the Cakeroom, he hopes to continue managing the business for another decade.

e een in thi in tr r ear , a er ai i an t ee it a at, that l e m h e t i e me r e n a ail a i

Jaber’s top recommendations from the Cakeroom’s array of sweets include Nutella cookies, the date cake, and the arr t a e he arr t a e i a e n the e ert that fir t in ire

Jaber to pursue a career in baking.

“I think I altered it just a tiny bit, but for the most part, it is based off of the original recipe that I got from my friend’s i e, a er ai

e eral r er h an i e re e an n t n h t hel

eel li e he ra in me int hi h ele ne

By MICHAEL RADKOWSKY

Dear Michael,

My husband is a federal worker. Many of his colleagues took “the fork” or have een fire r ha een er helmin e all r late he m rale in hi fi e i terri le i a he i aeare ith the h t n alth h e t the e ifi hi , he till ha to go in. He’s gotten increasingly dere e , irrita le, an h rt tem ere met a n ear a hen e ere n , an ne the thin that ma e me all in l e ith him a hi i eali m e ame t a hin t n e a e he wanted to contribute to the well-being of our country.

hen l at him n , it li e he been through the wringer. He’s lost his i eali m, eel na re iate r ntr , an i e min itter

He never wants to go out with friends. ither he e n t ant t hear them mlain a t the ame rt thin he e erien in , r he e n t ant t ha e t intera t ith e le h are in t fine, i e

e al e n t eel li e in t, t the t e re h me a l t t e re n t en in time t ether hen e re at h me e rfin the internet, m r llin , r la in i e ame an t et him t tal t me he a , n t ant t tal a t an thin , it t ma e me eel r e an t et him t an thin that mi ht hel him eel etter. He doesn’t want to cook dinner with me, he e n t ant t eat an hi arite that ma e r him, he n t go for a walk with our dog (exercise is e t hel m , ri ht

m reall rrie a t him learl , he e re e , an n thin am tr in i hel in him t eel etter t in a iti n, am tartin t et ann e m h m re an tr t thin r him that he e n t re n t an e n t a re iate e een thr h thi l n l , ar, t n eel li e am ein e int hi e re i n an h ele ne m tartin t eel li e i in m l nel an mi m h an an am e airin that he e er reall in t me a

n h rt, n hate m li e, t

m n t in an here t am rrie that m main eelin t ar him i tartin t e a ath there methin an t hel him that ha en t th ht

Michael replies:

m rr , thi i h a r h time

t n er tan a le that hen mene l e i erin an eelin miera le, mi ht at time et e an eel li e llin a a

an hi n t e ea tri e t ee in min that ettin an r at a n r rtrate ith him n t hel n t tr t in i t that a n anthin ten, hen e h me ne t methin that the n t ant t , thi t re lt in their i in in m re

There’s a great saying by an ancient e i h a e, a i ar n hile an t fi the h le rl , that e n t mean h l i e an n thin t hel

I thought of that saying as I read your letter, e a e hile an t et a n t han e hi m r ta e a ti n n hi n ehal , ma ha e me a ilit t hel him

imilarl , hile an t ha e a antati time in li e hen r h an i in a mi era le la e, an ta e are yourself and likely have a better life than are ha in at re ent

r tarter , en ra e t ee remin in r el that thi i ith t t ne the har e t eri r h an li e it a er i ea t ha e an en heart an a l t m ai n r a n, a m h the time a

e le enerall n t li e t e na e r e an a a n i he li e t in r a al , r an tin , t tread carefully. You can advocate for what li e, t a n et t e i e hat he wants to do.

an ertainl a a n hat he l li e r m , e e iall hen he m lainin l e the n e t l he li e t hear im l li ten l he li e help (advice on what to r l he t li e a hug he e t me a e an en t an, r re en e an an nin l in tan e, i am here re n t alone.” Even when he wants to stay in the a ement la in i e ame re n t riti i in him an re n t in him a e re a in me ie th li e an lea in him a late l t eat i an hen he ant t e re t

treat r el t me, a ell n term i er inter enti n , an e t that a n meet ith a thera i t, r meet ith hi h i ian t ithe i ilit an anti e re ant t hel him thr h thi a l eri r e am le, mi ht ha e a in ere n er ati n here a methin li e thi m rrie a t reall ant t en ra e t et me hel l e r an nl ar, an hile m n t in an here, li e t ta e eri l h mi era le are m here t en ra e that ma e l eel etter, e en th h r ir m tan e are terri le an eel disillusioned.”

ain, tr in t n in e r r e ason to take action will likely go nowhere useful.

Now let’s focus on you. Living with a e re e e an e a mi era le, l r hin e erien e eri e , re at hin the er n l e er, an re rett m h l in r artner in man the thin that ma e li e en a le

Part of getting through this is to acn le e that there i a limit t hat an r a n n art it i t tren then r mmitment t el are a in are r el ma ee r m in t ar int mi er r reentment e e n t ant t et t ether ith a rien n i er in an a , and do your best to have at least a good time ame thin ith a al , a meal, r ittin n t at h a m ie li e t ee mi ht al n ier meetin ith a thera i t r n in rt an trate i in hile thi eri r li e i relin l i fi lt, tr t remem er that it li el ill me t an en , that there ill li el e time ahea r an r a n, an that in the meantime,in r e t t fin a t ta e are r el hile al ein a rti e an l in e ill hel t rvive.

(Michael Radkowsky, i a lien e h l i t h r ith le an in i i al in e an e n nline at mi haelra m ll i enti in in rmati n ha een han e r rea n nfi entialit a e a e ti n en it t mi hael mihaelra m

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Observance held at Metropolitan Community Church (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Transgender Day of Remembrance was observed at the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Nov. 20. The event was emceed by Rayceen Pendarvis and Dwight Venson. Proclamations from the D.C. Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser were presented.

Dropkick Murphys, Earth to Eve perform on steps of Lincoln Memorial

Remove the Regime rally and march

i r er , eller rin h li a er l an erl e in r real e tate tran a

By SCOTT HELMS

The holiday season is a magical time, fille ith ele rati n, tra el, nne ti n, an re e ti n t al ha en t e aer l an ten erl e in r th in an ellin real e tate r mem er the mm nit , h in r a ne h me r re arin t li t a r ert rin the h li a me ith rt nitie , hallen e , an im rtant n i erati n that e er e th ht l attenti n

hether re re arin t ma e a m e a a ame e le, ear hin r a e an a firmin nei h rh , r h in t e re the e t i le ri e r r h me ale e re the ne ear, the h li a an er ni e a antae ith an in l i e a r a h, rien l re r e , an the ri ht r ei nal i an e, thi ea n an e a trate i an re ar in time t ta e r ne t real e tate te el are a ti na le ti , in i ht , an re r e e ifi all tail re t h me er an eller na i atin the h li a ea n

The holidays can be a powerful — and often overlooked — window for both buying and selling real estate. (Photo via Bigstock/monkeybusinessimages)

Why the Holidays Can Be the Right Time

er m etiti n & ti ate eller e a e man e le t their real e tate lan n a e rin em er an e em er, h me er ma ee l er m etiti n, e er i in ar , an eller h are ea er t l e e re an ar hi an rin real a anta e r fir t time a h me er r ame e le ee in m re a ra le ne tiatin term er re re eri re ellin r h me a an in i i al, remem er h li a er ten t e m re intenti nal, finaniall re are , an timeline ri en hi an ma e the ale r e m ther

li a eal el me h etter arm li htin , ea nal r, an nei h rh e ti itie an enhan e r a eal an em ti nal im a t hi h an e e e iall al a le hen ellin r h me

Tip #1: Choose LGBTQ-Friendly Representation

e all el e r ith a r e i nal h n er tan the mm nit an the ni e n ern lient ha e

hi mean h in

• a a realt r

• a le ian realt r

• an rien l real e tate agent

ent h are art , r ee l amiliar ith, the mm nit an ma e a tremen i eren e in a et , m rt, an nfi en e thr h t the tran a -

ti n

r m re than ear , a ealtate m ha een the tr te lea er in real e tate, r i in h me er an eller a e t

• erifie real e tate a ent

• ame e le h me in eert

• rien l realt r near

• a ent e erien e in i rimina-

ti n relate r te ti n

• rel ati n e iali t hether re in r ellin , thi tart n the ri ht ath

Tip #2: Focus on LGBTQ-Friendly Neighborhoods re in a h me rin the h li a , ma e re ear hin nei h rh a t ri rit

r area n n r

• n l i n & i er it

• ti e l al r

• a rien l ine e

• i i le mm nit reence

• rti e h l & er i e

• ri e e ent & allian e ear hin nline hel t tal in ith an rien l realt r h n the e nei h rh fir than i in ala le

l ear h

• rime tati ti

• l al anti i riminati n li ie

• r te ti n a ain t h in iriminati n

• hate rime ata

• liti al limate

• re lati n

ti n

r h me h l eel a e ear r n , n t t e ti e in e em er

Tip #3: Know Your Legal Protections in i riminati n till e i t an h me er an eller m t remain i ilant hile e eral r te ti n e i t thr h the air in t a inter rete t in-

l e e al rientati n an en er i en-

tit , n t all tate r i e e al r te ti n n r ri ht ar n

• rt a e i riminati n

• ental reenin i riminati n

• eller re in er r m er

• i riminati n

• ara ment a ter m e in r a ent h l e a le t a i t t a eal tate m al er e ati nal i an e an re r e r na i atin le al r te ti n in real e tate

Tip #4: Navigate the Emotional Side

r er an eller , the h lia an tir m le eelin

• amil nami

• finan ial re re

• e e tati n ar n marria e r artner hi

• rel ati n tre

• mem rie tie t a h me e atient ith r el in r ellin a h me i li e han in h n r the em ti nal rne a m h a the finan ial ne

Tip #5: Take Advantage of Holiday Cost Savings in

• er intere t rate ma a ear ar n e em er

• ntra t r ten i nt h me in e ti n & re air thi time ear

• er r n h li a r m ti n ellin

• in r ea nal ra e hel tremen l

• arm li htin

• ne e er reen lanter

• e ti e r nt r a ent

• e are l n t t er e rate er nee t ee the a e learly n e h li a ie hel

Tip #6: If You’re Relocating — Plan Ahead an er rel ate rin the h li a t

• e l er t amil

• m e in ith a artner

• e in a ne in the ne ear re rel atin a anle r amil

• re ear h l al re r e

• nne t ith l al r anizations

• a r a real e tate a ent a t l al l , r , an er i e

• e al ate l n term a et r amilie

lan earl e em er m e et e a t

Tip #7: Use Trusted LGBTQ Real Estate Resources

he m t im rtant re r e all a eal tate m the e i ate real e tate re r e r er ear n a eal tate m, an fin

• rien l real e tate a ent nati n i e

• erifie a an le ian ealt r

• real e tate mar et in rmation

• ame e le h me in i an e

• real e tate er i e

• a an le ian rien l nei h rhoods

• el ati n t l

• h me er & eller ecation

ther ite er thi le el e iali ati n, e erti e, r mm nit nneti n

he h li a are m re than t a ea n ele rati n the re al a meanin l rt nit r h me ner hi , real e tate tran iti n , an ne e innin hether re a fir t time a h meer, a ame e le ellin a h me, r an amil re arin t rel ate, e er e an e erien e r n e in re e t, in l i n, an a et ith the ri ht re arati n an the ri ht rien l real e tate a ent r rne an e re ar in , a firmin , an fille ith ne i ilitie r the ear ahea

fin an real e tate a ent h n er tan r nee , i it aeal tate m, the tr te lea er in real e tate er i e , re r e , an re re entati n r er three e a e

SCOTT HELMS is president and owner of Gayrealestate.com.

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LEGAL NOTICE

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

PROBATE DIVISION 2025 ADM 001184

Christopher Josephe Huskins, Name of Decedent

Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs Jesse Manuel Graves, whose address is 3324 93rd St, Apt1S, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Christopher Josephe Huskins who died on October 23, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street NW, Building A, 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 on or before 05/21/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or. filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before 05/21/2026 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: November 21, 2025

/s/Jesse Manuel Graves 718-639-6390

/s/Nicole Stevens, Register of Wills.

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