Metro Weekly - 12-10-15 - Danish Girl

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DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
METROWEEKLY.COM
DECEMBER 10, 2015
EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Randy Shulman
DECEMBER 10, 2015

Volume 22 / Issue 32
ART DIRECTOR
Todd Franson
MANAGING EDITOR
Rhuaridh Marr
SENIOR EDITOR
John Riley
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Doug Rule
SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ward Morrison, Julian Vankim
NEWS

Rights Alliance
Blood Criminals
by John Riley
by John Riley
12
Community Calendar
First Lady
With The Danish Girl, Tom Hooper
CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR
Scott G. Brooks
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Gordon Ashenhurst, Sean Bugg, Connor J. Hogan,
Troy Petenbrink, Kate Wingfield
WEBMASTER
David Uy
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Julian Vankim
SALES & MARKETING

PUBLISHER
Randy Shulman
BRAND STRATEGY & MARKETING
Christopher Cunetto
Cunetto Creative
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Rivendell Media Co.
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DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Dennis Havrilla
PATRON SAINT
Holly Woodlawn
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY
Focus Features
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DECEMBER 10, 2015
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FEATURES
16
by Rhuaridh Marr
20
Gilded Lily
The Danish Girl Film Review
by Rhuaridh Marr
brings to life the story of
Lili Elbe, an oft-forgotten

transgender pioneer

22
The von Trapps perform with the
NSO Pops and Stephanie J. Block

by Doug Rule
OUT ON THE TOWN

24

GMCWs Santa, Jerry Lee

by Tim Rosenberger
STAGE

33

Sons of the Prophet
GAMES

35

Just Cause 3
NIGHTLIFE

39

Trade Grand Opening
46
Last Word
by Doug Rule
by Rhuaridh Marr
photography by Ward Morrison
METROWEEKLY.COM
DECEMBER 10, 2015
CDC says HIV diagnosis rates down

Gay imam says Trump evokes Third Reich
METRO WEEKLY
LGBT
News
Now online at MetroWeekly.com
Rights Alliance
The fight for reproductive rights is more intertwined with the LGBT
movement than many realize
by John Riley
HE ANIMUS AGAINST THOSE WHO SUPPORT

LGBT rights and against those who believe we should
have bodily autonomy and reproductive choice flows
from the same poisonous tree, says Kate Kendall,
the executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights
(NCLR). Its a sense that individuals are not entitled to their
own autonomy, to their own authentic lives, if it runs afoul of a
certain code of how we should behave.
As such there exists a natural alliance between the LGBT
rights movement and the womens/reproductive rights movement. Its a relationship that relies on mutual support and,
quite often, shares the same adversaries, such as those from the
cultural right.
Thats why several LGBT organizations helped pack a
Northwest D.C. church last Saturday as part of a rally to show
solidarity with Planned Parenthood Federation of America,
in the wake of a Nov. 27 shooting at a Planned Parenthood
clinic in Colorado Springs, Colo. And why earlier this summer,
Planned Parenthood issued a statement from its president,
Cecile Richards, praising the Supreme Court for legalizing
the right of same-sex couples across the nation to marry. Last
spring, members of both movements fought against an attempt
by Congress to overturn two D.C. nondiscrimination laws, one
dealing with access to contraception and the other dealing with
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DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
LGBT students in religiously-affiliated educational institutions.

But while such shows of solidarity have been fairly recent,
the two movements initially grew out of a similar background
and context.
In the 1970s, much of what LGBT people were talking about
was sexual freedom and liberation, the idea that our choice of
sexual partner should not subject us to harassment, discrimination
or stigma, says Kendall. In the same way, those seeking bodily
autonomy for women to make reproductive choices were also
seeking some sexual freedom, so that if a woman chose to terminate her pregnancy, that was between her and her conscience, her
and her doctor, but it wasnt something that government should
be involved in. To the extent there was any early sense that these
movements are separate, that lasted for five seconds.
Angela Ferrell-Zabala, director of African American leadership and engagement at Planned Parenthood Federation of
America, also agrees that the alliance between the reproductive rights movement and the LGBT movement has been a
natural fit. Both movements seek to provide people with the
information and access to services they need to make informed
decisions about their bodies and their health. And in addition
to facing staunch opponents, both movements also strongly
counter attempts to stigmatize or shame people who seek to
exert personal autonomy through their personal sexual or
METROWEEKLY.COM
DECEMBER 10, 2015
LGBTNews
health-related decisions.
Queer people have abortions. Sex education policy directly affects LGBTQ youth. The reality is that butch women,
masculine women, bisexual people seek out contraceptives,
says Kierra Johnson, executive director of URGE: Unite for
Reproductive & Gender Equity, an organization focused on
reproductive and social justice in the South. The reality is
that what were fighting for, which is full access to health care
needs, is something that is important to all people. All women
and LGBTQ people. And, unfortunately, the opposition likes to
try to create a dichotomy or break us off from each other, but
were all the same.
Johnson notes that URGE and other social justice organizations have often been involved in states where both reproductive rights and LGBT rights have come under attack. For example, in Florida, there have been battles not only over restricting
access to abortion, but over whether LGBT couples should be
able to raise, foster or adopt children.
One of the things we dont talk about as much in the reproductive rights movement and probably not as much in the
LGBT movement in a very big way is that people also have
the right to enjoy sex and their sexuality, free from coercion
and violence, Johnson adds. Sex and sexuality are integral
parts of who we are as human beings. We live in a society where
discrimination runs rampant based on how people think or feel
or judge based on sex and sexuality, which is a real impediment
to people living healthy and happy lives.
We have to work together, she continues. Long gone is the
time where its strategic to be siloed in our activism, or siloed in
our understanding of what justice is and should be. We cant win
policy change, we cant win culture change, and we cant win real
victories for the people in our lives without coming together.
Rea Carey, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task
Force, says that not only are both movements intrinsically
linked from a historical and modern-day perspective, but have
been walking hand-in-hand from a legal standpoint.
Legally, when you imagine a pathway towards both legal
equality and full acceptance in society, in some ways its as if
we kept putting down paving stones on that pathway for each
other, she says. Both of our respective movements legal
victories have been dependent on the other movements legal
victories. So whether were looking at Roe v. Wade, or Bowers
v. Hardwick, or Edie Windsors historic case, you can see those
building blocks or paving stones in how each of our movements

and our rights have advanced.
Carey also warns that the fates of both movements often
rise and fall together. For instance, the day after the Supreme
Court decided the Hobby Lobby case in which the court ruled
employers could refuse to pay for insurance coverage for contraception under the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act
(RFRA) a group of pastors wrote to President Obama asking
him to expand the religious exemption for his executive order
barring federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT
people. In addition, the Supreme Courts decision in Hobby
Lobby heavily influenced the Indiana legislature when it passed
its own version of a state-level RFRA that critics said effectively
condoned anti-LGBT discrimination.
Our fates are tied together, she says. It is not a long jump
from an employer, because of their religious beliefs, saying to an
employee I will not let you have birth control, to get to Youre
a gay man, and because I dont believe in that, Im not going to
let you have PrEP.
Carey says that many of the same strategies to limit access
to reproductive health services at the state level under RFRA
laws are also being used to advance religious exemption
laws designed to undercut the LGBT rights movement, such as
attempts to allow clerks to refuse to marry or deny same-sex
couples marriage licenses. And she warns that those involved
in the LGBT rights movement cannot be afford to be apathetic
about attacks on reproductive rights, lest they find themselves
targeted in future.
Looking back at our history, Bowers v. Hardwick, the ability
to have sex with the person you want to have sex with in your
own home, was dependent on the success of the reproductive
rights movement, says Carey. Not a lot of people know that.
We need to remind people of where weve come from, and that
we have this shared sense around the decisions that each of us
gets to make about our own bodies, whether thats who we have
sex with, or whether or not were ready to have a child at this
point in our life.
We need to continue to remind and often reeducate ourselves about how tied our movements are, both legally and
politically, she adds. And if we dont hold the line on who or
what issue gets peeled off, soon enough, more and more of us
will get peeled off until we no longer have the protections, as
LGBTQ people, that we need. l
Blood Criminals
advances made in HIV treatment and prevention.

Unfortunately, for those who are HIV-positive, the legal
landscape doesnt reflect the incredibly rapid progress made in
treating HIV. The bulk of states laws have failed to keep pace
with the scientific field, resulting in a patchwork of laws across
the country many of which still treat HIV as if it were a deadly
disease and can be used to punish people with HIV.
The problem with these state laws is that theyre not really
up-to-date with what we know about medical science related to
HIV transmission, related to the actual risks or routes or care of
HIV, says Pepis Rodriguez, Teen SENSE Project Coordinator
for the Center for HIV Law and Policy (CHLP). His organization
has partnered with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
and the National Center for Lesbian Rights to launch a public
education campaign calling attention to the issue.
A lot of this has to do with a lack of sexual health literacy,
and I see that broadly, as a problem for the general population,
but also our elected officials, says Rodriguez. There tends to be
Even with scientific advances in HIV treatment and prevention, U.S. laws on HIV remain
woefully stuck in the 1980s
by John Riley
ACH YEAR, DECEMBER OPENS ON WORLD AIDS

Day. Its a time for mourning, as activists from some of
the communities hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic as
well as healthcare workers, researchers, HIV-related organizations and others hold vigils memorializing those lost to the
ravages of the disease. But its also a time for celebration, as
we recognize those who survived the epidemic, as well as the
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DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
this overreaction to anything related to HIV, and its part of the

stigma that comes along with that lack of education.
Scott Schoettes, HIV Project Director for Lambda Legal,
notes that many current laws were adopted at the height of the
AIDS epidemic. As written, people with HIV can be prosecuted
just for exposing others to HIV, regardless of whether transmission occurred or other steps such as condom use or successful
suppression of the virus through antiretrovirals were taken to
protect against transmission.
Such was the case with Nick Rhoades, a gay Iowa man who
was sentenced to 25 years in prison when, after receiving bad
legal advice, he pleaded guilty to criminal transmission of HIV,
even though he used a condom, had a low viral load, and his
sexual partner never contracted the virus. Rhoades ended up
serving more than a year in jail before his case made its way to
the Iowa Supreme Court, which overturned his sentence. As a
result of the publicity from Rhoades case, the Iowa legislature
amended its statute on HIV transmission to take into account
whether a person intended to expose a partner to the virus or
took proper precautions to safeguard against that.
Its a problem everywhere, Schoettes says. There are 34
states that have an HIV-specific criminal exposure nondisclosure statute. In those states, most of them result in a felony conviction.... And they result in sentences of sometimes decades, as
well as the consequences that flow from having a felony conviction, and then sex offender registration.
Then, there are an additional number of states where there
are no actual HIV-specific laws on the books, but there have
been prosecutions for the same conduct under the general criminal laws, such as reckless endangerment laws, assault, assault
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DECEMBER 10, 2015
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with a deadly weapon, Schoettes continues. Theyve tried

attempted murder in places, and one case they brought under a
bioterrorism law, in Michigan.... So you can imagine the environment this creates for people living with HIV, where you know,
really, in any state in the U.S., that it is possible that you will be
prosecuted if you are sexually active and cannot prove that you
disclosed your HIV status. And because were talking about the
courts here, youve got to be able to prove youve disclosed.
CHLPs Rodriguez says that because the HIV criminalization laws are so stigmatizing for those who know their HIV
status, but do not hold people liable for not knowing their status, it can lead to bad public health outcomes by encouraging
people not to get tested or get on treatment which potentially
increases the likelihood of transmission.
To protect themselves legally, Schoettes advises HIVpositive people document their disclosure via a text message,
email or recording where a potential sex partner acknowledges
that they know about the persons HIV status. He also advises
that people who list their status in online profiles have a conversation where they specifically call attention to their HIV status
so the other person cannot claim ignorance or lack of knowledge down the road.
Some people also attempt to have potential partners sign a
form or affidavit that acknowledges their partners HIV status,
but Schoettes points out that such a move is often impractical in
real life situations. As a last resort, Schoettes says potential partners can also hold the conversation about their status in front
of a third-party witness or a medical provider who can answer
questions about HIV and attest that the HIV-positive individual
disclosed his or her status. l
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DECEMBER 10, 2015
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LGBTCommunityCalendar
Metro Weeklys Community Calendar highlights important events in the D.C.-area
LGBT community, from alternative social events to volunteer opportunities.
Event information should be sent by email to calendar@MetroWeekly.com.
Deadline for inclusion is noon of the Friday before Thursdays publication.
Questions about the calendar may be directed to the
Metro Weekly office at 202-638-6830 or
the calendar email address.
THURSDAY, DEC. 10
METROHEALTH CENTER offers
BURGUNDY CRESCENT, a gay vol-
unteer organization, volunteers today

for Food & Friends. To participate,
visit burgundycrescent.org.
The DC Center hosts SEX WORK
AND THE DISTRICT, a forum featuring various community advocates
to discuss the human rights of sex
workers, legalization and decriminalization of sex work, and the impact of
sex work on the LGBT community.
Moderated by Metro Weeklys John
Riley. 6:30-8 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW,
2nd Floor Conference Room. For more
information, visit thedccenter.org.
WEEKLY EVENTS
practice session at Takoma Aquatic
Center, 300 Van Buren St. NW. 7:30-9
p.m. swimdcac.org.
DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay and les-
bian square-dancing group features

mainstream through advanced square
dancing at the National City Christian
Church, 5 Thomas Circle NW, 7-9:30
p.m. Casual dress. 301-257-0517,
dclambdasquares.org.
The DULLES TRIANGLES Northern
Virginia social group meets for happy
hour at Sheraton in Reston, 11810
Sunrise Valley Drive, second-floor
bar, 7-9 p.m. All welcome. dullestriangles.com.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker

Health. At the Elizabeth Taylor
Medical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,
9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max Robinson
Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9
a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointment
call 202-745-7000. Visit whitmanwalker.org.
IDENTITY offers free and confiden-
tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg,

414 East Diamond Ave., and in
Takoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire
Ave., Suite 411. Walk-ins 2-6 p.m.
For appointments other hours, call
Gaithersburg, 301-300-9978, or
Takoma Park, 301-422-2398.
DECEMBER 10, 2015
SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5

p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for
youth 21 and younger. 202-567-3155
or testing@smyal.org.
WEEKLY EVENTS
ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURAL
HEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/walk-
WOMENS LEADERSHIP
INSTITUTE for young LBTQ women,

Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9
a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointment
call 202-745-7000. Visit whitmanwalker.org.
FRIDAY, DEC. 11
free, rapid HIV testing. Appointment

needed. 1012 14th St. NW, Suite 700.
202-638-0750.
GAY MARRIED MENS

ASSOCIATION (GAMMA) is a con-
PROJECT STRIPES hosts LGBT-
fidential support group for men who

are gay, bisexual, questioning and
who are married or involved with
a woman, that meets on the second
and fourth Fridays of the month in
Dupont Circle at 7:30 p.m. GAMMA
also offers additional meeting times
and places for men in Northern
Virginia and Maryland. For more
information: GAMMAinDC.org.
affirming social group for ages 11-24.

4-6 p.m. 1419 Columbia Road NW.
Contact Tamara, 202-319-0422, laycdc.org.
SMYALS REC NIGHT provides

a social atmosphere for GLBT and
questioning youth, featuring dance
parties, vogue nights, movies and
games. More info, catherine.chu@
smyal.org.
LGB PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP for

adults in Montgomery County offers
a safe space to explore coming out
and issues of identity. 10-11:30 a.m.
16220 S. Frederick Rd., Suite 512,
Gaithersburg, Md. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

youth 21 and younger. Youth Center,
410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155, testing@smyal.org.
WOMEN IN THEIR TWENTIES, a
SATURDAY, DEC. 12
social discussion and activity group for

LBT women, meets at The DC Center
on the second and fourth Fridays of
each month. Group social activity to
follow the meeting. 8-9:30 p.m. 2000
14th St. NW, Suite 105. For more
METROWEEKLY.COM
BRAZILIAN GLBT GROUP, including

others interested in Brazilian culture,
meets. For location/time, email braziliangaygroup@yahoo.com.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice

session at Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr.
SW. 6:30-8 p.m. Visit swimdcac.org.
13-21, interested in leadership development. 5-6:30 p.m. SMYAL Youth

Center, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3163,
catherine.chu@smyal.org.
BET MISHPACHAH, founded by

members of the LGBT community,
holds Saturday morning Shabbat services, 10 a.m., followed by Kiddush
luncheon. Services in DCJCC
Community Room, 1529 16th St. NW.
betmish.org.

session at Hains Point, 972 Ohio Dr.,
SW. 8:30-10 a.m. Visit swimdcac.org.
US HELPING US hosts a Narcotics
Anonymous Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m.,

3636 Georgia Ave. NW. The group is
independent of UHU. 202-446-1100.
WEEKLY EVENTS
p.m., and HIV services (by appointment). 202-291-4707, andromedatransculturalhealth.org.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
12

202-638-0750.
The DC Center offers confidential and

free HIV TESTING for all those interested. Know your status; get tested.
4-7 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105.
For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
ADVENTURING outdoors group

hikes 8.4 strenuous miles with 1370
feet of elevation gain in Catoctin
Mountain Park, near Camp David,
Md. Bring beverages, lunch, sturdy
boots, and about $12 for fees.
Carpool at 8:30 a.m. from GrosvenorStrathmore Metro Station. Jeff, 301775-9660. adventuring.org.
ing/social club welcomes all levels for

exercise in a fun and supportive environment, socializing afterward. Meet
9:30 a.m., 23rd & P Streets NW, for a
walk; or 10 a.m. for fun run. dcfrontrunners.org.
DC SENTINELS basketball team
meets at Turkey Thicket Recreation

Center, 1100 Michigan Ave. NE, 2-4
p.m. For players of all levels, gay or
straight. teamdcbasketball.org.
DIGNITYUSA sponsors Mass for
LGBT community, family and friends.

6:30 p.m., Immanuel Church-on-theHill, 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria.
All welcome. For more info, visit dignitynova.org.
GAY LANGUAGE CLUB discusses

critical languages and foreign languages. 7 p.m. Nellies, 900 U St. NW.
RVSP preferred. brendandarcy@
gmail.com.
IDENTITY offers free and confidential
HIV testing in Takoma Park, 7676

New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411. Walkins 12-3 p.m. For appointments other
hours, call 301-422-2398.
SUNDAY, DEC. 13
BURGUNDY CRESCENT, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today
for DC Central Kitchen. To participate, visit burgundycrescent.org.
WEEKLY EVENTS
LGBT-inclusive ALL SOULS
MEMORIAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH
celebrates Low Mass at 8:30 a.m., High

Mass at 11 a.m. 2300 Cathedral Ave.
NW. 202-232-4244, allsoulsdc.org.

session at Hains Point, 972 Ohio Dr.,
SW. 9:30-11 a.m. Visit swimdcac.org.
DIGNITYUSA offers Roman Catholic

Mass for the LGBT community. 6
p.m., St. Margarets Church, 1820
Connecticut Ave. NW. All welcome.
Sign interpreted. For more info, visit
dignitynova.org.
FRIENDS MEETING OF
WASHINGTON meets for worship,
10:30 a.m., 2111 Florida Ave. NW,

Quaker House Living Room (next to
Meeting House on Decatur Place),
2nd floor. Special welcome to lesbians
and gays. Handicapped accessible
from Phelps Place gate. Hearing
assistance. quakersdc.org.
HSV-2 SOCIAL AND SUPPORT

GROUP for gay men living in the DC
metro area. This group will be meeting once a month. For information on
location and time, email to not.the.
only.one.dc@gmail.com.
Join LINCOLN CONGREGATIONAL
TEMPLE UNITED CHURCH OF

CHRIST for an inclusive, loving and
progressive faith community every

Sunday. 11 a.m. 1701 11th Street NW,
near R in Shaw/Logan neighborhood.
lincolntemple.org.
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY
CHURCH OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
services at 11 a.m., led by Rev. Onetta
Brooks. Childrens Sunday School, 11
a.m. 10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax.
703-691-0930, mccnova.com.
NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIAN

CHURCH, inclusive church with
GLBT fellowship, offers gospel worship, 8:30 a.m., and traditional worship, 11 a.m. 5 Thomas Circle NW.
202-232-0323, nationalcitycc.org.
ST. STEPHEN AND THE

INCARNATION, an interracial,
multi-ethnic Christian Community

offers services in English, 8 a.m. and
10:30 a.m., and in Spanish at 5:15 p.m.
1525 Newton St. NW. 202-232-0900,
saintstephensdc.org.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
CHURCH OF SILVER SPRING
invites LGBTQ families and individuals of all creeds and cultures to join
the church. Services 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
10309 New Hampshire Ave. uucss.org.
MONDAY, DEC. 14
The DC Center hosts a monthly meeting of its YOUTH WORKING GROUP
for people who wish to get involved
with various initiatives and serve as
mentors to LGBT youth. 6-7:30 p.m.
2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For more
WEEKLY EVENTS
session at Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr. SW.
7-8:30 p.m. Visit swimdcac.org.
DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds
practice, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Garrison

Elementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscandals.wordpress.com.
GETEQUAL meets 6:30-8 p.m. at

Quaker House, 2111 Florida Ave. NW.
getequal.wdc@gmail.com.
HIV Testing at WHITMAN-WALKER
HEALTH. At the Elizabeth Taylor
Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.4:30 p.m. For an appointment call 202745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.
KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY

(K.I.) SERVICES, 3333 Duke St.,
Alexandria, offers free rapid HIV

testing and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
703-823-4401.

free, rapid HIV testing. No appointment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012 14th
St. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.
NOVASALUD offers free HIV testing.
5-7 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite 200,
Arlington. Appointments:
703-789-4467.
METROWEEKLY.COM
DECEMBER 10, 2015
13

410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155 or testing@smyal.org.
where volunteers assemble safe-sex

kits of condoms and lube. 7 p.m.,
Green Lantern, 1335 Green Court NW.
thedccenter.org.
US HELPING US hosts a black gay

mens evening affinity group. 3636
Georgia Ave. NW. 202-446-1100.
IDENTITY offers free and confidential
Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van

Buren St. NW. Newcomers with at
least basic swimming ability always
welcome. Tom, 703-299-0504, secretary@wetskins.org, wetskins.org.
TUESDAY, DEC. 15
The DC Center hosts a CENTER BI
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION, for
people who wish to discuss bisexuality and issues of identity. 7-8 p.m.
WEEKLY EVENTS
ASIANS AND FRIENDS weekly
dinner in Dupont/Logan Circle area,
6:30 p.m. afwash@aol.com, afwashington.net.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
practice session at Takoma Aquatic

Center, 300 Van Buren St. NW. 7:309 p.m. swimdcac.org.
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/
walking/social club serving greater

D.C.s LGBT community and allies
hosts an evening run/walk. dcfrontrunners.org.
THE GAY MENS HEALTH

COLLABORATIVE offers free HIV
testing and STI screening and treatment every Tuesday. 5-6:30 p.m.
Rainbow Tuesday LGBT Clinic,
DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
THE HIV WORKING GROUP of THE

DC CENTER hosts Packing Party,
THE DC CENTER hosts Coffee DropIn for the Senior LGBT Community.
10 a.m.-noon. 2000 14th St. NW. 202682-2245, thedccenter.org.
WASHINGTON WETSKINS WATER

POLO TEAM practices 7-9 p.m.
14
Alexandria Health Department, 4480

King St. 703-746-4986 or text 571-2149617. james.leslie@inova.org.
HIV testing in Gaithersburg, 414 East

Diamond Ave., and in Takoma Park,
7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411.
Walk-ins 2-6 p.m. For appointments
other hours, call Gaithersburg at
301-300-9978 or Takoma Park at 301422-2398.
KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY

(K.I.) SERVICES, at 3333 Duke St.,
Alexandria, offers free rapid HIV

testing and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
703-823-4401.

202-638-0750.
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUSLGBT
focused meeting every Tuesday, 7
p.m. St. Georges Episcopal Church,
915 Oakland Ave., Arlington, just
steps from Virginia Square Metro. For
more info. call Dick, 703-521-1999.
Handicapped accessible. Newcomers
welcome. liveandletliveoa@gmail.com.

410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155, testing@
smyal.org.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR LGBTQ
YOUTH ages 13-21 meets at SMYAL, 410
7th St. SE, 5-6:30 p.m. Cathy Chu, 202567-3163, catherine.chu@smyal.org.
US HELPING US hosts a support

group for black gay men 40 and older.
7-9 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave. NW. 202446-1100.
Whitman-Walker Healths GAY
MENS HEALTH AND WELLNESS/

STD CLINIC opens at 6 p.m., 1701
14th St. NW. Patients are seen on

walk-in basis. No-cost screening for
HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Hepatitis and herpes testing
available for fee. whitman-walker.org.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 16
BOOKMEN DC, an informal mens gayliterature group, discusses Eminent
Outlaws: The Gay Writers Who
Changed America, by Christopher
Bram at 7:30 p.m. The DC Center, 2000
14th St. NW, Suite 105. All are welcome. bookmendc.blogspot.com.
The HIV PREVENTION WORKING

GROUP of The DC Center holds its
monthly meeting to discuss upcoming
initiatives. 6-7:30 p.m. 2000 14th St.
NW, Suite 105. For more information,
visit thedccenter.org.
THE TOM DAVOREN SOCIAL

BRIDGE CLUB meets for Social
Bridge. 7:30 p.m. Dignity Center,

721 8th St SE (across from Marine
Barracks). No reservations and partner needed. All welcome. 301-3451571 for more information.
WOMAN TO WOMAN: A SUPPORT

GROUP FOR HIV-POSITIVE
WOMEN WHO LOVE WOMEN
meets on the third Wednesday of
every month. Light refreshments
served. 5:30-7 p.m. 1331 Rhode Island
Ave. NE. For more information, call
June Pollydore, 202-483-7003.
WEEKLY EVENTS
AD LIB, a group for freestyle con-
versation, meets about 6:30-6 p.m.,

Steam, 17th and R NW. All welcome.
For more information, call Fausto
Fernandez, 703-732-5174.
ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURAL
HEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5
p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-
ment). 202-291-4707, andromedatransculturalhealth.org.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session at Hains Point, 927 Ohio

Dr. SW. 7-8:30 p.m. Visit swimdcac.
org.
DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds
practice, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Garrison

Elementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscandals.wordpress.com.
HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH
offers Wednesday worship 7:15 a.m.

and 12:05 p.m. All welcome. 118 N.
Washington St., Alexandria. 703-5491450, historicchristchurch.org.

Center, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.4:30 p.m. For an appointment call
202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.
org.
IDENTITY offers free and confiden-
tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg, 414

East Diamond Ave. Walk-ins 2-7 p.m.
For appointments other hours, call
Gaithersburg at 301-300-9978.
JOB CLUB, a weekly support pro-
gram for job entrants and seekers,

meets at The DC Center. 6-7:30 p.m.
info, www.centercareers.org.
free, rapid HIV testing. No appointment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012 14th
St. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.
NOVASALUD offers free HIV testing.

11 a.m.-2 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite
200, Arlington. Appointments: 703789-4467.
PRIME TIMERS OF DC, social

club for mature gay men, hosts
weekly happy hour/dinner. 6:30 p.m.,
Windows Bar above Dupont Italian
Kitchen, 1637 17th St. NW. Carl, 703573-8316. l
METROWEEKLY.COM
DECEMBER 10, 2015
15
With The Danish Girl, Tom Hooper

brings to life the story of Lili Elbe, an
oft-forgotten transgender pioneer
by
16
DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
R huaridh M arr
FOCUS FEATURES
First Lady
IXTY-THREE YEARS AGO, CHRISTINE

Jorgensen introduced herself to the world. The
front page of the New York Daily News shouted
Ex-GI Becomes Blonde Beauty as Jorgensen
clad in fur and red lipstick landed in New
York, following months spent in her ancestral
home in Denmark. Despite the Korean War,
the death of an Italian premier, the recent testing of the first
hydrogen bomb, and the election of President Eisenhower,
Christine Jorgensen commanded headlines across the country,
as a nation marveled at the young, slim man who had returned
home a confident, witty, beautiful woman.
Jorgensens overnight celebrity status enabled her to become
an advocate and an icon for the gender identity revolution. She
was unashamedly open about her experience, which pioneered
the use of a combination of hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery. Or, as Jorgensen put it in a letter to her parents, Nature made a mistake which I have had corrected, and
now I am your daughter. However, Jorgensen wasnt the first
to undertake such an immense transition, despite what media
claimed at the time far from it, in fact. Twenty years before
Jorgensen would fly to Denmark for her groundbreaking transformation, another woman was already making history.
Lili Elbes story isnt as widely known as Jorgensens.

Decades before the word transgender would even be uttered,
Elbe had transitioned, living and presenting as a woman and
undertaking surgery that wasnt so much risky as potentially
fatal. But limited medical knowledge and immensely high risks
of complications couldnt dissuade her from seeking the body
she deserved. Societal pressures couldnt impede her desires to
live openly as a woman. Lili Elbe was a lone warrior, fighting a
battle that wouldnt enter the public consciousness for another
twenty years.
Elbe isnt a household name in the same vein as Jorgensen, or
Caitlyn Jenner or Laverne Cox but her struggle, her fight to be
herself, is no less deserving of recognition. Without legislation or
support groups, and with a medical establishment that believed
she required curing of her symptoms, she fearlessly declared her
gender identity to any and all who cared to know. Finally, after
years languishing in the shadows, her legacy will be commemorated in The Danish Girl, a film adaptation of her life. Its telling
of Elbes relative obscurity in history, however, that even the
films director had no idea who she was.
Id thought Christine Jorgensen was the first recipient of
gender-confirmation surgery, says Tom Hooper. I had no idea
it had happened as early as 1930.
Hooper, the Academy Award-winning director of The Kings

Speech and Les Miserables, is sitting in a comfortable suite in The
Hay Adams Hotel. In person, hes handsome, affable, and speaks
with the assured intelligence of a man whos both Oxfordeducated and incredibly knowledgable of his latest project. He
was first introduced to the story of Lili Elbe while working on
The Kings Speech. During a conversation with casting director
Nina Gold a longtime collaborator he complained about the
lack of good scripts available in Hollywood.
I do know of one great unmade script, Gold replied. And
its called The Danish Girl.
Developmental Hell
T THAT POINT, The Danish Girl was languishing in

development hell. Three directors had been attached
to the project. All had left. Financing had been found,
then fell through. Nicole Kidman had once signed on
to play Lili Elbe. Charlize Theron, Gwyneth Paltrow, Marion
Cotillard and Rachel Weisz were all variously considered for
the part of Lilis wife, Gerda Wegener. Before Lucinda Coxons
screenplay reached Hooper, it seemed the film would never see
METROWEEKLY.COM
DECEMBER 10, 2015
17
Love Story
ERDA AND EINAR WEGENER were Danish painters, married in 1904 and living in both Copenhagen
and Paris. Einar was the more successful of the two,
specializing in landscapes. Gerda favored portraits,
but couldnt find success with her work beyond illustrations in
18
DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
books and magazines. It wasnt until a series of portraits depicting a beautiful woman with almond eyes, soft features, and a
graceful femininity, arranged in a series of elegant poses, that
Gerda would get the recognition she desired. Her work was
being appreciated in ways she hadnt experienced before, but
there was a secret to her success: The beautiful woman in her
portraits was her husband, Einar.
When a friend ran late for a portrait sitting, Gerda asked
Einar to model for her, complete with stockings and heels. The
experience would transform Einar, who felt immeasurably
comfortable in the clothes. When
the model eventually arrived, she
christened Einar Lili after the
flowers she was carrying and
the name stuck. Lili would start
to dress in womens clothing at
home, becoming more sure of
herself before eventually presenting to society as Einars sister. When the public learned that
the woman in Gerdas paintings
was Einar, now Lili, there was
shock but the seed had already
been planted. Lili was a woman,
and she was determined to see
her transformation through to its
end. And, perhaps more incredibly, Gerda stayed at her side.
I think what moved me
was this incredible love story,
Hooper says. I felt like Lili, in
a way, had no choice. Lili had to
go on that journey, and the script
portrayed that very well. Gerda
does have a choice. She could
Hooper
have walked away or stepped
away or left [Einar]. I do think it
was in part because of the love that they shared, it created a kind
of space where Lili could be truly seen. Gerda had that ability to
look at her husband in a radical way or a new way and see the
femininity.
If audiences beyond the LGBT community were to take to
The Danish Girl, it would be for the universality of its themes,
and that required leads who could convincingly portray the love
between Lili and Gerda that the script demanded. For Lili, there
was no contest. Hooper had his heart set on Eddie Redmayne,
who hed worked with on HBOs Elizabeth I. With a copy of the
script in hand, Hooper walked up to Redmayne while filming Les
Misrables in 2012.
I was at the Les Misrables barricades, Redmayne recalls
in press materials for the film, and Tom said, I would like you
to read something. [He] then got me the script and I sat down
to read it, knowing nothing about it. I was profoundly moved, it
blew my mind. I found it extraordinarily passionate and deeply
felt. I told Tom I wanted to be part of telling this story.
Redmayne, who gave an Oscar-winning performance as
Stephen Hawking in Theory of Everything last year, was a controversial choice. Some, upon learning of the casting of a cisgender
man in the lead role, were upset that Hollywood had once again
seemingly ignored the transgender community, despite The
Danish Girl employing numerous transgender actors and extras.
However, if there were echoes of Roland Emmerichs dreadful Stonewall, which was slammed for whitewashing history,
AGATHA A. NITECKA / FOCUS FEATURES
the light of day or the dark of a theater. That all changed once
he read it.
I literally cried when I read the script, I think twice or
no, even three times and I cant tell you how unusual that is,
Hooper says. Its very hard to find scripts that are moving. Most
scripts are hard to even finish, let alone get moved by.
The script piqued his interest, but Hooper had questions.
Who was Lili Elbe? Why was he unaware of her story? Turning
to the internet, he was kind of amazed to discover a paucity
of in-depth information. Whats more, the minimal content that
documented Elbes
life was at least
partially inaccurate. As he continued to research and
discuss her story,
Hooper learned he
wasnt alone. Most
people he spoke to
were ignorant of
Elbes life something Hooper was
empowered
to
resolve.
I felt that there
was an injustice in
that, and I do feel
like history has a
tendency to hardbake in prejudices
of the day, he says.
Is it any surprise
that this extraordinary story of this
trans pioneer and
her wife had been
marginalized?
Possibly not, given that theres been such prejudices against
these stories. But there was a part of me that was fired up by that
sense of injustice. I wanted to shed light through this film on the
real people and put them back in a place in our culture where
that would never be forgotten again.
It was here that another potential roadblock reared its head.
Brokeback Mountain had proven that mainstream audiences
would accept LGBT content, while Transamerica had garnered
an Academy Award-winning nomination for Felicity Huffman as
a transgender woman. Society, however, still languished behind.
In 2008, when Hooper first read the script, America was a country that still couldnt get over gay people, let alone the transgender community. Could Lilis story resonate? The solution lay, as
it so often does, in love. The most universal of emotions could
anchor the story Lilis transition is the momentous change of
the narrative, but its the love shared between Elbe and her wife,
Gerda, that powers it.
Hooper wasnt concerned. He was confident that Redmayne was

right for the part even more so after casting the role of Gerda.
Rising Star
husband, with the innate love she feels for Lili and her desire to
aid in her transition. She is a good character, something Hooper
believes is hard for an actor to truly accomplish.
We often quite like the villainous or the naughty characters, he says. Gerda is a truly good character and yet [Vikander]
makes goodness mesmeric to watch.
LICIA VIKANDER IS one of Hollywoods rising stars.

The Swedish actress has starred in Anna Karenina,
the Academy Award-nominated Danish film A Royal
Affair, and received acclaim for her performance
in Ex Machina earlier this year. On paper, she had everything
F COURSE, ITS NOT quite the reality of
Hooper wanted for his vision of Gerda.
Gerda Wegener, stuck as The Danish Girl
There was a purist part of me that thought it would be lovely
is between the worlds of fiction and fact.
to have a Scandinavian actor at the center of the movie, so its not
David Ebershoffs original novel carries the
Anglo-American or British without getting that quality, he says.
disclaimer that it is highly fictionalized
But thats not all, as his choice for Gerda would have to match
Gerda is Californian, for instance but while
Redmaynes talent no mean feat. Its quite intimidating when Lucinda Coxons script attempts to get closer to the truth of Lili
youve got Eddie Redmayne, working out who is the actress who and Gerdas lives, it still glosses over the cracks for the sake of
can go one-on-one with Eddie at his level, or maybe even at a their tale as a love story for the ages. Gerda, for instance, has
level that will push him to up his game.
long been discussed as being at least bisexual, if not a lesbian, but
Vikander was more than up to the task. Hooper received an such explorations of her sexuality are missing from The Danish
advanced copy of Ex Machina (which I loved, and was on the Girl. She and Lili were certainly in love, but their relationship
edge of my seat watching), and when she came for her audition didnt last in quite the manner Hooper and Coxon have capwith Redmayne she told Hooper and the films producers some- tured. Asked about the potential for his audience to Google Lili
thing that seemed certain to seal her fate: her father had a new Elbe and learn that the reality is somewhat removed from the
job, one in which he worked with transgender people. Im like, close-knit romance depicted onscreen, Hooper isnt dissuaded.
This is getting intimidatingly perfect, so lets hope the acting is
Gerda married an Italian diplomat and went to live in
good, Hooper recalls.
Morocco. The marriage failed after three years he basically
But it was better than good. As Redmayne and Vikander cleaned her out financially and she had to go back to Copenhagen
finished their scene, where Gerda confronts Lili after she kisses and live out the rest of her life alone, Hooper easily recalls.
a man at a ball, they turned to look at
And so, when I look
Hooper. He was in tears.
at the whole story, I
Not a lot of suspense about who youre
feel like there is no
going to cast now, Hooper! Redmayne
doubt that Lili was the
roared.
love of her life. Theres
No, no! Im totally objective, lets go
no contest there.
again! Hooper retorted.
It
helps
that
But the truth was evident. Vikanders
Gerda and Lilis love
openness, Hooper admits, sealed her role
enables Hooper to betas Gerda. I feel that theres a Scandinavian
ter frame the latters
energy thats very open, very free, very prostory. With an abungressive, very emotionally open, quite difdance of LGBT cinema
ferent from the British emotional reserve,
containing tragic story
he states. He felt lucky to have found
arcs for transgender
Vikander, particularly when they began
characters, Hooper
discussing Gerda and their vision for the
was determined that
character.
his film make the
Gerda is a woman in the 1920s saying
portrayal of the trans
Im a professional, Im an artist, I have a
narrative as positive
right to be driven to be passionately pursuas I could within the
The Danish Girl director Tom Hooper
ing my subject. All of which were quite
context. That context
radical things for a woman in the twenties
is the medical risk of
to say about herself, Hooper says. And
the surgeries Lili was
both Alicia and I talked about how for centuries men had defined electing to have performed to aid in her transition. Coupled with
womens gender identity, and the beginning of the twentieth her strong desire for motherhood, the limited scope of science at
century was an amazing phase when women started to reclaim the time would eventually lead to her death in her late forties,
the construction of their own gender identity for themselves. after a failed surgery to craft the necessary anatomy to enable
Gerdas one of these magnificent women who was doing that her to have a child. Rather than dwell on her bittersweet endand is definitely an early feminist. And so we wanted to capture ing, Hooper wanted to find as much optimism and joy, given
the strength of her.
where the story is going, as I could. I felt that love was the way
Hooper equates Vikanders talent with Laura Linney, who he of doing that.
worked with on the HBO miniseries John Adams. Vikander was
Thats not to say that Hooper has watered down Lilis tranable to deftly balance the pain Gerda experiences as she loses her sition in favor of her relationship with Gerda. One scene in
Fictionalized Reality
I literally cried when

I read the script.
I cant tell you how
unusual that is.
MOST SCRIPTS ARE
HARD TO EVEN
FINISH, LET ALONE
GET MOVED BY.
METROWEEKLY.COM
DECEMBER 10, 2015
19
particular depicts Lili exploring her body completely naked

and its a masterfully shot sequence, with Hooper and Redmayne
working in sync to bring a transformation in Lilis perspective
of herself.
The scene was Lili discovering her smile for the first time,
and Lili seeing Lili for the first time and recognizing her smile
for the first time in the mirror, Hooper says. That was one of
the most breathtaking moments for me as a director, and Eddie
was in an extraordinary space when we shot that. Ive never seen
him quite go to such I dont know where he went, but it was a
very deep place to do that.
That exploration of Lilis personal journey came from numerous meetings with transgender people to discuss their experiences with transitioning. Redmayne wanted to accurately capture the actions, the explorations, the mannerisms required to
convey Lilis acceptance of her womanhood.
That was most important of all for me, meeting people
from the trans community and hearing about their lives, their
strengths, their realities, Redmayne previously stated. Many
of the trans women I spoke to described how, before transitioning, in order to survive in society, they created ways in which to
live life in their assigned gender. That could involve putting a
framework up.
Einars framework, and its dissolution over the course of
the film as Lili moves to the fore, were an important part of the
process.
Physicality is always something I like to get into with a
character because its a massive part of who we are, Redmayne
continued. Use of hands always interests me. I knew I wanted
to show moments of Lilis true gender, even when she was living
as Einar. Was it the way in which she slept? I looked into that.
Affecting Change
ITH ALL THE EFFORT Hooper put into capturing Lilis transformation her movements,
mannerisms, fashion sense, relationships and
surgeries has he considered the wider impact
his film could have on someone who hasnt come to terms with
their own gender identity, or to someone living in a country
where being transgender is illegal? He pauses for a moment
while considering his answer.
I look at it just in that seven year window Ive been involved,
where Ive gone from the movie being considered too risky to do,
hard to finance, hard to cast, hard to get distribution, he says.
Now, its considered an obvious film to make, or a timely film
to make. So the culture is capable of incredibly rapid change.
Hooper isnt satisfied with just a cultural shift in studios
approving films like The Danish Girl, however. He wants it to
build into real change the kind of change that affects legislative agendas.
I think its something like thirty, thirty-one states where you
can be fired for being transgender, he says, which is absurd.
Will [the film] help in the fight against transgender hate crimes
and acts of violence, which have been pretty horrific, particularly against trans women of color, this year? I really hope that
it might take the general audience on a journey to open their
hearts and minds up to people whove been marginalized for too
long, and that would be wonderful.
It helps that The Danish Girl has already made history.
Alongside Amazons Transparent, the Emmy- and Golden Globewinning drama which stars Jeffrey Tambor as a transgender
Gilded Lily
ASHIONING THE TALE OF TRANSGENDER PIONEER

Lili Elbe into a mainstream-friendly love story may
seem like shrewd packaging by a Hollywood marketing department, but the result is a film that succeeds
above all else because that central love story is so
well crafted.
David Ebershoffs eponymous novel loosely
depicted Elbes life, but The Danish Girl (HHHHH)
sticks closer to the facts. It follows Einar Wegener, a Danish
painter, who slowly comes to realize that he is transgender
after modelling womens clothes for his wife, Gerda. From
20
DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
there, Lili is born, with the film following the couple as they
navigate Lilis exploration of her new gender identity and
Gerda deals with her love for Lili and the loss of her husband.
If Ive rushed my description of the films narrative, its
because the film itself seems to consider the actual circumstances and plotlines of the story as unimportant. Tearing at
breakneck speed through Lilis transition, before reaching its
conclusion at her pioneering gender reassignment surgeries,
it bounces through the years of Lili and Gerdas relationship
without pausing to reflect, instead preferring to focus on the
films two central performances.
FOCUS FEATURES
Eddie Redmayne is brilliant as

trans pioneer Lili Elbe, but its
Alicia Vikander who truly shines
in The Danish Girl
FOCUS FEATURES
woman, The Danish Girl was screened at the White House last
month as part of a Champions of Change event, which honored
nine LGBT artists and activists for their work. The Danish Girl
and Transparent are the first transgender-centric media to be
screened at the White House, and for Hooper and the films
production team, it was a momentous occasion not least
given the projects lengthy and troubled production history.
Hooper recalls standing next to producer Gail Mutrux, who first
optioned the film in 2000 and has suffered through every stumble until Hooper came on board. Were in Washington at the
White House, and Im like, Now do you believe that the films
being made? he laughs. Were at the White House, invited by
Obama to talk about the film, you must feel safe. And shes like,
Yeah I feel safe.
For Hooper, The Danish Girl couldnt be more perfectly
timed. President Obama may be the first president to ever
use the word transgender, but there was one other event this
year that cemented 2015 as the year transgender rights finally
received the attention they deserve. Two weeks after shooting
wrapped on The Danish Girl, Bruce Jenner sat down with Diane
Sawyer to confirm that he was transgender (at the time, Jenner
was still using male pronouns). Then, this summer, an even more
momentous reveal on the cover of Vanity Fair.
Its very funny because I was on a shoot with Annie
Leibovitz, Hooper says, his speech animated, and Annie was
shooting Alicia and Eddie and she took me aside and said Dont
tell anyone, but Im about to go and shoot Caitlyn Jenner! And so
I got a kind of heads-up that this was all about to hit the world.
The result is that audiences are perhaps better prepared than
ever before for a film with a transgender lead character. Lili
Elbes story may finally be heard and appreciated by an audience
The Danish Girl opens December 11 at area theaters. For ticket

information, visit fandango.com.
As Lili, Eddie Redmayne is astonishing. A year after delivering an Oscar-winning performance as Stephen Hawking
in Theory of Everything, he has produced another masterful
transformation. His transition from meek, malleable Einar
to radiant, confident Lili is stunning to behold. Redmaynes
study of transgender women reaps its rewards onscreen, in
his hand movements, voice, posture, expressions. It helps
that Redmayne himself is so utterly striking androgynous
enough to be handsome as Einar and beautiful as Lili. But its
in the films quieter moments where he truly shines. When
Lili first presents as a woman in public, at a ball with Gerda,
she meets a man, Henrik (Ben Wishaw, wonderful as ever).
As she wrestles with her emotions, she trembles, hands
shaking, eyes darting, breathing quickened. Redmayne performs with such natural ease, melting so convincingly into the
role, that any concerns of a cisgender man playing Elbe are
quickly forgotten.
Arguably, though, The Danish Girl belongs to Alicia Vikander.
As Gerda, she is the perfect counterpart to Redmayne. As Lili
explores her newfound identity, it is Gerdas reactions that
will resonate more with the audience. Vikander ignores any
urges to be overblown in her emotions, instead relying on
her beautifully expressive eyes and subtle cues. Where other
directors may have asked Vikander to cry more, or shout
more, Tom Hooper revels in her restraint, which only adds
extra weight to the moments when the emotion of losing
Einar and dealing with Lili overcome Gerda. Vikanders star
hasnt yet fully risen, but after her performance here it seems
destined to be positively celestial.
Hooper has once again crafted a beautiful period piece.
Anyone who has watched his output over the last few years
will recognize his hallmarks wide shots, off-center framing, sumptuous close-ups on eyes, lips, hands. If it seems
paint-by-numbers, its only because Hooper has his craft so
well-honed that hes more than welcome to keep repeating it.
One scene in particular, as Lili explores her body completely
nude, is mesmerizingly captured the framing, the direction
of Eddie Redmayne, the synchronicity of the scene, makes it
a shocking, emotional, revelatory experience.
The entire film has been crafted with the utmost care.
Alexandre Desplats score, though occasionally overbearing,
reminds us why he collected the Oscar last year, the costuming and hair and makeup departments have made the most of
their presumably large budgets, and the supporting cast, including Matthias Schoenaerts as Einars childhood friend Hans and
Amber Heard as Gerdas friend Oola, are uniformly strong.
Of course, that only makes the films weaker points stand
out more. The script, for the most part, is buoyed by the
performances of the two leads, but includes some incredibly hokey lines. Youre different from most girls, Henrik
tells Lili upon meeting her. Do we laugh at the obviousness
of the statement? It also places most of the focus on Gerda
Lili is depicted as arrogant and selfish more than once
and though Lilis transition is explored through Redmaynes
incredible body movements, its Vikander who reaps the best
lines. Theres also the egregiously cheesy ending, which feels
as though it was tacked on by a focus group that demanded a
more obviously sentimental conclusion.
Still, The Danish Girl is a flattering, beautifully captured,
captivatingly performed retelling of the marriage between a
trans pioneer and her wife and one sure to do well this
awards season. Rhuaridh Marr
that, even a year ago, might have lacked interest. But Hooper
isnt concerned about the potentially narrow focus some may
apply to his film. Hes confident enough in its central themes
that everyone will be able to take away something beyond Lilis
incredible, pioneering efforts to be herself.
I had an incredibly moving experience at the premiere, he
recalls. A friend of mine in L.A. had been paralyzed two years
ago from the neck down, and his then girlfriend chose to stay
with him and to nurse him and to love him. He said he was very
moved, because she had the choice to go and she stayed, and so
he was very moved by the act of caregiving, the fact that Gerda
chose to stay. Everyone has their own route in, but thats what
fascinating about film, because you can make a very specific
story and then the echoes can be very wide.
Speaking with Hooper, who talks so eloquently about transgender issues and his hopes for future change, there is undoubtedly a current of passion that many in the LGBT community
will resonate with. Asked why he prefers to film period pieces,
Hooper responds that he prefers being in a dialogue with things
that are electric in current culture. That transgender rights are
so important right now, that were so embroiled in legislation
and discrimination and a slow, steady stumble towards greater
equality isnt lost on Hooper. With The Danish Girl, hes keenly
aware of how current its subject matter is for better or worse.
I think this is another example where, even though the story
is almost 100 years old, its extraordinary how topical it is, he
says. And actually, it should not be topical at all, because in
theory, we should have moved way beyond it being topical. l
METROWEEKLY.COM
DECEMBER 10, 2015
21
The Hall is Alive
The von Trapps carry on the family tradition, this weekend performing
with the National Symphony Orchestra
BEN MOON
Interview by Doug Rule
ERE HOPING FOR MAYBE

Sufjan Stevens or Jim James,
says Sofia von Trapp about
potential EP producers. You
know, shoot for the stars. Why
not right?
The von Trapps are themselves natural stars in the
American music firmament, descendants of the reallife singing family that inspired The Sound of Music.
Specifically, the von Trapps are the children of Werner
or Kurt, as he was named in the movie the youngest boy.
Earlier this year, the harmonic folk-pop quartet
released its first EP of all original material, Dancing In
Gold, produced by Israel Nebeker of Portlands indie-folk
band Blind Pilot. And last year, the group worked with
Pink Martini on the Portland chamber-pop acts album
Dream A Little Dream. In fact, it was Pink Martinis
gay leader Thomas Lauderdale who helped put the von
Trapps on the map, connecting them with prominent
producers in both the pop and classical realms.
Sofia von Trapp gave some insight into the bands origins in advance of this weekends holiday shows with the
National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center.
22
DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
METRO WEEKLY: Lets start at the very beginning.

SOFIA VON TRAPP: [Laughs.] Its a very good place to start. There are four
of us Im 27. Melanie is 25, Amanda is 24 and August is 21.

MW: I understand it was something of a fluke that you started singing as
a group.
VON TRAPP: Yeah, it was never planned. Our parents dont sing at all, and
we were never pressured into doing this. But our grandfather would
always come visit us in Montana, and he would teach us little Austrian
folk songs. And when he had a stroke, about 15 years ago, we recorded
those songs that he taught us. It just seemed like something fun to do.
We never expected to be doing this for as long as we have, and singing
in amazing halls like the Kennedy Center.
MW: When did you first sing professionally?
VON TRAPP: We were asked to do a two-hour show at MusikFest in
Bethlehem, Penn., and we started getting shows from that point on. Its
been almost 15 years now that weve been doing this professionally. I
was 13, August was 7. So we were young.
MW: So your voices have changed in that time.
VON TRAPP: Augusts voice especially. [Laughs.] Once we started performing professionally, we had a lot of really amazing mentors and vocal
coaches. We started taking it really seriously. Its such a beautiful way
to grow up.
MW: When did you move to Portland?
VON TRAPP: Were originally from Montana but we moved here
because of Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini. Its our fouryear anniversary with Thomas. We met him at a Christmas tree
lighting in downtown Portland, and we immediately fell in love
with each other. So he said, Oh yeah, come to Portland for two
weeks. Well record an album, itll be done in two weeks. And be
so much fun. And two weeks go by, and two months go by. And
finally two years later we finished this album, Dream A Little
Dream and its the most beautiful album Ive ever been a part
of. We ended up just staying in Portland, and making so many
great friends.
MW: How familiar were you with The Sound of Music before you
started the group?
VON TRAPP: Well, I didnt understand the impact The Sound of
Music had on the world until we started traveling and singing
Edelweiss, and everyone just bursting into tears. Or singing along. Its really incredible. There are two sides of the
story theres our grandfather telling us stories of, after they
escaped Austria, what they did to survive. And moving to Stowe,
Vermont, and living their lives. And traveling and singing for 20
years. But then theres also everyones memories and these feelings of nostalgia through The Sound of Music, the musical, which
is about our family before they escaped Austria. And thats also
beautiful. I mean, having Julie Andrews play your great grandmother is pretty amazing.
MW: Have you met Julie Andrews?
VON TRAPP: Yes! We met her on the Oprah show, actually. It was
five years ago the 45th anniversary. We were on the Oprah
show and we sang Edelweiss with Christopher Plummer
and Julie Andrews and the rest of the cast. Which was quite an
amazing experience.
MW: You were able to sing and not be too starstruck?
VON TRAPP: Yeah, I know! It was difficult, but we managed
through it.
MW: So the von Trapp family took up residence in Vermont after
Austria?
VON TRAPP: Yeah, when they escaped Austria, the only reason
why they could was because they had a visa for one show in the
U.S. So they were able to escape. And they ended up eventually
finding a home in Stowe, Vermont where they made this beautiful, beautiful lodge, which is still there to this day.
MW: How many times have you seen The Sound of Music, the
movie?
VON TRAPP: So many times! And in as many different circumstances everything from sing-alongs to by chance, our friends
having The Sound of Music being played.
MW: Youve performed in the musical version before?
VON TRAPP: That was the first year it was before we started touring internationally. We did a show in Raleigh, North
Carolina. August, he played our grandfather Werner, the youngest boy of the seven children.
MW: Are there other singers or singing acts from the family?
VON TRAPP: Theres our aunt, our dads sister. Shes a professional
singer. Really lovely. Beautiful singer-songwriter. Were the only
siblings that sing together out of the family, but everyone is very
musical.
MW: Do you like musicals?
VON TRAPP: Oh, of course, I adore musicals.
MW: Is there a favorite apart from the obvious, of course?
VON TRAPP: Thats really difficult I love The Sound of Music,
but there are so many good ones. Like My Fair Lady is one of my
favorites. Mary Poppins. There are so many beautiful musicals
out there!
MW: Are you looking forward to your holiday show with the NSO
at the Kennedy Center?
VON TRAPP: Yeah. Well be doing traditional carols. We love to
sing in different languages thats why we fit so well with Pink
Martini. It was a tradition of our grandparents, and then we took
on this tradition as well. Whenever we would go to a different
country, we would learn a song in their language. And so, when
we were in France, we learned Noel Nouvelet, which is this
beautiful, old French carol. So well be doing that a cappella. And
a Spanish carol. And some more traditional, like Carols of the
Bells, but well be doing it in Ukrainian the original composition, which is really cool.
MW: Do you speak other languages?
VON TRAPP: We speak German. Well be singing in 10, 11 different languages, but we learned them phonetically, or we learned
them by the phrase. I wish I spoke 10 languages, that would be
pretty great. l
The von Trapps perform with the NSO Pops and Stephanie J.
Block Thursday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m., and
Saturday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., at the Kennedy Center
Concert Hall. Tickets are $20 to $99. Call 202-467-4600 or visit
kennedy-center.org.
METROWEEKLY.COM
DECEMBER 10, 2015
23
DECEMBER 10 - 17, 2015
Compiled by Doug Rule
Santa, Baby
HEN WE NEED SANTA, I GET A PHONE CALL,

says Jerry Lee.
Since first donning St. Nicks suit nearly two
decades ago, the calls have come in almost every year. First performing as part of a Gay Mens Chorus of Washington holiday
show in the 90s, Lee has now diversified his venues for spreading merriment.
Why me? was his initial response when asked to play
Santa. Standing six feet and six inches high, he was told that
having a taller Santa made the elves with whom he appeared
on stage more elegant. Once the suit was made, there werent
many people up to filling it, and so Lees role as Santa was set
particularly after a friend on Capitol Hill asked him to be Santa
at a Christmas party.
Even with a custom-made suit, becoming Santa is no easy
feat. To complete his transformation, Lee adds a wig, a beard,
a hat, and a large amount of rubber padding, though, as he
observes, he needs less padding every year.
What of Santas inevitable duties, though? Not all children
or their parents are equal, it seems. One time, I had a very
tech savvy 7-year-old who asked for a very specific ipad with
accessories, Lee recalls. I looked at his parents for a sign as to
yes or no, but they just stared.
Most parents wink and nod, he continues. Some look panicked, No, she cant get a dog! So Ill say something like, I dont
know if I can get a dog on my sleigh.
At this years GMCW show, Rewrapped, Lee is performing a
parody of Adeles Hello entitled Ho Ho, as well as appearing in the finale, Christmas on Broadway. This year is actually
the most Santa-heavy GMCW show Lee has performed, but hes
excited and happy to see everyone who comes out for the performance. After the show Ill be in the lobby to meet people and
take pictures, he says.
However, Lee will be happy to avoid a repeat of perhaps his most nerve-racking moment as Santa when a young girl, asked
what she wanted for Christmas, stared incredulously and said, Didnt you get my letter? Tim Rosenberger
The Gay Mens Chorus of Washington performs Rewrapped on Saturday Dec. 12, at 8 p.m. and Sunday Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. at the
Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St NW. Tickets are $25 to $63. Call 202-293-1548 or visit gmcw.org.
SPOTLIGHT
AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA
WITH ELAINE PAIGE
The Broadway and West End superstar, dubbed the First Lady of Musical
Theatre, headlines a show by Luke
Frazier, leading the inaugural holi24
DECEMBER 10, 2015
day concert by the American Pops

Orchestra. A Broadway Christmas
will also feature Matt Doyle (The
Book of Mormon, Spring Awakening),
Julia Goodwin of Americas Got
Talent and a mass choir of singers
from around the D.C. area. Frazier,
the Principal Pops Conductor of the
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, founded the American Pops Orchestra and
METROWEEKLY.COM
the National Broadway Chorus earlier

this year with a mission of developing
groundbreaking concepts and artistic
partnerships to develop and inspire
a new audience of orchestral music
in the 21st century. Wednesday, Dec.
16, at 8 p.m. GW Lisner, The George
Washington University, 730 21st St.
NW. Tickets are $35 to $65. Call 202994-6851 or visit lisner.org.
AN ACT OF LOVE
Landmarks E Street Cinema hosts a

D.C. premiere screening of this documentary telling the stories of those
who have fought for LGBT inclusion
in the United Methodist Church, from
the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy
to officiating same-sex wedding ceremonies. The Reverend Frank Schaefer
is the main subject Scott Sheppards
JULIAN VANKIM
Jerry Lee has turned playing Santa into an annual career
Holiday Gift Guide
Visit the Holiday Gift Guide Online at metroweekly.com/giftguide
film, focusing on his work in advancing same-sex marriage within the

church. Schaefer had his ministerial
credentials revoked two years ago
after officiating his sons same-sex
wedding. Civitas Public Affairs presents this screening. Thursday, Dec. 17,
at 7 p.m. Landmarks E Street Cinema,
555 11th St. NW. Call 202-452-7672 or
visit anactoflovefilm.com.
AN IRISH CAROL
For the fourth year, and the first in

its newly renovated space, Keegan
Theatre offers company member
Matthew Keenans homage to the
Dickens classic albeit with biting humor and incisive candor. The
show runs in repertory with How To
Catch a Leprechaun. Mark A. Rhea
directs a cast featuring Jon Townson,
David Jourdan, Susan Marie Rhea,
Josh Sticklin, Timothy Lynch, Daniel
Lyons, Mike Kozemchak and Kevin
Adams. Opens Saturday, Dec. 12, at
8 p.m. To Dec. 31. Keegan Theatre,
1742 Church St. NW. Tickets are $30
to $40. Call 703-892-0202 or visit
keegantheatre.com.
GAY MENS CHORUS

OF WASHINGTON
Rewrapped is a concert of familiar

holiday songs reworked with the Gay
Mens Chorus usual twist, from Do
You Hear What I Hear to Christmas
on Broadway to The Nutcracker...In
About Three Minutes. John Moran
directs the concert and Thea Kano
leads the chorus, with choreography
by Maria Watson. Paul Heins will conduct the 21-member GenOUT Chorus,
started earlier
this year by GMCW as the areas first
LGBT youth ensemble. Remaining
performances are Saturday, Dec. 12,
at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 13, at 3
p.m. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW.
Tickets are $25 to $63. Call 202-3286000 or visit thelincolndc.com.
HILLWOODS HAUTE HOLIDAYS

AND RUSSIAN WINTER FESTIVAL
The most stylish eras of the 20th

century, as seen in the special exhibition Ingenue to Icon: 70 Years of
Fashion from the Collection of Marjorie
Merriweather Post, are the inspiration
for glamorous Christmas trees and festive dcor across Hillwood. And this
Saturday, Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec.
13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Hillwood
presents its annual Russian Winter
Festival, with characters including Grandfather Frost and the Snow
Maiden enacting the old Russian winter custom of mumming, or dressing
up in costume and visiting friends.
To Dec. 31. Hillwood Estate, 4155
Linnean Ave. NW. Suggested donation is $12, or $18 during the Russian
Winter Festival. Call 202-686-5807 or
visit HillwoodMuseum.org.
HOT 99.5 JINGLE BALL WITH

DEMI LOVATO, ZEDD, TOVE LO
A whole host of performers are on tap

for this stop on the annual iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour, also including 5
Seconds of Summer, Shawn Mendes,
26
DECEMBER 10, 2015
Charlie Puth, Hailee Steinfeld, R. City,

Alessia Cara and Natalie La Rose. The
Jingle Ball is presented by Capital
One as a benefit for the Ryan Seacrest
Foundation. Monday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m.
Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW. Tickets
are $20 to $200. evCall 202-628-3200
or visit verizoncenter.com.
MATILDA THE MUSICAL
A Tony Award-winning fantasy

based on Roald Dahls novel, about
an extraordinary girl who dares to
make her dreams of a better life a
reality. Opens Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 7
p.m. Kennedy Center Opera House.
Tickets are $30 to $204. Call 202-4674600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
MICHAEL FEINSTEIN
WITH BIG BAND
Sinatra Centennial is a toast to the

legendary crooner on the eve of the
100th anniversary of his birth, led by
the man known as the Ambassador
of the Great American Songbook.
Feinstein will be supported by a big
band as he channels the spirit, swagger and sensation of Frank Sinatra,
something the gay musician confirmed hes more than capable of with
the Grammy-nominated album The
Sinatra Project. Everybodys been
influenced by Frank Sinatra whether
they know it or not, Feinstein told
Metro Weekly when he last performed
a Sinatra tribute at Strathmore.
Sinatra made classic songs not only
contemporary for current audiences,
but also he was a male singer who
was not afraid to be vulnerable. He
made it acceptable for male singers
to be sensitive. Friday, Dec. 11, at 8
p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301
Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.
Tickets are $55 to $125. Call 301-5815100 or visit strathmore.org.
NOVA Y. PAYTON AND FRIENDS
Signatures youngest powerhouse

performer, star of Dreamgirls and
Hairspray, performs a cabaret of her
holiday favorites, accompanied by a
chorus and a band. Now to Dec. 24.
The Ark at Signature Theatre, 4200
Campbell Ave., Arlington. Tickets are
$35. Call 703-820-9771 or visit signature-theatre.org.
THE APPLE FAMILY CYCLE:

SORRY, REGULAR SINGING
HHHHH
Studio Theatre presents the final
two installments of Richard Nelsons
four-play Apple Family Cycle in repertory just as it did the first two with
the same cast and the same director,
Serge Seiden, who offers sharp focus
on the words and action. You can
jump in at any point and wont lose
much if you only see one play, or see
them out of order. In fact, Nelson
has intentionally left some familial
aspects and details out, which only
encourages a theatergoer to speculate
and extrapolate. Here, as in real life,
it can be fascinating to try to make
sense of things, particularly the complicated, contradictory characters we
encounter. The ensemble has the kind
METROWEEKLY.COM
of ease and natural rapport that only

seasoned actors can convey. Closes
this Sunday, Dec. 13. Studio Theatre,
14th & P Streets NW. Tickets are $49
to $96 each show. Call 202-332-3300
or visit studiotheatre.org. (Doug Rule)
THE WASHINGTON REVELS
The 75-plus members of this group

perform the annual Christmas Revels,
this year billed as A Medieval
Celebration of the Winter Solstice in
Music, Dance and Drama. Audience
participation is a hallmark, whether
singing, dancing or becoming part
of the drama. Remaining shows are
Friday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday,
Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and
Sunday, Dec. 13, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
GW Lisner, The George Washington
University, 730 21st St. NW. Tickets
are $12 to $60. Call 202-994-6851 or
visit lisner.gwu.edu.
STAGE
A BROADWAY CHRISTMAS CAROL
Kathy Feiningers A Broadway

Christmas Show tells the famous
Charles Dickens classic by altering
the lyrics to familiar Broadway tunes,
30 or so in all, from The Music Man
to Sweeney Todd to Annie. The result
is a pretty gay show, especially with
gay Helen Hayes Award-winning
actor Michael Sharp at the helm as
director and choreographer. In years
past, Sharp has played Scrooge, but
Peter Boyer has now assumed the bahhumbugging duties. Sharp will play
The Man Who Isnt Scrooge, Tracey
Stephens also returns as The Woman
Who Isnt Scrooge and Howard
Breitbart as music director aka The
Man Behind The Piano. I always
think of it like the Carol Burnett
Show, Sharp told Metro Weekly a
few seasons ago. [Three] people
playing a million different characters.
Sometimes we crack each other up.
You never know whats going to happen. To Dec. 27. MetroStage, 1201
North Royal St., Alexandria. Tickets
are $35 to $50. Call 800-494-8497 or
visit metrostage.org.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST

STORY OF CHRISTMAS
Olney Theatre Center presents another seasonal run of the one-man portrayal of the Dickens classic by Paul
Morella, who bases his adaptation on
Dickens original novella and reading
tour. To Dec. 27. The Mulitz-Gudelsky
Theatre Lab at Olney Theatre Center,
2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney,
Md. Call 301-924-3400 or visit olneytheatre.org.
BAD JEWS
Already the best-selling play in its

history, Studio Theatre reprises
Joshua Harmons acerbic dramedy
Bad Jews for another holiday run only
a year after its debut. Serge Seiden
once again directs, this year featuring a cast including Laura Lapidus,
Rowan Vickers, Noah Averbach-Katz
and Maggie Wilder. To Jan. 3. Studio
Theatre, 14th & P Streets NW. Tickets

are $44 to $88. Call 202-332-3300 or
visit studiotheatre.org.
BLACK NATIVITY
Another year, another production by

Theater Alliance of Langston Hughess
retelling of the Biblical Christmas
story from an Afrocentric perspective,
incorporating gospel, blues, funk, jazz
and dance, with griot-style storytelling
from an ensemble cast. Black Nativity
was one of the first plays written by
an African American to appear on
Broadway 51 years ago. The winner
of three Helen Hayes Awards this
year, the Theater Alliance production is directed by Eric Ruffin, who
is joined by music director eMarcus
Harper-Short and choreographer
Princess Mhoon. To Jan. 3. Anacostia
Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Place SE.
Tickets are $35 to $50. Call 202-2412539 or visit theateralliance.com.
BRIGHT STAR
The Kennedy Center offers the limited

pre-Broadway engagement of the new
musical by an unlikely pair: Comedian
and bluegrass musician Steve Martin
and folk/pop singer-songwriter Edie
Brickell. Bright Star is a sweeping tale
of love and redemption set against the
rich backdrop of the American South
between the World Wars. Broadway
veteran Walter Bobbie directs a large
cast including Carmen Cusack, Paul
Alexander Nolan, Michael Mulheren,
A.J. Shively, Hannah Elless, Stephen
Bogardus, Dee Hoty, Stephen Lee
Anderson, Emily Padgett and Jeff
Blumenkrantz. To Jan. 2. Kennedy
Center Eisenhower Theater. Tickets
are $45 to $175. Call 202-467-4600 or
visit kennedy-center.org.
ENTERTAINING MR. SLOANE
The Edge of the Universe Players presents a production of British playwright

Joe Ortons darkly comic tale, set in
the swinging 60s, of people searching desperately for love only to find
lust, deceit and violence. The sexually
ambiguous title character is played by
Matthew McGee, known from his work
with Constellation Theatre Company
both as a Helen Hayes Award-winning
actor (Taking Steps) and a puppet master (Avenue Q). Stephen Jarrett directs
a cast also including David Brown
Jackson, Jim Jorgensen and Claire
Schoonover. Closes this Sunday, Dec.
13. The Writers Center, 4508 Walsh
St. Bethesda. Tickets are $22 to $25.
Call 202-355-6330 or visit universeplayers2.org.
GUYS AND DOLLS
At Olney Theatre Center, Jerry

Whiddon directs this classic musical
comedy about gambling and gangsters, starring Jessica Lauren Ball as
one lucky lady. Michael J. Bobbitt
handles the choreography for this
production of composer and lyricist
Frank Loessers tale, with a book by
Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. To Dec.
27. Mainstage at Olney Theatre Center,
2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney,
Md. Call 301-924-3400 or visit olneytheatre.org.
Holiday Gift Guide
Visit the Holiday Gift Guide Online at metroweekly.com/giftguide
HOW TO CATCH A LEPRECHAUN
In repertory with An Irish Carol,

Keegan Theatre offers its first mainstage family production, a new childrens musical by local playwrights
Mario Baldessari and Ethan Slater,
based on a familiar Irish folktale. Jon
Townson directs a cast including
Bradley Foster Smith, Josh Sticklin,
Sally Frakes Cusenza and Brian Doyle.
Opens Saturday, Dec. 12, at 11 a.m. To
Dec. 31. Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church
St. NW. Tickets are $12 to $15. Call 703892-0202 or visit keegantheatre.com.
KISS ME, KATE
The latest musical to get the Alan

Paul treatment at the Shakespeare
Theatre Company is Cole Porters
classic kiss to the Bard. Douglas Sills
and Christine Sherrill star in Kiss Me,
Kate, featuring a book by Samuel and
Bella Spewack, about the sparks that
fly on and off stage as a troupe stages a
musical version of Shakespeares The
Taming of the Shrew. To Jan. 3. Sidney
Harman Hall, Harman Center for the
Arts, 610 F St. NW. Tickets are $20 to
$118. Call 202-547-1122 or visit shakespearetheatre.org.
STAGE KISS
Celebrated local director Aaron

Posner helms a Round House Theatre
production of Sarah Ruhls lively
comedy, mixing real-life romance
and backstage farce. Gregory Woodell
28
DECEMBER 10, 2015
and Dawn Ursula star as the He and

She in question, with a strong cast
complemented by Craig Wallace,
Michael Glenn, Todd Scofield, Tyasia
Velines and Rachel Zampelli. To Dec.
27. Round House Theatre, 4545 EastWest Highway, Bethesda. Tickets are
$36 to $51. Call 240-644-1100 or visit
roundhousetheatre.org.
MUSIC
BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL WITH
BSO SUPERPOPS
Tis The Season for carols, classics

and other surprises when this Tony
Award-winning star hosts and performs with the BSO SuperPops conducted by Damon Gupton. Remaining
performances Thursday, Dec. 10, at 8
Also Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday,
Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and
Sunday, Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. Joseph
Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212
Cathedral St., Baltimore. Tickets are
$25 to $99. Call 410-783-8000 or visit
bsomusic.org.
CHORAL ARTS SOCIETYS 35TH

HOLIDAY CONCERT AND GALA
The Choral Arts Society presents its

35th annual A Choral Arts Christmas
concert, featuring the Choral Arts
Chorus and Chamber Ensemble
METROWEEKLY.COM
conducted by Scott Tucker. And on

Monday, Dec. 14, the organization
will toast the 50th anniversary of
the independence of the Republic of
Singapore at a gala with Singapores
ambassador Ashok Mirpuri and Mrs.
Gouri Mirpuri. The SYC Ensemble
Singers from Singapore will perform,
and Nina Totenberg of NPR will also
appear at this black-tie event that
includes a silent auction and reception
and ends with dinner and dancing on
the Roof Terrace. The gala is Monday,
Dec. 14, at 7 p.m., and the Christmas
concert itself is presented Sunday,
Dec. 13, at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 20, at 8
p.m., and Thursday, Dec. 24, at 2 p.m.
Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets
are $15 to $69. Call 202-467-4600 or
visit kennedy-center.org.
DC DIFFERENT DRUMMERS
A WINTER HOLIDAY PRISM
CONCERT
The DC Different Drummers present

their annual benefit concert featuring
seasonal music for small ensembles
and symphonic band, including an
audience sing-along. Sunday, Dec.
13, at 3 p.m. Lutheran Church of the
Reformation, 212 E. Capitol St. NE.
Tickets are free, but donations to
DCDD and/or a food donation for
Food & Friends is recommended. Visit
dcdd.org for more details.
HANDELS MESSIAH; NSO,

NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC
Next weekend is Messiah weekend

at the areas two main concert halls.
First up is the National Symphony
Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, with
Nathalie Stutzmann conducting four
singers and the University of Maryland
Concert Choir. Meanwhile, Stan
Engebretson conducts Strathmores
resident orchestra, the National
Philharmonic, in a performance featuring four soloists and the National
Philharmonic Chorale. NSO performs
Thursday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m., Friday,
Dec. 18, Saturday, Dec. 19, at 8 p.m.,
and Sunday, Dec. 20, at 1:30 p.m.
Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets
are $15 to $89. Call 202-467-4600 or
visit kennedy-center.org. National
Philharmonic performs Saturday, Dec.
19, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 20, at 3
Tickets are $44 to $94. Call 301-5815100 or visit strathmore.org.
THE INSERIES: BY GEORGE, BY

IRA, BY GERSHWIN
A concert-in-cabaret spanning the

music from Tin Pan Alley, Hollywood
and opera, this InSeries program is
focused on the output of one of the
greatest sibling songwriting duos.
Abel Lopez directs a cast including
Pam Ward, Detra Battle, Jase Parker,
Kenneth Derby, Laura Fuentes and
Bryan Jackson, who will move with
choreography by Angelisa Gillyard
METROWEEKLY.COM
DECEMBER 10, 2015
29
while singing standards (from I Got

Rhythm to The Man I Love to
They Cant Take That Away From
Me) accompanied by a jazz combo.
To Dec. 20. Source Theatre, 1835 14th
St. NW. Tickets are $22 to $42. Call
202-204-7741 or visit inseries.org.
DANCE
THE MOSCOW BALLET
Dubbed
the
Great
Russian
Nutcracker, this version of the holiday ballet staple pays tribute to Marius
Petipa, who developed the Nutcracker
choreography and, for good measure, that of Swan Lake and is
credited as The Father of Russian
Ballet. This great Russian company
has been touring its Nutcracker in the
United States for more than 20 years
now. Monday, Dec. 21, and Tuesday,
Dec. 22, at 8 p.m. Music Center at
Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane,
North Bethesda. Tickets are $48 to
$88. Call 301-581-5100 or visit strathmore.org.
THE WASHINGTON BALLET: THE

NUTCRACKER
the titular figure and King George

III as the Rat King. After two weekends in the intimate THEARC space
in Southeast D.C. as part of the companys efforts to spread and diversify
its audience, the production sets up
shop for nearly all of December at
downtowns Warner Theatre. To Dec.
27. Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW.
Tickets are $35 to $126. Call 202-8895901 or visit washingtonballet.org.
ABOVE AND BEYOND

11TH ANNUAL DOWNTOWN
HOLIDAY MARKET
The
DowntownDC
Business
Improvement District and Diverse
Markets Management stage this
European-style outdoor holiday market, featuring more than 150 area
vendors selling a diverse range of art,
handicrafts and usable products perfect for gifting (or keeping). Theres
also live entertainment and seasonal
food and beverage on tap. Now to Dec.
23, from noon to 8 p.m. everyday. F
between 7th and 9th Streets NW. Free.
Visit downtownholidaymarket.com.
Every year for the past 12 years,

Washington Ballets artistic director
Septime Webre has offered his own
twist on the family favorite, setting it
in D.C.s historic Georgetown neighborhood with George Washington as
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DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
DEL RAY ARTISANS 20TH

ANNUAL HOLIDAY MARKET
TEAM RAYCEEN
NATIONAL ZOOS ZOOLIGHTS
THE KILN CLUBS

ORNAMENTATION OF
THE SEASON
Alexandrias quirky, members-only

art gallery offers its 20th annual holiday market, featuring unique handmade fine arts and fine crafts from
different local artists on a rotating
basis over the next three weekends.
The artists working in pottery, photography, jewelry, fiber, paper crafts
and glass will donate a percentage
of their sales to help support the gallery. Poinsettias, 2016 wall calendars
and handmade ornaments will also be
on hand. Through Dec. 20. Del Ray
Artisans in the Nicholas A. Colasanto
Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave.
Alexandria. Call 703-731-8802 or visit
thedelrayartisans.org.
Every year the Smithsonians National

Zoo presents ZooLights, in which
more than 500,000 colorful Christmas
lights illuminate life-sized animal silhouettes, dancing trees, buildings,
and walkways, plus a light show set
to music. All that, plus select animal
houses will be open and displaying
nocturnal creatures, including the
Small Mammal House, the Great Ape
House and Reptile Discovery Center.
Every night except Dec. 24, 25 and
31, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., until Jan. 2.
National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave.
NW. Free, courtesy of Pepco. Call
202-633-4800 or visit nationalzoo.
si.edu.
During the free-art-for-all extravaganza known as Artomatic, Team

Rayceen presents a variety show hosted by namesake Rayceen Pendarvis
and Curt Mariah, featuring performances by DJ Honey, #AskRayceen
2015 Talent Competition winner Peach
Jah and the competitions runner-up
Usagi. The rest of the lineup varies,
with performers this Saturday, Dec.
12, including: Angie Head, Chelsea
Shorte, Chris Blaze, Quineice, Daniel
The Girl Genius Reed, Venus Thrash
and Pussy Noir, plus live painting by
Sekayi Fernandes. Saturday, Dec. 12,
starting at 9 p.m. Artomatic 2015, 8100
Corporate Dr., Hyattsville, Md. Free.
Visit facebook.com/TeamRayceen.
Artists from the Kiln Club present

works in clay at the cooperative artist-run Scope Gallery in Alexandrias
Torpedo Factory Art Center. Festive
candleholders, vases, bowls and trays,
handmade centerpieces and oodles of
ornaments will be on display. Now
to Jan. 3. Scope Gallery in Torpedo
Factory Art Center, 105 North Union
St. Alexandria. Free. Call 703-5486288 or visit scopegallery.org. l
METROWEEKLY.COM
DECEMBER 10, 2015
31
stage
Though focused on multi-generational

suffering, the gay-centric Sons of the
Prophet is a delightful dramedy
by DOUG RULE
AINT RAFKA, REVERED AS A SAINT OF SUFfering, looms over Luciana Stecconis set in Sons of
).
the Prophet (
Yet Stephen Karams barbed comedy, now in its
regional premiere at Theater J, is mostly joyous. Of particular
delight is the way his play focused on the multi-generational
sufferings of a Lebanese-American family portrays a gay relationship, from tentative first meeting to stripped-down, makeout hookup.
That relationship is between lead character Joseph (Chris
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DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
Dinolfo) and Timothy (Sam Ludwig), a reporter in hot pursuit

of a story about Josephs family, the Douaihys. As it transpires,
hes not the only one: Sons of the Prophet centers on Joseph and
his boss Gloria (Brigid Cleary), a publishing agent whos in desperate need of a hit book to turn around her moribund career.
Perhaps one about the Douiahys? After all, theyre distant relatives of Lebanese-American poet Kahlil Gibran, author of The
Prophet. What a goldmine it could be to get Joseph to write a
memoir revealing how his successors are faring, she reasons.
Even if Joseph wasnt an intensely private person to begin with,
now would certainly not be a good time to air any dirty laundry,
as the Douiahys are still grieving the death of his father.
A promising playwright, Karam packs a lot into this 105-minute, intermission-less play, which was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in
2012 and winner of several awards that year. Theres the controversy over the fathers death, the fault of local star football
player Vin (Jaysen Wright) whose race only strains relations
with Uncle Bill (Michael Willis), the aging Douiahy patriarch.
The whole town gets caught up when the school threatens to
suspend Vin just before a pivotal game and the end of the season.
TERESA WOOD
Prophet and Loss
TERESA WOOD
And then theres the abounding chronic health care problems of

Bill, but also Joseph, who is suffering from a mysterious, debilitating condition and lacking adequate insurance to pay for
proper diagnosis, let alone treatment.
After all that, the fact that both Joseph and his younger
brother Charles are gay is a refreshingly moot point. What are
the odds? is a common reaction, even among more conservative
family members though in truth, its a refrain that pertains to
so much of the action in this play, all about the mysteries of life.
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DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
Fortunately, Gregg Henrys surefire direction keeps the numerous narrative strands from becoming entangled or getting lost in
the vagaries of it all.
Aiding Henry is a top-notch cast. As Joseph, Dinolfo is
spectacular, perfectly portraying the varying shades of such a
complex character as he struggles to cope with the demands of
his boss and his family in addition to his own love life and his
increasing health problems.
Tony Strowd Hamilton portrays Charles as the most open
and secure of the plays main characters, and provides much of
the comic relief not least when jabbing his older brother for
acting more like a lesbian than a gay man.
Brigid Clearys portrayal of Gloria as one of the neediest,
most self-absorbed and most inappropriate people around is
wonderfully realized. A veteran actor, Cleary makes Gloria a
character youll love to hate, barging into the Douiahys lives
uninvited, and having no sense of fear, shame or regard for the
consequences of her actions.
While Sons of the Prophet finds rich comedy and dramatic tension in its final climactic scene at the school gymnasium, for many
gay viewers the real highlight will be earlier scenes depicting the
ill-fated relationship between Joseph and Timothy. Its not often
theatergoers get the joy of watching two male actors kiss passionately, strip each other, and engage in frolicking foreplay.
H
And all without being exaggerated or gratuitous, in the
manner of matter-of-fact scenes weve become inured to with
opposite-sex coupling. Like the rest of the play, its wonderful. l
Sons of the Prophet runs to Dec. 2 at Washington, D.C.s Jewish
Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW. Tickets are $17 to $67. Call
202-518-9400 or visit washingtondcjcc.org.
games
Unjust Performance
Just Cause 3 is a beautiful, incredibly
fun game marred by serious performance
issues and bizarre gameplay choices
by RHUARIDH MARR
SQUARE ENIX
UST CAUSE 3 IS ONE OF THE GAMES I WAS

most excited to play this year. The original Just
Cause was one of my first Wow moments on Xbox
360, with its incredible scale and beautiful color
palette. I played it to completion and for many dozens of hours
more, revelling in its massive sandbox, its action movie gameplay, its parachutes and skydiving and gunplay and explosions.
When Just Cause 2 came along, it was more of the same but
with greater refinements. It was smoother, bigger, the action
flowed better, the explosions were grander. It was everything a
sequel should be. Then came the announcement of Just Cause
3 a game that promised to be bigger still, but with beautiful
new graphics, a powerful new engine, and even more enjoyable
gameplay. I couldnt wait to install it.
After many hours with Just Cause 3 (HHHHH) on Xbox One,
Im heartbroken. Avalanche Studios aimed for something bigger,
better, bolder, but what they produced was something broken,
frustrating and bizarrely halfhearted.
My biggest complaint with Just Cause 3 is that, at least on
console, it simply doesnt work. On PC its a fast, fluid experience
(though it can occasionally struggle). The 400 square miles of

fictional Mediterranean islands that comprise Medici are rendered beautifully and load quickly. On Xbox One? Just Cause 3
rivals Assassins Creed Unity for the length of its load times
and its numerous performance issues.
Its not uncommon to spend several minutes waiting for the
game to boot up. Once it does, youll be treated to a frame rate
that just barely scrapes 30 fps and thats at a reduced 900p
resolution on Xbox One and which quickly plummets as soon
as you start doing anything. Signature gameplay elements such
as blowing stuff up, driving, blowing more stuff up, shooting,
blowing a few more things up, grappling up a building, and lobbing explosives at things to blow them up can reduce the game
to a crawl. In areas where there are a lot of destructible items
and there are many of them, in towns, bases, castles and ports
the game enters what can only be described as slow motion,
as it tries to render the action, but cant do so at the required
frame rate. It makes playing the game untenable for long periods
of time something made worse by the fact that performance
actually degrades further the longer you play it, suggesting serious memory leaks.
All of this means that you can either enjoy Just Cause 3 in
short bursts, or youll have to adopt a style of gameplay that
runs in antithesis to the whole point of the experience. Rather
than tether a mass of explosive barrels to a helicopter and drop
them onto a moving target, you instead have to grapple onto the
car and steal it. Yay. Instead of slamming a cargo plane into the
front of a base, as you parachute to safety and fire rockets into
the debris field, you instead have to stand on a hill and shoot a
METROWEEKLY.COM
DECEMBER 10, 2015
35
SQUARE ENIX
sniper rifle, or get up close and personal for the series trademark
subpar gunplay. Yay. Whereas youd previously do pretty much
anything that resulted in ginormous, Bond-style explosions, now
youll do anything to avoid them, lest you be rewarded with massive performance degradation. Yay? I dont know about you, but
Just Cause just isnt very fun to play if I cant live out my action
movie fantasies.
The gameplay itself has also seen several changes. New this
time around and oft touted is the wingsuit. Simply put, its
a game changer. Rather than rely on pulling yourself along using
the tether and a parachute, you can now open up a wingsuit and
fly through the sky. Its almost too finicky, requiring incredibly
deft controls, but the thrill of skimming close to the ground,
tethering your way out of buildings or inclines at the last second,
is arguably one of Just Cause 3s biggest strengths.
So, too, is the new tethering system. You can now have multiple tethers, which can pull objects together and be detached
as necessary. You want to carry six cars under your helicopter
and drop them like bombs? Sure! You want to create your own
slingshot, firing enemies out of their base? Sure! Youd like to
attach a cow to a gas canister and send them both shooting into
the sky? Youre a bit weird, but sure! The ways in which the
tether can now be used instead of guns or explosives makes for
some of Just Cause 3s best moments. Experimenting with new
ways to pull down structures or defeat enemies or get rid of
vehicles makes for joyous fun. (Pro tip: during chase sequences,
attach a tether to the road and another to the hood of the vehicle
chasing you and prepare for physics-based hilarity as it flies off
into the distance.)
Unfortunately, Avalanche Studios has also introduced a new
upgrading system thats more hassle than its worth. In theory,
its great: you only complete challenges to upgrade the things
you use. If you want better explosives, you only need do the
explosive challenges. If you want more mods for cars, do the
racing challenges, etc. However, it locks away things that prior
games gave players from the start. Why they thought preventing
gamers from zooming in with guns, for instance, was a good idea
is beyond me.
It also adds a couple of annoying quirks into cargo drops. The
actual system is much better: collect a beacon from liberated
towns or bases and then whenever you want a drop, call it up and
36
DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
select a main weapon, a secondary weapon, a vehicle and some

explosives. Itll then be immediately dropped to wherever you
throw the beacon. Great. Except youre restricted in how many
beacons you can carry and theres a respawn time limit on items
which only frustrates. More than once the game would drop in a
helicopter or plane, only for it to explode on landing. Rather than
spend more in-game money and buy another, like in prior games,
I now need to use another beacon and then wait for a predetermined amount of time such as fifteen real minutes to spawn
another. Come on, Avalanche? Really? Its my game, let me spam
in jets. Sure, you can unlock a mod that removes the time limit,
but that will take a lot of playing to obtain.
And thats where the issue is with Just Cause 3, it demands
that you play it to get the most from it something many wont
want to do thanks to its numerous performance issues. And
thats not all. The narrative never a strong point for prior
games is even more disjointed and has even more terrible
writing than before. If you die, it can take upwards of 90 seconds
to respawn. Challenges can take a minute to load and just as
long to reload if you retry them. Everything about Just Cause 3
feels slowed down, lethargic, and as though Avalanche are punishing players for trying to enjoy their game.
What makes it worse is that, when the game actually works,
its glorious fun. Sure, the new controls take a bit of getting
used to, including the wingsuit and the lack of a few quick
actions, such as jumping between vehicles. But the Just Cause
hallmarks of ridiculous, over-the-top action movie-style stunts
are here, the massive explosions have never looked better, the
sound mixing on competent speakers is glorious, the island of
Medici is a saturated beauty, and the vehicles have never felt
tighter to control.
In my time with Just Cause 3 Ive had some of the most enjoyable moments in gaming of this entire year. But Ive also had
some of the most frustrating, the buggiest, and the slowest. If you
really want to experience a great Just Cause game on Xbox One,
download Just Cause 2 through backwards compatibility. Unless
Avalanche can patch the issues, Just Cause 3 is a game that only
those who can stomach having their play sessions severely neutered should buy. l
Just Cause 3 is available now on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
METROWEEKLY.COM
DECEMBER 10, 2015
37
38
DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
NIGHT
LIFE
LISTINGS
THURS., 12.10.15
9 1/2
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm Multiple
TVs showing movies,
shows, sports Expanded
craft beer selection
Music videos featuring
DJ Wess
ANNIES/ANNIES
UPSTAIRS
4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm
$4 Small Plates, $4 Stella
Artois, $4 House Wines,
$4 Stolichnaya Cocktails,
$4 Manhattans and Vodka
Martinis
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: $6 Call
Martini, $3 Miller Lite,
$4 Rail, $5 Call, 4-9pm
$3 Rail Drinks, 10pmmidnight, $5 Red Bull,
Gatorade and Frozen
Virgin Drinks Locker
Room Thursday Nights
DJs Sean Morris and
MadScience Ripped Hot
Body Contest at midnight,
hosted by Miss Kristina
Kelly and BaNaka $200
Cash Prize Doors open
10pm, 18+ $5 Cover
under 21 and free with
college ID
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 5pm
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
$2 Bud and Bud Light
Draughts, $3 Domestic
Bottles, $4 Rail and Import
Bottle Beer, $6 Call
Highwaymen TNT presents
Hot Jock Night Men in
jocks drink free rail and
domestic, 8-10pm Hot
Jock Contest at 11:30pm
$100 in cash and prizes
Highwaymen TNT on Club
Bar No Cover 21+
DC9
1940 9th St. NW
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
dcnine.com
METROWEEKLY.COM
39
40
DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
scene
Trade Grand Opening
Monday, December 7
scan this tag
with your
smartphone
for bonus scene
pics online!
Photography by
Ward Morrison
FREDDIES BEACH BAR

Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Ladies Drink Free Power
Hour, 4-5pm Shirtless
Thursday, 10-11pm DJs
BacK2bACk
JR.S
All You Can Drink for $15,
5-8pm $3 Rail Vodka
Highballs, $2 JR.s drafts,
8pm-close Throwback
Thursday featuring rock/
pop retro hits
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Beat the Clock Happy Hour
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
$4 (7-8pm) Buckets of
Beer $15 Drag Bingo
NUMBER NINE
drink, 5-9pm No Cover
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers
Shirtless Thursday DJ
Tim-e in Secrets 9pm
Cover 21+
FRI., 12.11.15
9 1/2
Open at 5pm Happy
Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink,
5-9pm Friday Night
Videos with resident DJ
Shea Van Horn VJ
Expanded craft beer selection No Cover
ANNIES
Martinis Upstairs open,
5-11pm
COBALT/30 DEGREES
All You Can Drink Happy
Hour $15 Rail and
Domestic, $21 Call &
Imports, 4-9pm Team
DC Holiday Party, 7-9pm
Guys Night Out Free Rail
Vodka, 11pm-Midnight, $6
Belvedere Vodka Drinks all
night DJ MadScience
upstairs DJ Keenan Orr
downstairs $10 cover
10pm-1am, $5 after 1am
21+
DC9
1940 9th St. NW
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
dcnine.com
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 5pm
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
Fetish Fridays $2 off
all prices for guys in fetish
gear, 8-10pm No Cover
21+
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm $5
Smirnoff, all flavors, all
night long Pup Invasion,
9pm-close Featuring DJ
Brag and host Pup Indigo
50/50 Raffle Jello
shots and Puppy Mosh
$5 Cover 21+
JR.S
Happy Hour: 2-for-1,
4-9pm $2 Skyy Highballs
and $2 Drafts, 10pmmidnight Retro Friday
$5 Coronas, $8 Vodka Red
Bulls, 9pm-close
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
DJ Matt Bailer Videos,
Dancing Beat the Clock
Happy Hour $2 (5-6pm),
$3 (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm)
Buckets of Beer $15
NUMBER NINE
Open 5pm Happy Hour:
2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
No Cover
TOWN
DC Bear Crue Happy
Hour, 6-11pm $3 Rail,
$3 Draft, $3 Bud Bottles
Free Pizza, 7pm No
cover before 9:30pm
21+ Drag Show starts at
10:30pm Hosted by Lena
Lett and featuring Miss
Tatianna, Shi-QueetaLee, Epiphany B. Lee
and BaNaka DJ Wess
upstairs, DJs BacK2bACk
downstairs GoGo Boys

after 11pm Doors open
at 10pm For those 21
and over, $10 For those
18-20, $15 18+
TOWN PATIO
Open 6pm No Cover
before 10pm Cover after
10pm (entry through Town)
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers,
hosted by LaTroya Nicole
Ladies of Ziegfelds,
9pm Hosted by Miss
Destiny B. Childs DJ
Darryl Strickland in Secrets
VJ Tre in Ziegfelds
Cover 21+
SAT., 12.12.15
9 1/2
drink, 3-9pm $5 Absolut
& Titos, $3 Miller Lite
after 9pm Expanded
craft beer selection No
Cover Music videos
featuring various DJs
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Drag Yourself to Brunch at
METROWEEKLY.COM
Level One, 11am-2pm and

2-4pm Featuring Kristina
Kelly and the Ladies of
Illusion Bottomless
Mimosas and Bloody
Marys Happy Hour: $3
Miller Lite, $4 Rail, $5
Call, 4-9pm Washington
Wetskins Holiday Party,
7-10pm AFTERGLOW
Dance Party, featuring DJ
Sean Morris, 10pm-close
Drink specials all night
Doors open 10pm $7
cover before midnight, $10
cover after 21+
DC9
1940 9th St. NW
Happy Hour, 4-6pm
dcnine.com
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 8pm
Happy Hour, 8-10pm
Highwaymen TNT on Club
Bar $ 2 Draughts on
Club Bar and Jello shots,
9pm-2am No Cover
21+
DECEMBER 10, 2015
41
FREDDIES BEACH BAR

Drag Queen Broadway
Brunch, 10am-3pm
Starring Freddies
Broadway Babes Crazy
Hour, 4-7pm Freddies
Follies Drag Show,
8-10pm, hosted by Miss
Destiny B. Childs No
Cover
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm $5
Bacardi, all flavors, all
night long JOX: The
GL Underwear Party,
9pm-close Featuring DJ
David Merrill $5 Cover
(includes clothes check)
JR.S
$4 Coors, $5 Vodka
Highballs, $7 Vodka Red
Bulls
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Guest DJs Zing Zang
Bloody Marys, Nellie Beer,
House Rail Drinks and
Mimosas, $4, 11am-5pm
Buckets of Beer, $15
NUMBER NINE
42
DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
TOWN
DC Rawhides host Town
& Country: Two-Step,
Line Dancing, Waltz and
West Coast Swing, $5
Cover to stay all night
Doors open 6:45pm,
Lessons 7-8pm, Open
dance 8-10:30pm Best
Songs of 2015, featuring
DJs BacK2bACk Music
and video downstairs by
DJ Wess Drag Show
starts at 10:30pm
Featuring special guest
Alaska Thunderfuck
Hosted by Lena Lett and
featuring Miss Tatianna,
Shi-Queeta-Lee, Epiphany
B. Lee and BaNaka
Doors open 10pm $12
Cover 21+
TOWN PATIO
Open 10pm (entry through
Town) $12 Cover
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Men of Secrets, 9pm
Guest dancers Ladies
of Illusion with host Ella
Fitzgerald Doors at 9
p.m., first show at 11:30
p.m. % DJs Doors open
8pm Cover 21+
SUN., 12.13.15
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
Cover
COBALT/30 DEGREES
$4 Stoli, Stoli flavors
and Miller Lite all day
Homowood Karaoke,
10pm-close No Cover
21+
DC9
1940 9th St. NW
Happy Hour, 2-6pm
dcnine.com
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 12pm
Happy Hour, 12-8pm
Buffet, 2-7pm Like on
Facebook for menu options
Draughts all day and night
No Cover 21+
FREDDIES BEACH BAR

Champagne Brunch Buffet,
10am-3pm Crazy Hour,
4-7pm Karaoke, 8pm1am
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Mamas Trailer Park
Karaoke, 9:30pm-close
JR.S
Sunday Funday Liquid
Brunch Doors open at
1pm $2 Coors Lights and
$3 Skyy (all flavors), all
day and night
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Drag Brunch, hosted by
Shi-Queeta-Lee, 11am3pm $20 Brunch Buffet
House Rail Drinks, Zing
Zang Bloody Marys, Nellie
Beer and Mimosas, $4,
11am-close Buckets of
Beer, $15
NUMBER NINE
Pop Goes the World with
Wes Della Volla at 9:30pm
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on
any drink, 3-9pm No
Cover
ROCK HARD SUNDAYS
@THE HOUSE
NIGHTCLUB
3530 Georgia Ave. NW
Diverse group of all male,
all nude dancers Doors
open 8pm Shows all
night until close, starting
at 8:30pm $5 Domestic
Beer, $6 Imports
$10 cover For Table
Reservations, 202-4876646 rockharddc.com
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Decades of Dance DJ
Tim-e in Secrets Doors
9pm Cover 21+
MON., 12.14.15
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
Cover
ANNIES
Martinis
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: $2 Rail, $3
Miller Lite, $5 Call, 4-9pm
Monday Nights A Drag
drag show, hosted by
Kristina Kelly $50 Entry
Fee $500 Cash Prize
Doors open at 10pm $3
Skyy Cocktails, $8 Skyy
and Red Bull $8 Long
Islands No Cover, 18+
DC9
1940 9th St. NW
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
dcnine.com
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 5pm
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
Monday Night Football on
Big Screens Men in jerseys get Happy Hour, 8pmclose No Cover 21+
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour all night long
Michaels Open Mic
Night Karaoke, 9:30pmclose
JR.S
Happy Hour: 2-for-1,
4-9pm Showtunes Songs
& Singalongs, 9pm-close
DJ James $3 Draft
Pints, 8pm-midnight
NELLIES SPORTS BAR

$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
Beer $15 Texas Holdem
Poker, 8pm Dart Boards
COBALT/30 DEGREES
SIN Service Industry
Night $1 Rail Drinks
all night
NUMBER NINE
DC9
1940 9th St. NW
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
dcnine.com
TUES., 12.15.15
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
Cover
ANNIES
$4 Stella Artois, $4 House
Wines, $4 Stolichnaya
Cocktails, $4 Manhattans
and Vodka Martinis
FREDDIES BEACH BAR

Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour all night long,
4pm-close
JR.S
Birdie La Cage Show,
10:30pm Underground
(Indie Pop/Alt/Brit Rock),
9pm-close DJ Wes
Della Volla 2-for-1, 5pmmidnight
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
$2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
Beer $15 Karaoke and
Drag Bingo
METROWEEKLY.COM
DECEMBER 10, 2015
43
NUMBER NINE
Safe Word: A Gay Spelling
Bee, 8-11pm Prizes to
the top three spellers
After 9pm, $3 Absolut,
Bulleit & Stella
WED., 12.16.15
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
Cover
ANNIES
$4 Stella Artois, $4 House
Wines, $4 Stolichnaya
Cocktails, $4 Manhattans
and Vodka Martinis
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Annual Cobalt Employee
Talent Show, 10pm $4
Stoli and Stoli Flavors and
Miller Lite No Cover
21+
DC9
1940 9th St. NW
Happy Hour, 5-8pm
dcnine.com
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm $6
Burgers Drag Bingo
Night, hosted by Ms.
Regina Jozet Adams, 8pm
Bingo prizes Karaoke,
10pm-1am
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour all night long,
4pm-close
JR.S
Buy 1, Get 1 Free, 4-9pm
Trivia with MC Jay Ray,
8pm The Feud: Drag
Trivia, hosted by BaNaka,
10-11pm, with a $200
prize $2 JR.s Drafts and
$4 Vodka ($2 with College
ID or JR.s Team Shirt)
44
DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
NELLIES SPORTS BAR

SmartAss Trivia Night,
8pm and 9pm Prizes
include bar tabs and tickets to shows at the 9:30
Club $15 Buckets of
Beer for SmartAss Teams
only Bring a new team
members and each get a
free $10 Dinner
NUMBER NINE
Habibi: A Gay Middle
Eastern Party, 9pm
Featuring DJ IZ of Habibi
NYC
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Shirtless Night, 10-11pm,
12-12:30am Military
Night, no cover with
military ID DJ Don T. in
Secrets 9pm Cover
21+ l
SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE
45
I would reverse the executive orders

the President has made on things like gender equality in restrooms.
MARCO RUBIO, speaking with the Christian Broadcasting Network.
I dont want my daughters

taking showers with little boys.
TED CRUZ, speaking with EWTN. Cruz believes that extending equality protections to transgender children in schools
will lead to his daughters having to shower with boys.
Its after the watershed.

You cannot be a dickhead
and win the Sports Personality of The Year Award.
BBC News presenter CLIVE MYRIE, during a discussion of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury. Fury has been nominated
for the BBCs Sports Personality of the Year award, something many have taken offense to after he previously stated that
once homosexuality, pedophilia and abortion were legal, the world would end.
Id definitely be open to that
but again, Im not sure if they want to take the character in that direction.
Actor SHAWN ASHMORE, who portrays Iceman in the X Men franchise, telling IGN that he would happily return to play the
character who recently came out in his comics series if he was also gay in the films. I think itd probably be the
most interesting thing that could happen to Bobby in the films, he said.
This wedding has given us a sense of freedom

to be proud of what we have and who we are.
Transgender model CARMEN CARRERA, who has become the first trans person to wed on a reality TV show after she
married her partner Adrian Torres which was filmed for an episode of Couples Therapy.
46
DECEMBER 10, 2015
METROWEEKLY.COM
METROWEEKLY.COM
DECEMBER 10, 2015
47

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2

DECEMBER 10, 2015

DECEMBER 10, 2015

DECEMBER 10, 2015

SALES & MARKETING

2015 Jansi LLC.

DECEMBER 10, 2015

brings to life the story of

Lili Elbe, an oft-forgotten

OUT ON THE TOWN

GMCWs Santa, Jerry Lee

Sons of the Prophet

Trade Grand Opening

photography by Ward Morrison

DECEMBER 10, 2015

CDC says HIV diagnosis rates down

Now online at MetroWeekly.com

HE ANIMUS AGAINST THOSE WHO SUPPORT

DECEMBER 10, 2015

LGBT students in religiously-affiliated educational institutions.

DECEMBER 10, 2015

building blocks or paving stones in how each of our movements

advances made in HIV treatment and prevention.

ACH YEAR, DECEMBER OPENS ON WORLD AIDS

DECEMBER 10, 2015

this overreaction to anything related to HIV, and its part of the

DECEMBER 10, 2015

with a deadly weapon, Schoettes continues. Theyve tried

DECEMBER 10, 2015

METROHEALTH CENTER offers

BURGUNDY CRESCENT, a gay vol-

unteer organization, volunteers today

DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay and les-

bian square-dancing group features

HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker

tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg,

DECEMBER 10, 2015

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5

DC FRONT RUNNERS running/walk-

HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker

free, rapid HIV testing. Appointment

GAY MARRIED MENS

PROJECT STRIPES hosts LGBT-

fidential support group for men who

affirming social group for ages 11-24.

SMYALS REC NIGHT provides

LGB PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP for

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-6

WOMEN IN THEIR TWENTIES, a

social discussion and activity group for

BRAZILIAN GLBT GROUP, including

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice

13-21, interested in leadership development. 5-6:30 p.m. SMYAL Youth

BET MISHPACHAH, founded by

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice

US HELPING US hosts a Narcotics

Anonymous Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m.,

p.m., and HIV services (by appointment). 202-291-4707, andromedatransculturalhealth.org.

METROHEALTH CENTER offers

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)

free, rapid HIV testing. Appointment

The DC Center offers confidential and

ADVENTURING outdoors group

ing/social club welcomes all levels for