CONTENTS

MARCH 16, 2017 Volume 23 Issue 43

17 THE PARENT TRAP

Becoming a parent should be a joyous occasion unless
one partner is excluded from the birth certificate

By John Riley

OFF THE CUFF

For 14 years, fashion guru Carson Kressley has graced
our screens on everything from Queer Eye for the
Straight Guy to RuPauls Drag Race. Some celebrities
never go out of style

Interview by Randy Shulman

25
34 SWITCH OFF
Nintendos Switch has one great game and compelling
portability, but you should hold off on buying it

By Rhuaridh Marr

SPOTLIGHT: ORCHESTRAL MANEUVERS p.7 OUT ON THE TOWN p.11

MEN IN TIGHTS: LES BALLETS TROCKADERO p.12 THE FEED: THE PARENTS TRAP p.17
FORUM: WEARIN O THE RAINBOW p.20 COMMUNITY: GETTING TO KNOW YOU p.21
COVER STORY: OFF THE CUFF p.25 GALLERY: IRA TATTELMAN p.31
STAGE: INTELLIGENCE p.32 GAMES: NINTENDO SWITCH AND LEGEND OF ZELDA p.34
NIGHTLIFE p.37 SCENE: WIG NIGHT OUT AT JR.S p.37 LISTINGS p.39
SCENE: OTTER CROSSING AT GREEN LANTERN p.44 LAST WORD p.46

Real LGBTQ News and Entertainment since 1994

Editorial Editor-in-Chief Randy Shulman Art Director Todd Franson Managing Editor Rhuaridh Marr Senior Editor John Riley Contributing Editor Doug Rule
Senior Photographers Ward Morrison, Julian Vankim Contributing Illustrator Scott G. Brooks Contributing Writers Andr Hereford,
Sean Maunier, Troy Petenbrink, Kate Wingfield Webmaster David Uy Production Assistant Julian Vankim
Sales & Marketing Publisher Randy Shulman National Advertising Representative Rivendell Media Co. 212-242-6863 Distribution Manager Dennis Havrilla
Patron Saint Willi Smith Cover Photography Rainer Hosch

Metro Weekly 1775 I St. NW, Suite 1150 Washington, DC 20006 202-638-6830
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2017 Jansi LLC.

MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 5

 Spotlight
JEFF ROFFMAN
Orchestral Maneuvers
C
OMPOSER CHRISTOPHER THEOFANIDIS HAS A GIFT
of lyricism and emotional affect that can strike a listen-
er...in a profoundly moving way, says Robert Spano.
Washington audiences can test the noted conductors asser-
tion on Friday, March 31, when he leads a performance of
Theofanidis Creation/Creator at the Kennedy Center. A theatri-
cal and multimedia oratorio, featuring soloists and the full 180-
piece choir and orchestra, its been commissioned by the Atlanta
Symphony Orchestra as part of the first ever Shift: A Festival of
American Orchestras.
The festival highlights classical music organizations striv-
ing to go beyond the classics and the status quo. The Atlanta
Symphony, for example, has achieved this in large part through
its cultivation of the Atlanta School of Composers. After becom-
ing the organizations music director in 2001, Spano, who is gay,
started commissioning works by a handful of contemporary
composers, including Theofanidis. At a certain point we real-
ized, even though theyre distinct from each other and unique
unto themselves, they share common [traits], Spano says. They
Shift, A Festival of American Orchestras runs March 27 through April 1. For a full schedule of events, including a free
Library of Congress symposium, and to purchase tickets, call 202-785-9727 or visit kennedy-center.org/festivals/shift/.
work with tunes, and theyre tonal, and theyre influenced by
popular or world music, or both.
Shift, which runs from March 27 to April 1, also spot-
lights Colorados Boulder Philharmonic, the North Carolina
Symphony, and Brooklyns self-described orchestral collective
the Knights. Each orchestra will perform a thematic program of
its choosing in the Concert Hall. Even more innovative are the
recitals presented by the orchestras that go far beyond the tra-
ditional from a vocal recital, featuring piano accompaniment
by Spano, at the National Gallery of Arts West Garden Court, to
a concert by singer-songwriter and Knights member Christina
Courtin at the Hamilton, to indie-rock singers accompanied by
a North Carolina chamber ensemble in the Smithsonians Kogod
Courtyard.
The Boulder Philarmonic, meanwhile, ventures the farthest
afield with its Nature and Music programming, including
Guided Musical Hikes of bird-watching in Rock Creek Park
and Pop-Up Chamber Concerts in the Tidal Basin, surrounded
by cherry trees. Doug Rule
MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 7
 Spotlight

THE MAGNETIC FIELDS

Stephin Merritt, the gay lead singer and songwriter for the archly
retro folk-pop act Magnetic Fields, is the type of person who can
write interesting, coherent songs about seemingly anything and
create rhymes out of whole cloth to boot. His latest work is 50
Song Memoir, a whopping five-disc album full of songs, one per
year of Merritts life and loosely autobiographical. Along with six
other musicians, Merritt will perform songs 1-25 the first night
and Songs 26-50 the next. The stage show, directed by theater vet-
eran Jose Zayas, includes artifacts both musical, including vintage
computers and reel-to-reel tape decks, and decorative, from shag
carpeting to tiki torches. Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March
19. Doors at 6:30 p.m. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. Tickets
are $40 to $55 for each night, with two-night passes sold out. Call
202-328-6000 or visit thelincolndc.com.

CAMERON CARPENTER
Showy gay organ star will fill the Music Center with the rich sounds
from the International Touring Organ, his custom-made monumen-
tal digital organ, and a program of Bach, Wagner and Gershwin.

TODD FRANSON
Washington Performing Arts presents the recital. Thursday, March
23, at 8 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane,
North Bethesda. Tickets are $50 to $65. Call 301-581-5100 or visit
nationalphilharmonic.org.

FOXYGEN
Sam France and Jonathan Rado,
the duo behind Foxygen, are clear-
ly influenced by the Rolling Stones
and David Bowie, with a sound that
merges glam-rock with folk. Foxygen
tours in support of Hang, a weird and
wonderful set veering from rock to
jazz and showtunes to polka/circus
fare, often in the same song, such as
the appropriately named America,
or Up A Hill. Wednesday, March
22. Doors at 7 p.m. 9:30 Club, 815 V St.
NW. Tickets are $25. Call 202-265-
0930 or visit 930.com.

8 MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY

 Spotlight
A GREAT BIG WORLD
Ian Axel and Chad Kings music as pop duo A Great Big World
is catchy and inspiring in a 70s-esque sentimental kind of way.
Its something you no doubt already know from prominent
placement on TV, including Glee (This Is The New Year) as
well as The Voice (Say Something, which became a collabora-
tion with Christina Aguilera). The duo also scored an early viral
hit with LGBT-affirming Everyone Is Gay. They return for an
unplugged concert previewing new music. Saturday, March 18,
at 8 p.m. The Hamilton, 600 14th St. NW. Tickets are $15 to $85.
Call 202-787-1000 or visit thehamiltondc.com.

TICKLING GIANTS
A former heart surgeon, Bassem Youssef became
known as the Egyptian Jon Stewart during the Arab
Spring when he established Egypts first political sat-
ire show, using it to creatively protest his government
and president abusing his power. Youssefs show attracted a regular audience of 30 million people during its 2011-2014
run. Written and directed by Sara Taksler, a senior producer at The Daily Show, Tickling Giants will screen locally with
an exclusive recorded interview of Bassem by political satirist Samantha Bee. Tuesday, March 21, at 7 p.m. Landmarks
Atlantic Plumbing Cinema, 807 V St. NW. Also Landmarks Harbor East, 645 S. President St., Baltimore. Tickets are $15.
Call 202-534-1964 (Atlantic Plumbing) or 410-244-6636 (Harbor East) or visit landmarktheatres.com.

PARADE
The complexities of social relationships in the
early-20th Century South is the backdrop of
writer Alfred Uhrys story focused on the trial
and lynching of a Jewish man wrongly accused
of murder. Jake Null will lead the band in com-
poser/lyricist Jason Robert Browns rich, intri-
cate score in the latest Tony Award-winning
musical to get the Keegan Theatre touch.
Christina A. Coakley (Cabaret) and Susan Marie
Rhea (Hair) co-direct a large cast led by Michael
Innocenti as Leo Frank and Eleanor J. Todd as
his wife Lucille Frank in a tragic, touching
musical that explores themes that are sadly as
CAMERON WHITMAN

relevant as ever. To April 8. Keegan Theatre,

1742 Church St. NW. Tickets are $45 to $55.
Call 202-265-3768 or visitkeegantheatre.com.

MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 9

 Out On The Town

NEEDLES AND OPIUM

As part of a spotlight on innovative, international directors, the Kennedy Center presents world-renowned Canadian
Robert Lepage and his multidisciplinary performance company Ex Machina, revisiting a highly visual work from 1991 that
is as much magic as it is theater. Focused on themes of creativity, love, addiction and withdrawal, Needles and Opium is told
in a series of vignettes, triggered by the art of French poet and filmmaker Jean Cocteau and American jazz legend Miles
Davis. Olivier Normand and Wellesley Robertson III star, with all the action set in a cube suspended in midair. Thursday,
March 16, and Friday, March 17, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, March 18, at 2 and 8 p.m. Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater.
Tickets are $19 to $59. Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.

Compiled by Doug Rule
FILM
FORCES OF NATURE
National Geographic offers a virtual
tour through modern-day disasters
and Earths fiercest powers, from
volcanic eruptions on the island
of Montserrat and trembling fault
lines in Turkey, to storms ripping
through the notorious Tornado
Alley of Americas Midwest.
Experience it all in eye-popping
enormity on the giant screen. Kevin
Bacon narrates the 40-minute doc-
umentary, shot in IMAX by George
Casey, that also features scientists
to help viewers better comprehend
these forces and hopefully increase
the odds of surviving such events
in the future. To April 30. National
Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St.
NW. Tickets are $7. Call 202-857-
7500 or visit ngmuseum.org.
THE SENSE OF AN ENDING
Julian Barnes Booker Prize-
winning novel isnt quite as success-
ful on the big screen, based on early
reviews of Ritesh Batras film about
a business owner (Jim Broadbent)
who reunites with his first love
(Charlotte Rampling) after a letter
and a diary force him to confront
the past. A.V. Clubs Mike DAngelo
called it a pointless game of nar-
rative Keep Away. Opens Friday,
March 17. Area theaters. Visit fan-
dango.com.
STAGE
ELLA ENCHANTED
Adventure Theatre MTC offers
a world-premiere musical,
co-commissioned by First Stage
from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
with funding in part from the
National Endowment for the
Arts. Ella Enchanted is based on
the award-winning book by Gail
Carson Levine that also produced
the 2004 fantasy rom-com star-
ring Anne Hathaway and Hugh
Dancy. Written by Karen Zacarias
with music by Deborah Wicks La
Puma, Mary Hall Surface directs
the all-ages show. Closes Sunday,
March 19. Adventure Theatre MTC,
7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo.
Call 301-634-2270 or visit adven-
turetheatre-mtc.org.
KING CHARLES III
Three years after giving us Cock,
British playwright Mike Bartlett
returns with his latest theatrical
effort. An Olivier-winning play that
nods to Shakespeare, King Charles
II explores how Prince Charles
might rule were he to finally ascend
to the British throne. The New York
Times called it an intellectually
and emotionally gripping study of
the strangely enduring anachro-
nism that is the British monarchy.
Directed by David Muse. Closes
Saturday, March 18. Sidney Harman
Hall, Harman Center for the Arts,
610 F St. NW. Call 202-547-1122 or
visit shakespearetheatre.org.
MARX IN SOHO
Mary Myers is Karl Marx in a typ-
ically gender-bending production
from Nu Sass of Howard Zinns
one-man play. Dating to 1999, Marx
in Soho offers a sympathetic por-
trayal of the 19th-century philos-
opher and his communist ideals.
Angela Kay Pirko directs the show,
performed in an intimate space of
30 seats, and in an immersive, open
way with a goal of developing a
connection with audiences beyond
the typical. To April 2. Caos on F,
923 F St. NW. Tickets are $30. Visit
nusass.com.
MRS. MILLER DOES HER THING
Emmy and Tony-winner Debra Monk
stars in a comedy by Pulitzer-winning

MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 11

 MEN IN TIGHTS
The Kennedy Center plays host to the worlds most outrageous dance troupe

I
GUESS YOU COULD COMPARE IT TO LAURENCE
Olivier doing Hamlet, and Laurence Olivier doing
Cleopatra, Tory Dobrin says of the difference between
performing ballet in traditional tights and in drag. For
Cleopatra, he was doing for comedy purposes, and for Hamlet,
he was doing for dramatic purposes.
Ballet is a mostly dramatic artform, which is why Dobrin,
naturally, didnt start his career as a professional ballet dancer
donning drag. You have to be serious before you can get silly.
Still, Dobrins had a long career in drag ballet ever since he
first auditioned in 1980 to dance with Les Ballets Trockadero
de Monte Carlo and add some zip and zing into his routine.
When he retired from dancing two decades ago, Dobrin stepped
into the role of artistic director for the company, touted as the
worlds foremost all-male comedic ballet company.
The New York-based company has only gotten better, bigger,
and more popular with time. The dancing is better, more tech-
nically secure, Dobrin says. And that has allowed the comedy
also to broaden out a lot, to be less subtle and more campy. Yet
the shows are only as gay as theyve ever been which is to say
tacitly. You really cant speak about drag without at least talking
about some sort of gay sensibility, he says. I mean, gay people
arent the only people who do drag, but its certainly a very large
percentage. And its also very important in the history of gay and
lesbian culture.
All 16 members of the current ensemble identify as gay, and
Dobrin can only recall two straight members in the group. And
while the audience has certainly grown, the makeup is still
largely the same a sophisticated mix of gays and gay-friendly
aficionados of dance and theater. The biggest difference? When
I joined there were no children in the audience, he says. And
now we have a lot of children.
The biggest change, however, has been the venues the troupe
now fills.
I cant imagine in the 70s being invited to go to the Kennedy
Center, he says. Our very first performance was done in a loft
in New York City in the Meatpacking District in 1974. [We had]
plastic chairs, maybe 25 of them, looking at a stage that was prob-
ably 12 feet by 12 feet.
He marvels over the fact that Trockadero will be settling in
for two nights in the KenCens 2,300-seat Opera House, with a
house orchestra offering live accompaniment. That is a really
long way to go in a very short amount of time for the company,
the dance world and society. Doug Rule
ZORAN JELENIC

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo performs Tuesday, March 21, and Wednesday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m., at the
Kennedy Center Opera House. Tickets are $29 to $99. Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.

12 MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY

playwright James Lapine about Elva
Miller, a songstress whose off-key
singing found fame in the 60s. Think
of her as pop musics Florence Foster
Jenkins. To March 26. Signature
Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave.,
Arlington. Call 703-820-9771 or visit
signature-theatre.org.
NO SISTERS
The latest re-imagining of Chekhov
from famed local writer/director
Aaron Posner, No Sisters is set in the
same theater as its Russian progeni-
tor Three Sisters, and Studio Theatre
presents the works in rep. The con-
ceit is that, while the original plays
out downstairs, the unseen half of
the cast is performing the new work
upstairs. Posners comedy explores
sibling rivalry from the point of view
of the members of the household
you dont see. Nancy Robinette,
Kimberly Gilbert and Daven Ralston
lead the cast. Now in previews. Runs
to April 23. Studio Theatre, 14th &
P Streets NW. Call 202-332-3300 or
visit studiotheatre.org.
RAGTIME
Based on the sprawling novel by
E.L. Doctorow, with book, music
and lyrics by Terrence McNally,
Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens,
the Tony-winning musical Ragtime
depicts three families striving for
the American dream at the turn
of the 20th century. Its an epic
musical, made all the more so by the
all-star D.C. cast that director Peter
Flynn (The 25th Annual Putnam
County Spelling Bee) managed to
assemble, led by Kevin McAllister,
Tracy Lynn Olivera, Nova Y. Payton
and Jonathan Atkinson. Talk about
an American dream. To May 20.
Fords Theatre, 511 10th St. NW.
Call 800-982-2787 or visit fords.org.
practically every song. Upcoming
performances, all at 8 p.m., are
Friday, March 17, Sunday, March
19, Monday, March 20, Thursday,
March 23, Saturday, March 25,
and Sunday, March 26. Theater at
MGM National Harbor, 7100 Oxon
Hill Rd. Tickets are few and far
between, but range in price from
$109 to $686. Oxon Hill, Md. Call
301-971-5000 or visit mgmnational-
harbor.com.
D.C.S DIFFERENT DRUMMERS
Glitter and be Gay! is theme of
the Capitol Pride Symphonic Bands
spring concert, exploring the con-
tributions of LGBT+ composers,
from Leonard Bernstein to Jennifer
Higdon, Aaron Copland to Steven
Reineke, Cole Porter to Elton
John. Saturday, March 25, at 7 p.m.
Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G St.
NW. Tickets are $50. Call 202-347-
2635 or visit dcdd.org.
JOHN EATON: HOORAY FOR
HOLLYWOOD
The Washington piano legend returns
to the Barns for a cabaret subtitled A
Celebration of the Great Movie Songs
and Themes. Sunday, March 19, at 2
p.m. The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635
Trap Road, Vienna. Tickets are $25
to $27. Call 877-WOLFTRAP or visit
wolftrap.org.
MILLENNIUM STAGE 20TH
ANNIVERSARY
Scythian, a four-piece seamless-
ly blending kicked-up Celtic, folk
and old-time music, and Big Sams
Funky Nation, an urban funk group,
lead a free, two-hour celebration
of the Kennedy Center Millennium
Stage. Sunday, March 19, at 6 p.m.
Grand Foyer. Tickets are free. Call
202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-cen-

THE EMPERORS NEW CLOTHES
A fresh, musical spin on Hans
Christian Andersens classic tale,
Creative Cauldron presents a
Learning Theater Production
adapted and directed by Denise
Perrino and Ellen Selby, with
music by Matt Conner and lyrics by
Stephen Gregory Smith. Watch as a
fashion-conscious emperor spends
a fortune on the most fabulous
robe ever seen in a hilarious tale
illuminating how pride and vanity
can make a leader a glorious buf-
foon. Opens Friday, March 17, at
7:30 p.m. To April 9. ArtSpace Falls
Church, 410 South Maple Ave. in
Falls Church. Tickets are $16. Call
703-436-9948 or visit creativecaul-
dron.org.
MUSIC
CHER
The gay icon and Goddess of Pop
makes her residency debut this
weekend at MGMs East Coast com-
plex. Shell perform from her exten-
sive repertoire with a Bob Mackie-
designed costume change for
ter.org.
NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC:
BRAHMSS REQUIEM
Music Director Piotr Gajewski
leads the symphony, the National
Philharmonic Chorale and sopra-
no Danielle Talamantes and bari-
tone Nmon Ford in one of the
most important choral works
of the Romantic era. Also on the
bill is Baltimore-based Jonathan
Leshnoffs oratorio Zohar, based on
the writings from the Jewish mysti-
cal Kabbalah. Saturday, March 18, at
8 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore,
5301 Tuckerman Lane, North
Bethesda. Tickets are $23 to $66.
Call 301-581-5100 or visit national-
philharmonic.org.
NSO POPS: 100 YEARS OF ELLA
& COMPANY
Sophisticated Ladies features Steven
Reineke leading the NSO with sing-
ers Sy Smith, Capathia Jenkins and
Montego Glover. They pay trib-
ute to the First Lady of Song, as
well as her artistic contemporaries
Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and
Dinah Washington. Friday, March
24, and Saturday, March 25, at 8
BLEUPHORIA
RAHSAAN PATTERSON
Rahsaan Patterson turned to music soon after he
left the popular 80s-era music-steeped show Kids
Incorporated, where he starred as The Kid. In the
three decades since, Patterson has written hits for
Brandy and Tevin Campbell, sang background vocals
for artists including fellow Kids veteran Martika,
and released several solo albums, including 2011s
Bleuphoria. And hes been open about his sexuality
from the start. Ive seen [gay people and gay culture]
become much more embraced in popular culture
over the years, which is a great thing, Patterson
told Metro Weekly a few years ago. But in the black
community, it hasnt been as embraced. On the pop
side Ive seen it become embraced, but not as much
so in the R&B realm, commercially speaking. With
Nao Yoshioka. Friday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. The
Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria.
Tickets are $55. Call 703-549-7500 or visit birch-
mere.com.

MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 13

 The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap
Road, Vienna. Tickets are $27 to
$32. Call 877-WOLFTRAP or visit
wolftrap.org.

WASHINGTON IMPROV
THEATER: FIST 2017
The Fighting Improv Smackdown
Tournament is an elimination tour-
nament in which audiences vote
to decide which team of improvers
advance to the championship. Starts
Thursday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Runs to final round on April 15.
Source, 1835 14th St. NW. Tickets
start at $12 to $25. Call 202-204-
7760 or visit witdc.org.

READINGS
WASHINGTON JEWISH
LITERARY FESTIVAL
Remaining highlights for this
years festival, with the theme of
Unexpected Journeys: A discus-
DISNEY

sion with three authors focused on

Unpacking Parenthood: Memoir,
Mindfulness and Managing the
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Meltdowns, on Thursday, March
16, at 7:30 p.m.; a closing Selected
Currently mired in boycotts over an apparent gay moment and needless criticism of Shorts program on Sunday, March
Emma Watson having breasts and being unashamed of that fact on a Vanity Fair cover, 19, at 3 p.m. featuring short stories
Disneys live-action Beauty and the Beast looks to be a splendid, sumptuous and faith- written by established and emerg-
ing writers focused on the festival
ful remake. Plus, with the incredibly handsome Dan Stevens as Beast, disappointment theme and performed by Tony-
will be minimal when he transforms back into the human prince. Everyone prefers winning actor James Naughton,
animated Beast to his human form, right? Opens Friday, March 17. Area theaters. Visit Helen Hayes-winning actress Holly
fandango.com. (Rhuaridh Marr) Twyford and Broadway and Ugly
Betty star Michael Urie; and an
additional off-site program Sunday,
March 19 set for 10:30 a.m. at
p.m. Kennedy Center Concert Hall. just for participating.) Presented by attire: Revolutionary. Saturday, Washington Hebrew Congregation,
Tickets are $24 to $99. Call 202-467- Garlings Alexandria Harmonizers March 18. Doors at 8 p.m. Dock 5 3935 Macomb St. NW featur-
4600 or visit kennedy-center.org. and its 14-member contemporary at Union Market, 1309 5th St. NE. ing Maya Benton discussing Roman
a cappella group TBD, the 2017 Tickets are $40. Call 202-298-5956 Vishniac Rediscovered and images
SOFI TUKKER Aca-Challenge features compet- or visit halcyonstage.org. from the International Center of
Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker itive performances from New Photography depicting Eastern
Halpern comprise the up-and-com- Yorks Backtrack, Blackout NYC, THE INSERIES: DON PASQUALE European Jewish life pre- and
ing Brazilian-inspired New York Faux Paz of the University of Donizettis comic opera about post-Holocaust and in post-war
synth-pop duo. The band earned Maryland, Polaeris, BlueTones of an aging star gets updated with a America. The Aaron and Cecile
a Grammy nomination for Best James Madison University, and the new English adaptation by Bari Goldman Theater, Edlavitch
Dance Recording with its playful, Originals from Carnegie Mellon Biern. Elizabeth Pringle helms DCJCC, 1529 16th St. NW. Call 202-
deep bassline groove first single University. A panel of judges and the production starring Terry 777-3210 or visit edcjcc.org/center-
Drinkee. Theres plenty more the audience, voting via text, will Eberhardt as the Don, Suzanne for-arts/literary/.
where that came from on the EP select the top three most entertain- Lane as Norina, Raymond Ghattas
Soft Animals, as well as new, light-
ly punk-influenced single Greed.
ing acts. Baltimores All Natural,
last years winner, will also perform.
as Malatesta, and David Wolff as
Ernesto, plus an ensemble chorus. EXHIBITS
LP Giobbi opens. Friday, March 24. Saturday, March 25. Doors at 7 p.m. Stanley Thurston provides musical
Doors at 7 p.m. U Street Music Hall, Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. direction. Saturday, March 18, at ISAMU NOGUCHI:
1115A U St. NW. Tickets are $20. Tickets are $20 to $40. Call 202- 8 p.m., Sunday, March 19, at 2:30 ARCHAIC/MODERN
Call 202-588-1880 or visit ustreet- 328-6000 or visit thelincolndc.com. p.m., Friday, March 24, at 8 p.m., One of the most innovative
musichall.com. and Sunday, March 26, at 2:30 p.m. American sculptors of the 20th
THE EXPERIENTIAL ORCHESTRA GALA Theatre at Tivoli Square, century is the focus of a full-scale
THE ACA-CHALLENGE As part of his new Halcyon Stage 3333 14th St. NW. Tickets are $25 exhibition exploring how both the
No one will be lowering Fat performance series, Septime Webre to $46. Call 202-204-7803 or visit ancient world and the space age
Amy from the ceiling, the Aca- presents a Stravinsky Dance Party inseries.org. shaped his works, 74 of which are
Challenges Scipio Garling told at Union Market. Audience mem- on display. Noguchi saw himself
as equal parts artist and engineer,
COMEDY
Metro Weekly last year. Yet fans bers are invited to dance and offer
of Fat Amy from the Pitch Perfect their own impromptu choreogra- and the exhibition devotes special
movie franchise as well as NBCs phy as the Experiential Orchestra, attention to his patented designs
The Sing-Off and Foxs Glee are an ensemble of 77 musicians from THE SECOND CITY as well as iconic artworks, includ-
sure to be entertained at the fourth New York and D.C., performs Were All In This Room Together is ing monolithic basalt sculptures,
annual competition, where a mix the Russian composers famously the latest show from the legendary fountains and floating Akari ceil-
of both collegiate and adult profes- riot-inducing ballet Rite of Spring. A sketch comedy group that the New ing lights. Closes Sunday, March
sional groups compete for a $1,000 curated DJ set from Will Eastman, York Times has called The Harvard 19. Smithsonian American Art
grand prize, with second place gar- blending electronica and classical of Comedy. Wednesday, March 22, Museum, 8th and F Streets NW.
nering $500 and $250 for third. styles in what is billed as a classi- and Thursday, March 23, at 8 p.m., Free. Call 202-633-1000 or visit
(All groups walk away with at least cal music rave, follows. Suggested Sunday, March 25, at 7 and 10 p.m., americanart.si.edu. l
$100 and a professional photo shoot and Sunday, March 26, at 8 p.m.

14 MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY

 theFeed

Caption
JOANNA DOROTA

I carried my son in my body

THE PARENT TRAP

Becoming a parent should be a joyous occasion unless one partner
for nine months, says Melissa.
I went through all the trials and
tribulations of pregnancy, went
through childbirth, ended up with
is excluded from the birth certificate By John Riley a C-section, gave birth to this beau-
tiful baby....

M
His birth certificate came in
ELISSA AND MEREDITH WEISS LEARNED HOW CRUCIAL BIRTH the mail, and it didnt have my
certificates can be for same-sex parents during a vacation in Florida in 2011. name on it. I just burst into tears,
My youngest was three, and fell and cracked his head on a lamppost, uncontrollably sobbing. It pro-
Melissa recalls. We had to take him to the emergency room for stitches, and the duced so much anger and sadness
hospital would not allow us both in the back room with him. in me at that point. It was frus-
Even though the Weisses had obtained power of attorney for their children, had trating to feel so hopeless, that we
a court order recognizing them as the parents of their eldest son, and Meredith had couldnt do anything.
gone through a second-parent adoption of their younger son, they had none of the Melissa and Meredith were
paperwork with them when they left for vacation. As a result, they clashed with advised not to pursue any legal
emergency room staff who couldnt believe or didnt want to recognize that two action regarding the birth certifi-
lesbians could be mothers of a child. cate, because at the time the courts
It took a lot of arguing, and a lot of stress to get back there, because neither of us in North Carolina were stacked
was going to back down, Melissa says. We were eventually able to get back there, with judges who would have
but there was a lot of pushback from the hospital. ruled against same-sex parents.
Unfortunately, that was not the only time the Weiss family found themselves on Additionally, both women feared
the receiving end of discrimination. Starting with the birth of their first son in 2006, they could lose the court order
their home state of North Carolina refused to list two same-sex parents on the birth they had obtained that listed them
certificate. Meredith, who donated the egg, was left on the certificate, but Melissa, as the mothers of their older son.
who carried the child, was left off entirely. Everyone we talked to said,

MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 17

 theFeed
Youre not going to win. Youre going to lose everything, fail to acknowledge basic biological truths.
and you may even lose the court order, says Melissa. Since that decision was handed down in December, attor-
Unfortunately, after the birth of their second son, a sim- neys for two of the couples have asked the U.S. Supreme
ilar situation arose except this time it was Meredith who Court to weigh in on the case. Their lawyers, with the
was omitted from the birth certificate. National Center for Lesbian Rights, argue that the Arkansas
After North Carolinas ban on same-sex marriage was high courts decision undermines the very basis of the U.S.
overturned, the Weisses were advised to sue in order to Supreme Courts decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which
have their sons birth certificates amended. They won, legalized same-sex marriage throughout the country.
but the corrected birth certificates As a result, the Arkansas decision
didnt arrive until September of has sounded alarm bells for LGBTQ

I remember
2016, a month after the family had advocates, who view the decision as
moved to Midlothian, Va. an attempt to undermine the entire
The Weisses never experienced concept of marriage equality.
any discrimination while in North
Carolina, yet they frequently wor-
ried that someone would question
the day that I would place this case in a
troubling minority, but nonethe-
less impactful, form of government
their parental rights whenever they
had to prove their legal relationship
with their children whether it
his birth and judicial resistance to treating
same-sex married couples as truly
married, and as people, says Susan
was for doctors visits, school regis-
tration, or sporting activities. certificate Sommer, associate legal director
and director of constitutional litiga-
Each time you have that expe- tion for Lambda Legal.
rience, when you present a birth
certificate, theres always that stress
came in the Theres no rhyme or reason for
why the Arkansas Supreme Court

of that person being in charge at
that moment, says Melissa. They
have power over you, and they can
decide whether theyre going to
accept all of this paperwork. We did
not personally face discrimination,
but there was always that fear that
we would.
Even after the family moved to
Virginia, they had to go through an
identical process to register their
mail, and it
did what it did. This decision sug-
gests a failure to apply Obergefell
faithfully, she adds, noting that fed-
didnt have eral courts have ruled in favor of
same-sex couples in cases where the
parents have both sought to be list-
my name ed on their childrens birth certifi-
cates. She argues that the Arkansas
Supreme Courts logic is flawed.
on it The argument [is] that birth cer-
tificates reflect a genetic truth. But

I just burst
sons for school, because North the flaw in that argument is birth
Carolina took so long to mail the certificates do nothing of the kind.
corrected birth certificates. States, very consistently, knowing
We waited 10 years to get accu-
rate birth certificates, Melissa says.
But it also felt good, once we got
into tears. that a parent is not the genetic par-
ent because of donor insemination
or a donors egg, will still put the
them, to bring those to the school [in Melissa Weiss, name of the second, non-genet-
Virginia] so they could make copies, ic parent on the birth certificate.
so it could never be questioned. Midlothian, Va. In fact, Arkansas has a statute that
The Weiss familys experience is deems the husband the legal parent
not unique. In recent years, same- of the child. And the state routinely
sex couples from Iowa, South Carolina, Wisconsin and has people on birth certificates who are not parents, because
Arkansas have clashed with state officials over the exclu- either there was donor insemination, or because there was
sion of one parent from the birth certificate, despite the another person with whom there was a conception. So to
fact that same-sex marriage is legal nationwide. In the first suddenly become sticklers for a genetic litmus test for who
three cases, the dispute was resolved successfully, but the can be on a birth certificate is simply not believable when
Arkansas case is another matter entirely. they make all these other exceptions.
Three lesbian couples in Arkansas sued to have the One of the cases that was consolidated into the final
non-biological parent listed on the birth certificate, and a Obergefell challenge to same-sex marriage bans was the
lower court judge ruled in favor of the couples. But state Henry case out of Ohio, where the state refused to place a
officials appealed the ruling to the Arkansas Supreme Court, non-genetic same-sex parent on a childs birth certificate.
which overturned the decision and stated that Arkansas Obergefell required the state to grant same-sex couples the
policy of omitting the non-biological same-sex mother same benefits given to opposite-sex couples. Thus, if the
reflected the state Health Departments interest in record- state will extend the presumption of parentage to a non-bi-
ing biological lineage. Justice Josephine Linker Hart wrote ological father married to a biological mother, they must do
that listing a same-sex couple on a birth certificate would the same for a non-biological lesbian mother.

18 MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY

 Sommer, who worked with those Ohio couples whose
lawsuits were rolled into the Obergefell case, says the lack of
accurate birth certificates holds significant implications for
same-sex couples. One lesbian mother took her son to the
emergency room after he began wheezing and having trouble
breathing. Upon arrival, she was forced to wait for an hour,
her son still in distress, while the hospital tried to contact her
wife, who, as the biological mother, was the only parent the
hospital would recognize. Another couple, legally married in
New York, adopted a child from Ohio, but were petrified of
even traveling to the Buckeye State for fear that state author-
ities might take their child away because their marriage was
not recognized under Ohio law.
These things truly happen. This is real. And this is what
Obergefell was supposed to eradicate, says Sommer. The
Arkansas supreme court has allowed this to linger on. Its
important for the Supreme Court to take the case, nip this in
the bud, fix it for people in Arkansas, and ensure that there is
no confusion anywhere else.
Two people who know the stress and complicated legal
process of ensuring their family has legal rights are Jessamy
and Chelsea Torres, of Madison, Wis. Together for seven
years, married for five, they have a 2-year-old son, Asher, and
are expecting a second child in May.
Even though same-sex marriage was legalized in
Wisconsin prior to Chelseas pregnancy, the Torres fam-
ily still encountered resistance from the state after Asher
was born.
[We] had hoped that with the legalization of marriage,
the birth certificate issue wouldnt be as much of a fight, but
clearly that was quite naive of us to think, says Jessamy.
During the entire process of getting pregnant, and being
the spouse watching my wife get pregnant, I never once felt
like I was less of a parent to the child that we had created
together. It wasnt until after he was born, that the state sent
this paperwork that eliminated any mention of me. That was
the first time we realized that we still felt like equal parents,
but it became clear that other people did not see me as an
equal parent.
It was just heart-wrenching, she continues. It just felt
like a punch to the stomach. And even though I expected
that might happen, that wed get that denial from the state, I
wasnt expecting how I would feel. And I just started crying,
and I felt like someone was trying to take my child away
from me.
The Torreses sued and won, forcing officials to not only
amend Ashers birth certificate, but to change their policy
for other same-sex married couples. Jessamy and Chelsea
empathize with the plaintiffs in the Arkansas case, who are
being forced to take their fight to the Supreme Court an
option that both women once thought they might have to
resort to if Wisconsin had appealed the courts decision on
birth certificates.
Chelsea and I never saw ourselves as civil rights activ-
ists, Jessamy concludes. We were always the kind of gay
couple who were like, Were gay, get used to it. We never
got in anybodys face or tried to argue about it we just lived
our lives. When it came to our child, that changed everything.
People could discriminate against me, but when it came to my
son, and people trying to influence his life, there was never
any doubt in my mind about how important it was to fight. l

MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 19

 Forum
WEARIN O THE RAINBOW
By Pat Hawkins

I
M A FIFTH GENERATION IRISH AMERICAN so dear to my heart. In 2015 I was ecstatic when Ireland
Catholic and a lesbian. I was born to a half-Irish father herself voted for Marriage Equality, and it appeared that
(Dinnen) and a half-Irish mother (Cummings), but our we had also won the Great Parade Battles. That year,
family identity was one-hundred percent Irish. the DC Center for the LBGT Community and the Catholic
As a child I delighted in the old stories of Leprechauns, organization Dignity marched together in D.C.s St. Paddys
Faerie Circles, magic rainbows, and, of course, St. Patrick, Day Parade and gay contingents joined the Parades in New
for whom I was named. I also grew up immersed in the York City and Boston. We were welcomed with smiles and
tragic tales of Irish Catholics confronting centuries of polit- applause by most spectators, just as my spouse and I were
ical and religious persecution, discrimination, derision, saluted by fellow passengers on a whale watch boat as we
despair, and even death: they died in unsuccessful rebel- were married in Provincetown in 2003.
lions, The Great Hunger, famines, and even in the Coffin But this year, following a very polarizing election,
Ships on which 30 per- our previous success was
cent perished. I knew reversed when Boston ini-
how common NINA tially disallowed the Gay
(No Irish Need Apply) OutVets their Parade
signs had once been, and permit because their logo
I knew how important it included the LGBTQ rain-
was to fight for Faith and bow. I was stunned by the
Freedom, to be political- absolute absurdity and
ly active, and to stand in tragic irony that descen-
solidarity with progres- dants of Irish people, so
PHOTO COURTESY OF HAWKINS

sive movements, like the often persecuted for the

Unions and Civil Rights,
and with all people of
good will who fight for
justice and equality.
Acting on those values
got me into real trouble
in 1955 Anniston, Alabama, when I was removed from the
stage and expelled from the public high school for giving a
speech promoting full and rapid integration and the end
of all Jim Crow practices.
So when I came out at 17 in my freshman year at the
University of Michigan, where even the unsupported sus-
picion of homosexual activity was sufficient grounds for
immediate expulsion, I was able to reject the homophobia
so prevalent around me because of my cultural values and
early experiences and because I saw such clear parallels
between gay and Irish Catholic experiences. Both groups
faced overwhelming ignorance, bigotry, and legal discrimi-
nation, simply for being true to themselves and not denying
their core identities.
Over the years, with great sadness and growing anger,
I watched as the LGBTQ community was repeatedly pro-
hibited from participating in St. Patricks Day Parades
Wearin O the Green,
would actually deny the
LGBTQ community their
Wearin O the Rainbow.
But apparently Irelands
better angels and the
voices of the American people intervened, for the gay vet-
erans were welcomed back to the Parade, rainbows and all.
While the Parade struggles now seem settled, other,
more serious, prejudice-based issues have become much
more dire: Muslims are being attacked; Jewish cemeteries,
vandalized; and transgender rights are at great risk across
the country. Once again, the winds that blow across the
seas from Ireland are telling us we must join together and
resist, speak out, stand up, and fight back against injustice
and intolerance, whenever and wherever they appear.
So, when I tear up as the pipers play the first sad bars of
Danny Boy, I am remembering all the heroes of the Irish,
LGBTQ, and other Freedom Movements. I am remember-
ing all those we have loved and lost, and all those who still
keep faith with the ancient immigrant dream that the best
is yet to be.
In the words of an old Irish toast, Up the Rebels! l

Dr. Pat Hawkins, a clinical psychologist, is the former Associate Executive Director of The Whitman-Walker Clinic and
the current E.D. of the DC Community AIDS Network (DC CAN). She lives in Southern Maryland and Keyser, West
Virginia, with her spouse Dr. Robin Halprin-Hawkins. They celebrated the 35th anniversary of their first date
at the 2017 St. Paddys Day Parade in D.C. last Sunday.

Find out how you can contribute to Forum. Write forum@metroweekly.com or visit metroweekly.com/forum

20 MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY

WARD MORRISON
Community

Attendees at CAGLCCs 7th Annual Mega Networking Event

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
practice session at Takoma
Aquatic Center. 7:30-9 p.m. 300
Van Buren St. NW. For more
CAGLCCs Mega Networking Event brings together hundreds information, visit swimdcac.org.

of LGBTQ professionals DC FRONT RUNNERS run-

M
ning/walking/social club
EGA NETWORKING IS ONE OF THESE EVENTS WHERE ANYBODY CAN welcomes runners of all ability
come, says Van Goodwin, president of the Capital Area Gay and Lesbian levels for exercise in a fun and
supportive environment, with
Chamber of Commerce. It opens up our events to a wider audience. Now in its socializing afterward. Route
ninth year, CAGLCCs Mega Networking Event the largest gathering for LGBTQ profession- distance is 3-6 miles. Meet at
als in the D.C. area attracts hundreds of business professionals each year. 7 p.m. at 23rd & P Streets NW.
Once inside, networkers, entrepreneurs and job seekers will find sponsors and vendors For more information, visit
dcfrontrunners.org.
on the first level of host venue Town Danceboutique, while upstairs 22 different community
partners including nonprofits such as Team DC, the DC Center, and Capital Pride Alliance DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay
will promote their organizations. Representatives from the Mayors Office of LGBTQ and lesbian square-dancing
group features mainstream
Affairs and the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce will also be on hand. through advanced square
Mega Networking isnt all work and no play. The atmosphere at Town is more casual dancing at the National City
than your standard networking event, and includes a cash bar. Christian Church. Special open
A lot of younger people will come because its a cross between a networking event and house on Mar. 16. Learn infor-
mation about a new weekend
going out for a happy hour, says Goodwin. So thats a much easier transition for people class beginning on June 2.
who are new to the concept of a networking event. Its a much less intimidating way for 7-9:30 p.m. 5 Thomas Circle
them to get involved. John Riley NW. Casual dress. 301-257-
0517, dclambdasquares.org.

CAGLCCs 9th annual LGBT Mega Networking Event is Wednesday, March 22, from DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds
6:30-8:30 p.m. at Town Danceboutique, 2009 8th St. NW. For more information, practice. The team is always
or to register, visit caglcc.org. looking for new members. All
welcome. 7:30-9:30 p.m. King
Greenleaf Recreation Center,
201 N St. SW. For more infor-
mation, visit scandalsrfc.org or
THURSDAY, March 16 The DC Center holds a meet- Weekly Events
ing of its POLY DISCUSSION dcscandals@gmail.com.
DC SENTINELS basketball GROUP, for people interested ANDROMEDA
in polyamory, non-monogamy TRANSCULTURAL HEALTH The DULLES TRIANGLES
team meets at Takoma Park
or other non-traditional rela- offers free HIV testing and Northern Virginia social
Middle School Gym. For play-
tionships. 7-8 p.m. 2000 14th HIV services by appointment. group meets for happy hour at
ers of all levels, gay or straight.
St. NW, Suite 105. Visit thedc- 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Decatur Center, Sheraton in Reston. All wel-
7-9 p.m. 7611 Piney Branch Rd.,
center.org. 1400 Decatur St. NW. To come. 7-9 p.m. 11810 Sunrise
Silver Spring, Md. For more
arrange an appointment, call Valley Drive, second-floor bar.
information, visit teamdcbas-
202-291-4707, or visit androm- For more information, visit
ketball.org.
edatransculturalhealth.org. dullestriangles.com.

MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 21

 HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker
Health. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at 1525
14th St. NW, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at the
Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center,
1701 14th St. NW, and 8 a.m-5 p.m.
at the Max Robinson Center, 2301
MLK Jr. Ave. SE. For an appoint-
ment call 202-745-7000 or visit
whitman-walker.org.
IDENTITY offers free and confi-
dential HIV testing at two separate
locations. Walk-ins accepted from
2-6 p.m., by appointment for all
other hours. 414 East Diamond Ave.,
Gaithersburg, Md. or 7676 New
Hampshire Ave., Suite 411, Takoma
Park, Md. To set up an appoint-
ment or for more information, call
Gaithersburg, 301-300-9978, or
Takoma Park, 301-422-2398.
METROHEALTH CENTER
offers free, rapid HIV testing.
Appointment needed. 1012 14th
St. NW, Suite 700. To arrange an
appointment, call 202-638-0750.
SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5
p.m., by appointment and walk-in,
for youth 21 and younger. Youth
Center, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-
3155 or testing@smyal.org.
Us Helping Us hosts a NARCOTICS
ANONYMOUS MEETING. The
group is independent of UHU.
6:30-7:30 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave.
NW. For more information, call
202-446-1100.
WOMENS LEADERSHIP
INSTITUTE for young LBTQ
women, 13-21, interested in lead-
ership development. 5-6:30 p.m.
SMYAL Youth Center, 410 7th St.
SE. For more information, call 202-
567-3163, or email catherine.chu@
smyal.org.
FRIDAY, March 17
GAY DISTRICT, a group for
GBTQQI men between the ages of
18-35, meets on the first and third
Fridays of each month. Dinner or
social outing to follow the meeting.
8:30-9:30 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW,
Suite 105. For more information,
visit gaydistrict.org.
Volunteers are needed to help
with CASA RUBYS MONTHLY
DINNER. Held on the third Friday
of each month, in conjunction with
The DC Center, the event provides
a hot meal to those being housed
at Casa Ruby. Homemade or store
bought meals welcome. 6:30-7:30
p.m. Casa Ruby, 3530 Georgia Ave.
NW. For more information, contact
lamar@thedccenter.org.
Weekly Events
BET MISHPACHAH, founded by
members of the LGBT community,
holds Friday evening Shabbat ser-
vices in the DC Jewish Community
22 MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY
Centers Community Room. 8 p.m.
1529 16th St. NW. For more infor-
mation, visit betmish.org.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
holds a practice session at Howard
University. 6:30-8 p.m. Burr
Gymnasium, 2400 6th St. NW. For
more information, visit swimdcac.org.
PROJECT STRIPES hosts LGBT-
affirming social group for ages
11-24. 4-6 p.m. 1419 Columbia Road
NW. Contact Tamara, 202-319-
0422, layc-dc.org.
SMYALS REC NIGHT provides a
social atmosphere for LGBT and
questioning youth, featuring dance
parties, vogue nights, movies and
games. For more info, email cather-
ine.chu@smyal.org.
SATURDAY, March 18
ADVENTURING outdoors group
hikes a very strenuous 12.5 miles
to Big Schloss rock outcrop on
Great North Mountain, on the
Virginia/West Virginia state line.
Experienced, fit hiker only. Bring
lunch, beverages, bug spray, about
$20 in fees, plus money for dinner
on the way home. Carpool at 8:30
a.m. from East Falls Church Metro
Kiss & Ride lot. For more infor-
mation, contact Jackson, 410-422-
9257 or visit adventuring.org.
CHRYSALIS arts & culture group
visits the Kreeger Museum on
Foxhall Road to see an exhibition
on the works of gay architect Philip
Johnson. Carpool at 11:30 a.m. from
the Cleveland Park Metro, 3599
Connecticut Ave. NW. For more
information, contact David, 202-
436-4108 or email dmmaxfield10@
gmail.com.
The DC Center hosts a month-
ly LGBT ASYLEES SUPPORT
MEETING AND DINNER for LGBT
refugees and asylum seekers. 5-7
p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105.
For more information, visit thedc-
center.org.
Weekly Events
BRAZILIAN GLBT GROUP, includ-
ing others interested in Brazilian cul-
ture, meets. For location/time, email
braziliangaygroup@yahoo.com.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
holds a practice session at
Montgomery College Aquatics
Club. 8:30-10 a.m. 7600 Takoma
Ave., Takoma, Md. For more infor-
mation, visit swimdcac.org.
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/
walking/social club welcomes run-
ners of all ability levels for exercise
in a fun and supportive environ-
ment, with socializing afterward.
Route distance will be 3-6 miles.
Walker meet at 9:30 a.m. and run-
ners at 10 a.m. at 23rd & P Streets
NW. For more information, visit
dcfrontrunners.org.
DIGNITYUSA sponsors Mass for
LGBT community, family and
friends. 6:30 p.m., Immanuel
Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary
Road, Alexandria. All welcome. For
more info, visit dignitynova.org.
GAY LANGUAGE CLUB discusses
critical languages and foreign lan-
guages. 7 p.m. Nellies, 900 U St.
NW. RSVP preferred. Email bren-
dandarcy@gmail.com.
SUNDAY, March 19
ADVENTURING outdoors group
strolls 4 easy miles around Tidal
Basin and Memorials to admire cher-
ry blossoms. Bring beverages, a snack,
and $2 trip fee. Gather at 9 a.m. at
the Smithsonian Metro Station, 12th
Street and Independence Avenue,
SW. For more information, contact
Jackson, 410-422-9257 or visit adven-
turing.org.
MANASSAS PARK COMMUNITY
CENTER hosts a screening of Doing
Time on Map Drive, followed by a
community discussion on suicide
prevention for the LGBT commu-
nity. RSVP by Mar. 15. 2-5 p.m. 99
Adams St., Manassas Park, Va. For
more information, visit manassas-
parkcommunitycenter.com.
Weekly Events
BETHEL CHURCH-DC progressive
and radically inclusive church
holds services at 11:30 a.m. 2217
Minnesota Ave. SE. 202-248-1895,
betheldc.org.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
holds a practice session at Wilson
Aquatic Center. 9:30-11 a.m. 4551
Fort Dr. NW. For more informa-
tion, visit swimdcac.org.
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/
walking/social club welcomes run-
ners of all ability levels for exercise
in a fun and supportive environ-
ment, with socializing afterward.
Route will be a distance run of 8, 10
or 12 miles. Meet at 9 a.m. at 23rd
& P Streets NW. For more informa-
tion, visit dcfrontrunners.org.
DIGNITYUSA offers Roman
Catholic Mass for the LGBT
community. All welcome. Sign
interpreted. 6 p.m. St. Margarets
Church, 1820 Connecticut Ave.
NW. For more info, visit dignity-
washington.org.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
welcomes all to 10:30 a.m. service,
945 G St. NW. firstuccdc.org or
202-628-4317.
HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF
CHRIST welcomes GLBT commu-
nity for worship. 10:30 a.m., 6130
Old Telegraph Road, Alexandria.
hopeucc.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 infor-
mation on location and time, visit
H2gether.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. lincol-
ntemple.org.
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY
CHURCH OF NORTHERN
VIRGINIA services at 11 a.m., led
by Rev. Emma Chattin. 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 wor-
ship, 8:30 a.m., and traditional wor-
ship, 11 a.m. 5 Thomas Circle NW.
202-232-0323, nationalcitycc.org.
ST. STEPHEN AND THE
INCARNATION, an interra-
cial, 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, saintste-
phensdc.org.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
CHURCH OF SILVER SPRING
invites LGBTQ families and indi-
viduals of all creeds and cultures to
join the church. Services 9:15 and
11:15 a.m. 10309 New Hampshire
Ave. uucss.org.
MONDAY, March 20
CENTER FAITH, a program of The
DC Center, hosts a meeting for the
LGBT community and their reli-
gious allies. 7:30-9 p.m. 2000 14th
St. NW, Suite 105. For more infor-
mation, visit thedccenter.org.
Last chance to register
for WORKING WITH THE
TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY,
a Mar. 30 event held by the
Alexandria LGBTQ Task Force.
The event will feature a panel of
transgender community members
sharing their own journeys of being
trans and how service providers
can be inclusive and supportive.
Four training workshops on trans
youth, health care and medical
issues, law enforcement, and uni-
versal service provision will also
be held. Register by emailing your
name, email, agency and phone
number to erikaock@gmail.com.
The GAY & LESBIAN ACTIVISTS
ALLIANCE holds a meeting in
Dupont Circle to discuss strategies
for resisting attacks on D.C. home
rule and LGBT rights. All welcome.
6:30 p.m. For location and more
information, contact Rick, 202-328-
6278 or visit glaa.org.
The Metro D.C. chapter of PFLAG,
a support group for parents, family
members and allies of the LGBTQ
community, holds its monthly
meeting at The DC Center. 7-9 p.m.
2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For
more information, visit thedccen-
ter.org.
TUESDAY, March 21
CENTER BI, a group of The DC
Center, hosts a monthly roundtable
discussion around issues of bisex-
uality. 7-8 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW,
Suite 105. Visit thedccenter.org.
Queer-identifying women who
have survived violent or traumatic
experiences and are looking for
support are invited to take part
in a bi-weekly QUEER WOMEN
WORKING THROUGH TRAUMA
GROUP at The DC Center.
Participants are encouraged to
do an intake assessment with
moderator and social worker Sam
Goodwin. 6-7 p.m. 2000 14th St.
NW, Suite 105. For more infor-
mation, email Sam at samantha@
thedccenter.org.
THE HIV WORKING GROUP of
THE DC CENTER hosts a Packing
Party, where volunteers assemble
safe-sex kits of condoms and lube.
7-9 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite
105. Visit thedccenter.org.
Weekly Events
ASIANS AND FRIENDS weekly
dinner in Dupont/Logan Circle
area, 6:30 p.m. For more informa-
tion, email afwash@aol.com, or
visit afwashington.net.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)
practice session at Takoma Aquatic
Center. 7:30-9 p.m. 300 Van Buren
St. NW. For more information, visit
swimdcac.org.
DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds prac-
tice. The team is always looking for
new members. All welcome. 7:30-
9:30 p.m. King Greenleaf Recreation
Center, 201 N St. SW. For more
information, visit scandalsrfc.org or
dcscandals@gmail.com.
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, Alexandria Health
Department, 4480 King St. 703-
746-4986 or text 571-214-9617.
james.leslie@inova.org.
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS
LGBT 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. liveandletli-
veoa@gmail.com.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR LGBTQ
YOUTH ages 13-21 meets at
SMYAL. 5-6:30 p.m. 410 7th St.
SE. For more information, contact
Cathy Chu, 202-567-3163, or cath-
erine.chu@smyal.org.
WEDNESDAY, March 22
The CAPITAL AREA GAY
& LESBIAN CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE hosts its annual
Mega-Networking Event, the larg-
est LGBT professional networking
and social event of the year. 6:30-
8:30 p.m. Town Danceboutique,
2009 8th St. NW. For more infor-
mation, visit caglcc.org.
The DC Center hosts a monthly
meeting of its HIV PREVENTION
WORKING GROUP. 6-8 p.m. 2000
14th St. NW, Suite 105. For more
information, visit thedccenter.org.
THE LAMBDA BRIDGE CLUB
meet for Duplicate Bridge. 7:30
p.m. Dignity Center, 721 8th St., SE
(across from Marine Barracks). No
reservations needed, all welcome.
Call 202-841-0279 if you need a
partner.
Weekly Events
AD LIB, a group for freestyle con-
versation, meets about 6-6:30 p.m.,
Steam, 17th and R NW. All wel-
come. For more information, call
Fausto Fernandez, 703-732-5174.
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. More
info, contact Carl, 703-573-8316.
WASHINGTON WETSKINS
WATER POLO TEAM practices 7-9
p.m. Newcomers with at least basic
swimming ability always welcome.
Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van
Buren St. NW. For more informa-
tion, contact Tom, 703-299-0504
or secretary@wetskins.org, or visit
wetskins.org. l
Submit your community event for
consideration at least 10 days prior
to the Thursday publication in which
you would like it to appear. Email to
calendar@metroweekly.com.
MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 23
 Off the Cuff
For 14 years,
fashion guru
Carson Kressley
has graced
our screens on
everything from
Queer Eye for
the Straight
Guy to Celebrity
Apprentice to
RuPauls Drag
Race. Some
celebrities never
go out of style.
MORTEN SMIDT

Interview by
Randy Shulman

MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 25

M
ENTION TO CARSON KRESSLEY THAT
You would hate the way I dress, and his
response is kind, gracious, diplomatic.
Hate is such a strong word.
He then adds, with a gracious touch of reas-
surance: Your gay brothers will help you,
dont worry. None of this should come as a surprise. Kressley
spent the better part of the early 2000s as the fashion guru on
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, a TV show that launched not only
his star, but his four compatriots, including Food Networks Ted
Allen (Chopped). It also solidified Bravos status as TVs gayest
cable network. The Emmy-winning Queer Eye became a gay cul-
tural landmark, and Netflix recently announced a reboot of the
series with a fresh young cast (Kressley notes that the original
gang may show up in a cameo its still under discussion).
The 47-year-old Kressley has not remained dormant since
his Queer Eye years ended in 2007. Among other things, hes
hosted the Miss Universe Pageant, continues to design clothing
lines, and has even had a few shows of his own that have briefly
graced the cable pantheon, including Carson Nation and How to
Look Good Naked. Recently, however, hes boosted his national
visibility with appearances on ABCs Dancing with the Stars, the
most recent Celebrity Apprentice featuring Arnold, not Donald
and, perhaps most crucially, as a judge on the cultural jugger-
naut that is RuPauls Drag Race. The ninth season of the show
premieres on Friday, March 24, with guest judge Lady Gaga,
and while Kressley cant specifically comment, he doesnt hide
his enthusiasm for meeting the singer or any of the other Drag
Race celebrity judges over the years.
When you get to sit next to these people for an entire epi-
sode, thats a real treat, he says. Weve had Marc Jacobs and
Olivia Newton-John and the Kardashians. You name it. Im very
lucky to be involved with this. As for the host herself, Carson
says, Ru is just one of the most amazing people I know and,
especially, one of the most hardworking people that I know. She
is so enlightened and such a joy to work with.
Asked to name a favorite contestant, he hedges between
Bianca del Rio, Alyssa Edwards, and Ginger Minj, but he notes
that all the contestants are incredible. The girls are very talent-
ed, theyre very funny. They get better and better every season
because it becomes more and more competitive. I cant believe
they pay me to actually be a judge because I get to go have a great
time and see amazing performances.
Last fall, Kressley co-authored his fourth book, Does This
Book Make My Butt Look Big? A Cheeky Guide to Feeling Sexier
in Your Own Skin and Unleashing Your Personal Style ($25.99, St.
Martins Griffin), a casual, brazenly fun guide to personal make-
overs that includes such chapters as Five Upgrades that Make
Everyone Look Amazeballs and The Ten-Step Closet Enema.
Over the course of a wide-ranging, hour-long phone call,
Kressley reveals hes being wardrobe fitted for a new show he
cant yet discuss because it hasnt been announced, and you
can hear the authority in his voice when he suddenly instructs a
tailor to nip it in a little bit here.
The conversation eventually broaches the topic of Melania
Trump. I dont really want to criticize her in any way because I
feel like shes an innocent bystander, Kressley says. Shes kind
of like a Roberto Cavalli-Gucci First Lady, which we havent
seen in a very very long time. Shes obviously a very beautiful
woman and she looks great in clothes.
I did happen to really like the Ralph Lauren blue ensemble
she wore at the inauguration, he adds, calling out his former,
pre-Queer Eye employer.
26 MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY
As for those designers who have publicly refused to dress the
First Lady out of protest, Kressleys response is, once again, kind,
gracious, diplomatic.
Designers are artists and many of them have very strong
political views. Thats the beauty of our country. If you dont
want to work with somebody, you dont have to. I think its well
within their rights to say no. I dont think its disrespectful. Its
just a personal choice.
METRO WEEKLY: Lets start with your childhood. What was it like?
CARSON KRESSLEY: I grew up just outside of Allentown,
Pennsylvania, in the countryside. I often joke and say I was prac-
tically Amish. I grew up next to my grandparents pony farm.
That sounds pretty gay, but it was actually really fun, a great way
to grow up. I was very much involved in horses and horse-show-
ing and being outdoors and being artistic. It was pretty idyllic
until middle school and then, of course, theres the usual drama
not feeling like you fit in, hating gym class, the bullying.
MW: Were you bullied because people perceived you as being gay?
KRESSLEY: Yeah, for sure. Its very hard to hide who you are. As a
kid, youre kind of a free spirit, and I was rocking designer jeans
in the fourth grade. I thought it was all normal and fine. Then
you hit those middle school years and everyone starts to turn on
you. Everybodys very aware of anybody whos very effeminate.
It was really difficult.
I remember the first days of seventh grade, getting punched
in the arm and tortured every day in homeroom. Going to the
bathroom and dry heaving because I was so anxious over the
situation and not wanting to go to school. I also remember not
being able to tell anyone certainly not being able to go home
and tell your family that youre getting picked on and people are
calling you gay and faggot. And thats whats so hard for gay
kids growing up. If youre the only Asian kid in your class and
you get ridiculed for being different because of that, you gener-
ally go home to your family and theyre understanding. Gay kids
feel like they cant tell their loved ones because they might lose
their loved ones. Its very, very difficult.
MW: How did you cope with it at the time?
KRESSLEY: I dont really know how I coped with it. I think I
internalized most of it. Once I got out of that environment at
school, I had my horses and lots of other activities to take my
mind off of it. I traveled. I went to [horse show] competitions,
which were a little bit more open-minded. I learned to develop
a sense of humor. If you become the class clown or become the
funny guy in the hallway, you could sometimes win people over
and they would just not want to bully you. Theyd want to hang
out and hear your jokes or funny things you were saying. In that
sense, the bullying lead to my sense of humor, which wound up
being my saving grace, and also a great gift that I still get to use
today. Its one of the reasons why I think Ive been successful on
television. Im not a comedian, but I think I have a good sense of
humor and that came as a way of surviving.
MW: When did you first realize you might be gay?
KRESSLEY: Probably during the first season of the Six Million
Dollar Man. I distinctly remember its so funny going to first
grade and being like, Dont you guys love The Six Million Dollar
Man? The other boys were like, Yeah. And Im like, No I
mean, I really LOVE the Six Million Dollar Man. I think there
were probably some side-long glances of, What?
So I knew at a very young age. You dont really know what it
is. You just have a feeling and obviously I felt different from a lot
of the other boys. I think thats a common experience for a lot of
gay people growing up.
MW: When did you come out to your family? who you are, to then have the tables turned and be actually cele-
KRESSLEY: I came out at a very old age. It was in the Queer brated for who you are was really an amazing thing. I remember
Eye days, about 15 years ago, and I was in my very early 30s. I being a young gay kid in my hometown and going to the mall and
remember the show was about to come out. There was going to other kids saying, Eww, theres that queer guy with a tone of
be a big spread in TV Guide and I had not told my family about disdain. Then I remember coming back to my hometown after
the show or about my sexual orientation. I knew I needed to do Queer Eye and a different generation was saying, Oh my god,
it very quickly, so I got my family together and gave them the theres that queer guy with a sense of celebration. It was such a
news. It was not a big deal but like so many other gay people, you remarkable turn of events.
fear youre going to lose your friends and loved ones. It was one MW: Whats your best memory from your years on the show?
of the many blessings of doing the show. It made me come out. KRESSLEY: Best memory? I think the first season was probably the
MW: Prior to the show, best because we didnt
you were a designer with really know what we
Ralph Lauren. Looking were doing. We were
back, how did Queer Eye just being ourselves.
transform your career, We didnt even think
both professionally and In [President Trumps] case, a about it being on tele-
personally? vision. I think thats
KRESSLEY: I had never less expensive, less silky fabric why people respond-
done any television and ed. We were just five
I didnt really have any with more body would actually gay guys who happen
aspirations of doing to be experts in food
it. I didnt think I was cover some sins and make him and fashion and home
probably cute enough
to be on television, look a little better. I think design. We were just
really being ourselves
but I heard about the
show from a coworker
things look oversized on him. and sharing our best
advice and also our
at Ralph Lauren. They
said, Hey, theyre
THEN THE HAIR THATS best wishes for these
straight guys who we
doing a show and they A WHOLE OTHER STORY. truly wanted to help
need a fashion expert get the look, or get the
who happens to be gay, IM NOT AN EXPERT job, or get the girl.
and I said, Oh my god, MW: Do straight men
Im all those things! ON THAT. really need help from
I sent them a head- queer guys?
shot and a resume KRESSLEY: I think
and by headshot, it was so. And they still do.
just a photo that I had Theres still guys that
from a Ralph Lauren shoot of me and some guys with a Siberian are wearing pleated khakis and hockey jerseys. Theres still work
Husky. They called and said, Come on down for a meeting. I to be done.
did, and I got the show. Obviously that was an unexpected career MW: Could you not argue that there are gay people that need sim-
twist. We had made a pilot in 2002 and I took off some time from ilar help?
work. I told my boss that probably nothings going to come of it KRESSLEY: Yeah, I think so. Taste doesnt discriminate. But
and Ill be right back after my vacation. About a year later, NBC I think overall, the gay community is a little bit more for-
purchased Bravo and loved the show and wanted to make it the ward-thinking and more progressive. A little bit more urban.
cornerstone of the network. Were usually ahead of the curve when it comes to fashion and
They called and said, Are you ready to quit your job? I said, design trends. Its a stereotype, but Ill take it because it means
Do you even have dental insurance? They said, No. I did it we have great taste and I think thats a compliment.
anyway. It was a leap of faith. I had a wonderful boss at Ralph MW: So do gay men naturally have a queer eye?
Lauren who said if it doesnt work out, you can always come KRESSLEY: I think that gay men generally do, and heres my
back. theory why. When the guys who created the show were naming
MW: But it did work out. it, they were very adamant to keep the word queer in there.
KRESSLEY: It did work out. Very lucky. I think we did one hun- Meaning something extraordinary or unusual, or looking at
dred episodes. It was about a four-to-five year run. Which was things from a different perspective. Thats literally one of the
very unexpected and certainly a career-maker for me. I have a definitions of queer. I think gay guys have sometimes elevated
Primetime Emmy. I got to meet amazing people like Cher and taste because we grow up feeling different. Were not involved in
Dolly Parton and do the Oscar Red Carpet. Travel all over the sports and traditional guy things, so we do a lot of daydreaming.
world. It just opened a world of opportunities for me and the Part of it is maybe an escape mechanism, but through that pro-
other guys. cess I think you develop a more artistic look at the world. I dont
MW: Kind of a dream come true, really. think its any better or any worse, I just think that its a different
KRESSLEY: It was not even a dream come true because I never perspective. I think thats what we brought to the straight pop-
dreamt it. I never dreamt something like that could happen. ulation on the show and I hope thats what the new cast will do
You had asked about how it affected me personally. Growing in the reboot thats coming out from Netflix. The essence of the
up, Id been so used to hiding who you are and being ridiculed for show was showing people another way to look at things.

MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 27

MW: How does it feel to see Queer Eye reborn with a new cast?
KRESSLEY: Its wonderful. Its a different era. Theres a whole
new group of straight guys that need the help. Theres also a
whole new era of young design professionals who should have
that opportunity. I mean it was the most wonderful experience
for the five of us, and I think its going to be wonderful experi-
ence for the five new guys.
MW: Do you think the show will still be culturally relevant?
KRESSLEY: I dont know. Thats something were going to have
to see. Theres a whole new generation of people who didnt
experience the show who can gain a lot from it. Maybe it wont
be as groundbreaking culturally but I do still think that people
want and need that information. Also, any time we can have gay
people on television, being represented for exactly who they are,
especially reality television, its very powerful. Its real people
being themselves. Thats very powerful. Any time gay people
are out and on television, it gives young people someone to look
up to, to admire, to realize that we exist and that were visible.
I think thats always helpful. That, in essence, is the power of
being out. It gives gay people a name and a face. People like you
and respond to you and want you to do well and, ultimately, want
you to have the same rights.
MW: One thing about the show was that it mixed straight men with
gay men and depicted straight men being unthreatened by gay
men. Queer Eye put straight men together with gay men in front
of the public in a fearless way.
KRESSLEY: A big part of why the show was successful was there
was that inherent potential for tension. But by the end of an
episode, the straight guys were saying things like Fabulous!
and Look how great these pants look! I was like, Whoa, dial it
back! Youre sounding gayer than me!
There was a really great dynamic that it showed people that
gay guys and straight guys dont have to be afraid of one another.
And that goes both ways. Growing up and being bullied, I even
had a bit of fear and intimidation from, you know, straight guys,
but it was a great revelation for me to do the show that it was
not a big deal and you can have a great time. We were more
alike than we were different. I think that was one of the reasons,
again, why the show resonated and did so well. It showed that
human dynamic of us just wanting to help these guys.
MW: What would be your advice for straight guys today?
KRESSLEY: As far as fashion and design, I think its kind of ever-
green. Dont be afraid to take some risks. Be educated, get out
there, see whats in the marketplace. Have fun with it, enjoy
it, and dont be afraid to ask for help. Not everybody has great
taste or has a style gene or knows what to wear, but now more
than ever, there are so many great resources and so many places
where you can get design direction that theres no excuse for not
looking up-to-date, for looking and feeling your best, because its
totally doable.
MW: If Queer Eye was the cultural television touchstone for gays
back in the early 2000s, RuPauls Drag Race, which youre a judge
on, is the touchstone for the emerging gay generation right now.
Its huge. RuPaul has always said that drag would never be main-
stream. But with Drag Race moving from LOGO over to VH1, is
drag now mainstream entertainment?
KRESSLEY: I think it is becoming more and more mainstream.
Thats the power of television and whats so wonderful about
RuPauls Drag Race is that it took this art form that was really
kind of sheltered and cloistered off to only the gay community,
because it happened in our clubs and in our bars, and exposed
it to the whole world for what it is which is this amazing art
form, this amazing entertainment. While I think the participants
28 MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY
may not be as mainstream, the appreciation for the art of drag
has gone very mainstream.
MW: Youve done a lot of other types of shows as well. Youve been
on Dancing with the Stars, for instance, which I cant even imag-
ine attempting. That just seems so grueling.
KRESSLEY: Its very hard. I mean, up until that point Id proba-
bly never worked harder. I have this terrible habit of just saying
Yes to everything and figuring it out later. I got there and I
realized God, I have no rhythm whatsoever. It was very chal-
lenging, and even if you have some rhythmic ability, its very very
hard just the hours and having to learn everything so quickly.
Not having any rhythm was a huge handicap and I had to make it
up with amazing costumes and a fun sense of humor and a great
attitude about it. I did, and I had a wonderful time. It became a
real cottage industry for me I got a lot of other work from that.
MW: Are you ever disappointed when you dont win one of these
things? Or do you just take it in stride?
KRESSLEY: Oh, God no. Im usually thrilled I stay on as long as I
do. Dancing with the Stars I was on for, like, five weeks or some-
thing. I was, like, I cant dance a lick, I cant believe I made it
this far. With Celebrity Apprentice I didnt win, but I can very
close. Again, became great friends with people like Boy George
and Vince Gill and raised a lot of money for the True Colors
Fund, and more importantly, raised national awareness for
youth homelessness in the gay community. People dont realize
gay kids are forty percent more likely to experience homeless-
ness than their straight peers. Its because sometimes gay kids
get turned away from shelters that are religiously-based, or they
get thrown out of their homes because their parents are not
accepting. Its a huge problem and being on The Apprentice was
a great way to highlight it, to let people know about that problem
and how we can fix it.
MW: Its sad that its still such a huge issue.
KRESSLEY: Well, hopefully it becomes less and less of an issue as
people become more socially evolved when it comes to accepting
gay people for who they are, but I think weve seen it with this
administration that not everybody is as understanding or progres-
sive when it comes to LGBT rights and acceptance. Kids our gay
youth are most vulnerable. Theyre still very much at risk.
MW: Is there any particular reason why this cause spoke to your
heart?
KRESSLEY: I feel very very blessed to have had the life that I have
and the success that I have had. But I remember how hard it was
being a gay kid. My attention has always been toward gay youth
and saying loud and clear that theres a community out there
that will love and support you and make sure that youre okay.
The other reason why I got involved with this particular charity
is because Cyndi Lauper is a very dear friend of mine. I hosted
her True Colors tour in 2008. Thats when this was all being put
together. She asked if I would help and I said Absolutely, yes.
Ive been involved for nine years. Ive been on the board since
its inception. Theyve made some amazing strides. You kind of
have to pick and choose and make the biggest impact where you
can. Thats what I tried to do with this particular organization.
MW: Back to the new Apprentice. There was a lot of controversy
surrounding the show, mainly the war between the former host,
who is now, inexplicably, our President, and the new host who just
resigned from it. How did you cope with all that?
KRESSLEY: Honestly, we shot it over a year ago last January,
February before he was even nominated, before we even
thought he would have a chance of winning, so we didnt really
give it a thought. The producers said, Dont reference Trump
and focus on Schwarzenegger being the new host.
 Schwarzenegger was incredible. Hes a self-made man and
a real success story and he led from a place of positivity. I
really enjoyed working with him. After it was done and ready
to air, thats when Trump started. It was just so silly. I think
Schwarzenegger handled it beautifully. Hes a class act and a
smart guy. I just wished that the President would stay focused on
making America great again, and not worry about the ratings
of Celebrity Apprentice.
MW: You hosted Miss Universe back when he owned it. Im guess-
ing youve met him.
KRESSLEY: Yeah, I have. Many times.
MW: Whats your impression of him?
KRESSLEY: Ive only ever encountered him socially and hes
always been warm and charming and nice and, you know,
Trump. Ive just been a little surprised by all of the stuff thats
come out since hes become President.
MW: Such as?
KRESSLEY: Just... some of the selections of his cabinet and his
advisors seem a little bit ultra-conservative for someone who I
thought was, you know, a little bit more progressive than that.
MW: Having met him, are you surprised that hes our President?
KRESSLEY: Yes, I think I am. I didnt think it was possible but,
that being said, he is the person thats in charge and we have to
somehow figure out how to work with him and make sure all the
advances weve made in the past eight years stay intact.
MW: But theyre already rolling back part of the trans guidance.
Theyre already showing signs of attacking the LGBTQ communi-
ty. What would you say to him to get him to come to his senses on
the issues important to us?
KRESSLEY: I would just remind him that he was supposed to be
the representative of the people. Theres a wide variety of people
that make up our country and its not just the ultra-conservative
people that voted him in. I would remind him of that.
MW: What kind of queer eye advice would you offer our straight
President?
KRESSLEY: Oh gosh. It would have to be a mini-series. But I just
think that he needs a good tailor and a good barber. Just from
my eye of looking, I think hes wearing some very luxe fabrics, I
think hes thinking that expensive is better, but in his case, a less
expensive, less silky fabric with more body would actually cover
some sins and make him look a little better. Tailoring is key and
I think things look oversized on him. Then the hair thats a
whole other story. Im not an expert on that.
MW: Forget Trump, what style advice would you give todays queer
guy?
KRESSLEY: It would be the same for all guys. Dressing for a man
is pretty simple. Buy the best quality you can afford. Make sure
its the right size and it fits properly and its beautifully tailored.
If you keep it very simple and just make it about quality and fit,
youll always look great. l
Season 9 of RuPauls Drag Race premieres on VH1 on Friday,
March 24, at 8 p.m. Check local listings.
Carson Kressley will appear at the 11th annual Fashion for
Paws Runway Show on Saturday, April 8, at the Grand Hyatt
Washington, 1000 H St. NW in Washington, D.C. Tickets are $100
to $1,000 and benefit the Humane Rescue Alliance. Visit fashion-
forpaws.org.
For more information on the True Colors Fund, visit truecolors-
fund.org.
MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 29
 Gallery

Ira Tattelman
Canyon 2017 - Mixed Media including13oz vinyl banner with pole pocket top and bottom and side hems,
galvanized pipe, wire rope, miscellaneous hardware
4 wide x 4 deep x 9-6 tall

Included in the exhibit Pre Conceptual: Zeitgeist IV at Hillyer Art Space until April 2, 2017

hillyerartspace.org

MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 31

 Stage
C. STANLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

and for her connection to Dr. Malik Nazari

Saving Assets
(Ethan Hova), an uncle who might have
been involved in Iraqs secret uranium
enrichment program.
The British government has learned
With the slow-burn suspense of Intelligence, D.C. gets a wonky play that Saddam Hussein recently sought
its uniquely qualified to enjoy By Andr Hereford significant quantities of uranium from
Africa, Bush told the world in his 2003

I
State of the Union Address. But Plames
NTELLIGENCE, JACQUELINE E. LAWTONS GRIPPING NEW POLITICAL husband, former Ambassador Joseph
thriller now at Arena Stage, stakes its setting from the start with a blistering video Wilson (Lawrence Redmond), dispatched
summary of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent run-up to the 2003 invasion of to Niger to corroborate those claims, con-
Iraq. Well-chosen wartime clips of Bush and Cheney, among others, blaze across scenic cludes that the administration was traf-
designer Misha Kachmans marvelously imposing set, a stark backdrop dominated by ficking in alternative facts. Against his
three towering stone pillars, which easily evoke both the World Trade Center and the wifes wishes, Wilson publishes a New
immutable institutions of government bureaucracy. If a bit brusque in short-handing York Times op-ed specifically debunking
the devastating events and fallout of 9/11, the prelude is most effective teamed with those sixteen words of Bushs speech that,
excellent lighting and sound design in generating the properly tense atmosphere for in Cheneys video-projected words, led to
this fictionalized take on the scandal surrounding the outing of undercover CIA opera- decisive military action.
tive Valerie Plame (Hannah Yelland). Plame is almost immediately pres-
Intelligence ( ) effectively boils a globe-spanning story down to scenes sured by her superior in the counter-
from a D.C. marriage. Although this George and Martha are the one married couple in proliferation program, Elaine Matthews
America whose cocktail-hour discussions of aluminum tubes and yellowcake uranium (Aakhu Tuahnera Freeman), to inves-
might trigger events that topple an administration or could at least undermine the tigate further, so she leans on Leyla to
Presidents stated reasons for going to war. get to Malik. Aided by stringent post-
Director Daniella Topol conducts the action smoothly, hopping from Baghdad 9/11 detention policies, Plame persuades
back alleys to a Georgetown boutique, maintaining a powerful focus on covert oper- Malik to return to war-torn Iraq to prove
ations officer Plame as a woman under siege. Undercover and using an alias, she first or disprove the existence of uranium
approaches Georgetown shop owner Leyla Nazari (Nora Achrati), a Jordanian immi- stockpiles and enrichment materials at
grant who has attracted Langleys attention for her frequent trips to the Middle East Saddams shuttered chemical labs. In the

32 MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY

midst of Maliks dangerous mission, Plames cover is blown,
and all hell breaks loose as she and her assets around the globe
are thrust suddenly, vulnerably into the glare of the media and
the nations enemies.
It was horrendous timing for Plame and Wilson, but the
timing could hardly be better for Arena to devote several weeks
to Intelligence, just as real-life spy stories are shaping elections
and headlines. Another advantage is its setting in the homes and
offices of federal employees, environments of which District
audiences possess prime insider knowledge. The local audience
hangs on every word of Lawtons winding, erudite script, which
still too often turns international espionage into fodder for mar-
ital squabbling, but with wonky debates about white papers in
place of caustic barbs and bons mots.
As a wife and mother, Plame is only sketchily drawn, pre-
sumably intentionally so to emphasize her immersion in the job.
Yelland, a Tony nominee in 2011 for Brief Encounter, captures
the guilt this astute woman feels in her detachment from her two
young children, but any profound love for them doesnt soundly
register. Plame and her husbands fleeting references to the
twins dont sufficiently define the void in her domestic life that
she mostly ignores. Additionally, Yelland barrels past much of
the plays humor, performing with a cool formality that belies a
focus on accent and style, to the detriment of a more natural and
affecting delivery. She does gather steam as Plame-gate explodes
around her, and shes both riveting and entirely credible as an
agent compromised and panicking while painfully thin ice fis-
sures beneath her feet.
With her assets in danger, her mission sunk, and her marriage
perhaps irrevocably damaged, Plame needs all the support she
can muster, and here, too, the play is well-served by an excellent
supporting cast. Achrati, costumed in an array of elegant abayas,
is a forceful presence onstage, her skeptical Leyla acting as a
worthy foil for the spy who disrupts her life.
As embattled Ambassador Wilson, Redmond seems effortless
in his portrayal of a Washington lifer who probably thought he
knew just how dirty a game politics could be. While Redmond
and Yelland dont spark much romantic or parental chemistry,
that might be the point: this Plame and Wilson are a couple of
professionals, period. There is dramatic electricity in the scenes
between the agent and her asset in the field, Malik Nazari, with
Hovas quietly solid performance supplying much of the shows
heart, as Intelligence acknowledges both directly and more sub-
tly that Dr. Nazari, his family and his community have as much
to lose as the Plame-Wilsons, if not more.
Despite all the attacks on their integrity and threats to their
livelihood, Plame and Wilson rebounded the way members of the
establishment often do, with smart spin, tell-all books and even
a Hollywood movie, Fair Game. Released years after the fact,
that film, despite brandishing Naomi Watts and Sean Penn, still
seemed to be arriving late to the party to rehash old news. For
the most part, this consistently entertaining production escapes
seeming like a well-appointed reconfiguration of not-current
events. It sharply reminds its audience that the repercussions of
all that erupted in Iraq continue to unfold, around dinner tables
and conference rooms, on battlefields and in airports, all over
America and the world. l
Intelligence runs until April 9 in Arena Stages Kogod Cradle,
1101 6th St. SW. Tickets are $40 to $90.
Call (202) 488-3300, or visit arenastage.org.
MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 33
 Games
NINTENDO

When you reach home and want to

Switch Off
Nintendos Switch has one great game and compelling portability,
switch (get it?) to playing on the big screen,
the Switch makes it incredibly simple.
Drop the console into its dock and within a
few seconds whatever was on the Switchs
but you should hold off on buying it By Rhuaridh Marr display will appear on your TV with
zero interruptions and at up to 1080p

L
resolution. Detach the controllers from
ET ME OPEN THIS REVIEW WITH A SIMPLE STATEMENT: DO NOT BUY the tablet as simple as pressing a button
the Nintendo Switch (HHHHH). Seriously, dont. Take your $300, stick it in and sliding them off and use them sepa-
a savings account, and wait six months. By then, Nintendos newest console, a rately like Wii Remotes, or slide them into
system designed to revolutionize the way we game, might actually be able to justify the more traditional controller grip. Its a
its purchase price. At the moment, its an incredible idea marred by suspect manufac- little awkward and tall for a controller, but
turing, a nonexistent games library, and the sense that Nintendo rushed the Switch to perfectly usable.
launch. This recommendation, that you hold off on buying the Switch, isnt one made Whats less usable is the fact that the
lightly. Indeed, even after two weeks with the Switch Im still conflicted, in large part left Joy-Con refuses to remain connected
because Nintendo really did achieve a lot of what they set out to do. to my Switch. This issue has been wide-
Nintendos goal to create a home console you can pick up and take with you is, for ly documented already, with the cause
the most part, realized in the Switch. A mixture of glossy and matte black plastic, its identified as a poorly placed Bluetooth
light, sturdy, and comfortable to hold. The tablet portion is thin, the 6.2-inch, 1280x720 antenna. The controller will stay attached
screen is bright and clear, the buttons are tactile. With both Joy-Cons (Nintendos new, within a certain distance of the Switch, but
motion-enabled controllers) attached to the display, the Switch isnt unmanageably place it in your usual TV setup in my
wide. It wont fit into a pocket, but it will drop into a laptop bag with ease. case, behind the TV and youll be met
It cant match an iPad for size, but the Switchs display combined with a kickstand with frustration and lack of input. Lying
that lets you prop it up on any flat surface is perfectly usable. On a plane, at your desk, in bed, I cant play games on a console less
outside, on public transport, the screen can more than hold its own, even with a couple than ten feet away.
of people crammed around it. There are a couple of other niggles, too,
Unfortunately, its here that youll run into one of the Switchs main hurdles: battery such as the plastic screen being suscepti-
life. Not only is it wildly inconsistent and dependant on the demands of the game youre ble to scratching if you hit the dock when
playing, but youll struggle to see more than 6 hours from a charge. Its helped by a sleep attaching or removing the Switch, or the
mode that sips barely any juice in the background and can resume a game instantly just wrist straps that attach to the Joy-Cons
like the 3DS but if youre planning a marathon flight or to take the Switch away for being poorly designed you can slide
the weekend, youll need to pack a cable. The upside is that Nintendo has abandoned a them on the wrong way with worrying
proprietary charger in favor of USB-C, meaning those with a newer Android device, like ease, at which point theyll get jammed in
the Google Pixel, or the latest MacBook only need to bring one charger. place, forcing you to wrench them off.

34 MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY

 But none of this matters when the
Switch works. In those half hour moments
between meetings, or on a lunch break,
or while out and about, you can pull the
Switch from your bag, pop out the kick-
stand, and get stuck into a full console
game no candy to crush or birds to fling
here. Or those drowsy moments at the end
of the night, when you want to keep gam-
ing, but dont want to stay in front of the
TV: Grab the Switch from the dock, slide
on the Joy-Cons and continue in bed.
There is, however, a more serious prob-
lem affecting enjoyment of the Switch: a
complete lack of content. At launch, there
were just over a dozen games available,
several of those being Neo Geo classics such
as Metal Slug 3 and the others, smaller downloadable titles. The
Switch has just two major first party games: 1-2-Switch, a col-
lection of mini games designed to show off the Switch and Joy-
Cons that you shouldnt waste your money on, and The Legend
of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, perhaps the only reason most will
pick up a Switch.
Breath of the Wild is Nintendos biggest release in years,
one deliberately delayed to launch on the Switch and help sell
the console. It is also the biggest Zelda game ever, one that
explores new territory and new mechanics for one of gamings
biggest franchises. Is it a perfect game? No. Is it one of the
greatest games ever made? Highly debatable. Is it a great game?
Undoubtedly.
In comparison to previous entries in the series, Breath of the
Wild (HHHHH) is a substantial departure from the norm. No
longer are players confined to specific areas, funneled through
the story with care and precision. Instead, Nintendo has created
a massive open world for hero Link to roam its 12 times larger
than the overworld in Twilight Princess. Players drop into the
game as Link wakes up from a century of slumber to find Hyrule
in ruins and a giant beast threatening to destroy it for good. With
very little instruction beyond some basic setting and a shiny new
tablet that controls certain things and can provide a handy map
for navigation, players are shoved out into the world. Whats
next is entirely up to you.
This less controlled style is initially overwhelming. Breath of
the Wild is not an easy game and wont hesitate to kick Links
ass. Repeatedly. Your first few hours will likely be mired in frus-
trations, confusion, and a general sense of what on earth do I
do now? Links inventory is comically small, weapons fall apart
after just a few hits, Link himself will be downed with incredible
ease, hell collapse in exhaustion if you try to climb too far, hell
shiver when it gets cold, and hell overheat when its too hot. He
is, for all intents and purposes, a total wimp.
But the beauty of Breath of the Wild is that, right from the out-
set, you have the tools at your disposal to solve every problem.
Too cold? Cook up a warming stew. Health low? Forage some
food and boost it. Weapons underpowered? Explore the world,
find a better shield, pull a stronger sword from a big rock, and
then try beating those bad guys again. Breath of the Wild thrives
in trial and error, with a save system that will almost always drop
you back into the action somewhere near to where you died.
The game is also incredibly beautiful. With a gorgeous art
The Nintendo Switch is available now for $300 if you can find it in stock. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is available
from Amazon, Gamestop and other retailers for $60.
style that takes the cell shading of Wind Waker and ramps it
up to 11, Breath of the Wild is something of a technical feat. Its
crammed with small details you can switch off most of the UI
and still figure out whats going on, from small hints in the dis-
tance that point to your next objective, or Link shivering when
its getting too cold. Theres a deep physics engine that begs you
to think of creative ways to dispatch enemies or explore areas,
such as rolling bombs down hills or felling trees to span gaps.
The sound, from the music to the voice acting yes, its not all
text is gorgeous. Its all the more impressive when you undock
the Switch and take Link on the road, jumping into Hyrule on
a coffee break or while 30,000 feet in the air. If nothing else,
Breath of the Wild showcases the power of Nintendos newest
console beautifully.
Except that it also doesnt. With such a vast world, Breath of
the Wild frequently chugs along, not just in heavy fight scenes,
but also when exploring its vast world. It runs at 900p when
docked, but the framerate frequently drops below its claimed
30 fps. However, when undocked and running at 720p, per-
formance is more consistent, if still uneven in spots. Its as if
Nintendos developers planned for a giant map, but neglected to
make sure the Switch could consistently power it. And of course
theres a big elephant in the room: the Wii U.
Yes, Breath of the Wild is also available on Nintendos last-gen
console. If you dont care about taking Link outside, youll find
a game that, while locked to 720p, runs almost identically to the
Switch version at 900p. Aside from some audio elements and
other details, this is ostensibly the same game, with the same
content and the same gameplay. What exactly are those who buy
the Switch paying for, other than portability, if Nintendos older
console can run the same game with the same performance?
And that really is the Switchs biggest problem. Sure, Mario
Kart 8 comes out in April and theres more games launching over
the course of this year, but right now with the hardware issues,
the lack of games, the total absence of content apps such as Netflix
and Amazon the Switch cannot justify its purchase price.
So wait six months. By then, Nintendo will hopefully have
fixed the Joy-Con issues, theyll have attached a strip to the edge
of the dock that wont damage the Switchs screen, and there will
be more games to justify the $300 Nintendo are asking for the
console. Right now, unless youre desperate to take Breath of the
Wild on the road and I cant deny that its mightily impressive
theres not much here worth investing in. l
MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 35
NightLife
Photography by
Ward Morrison

MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 37


DrinksDragDJsEtc...
Thursday,
March 16
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
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: Tops Down $6
Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3
Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm
Stonewall Darts After-Party,
6-10pm Locker Room
Thursday Nights, 10pm-close
$3 Rail Drinks, 10pm-mid-
night, $5 Red Bull and Frozen
Virgin Drinks DJs Sean
Morris and MadScience
Best Package Contest at
midnight, hosted by BaNaka
& Kristina Kelly $200 Cash
Prize Doors open 10pm,
21+ $5 Cover or free with
college ID
Scene
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 8pm Strip
Down Thursdays Happy
Hour Shirtless guys get $2
off all drinks, 8-10pm Jock
or underwear gets $2 off
all drinks, 10pm-2am No
Cover 21+
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
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
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm No Cover
The 8th Annual Wig Night Out - JR.s - Saturday, March 4
Photography by Ward Morrison
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene
SHAWS TAVERN
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
$5 Rails and House Wines
& Half-Priced Pizzas $4
Heineken and Coronas,
5pm-close
TRADE
Doors open 5pm Huge
Happy Hour: Any drink
normally served in a cocktail
glass served in a huge glass
for the same price, 5-10pm DC EAGLE
Beer and wine only $4
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers DJ
9pm Cover 21+ open at 8pm Happy Hour,
Friday,
March 17
9 1/2
Open at 5pm Happy Hour:
2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
Friday Night Videos with
DJ Chord Bezerra, 9:30pm
Expanded craft beer selection
No Cover
COBALT/30 DEGREES
All You Can Drink Happy
Hour $15 Rail and
Domestic, $21 Call & Imports,
6-9pm Freaky Fridays,
10pm $6 Grey Goose all
night Two 30-minute open
bars featuring Grey Goose,
11-11:30pm and 1-1:30am
DJ MadScience upstairs
DJ Keenan Orr downstairs
$10 cover 10pm-close 21+
Happy St. Patricks Day
Erin Go Braugh! Irish
Whiskey Special $6
Jameson all night Doors
Open 5pm Happy Hour:
8-10pm $2 off all drinks
The DC Eagle presents
Pup Night, 3rd Friday of
every month Trainer
Social and Puppy Mosh
No Cover Wicked Jade
at the BootBlack chair
ResistDance: Get Lucky,
with DJ Jason Horswill,
10pm-4am $5 Cover 21+ Patricks Day The Harvey
MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Karaoke, 8pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm $5
Smirnoff, all flavors, all night
long Friday Night Videos,
featuring VJ Tre, 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
2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
No Cover Friday Night
Piano with Chris, 7:30pm
SHAWS TAVERN
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
$5 Rails and House Wines
& Half-Priced Pizzas St.
Sometimes Band, 8pm
TOWN
Patio open 6pm 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 Tatianna,
Shi-Queeta-Lee, Riley Knoxx
and BaNaka DJ Wess
upstairs, DJs BacK2bACk
downstairs following the
show GoGo Boys after
11pm Doors open at 10pm
For those 21 and over, $12
For those 18-20, $15
Club: 18+ Patio: 21+
TRADE
Doors open 5pm Huge
Happy Hour: Any drink
normally served in a cocktail
glass served in a huge glass
for the same price, 5-10pm
Beer and wine only $4
39
 ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Men of Secrets, 9pm
Guest dancers Ladies of
Illusion Drag Show Doors
at 9pm, Shows at 11:30pm
and 1:30am DJ Don T. in
Secrets Cover 21+
Saturday,
March 18
9 1/2
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 2-9pm $5 Absolut
& Titos, $3 Miller Lite after
9pm Expanded craft beer
selection No Cover
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Drag Yourself to Brunch
at Level One, 11am-2pm
and 2-4pm Featuring
Kristina Kelly and the Ladies
of Illusion Bottomless
Mimosas and Bloody Marys
Happy Hour: Tops Down
$6 Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3
Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm
Ladies Night, featuring the
Ladies of LURe, 10pm-close
Doors open 10pm $5
Cover 21+
DC EAGLE
Doors open 5:30pm The
DC Imperial Court hosts the
Annual Black and Blue Ball
at The DC Eagle-N-Exile,
6-9:30pm $20 Cover bene-
fits My Sisters Place & Reign
40 MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY
V charities formal attire
encouraged Daryl Wilson
presents the I-95 Takeover,
10pm-3am $15 before
midnight, $20 after Mr. DC
Eagle Grey Owl hosts Club
bar Wicked Jade at the
BootBlack chair 21+
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Drag Queen Broadway
Brunch, 10am-3pm Starring
Freddies Broadway Babes
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
Freddies Follies Drag Show,
hosted by Miss Destiny B.
Childs, 8-10pm Karaoke,
10pm-close
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm $5
Bacardi, all flavors, all night
long Bears Can Dance,
9pm-close No Cover
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
Doors open 2pm Happy
Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink,
2-9pm $5 Absolut and $5
Bulleit Bourbon THIRSTY,
featuring DJ Chord Bezerra,
9:30pm-close
SHAWS TAVERN
Brunch with Bottomless
Mimosas, 10am-3pm
Happy Hour, 5-7pm $3
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
$5 Rails and House Wines &
Half-Priced Pizzas
TOWN
DC Rawhides host Town
& Country: Two-Step, Line
Dancing, Waltz and West
Coast Swing, $5 Cover to
stay all night Doors open
6:30pm, Lessons 7-8pm,
Open dance 8-10:30pm
Queen of the Night
Competition, 10:30pm
Winner receives $500
and a performance spot
in an upcoming Ladies of
Town drag show Cherry
Kickoff Party, 11pm-close
Featuring DJ Steve Sidewalk
and X Gonzalez Music and
video by DJ Wess downstairs
Cover $12 21+
TRADE
Doors open 2pm Huge
Happy Hour: Any drink
normally served in a cocktail
glass served in a huge glass
for the same price, 2-10pm
Beer and wine only $4
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Men of Secrets, 9pm-4am
Guest dancers Ladies
of Illusion Drag Show with
host Ella Fitzgerald Doors
at 9pm, Shows at 11:30pm
and 1:30am DJ Don T.
in Ziegfelds DJ Steve
Henderson in Secrets
Cover 21+
Sunday,
March 19
9 1/2
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 2-9pm Multiple TVs
showing movies, shows,
sports Expanded craft beer
selection No Cover
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: Tops Down $6
Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3
Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm
Homowood Karaoke, hosted
by Robert Bise, 10pm-close
21+
DC EAGLE
Doors open at 12pm Happy
Hour, 12-6 pm $2 off
everything $2 Bud and Bud
Light Draughts all day and
night The DC Eagle Pizza
Party (no bologna) Free
slice of pizza with each drink
while supplies last No
Cover 21+
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Champagne Brunch Buffet,
10am-3pm Crazy Hour,
4-7pm Karaoke, 8pm-1am
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4-9pm
Mamas Trailer Park Karaoke
downstairs, 9:30pm-close
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Drag Brunch, hosted by Shi-
Queeta-Lee, 11am-3pm
$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, 2-9pm No Cover
SHAWS TAVERN
Brunch with Bottomless
Mimosas, 10am-3pm
Happy Hour, 5-7pm $3
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
$5 Rails and House Wines &
Half-Priced Pizzas
TRADE
Doors open 2pm Huge
Happy Hour: Any drink
normally served in a cocktail
glass served in a huge glass
for the same price, 2-10pm
Beer and wine only $4
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers
Decades of Dance DJ
Tim-e in Secrets Doors
9pm Cover 21+
Monday, GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour all night long
Tuesday,
March 20 Open Mic Night Karaoke with March 21
Kevin, 9:30pm-close
9 1/2 9 1/2
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm Multiple TVs
JR.S
Showtunes Songs &
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm Multiple TVs
showing movies, shows, Singalongs, 9pm-close
DJ James $3 Draft Pints,
showing movies, shows,
sports Expanded craft beer sports Expanded craft beer
selection No Cover 8pm-midnight selection No Cover
COBALT/30 DEGREES NELLIES SPORTS BAR COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: Tops Down $6 Beat the Clock Happy Hour DJ Honey Happy Hour: Tops
Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3 $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm), Down $6 Top Shelf, Bottoms
Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm $4 (7-8pm) Buckets of Beer Up $3 Rail, $3 Bud Light,
Monday Nights A Drag, $15 Texas Holdem Poker, 4-9pm SIN Service Industry
featuring Kristina Kelly 8pm Dart Boards Night, 10pm-close $1 Rail
Doors open at 10pm Drinks all night
Showtime at 11:30pm $3 NUMBER NINE
Skyy Cocktails, $8 Skyy and Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Red Bull $8 Long Islands drink, 5-9pm No Cover Crazy Hour, 4-7pm
No Cover, 18+ Karaoke, 8pm
SHAWS TAVERN
DC EAGLE Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3 GREEN LANTERN
Doors open at 8pm Happy Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, $5 Happy Hour all night long,
Hour, 8-10pm $2 off Rails and House Wines and 4pm-close
everything Endless Happy Half-Priced Pizzas Trivia
Hour prices to anyone in a with Jeremy, 7:30pm NELLIES SPORTS BAR
DC Eagle T-Shirt Industry Beat the Clock Happy Hour
Mondays Free Pool All TRADE $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
Night and Day $1 Bud and Doors open 5pm Huge $4 (7-8pm) Buckets of
Bud Light Draughts all night Happy Hour: Any drink Beer $15 Karaoke and
No Cover 21+ normally served in a cocktail Drag Bingo
glass served in a huge glass
FREDDIES BEACH BAR for the same price, 5-10pm NUMBER NINE
Crazy Hour, 4-7pm Singles Beer and wine only $4 Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
Night Karaoke, 8pm drink, 5-9pm No Cover
After 9pm, $3 Absolut, Bulleit
& Stella
MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 41
42 MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY
SHAWS TAVERN
Half-Priced Burgers and
Pizzas, 5-10pm $5 House
Wines and $5 Sam Adams
TRADE
Doors open 5pm Huge
Happy Hour: Any drink
normally served in a cocktail
glass served in a huge glass
for the same price, 5-10pm
Beer and wine only $4
Wednesday,
March 22
9 1/2
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm Multiple TVs
showing movies, shows,
sports Expanded craft beer
selection No Cover
COBALT/30 DEGREES
Happy Hour: Tops Down $6
Top Shelf, Bottoms Up $3
Rail, $3 Bud Light, 4-9pm
$4 Stoli and Stoli Flavors
and Miller Lite all night
Wednesday Night Karaoke,
hosted by India Larelle
Houston, 10pm No Cover
21+
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
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
member and each get a free
$10 Dinner
NUMBER NINE
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm No Cover
SHAWS TAVERN
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $3
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
$5 Rails and House Wines
and Half-Priced Pizzas
Piano Bar with Jill, down-
stairs, 8pm
TRADE
Doors open 5pm Huge
Happy Hour: Any drink
normally served in a cocktail
glass served in a huge glass
for the same price, 5-10pm
Beer and wine only $4 l
MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 43
 Scene
Otter Crossing at Green Lantern - Friday, March 3
Photography by Ward Morrison
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene

44 MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY

MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY 45
 LastWord.
People say the queerest things

The Disney Corporation and the owners thereof are

intentionally promoting sin to children.
Colorado Republican GORDON KLINGENSCHMITT, in a video found by Right Wing Watch, telling people to boycott Disneys
live-action Beauty and the Beast due to the character of Le Fou questioning his sexuality in the film. I recommend that
Christian parents avoid having their children recruited into the homosexual agenda, he added.

Theres a lot of gay sex in this cartoon.

If you live anywhere near Alabama, you should not see this film. What would Jesus think?

EWAN MCGREGOR, jokingly responding to the controversy surrounding Beauty and the Beast, on The Late Show with
Stephen Colbert. He is a gay character, added McGregor. Its 2017. For fucks sake.

Donald Trump is the

most pro-LGBT Republican president in history.
I dont think that this one decision on transgender guidance changes that.

GREGORY T. ANGELO to The Huffington Post. We have never had a Republican president who so candidly and openly discussed
not only gay, not only lesbian, not only bisexual but transgender Americans as well, Angelo said. Earlier this year, Trump
rescinded guidance that protected transgender students from discrimination in using facilities that match their gender identity.
He has also stockpiled his administration with anti-LGBTQ individuals.

Every member of Congress should have to be counted and show exactly where they stand: either
for or against full equality for all Americans.
SEN. JEFF MERKLEY, speaking to Buzzfeed after Democrats reintroduced the Equality Act, which contains protections for LGBTQ
people, to Congress. Rep. David Cicilline added, Its important for Americans to know whether members of Congress support full
equality for our community or whether they support continued discrimination against LGBT Americans.

Though I was assigned male at birth I would contend that

I did not enjoy male privilege
prior to my transition.
LAVERNE COX, on Twitter, responding to suggestions that she enjoyed male privilege prior to her transition. I was a very
feminine child though I was [assigned] male at birth, Cox said. My gender was constantly policed. I was told I acted like
a girl and was bullied and shamed for that. My [femininity] did not make me feel privileged.

46 MARCH 16, 2017 METROWEEKLY