Metro Weekly - 10-31-13 - Margaret Cho

2 OCTOBER 31, 2013 METROWEEKLY.
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3 METROWEEKLY.COM OCTOBER 31, 2013
4 OCTOBER 31, 2013 METROWEEKLY.COM
Tom Ridge
Torpedoes Tea Party
Former Pennsylvania governor calls for more inclusive GOP at Log Cabins
Spirit of Lincoln Dinner
Ridge
by Justin Snow
T
OM RIDGE LIT INTO THE
modern-day Republican Party
in a ery speech Wednesday
night, Oct. 23, calling for the
GOP to embrace inclusion or face inde-
nite defeat.
Speaking to Log Cabin Republicans at
the organizations annual Spirit of Lin-
coln Dinner in D.C., the former Pennsyl-
vania governor and rst Homeland Secu-
rity secretary under President George
W. Bush said a hard-core and shrinking
base of the Republican Party of today
has alienated the voters necessary to
win elections, and has pushed the party
toward intolerance.
For those who dont toe a strict party
line or have an unbending ideological
line or who dare to work with Demo-
crats to get anything done theyre nei-
ther conservative enough, nor Republi-
can enough for some within our midst,
Ridge said. For many observers, the
GOP has become intolerant, judgmental
and self-righteous perhaps worthy of
attitudes of the Pilgrims in 1620, but
hardly attractive qualities for a political
party nearly 400 years later.
While Ridges speech touched on a
number of topics, including Obamacare,
abortion and some of the Republican
Partys most iconic leaders including
Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and
Ronald Reagan the 15-minute speech
was in many ways a rebuke of the Repub-
lican Party of the tea party era.
Ridge, who was rst elected to the
House of Representatives in 1983, said
that a clutch of the GOP has come to
believe unity must require unanimity
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on every issue, and that such a mental-
ity has pushed away potential voters and
Republican leaders, diminishing the par-
tys chances of governance.
In order to govern, we must win
national elections. To do so, the narcis-
sists and ideologues within our party
need to understand that Americans are,
more conservative than liberal, but are
more practical than ideological and more
tolerant and open-minded than judgmen-
tal. They are also looking for real, not
rhetorical, solutions, Ridge said.
They are not attracted to a party that
imposes an even more severe litmus test
on its own members, projects an unac-
ceptable rigidity and self-righteousness
on social issues, and spends more time
and energy objecting to bad law rather
than proposing alternatives.
Ridge spoke to his evolution on mar-
riage equality, noting that it did not hap-
pen overnight but came through the sea-
soning of time and experience. Indeed,
as governor of Pennsylvania, Ridge signed
a state version of the Defense of Marriage
Act, only for this past summer to sign on
to an amicus brief led in the Proposition
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News
Now online at MetroWeekly.com
Poliglot: Reid makes ENDA promise
TV/Last Word: Marriage ads, pro and con
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LGBTNews
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Act and a Republican Party in the midst
of soul searching that gave hope to many
of the events attendees.
If we want to win, then we need
a bigger tent. And we need to ll it,
Ridge said. If we want to win, we need
to be a party worthy of the 21st century.
A nonjudgmental party where all who
support us are welcome. A party where
diversity of view, race, ethnicity, gender
and religion are relished and promoted
and nourished.
The times are a-changin, said
Ridge. Its about time the Republican
Party caught up.
Among the other attendees at the annu-
al dinner was Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.),
and it was hard to miss the signicance of
his attendance. Issa is the House of Rep-
resentatives chief watchdog, chairing the
Oversight and Government Reform Com-
mittee, and one of the most high-prole
members of Congress. He also has a voting
record that is far from gay-friendly, having
voted for a constitutional amendment ban-
ning same-sex marriage and against LGBT
workplace protections.
Speaking to Metro Weekly, Issa large-
ly shied from discussing his own views
on particular LGBT issues, which have
never been the main focus of his politi-
cal career, but he, too, offered a vision of
inclusion that unites rather than divides
the Republican Party.
The Republican Party has a chal-
lenge and it is the gay community is dis-
8 case before the Supreme Court calling
for marriage equality nationwide.
He also lamented the way many in the
Republican Party have exiled or excluded
those who differ with the party on social
issues. While insisting the Republican
Party will always be the party opposed
to abortion, Ridge added that the GOPs
narrow thinking on social issues is one
of the key reasons Democrats have won
the past two national elections.
Many Americans are outraged by the
moralistic attacks on the gay and lesbian
community from some within our party.
Perhaps they should be more concerned
about their own relationship with God,
Ridge said. As both Saint Matthew and
Saint Luke taught us, Judge not, lest ye
be judged. It is an important enough les-
son to be mentioned multiple times.
Lets face it, whos left to offend?
Perhaps just white males like me, and
you know Im not real happy now, Ridge
continued.
The annual dinner marked the rst
since last years general election, which
saw a series of defeats for Republicans
after President Barack Obama won re-
election by a large margin over Mitt
Romney, who was endorsed by Log
Cabin Republicans. But it was the events
that have transpired since then, includ-
ing landmark Supreme Court rulings, a
growing majority of Americans who sup-
port marriage equality, Senate movement
on the Employment Non-Discrimination
proportionately registered Democrat and
so we have to be appropriately welcom-
ing to people who support Republican
values who happen to be gay, Issa said.
Although Log Cabin Republicans have
been lobbying Issa on ENDA, he said he
has not yet taken a position, nor has he
seen the bill. Issa added that a House
version of the legislation would likely
differ from a Senate version and that any
law concerning workplace discrimina-
tion must not enable trial lawyers.
Asked if his views on marriage have
changed since the U.S. Supreme Court
returned marriage equality to California
in June, Issa said no, but added that the
country is witnessing a march of time.
I think were watching a shift. That
shift is not as far as the left would take
it, but in fact its very much like many
other levels of acceptance where the laws
over time follow, Issa said. When I was
a young man only some states allowed
interracial marriage. People dont think
about that in my lifetime those are the
kind of laws that have gone away. So
when you look at gay acceptance and gay
marriage I think youre looking at some-
thing very similar in many ways. Slavery
ended 100 years before 1965, but in 1965
not every state would openly do inter-
racial marriages. I think were moving a
lot faster.
Added Issa, Ive never been one for
special rights, but Ive always been for
equal rights. l
OCTOBER 31, 2013 METROWEEKLY.COM
Dialing for Democrats
Effort at HRC has volunteers pushing to get the vote out for Virginias
LGBT-friendly candidates
by John Riley
E
VERY WEDNESDAY EVE-
ning in recent weeks, about
10 people meet at the Human
Rights Campaign (HRC) head-
quarters in downtown D.C. and get straight
to work. Election Day, Nov. 5, is looming.
Armed with a list of names and a sug-
gested script to follow, the volunteers
seek out potential supporters and ask
them if they are willing to work on behalf
of pro-equality candidates Terry McAu-
liffe, Ralph Northam and Mark Herring
all Democrats who are running for gov-
ernor, lieutenant governor and attorney
general, respectively, in Virginia.
Each volunteer sits at a computer
and waits as a software program linked
to HRC-provided phones dials the num-
bers of people who at some point pro-
vided contact information when signing
HRC-sponsored petitions advocating for
LGBT rights.
Success! exclaims Angela Peoples,
tapping a bell to let everyone know shes
just gotten someone to commit to volun-
teering. Peoples is the vice president for
political and legislative affairs for the
Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, D.C.s
largest LGBT political club, which has
been encouraging members to join the ef-
fort.
Despite Peopless success, most calls
made during these Wednesday evenings
phoning residents of D.C., Maryland and
Virginia will go unanswered. Those phone
numbers will be recycled for use at future
phone-banking events. The goal every
Wednesday night is to log 700 calls. With 10
callers on duty, thats 70 calls apiece during
the two-and-a-half-hour window allotted
for the volunteers to use the room.
Despite the need to meet those num-
bers, the mood in the room is lighthearted,
with some volunteers cracking jokes, cri-
LGBTNews
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paign, the volunteers will target regis-
tered voters who vote infrequently and
may miss off-year elections.
While HRC is technically a nonparti-
san organization, dedicated to promoting
LGBT rights across the nation, it does oc-
casionally make endorsements for select
candidates. In this years Virginia races,
looking at the records of Republican
nominees Ken Cuccinelli for governor,
E.W. Jackson for lieutenant governor, and
Mark Obenshain for attorney general
candidates whom LGBT activists have
characterized as radical, mean-spir-
ited, openly hostile to LGBT families
and rabidly anti-gay HRC chose to
endorse all three members of the Demo-
cratic slate.
This race really does hinge on wheth-
er we move forward or backwards in
tiquing the background music that plays
on their phones, or talking quietly with
their neighbors as they wait for someone
to answer. Some munch on pizza, apples
and other snacks as they wait.
Eventually, of course, someone picks
up. Reexively, volunteers launch into the
script, seeking to charm, cajole and con-
vince that likely ally on the other end to
call or canvass meaning knock on doors
and engage in face-to-face conversations
potential voters.
HRCs biggest push on behalf of the
Virginia Democrats is set for the after-
noon of Sunday, Nov. 3, two days before
Election Day, when the LGBT-rights
organization will coordinate a canvass-
ing effort into select regions of Virginia.
Working in tandem with the Virginia
Democratic Partys coordinated cam-
Virginia, says Michael Cole-Schwartz,
HRCs director of communications. Its
important for people to get involved. Ev-
eryone has a vested interest in seeing that
pro-equality candidates are victorious.
Alex Bradley, a Wednesday night vol-
unteer from Washington who also works
as a temporary organizer for the McAu-
liffe gubernatorial campaign through
HRC, said hes gained some political in-
sight through his campaign eldwork,
and uses that knowledge to add to whats
already detailed in the generic script giv-
en to volunteers.
I always try to add to the script, he
says. We need to convince people to be
willing to help out in Virginia. Otherwise,
theres a cascade effect, where once you
have one homophobe in ofce, its more
likely that others will be elected as well.
Kate Kramer, of Arlington, says she
became involved with HRC during last
years presidential election, making calls
and canvassing for President Obama and
other pro-equality candidates. She has
also canvassed separately for Virginia
Democrats through other organizations,
noting that many Virginia residents
seem to express either apathy or anger
about the upcoming elections. Even so,
she says, this election is a crucial one
for LGBT rights in the commonwealth,
which means volunteers will just have to
try harder to motivate Virginians to go to
the polls.
If I werent making these dials or
door knocks, they wouldnt be getting
done, she says. If we win, that would
be great, and Ill take full credit. And if it
goes the other way, at least Ill know I did
everything I could. l
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Pop-Up Panorama
Plan for life, for work and for fun at g.life 2013
Ryan Bos
by Robert E. McLean
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TS ONE OF THE LARGEST
LGBT events in the D.C. area,
its free and its got information,
advice and entertainment. It is
g.life, produced by the Capital Area Gay
and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
(CAGLCC), a once-a-year giant pop-up
at the Washington Marriott Wardman
Park, Saturday, Nov. 9.
Major changes will be apparent in
g.life U, co-chaired by Ted Smith, a
D.C.-based Realtor, and Suzanne Coates,
president of Techcentric Design Group
LLC. All are based on feedback from
last years presenters and attendees. Says
Smith, Well offer several sessions in
two tracks: one for business owners and
employees, the other for anyone wanting
to better manage their lives.
Organizers took an inductive
approach to the program. Following
a call for proposals on specic topics,
a planning committee reviewed and
selected the winning submissions. The
results are 10 50-minute-long sessions,
a mix of individual speakers and panel
presentations. The rst session will start
at 11 a.m., the last at 3 p.m. Scott Sullivan,
a consultant and trainer with Velocity
Consulting, will serve as moderator.
We want visitors to have an aware-
ness of the breadth of expertise avail-
able to our community, Smith says.
That unique expertise can be essential
because we have different challenges on
everything from taxes to adoption. How
do we cope with them? We want visitors
to know where to nd solutions to chal-
lenges in life and in work.
One of the biggest changes will be
the accessibility of the educations ses-
sions. All will be held on stages set up
within Metropolis, the trade show.
Signs throughout Metropolis will make
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it easier to know which sessions are com-
ing up on which stage.
In the business track, here are the
sessions for those thinking about start-
ing a new organization or managing an
existing one:
Making Difcult Conversations Less Difcult
Marketing Your Business Digitally
Intrapreneurship: Thriving in a Corporate
Environment
For the LGBT CEO/ED/MP/Owner: Creating
a Platinum Benets Plan for the Cost of Silver
Then there are the sessions that will
focus on nancial and personal wellness
topics:
Mind, Body and Spirit Coaching
Personal Finance for LGBT People
Beneting from Historically Low Interest Rates
Tax Implications of Overturning DOMA
Investing in Rental Real Estate
The LGBT Financial Experience
Of course, g.life is about more than
work. Anyone looking for volunteer
opportunities will enjoy the g.life Com-
munity Village. Capital Pride will host
this area, under the direction of its execu-
tive director, Ryan Bos.
Our community consists of many
nonprot organizations doing great work
in supporting our LGBT community,
says Bos. Attendees will have the oppor-
tunity to meet with representatives and
learn about volunteer, internship and job
opportunities from these organizations.
Participating nonprots will include
The DC Center, the citys LGBT commu-
nity center; the Next Generation Lead-
ership Foundation; the Big Gay Book
Group; Casa Ruby; Fairfax Pride; and
Zoom Excursions.
And when not browsing booths or tak-
ing in a presentation, visitors can enjoy a
break at one of the performance stages.
Says Jeanie Adkins, CAGLCCs board
secretary: The g.life street performers
were a hit last year and were looking for-
ward to this years performances. We will
have returning and new artists including
singer-songwriters, guitar players, clas-
sical, Broadway and jazz singers, and an
accomplished pianist/keyboardist who
will be taking song requests from event
attendees. Well even have a magician!
Were looking forward to entertaining
the community.
Opening at 10 a.m., g.life runs to 5 p.m.
on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Washington Mar-
riott Wardman Park, 2660 Woodley Road
NW. Registration for the event is free,
but advance registration is requested and
available on the CAGLCC website, caglcc.
org. Sponsorships and vendor spaces are
still available but going fast. Contact Mark
Guenther at mguenther@caglcc.org.
Robert E. McLean owns REM Association
Services, a full-service association man-
agement company in Arlington.
The Chamber Means Business. For more
information visit caglcc.org. l
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marketplace
Pop-Up Panorama
ADVENTURING outdoors group hikes 9.5 moderate
miles on remote section of C&O Canal above
Hancock, Md. Bring beverages, lunch, bug spray,
about $20/fees, plus money for inexpensive dinner.
Carpool 8:30 a.m. from Grosvenor-Strathmore
Metro. Return by 7:30 p.m. Craig, 202-462-0535.
adventuring.org.
WEEKLY EVENTS
ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURAL HEALTH
offers free HIV testing, 9-5 p.m., and HIV
services (by appointment). 202-291-4707 or
andromedatransculturalhealth.org.
BET MISHPACHAH, founded by members of the
LGBT community, holds Saturday morning Shabbat
services, 10 a.m., followed by kiddush luncheon.
Services in DCJCC Community Room, 1529 16th St.
NW. betmish.org.
BRAZILIAN GLBT GROUP, including others
interested in Brazilian culture, meets. For location/
time, email braziliangaygroup@yahoo.com.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session at
Marie Reed Aquatic Center, 2200 Champlain St.
NW. 8-9:30 a.m. swimdcac.org.
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/walking/social
club welcomes all levels for exercise in a fun and
supportive environment, socializing afterward.
Meet 9:30 a.m., 23rd & P Streets NW, for a walk; or
10 a.m. for fun run. dcfrontrunners.org.
DIGNITY NORTHERN VIRGINIA sponsors Mass
for LGBT community, family and friends. 6:30 p.m.,
Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary
Road, Alexandria. All welcome. dignitynova.org.
DC SENTINELS basketball team meets at Turkey
Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Ave. NE,
2-4 p.m. For players of all levels, gay or straight.
teamdcbasketball.org.
GAY LANGUAGE CLUB discusses critical
languages and foreign languages. 7 p.m. Nellies,
900 U St. NW. RVSP preferred. brendandarcy@
gmail.com.
IDENTITY offers free and condential HIV testing
in Takoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite
411. Walk-ins 12-3 p.m. For appointments other
hours, call 301-422-2398.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3
ADVENTURING outdoors group hikes 12 miles,
Billy Goat Trail and others, near Great Falls, Md.
Bring beverages, lunch, bug spray, few dollars/fees.
No dogs. Carpool 8:30 a.m. from Tenleytown Metro,
east entrance, by Panera. Devon, 202-368-3379.
adventuring.org.
CHRYSALIS arts & culture group visits Phillips
Collection for exhibits on Van Gogh, inuence of the
1913 Armory Show. Admission $12, $10 seniors. Lunch
follows. Meet 11:30 a.m., Phillips lobby, 1600 21st St.
NW. Craig, 202-462-0535, craighowell1@verizon.net.
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.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1
WEEKLY EVENTS
METROHEALTH CENTER offers free, rapid HIV
testing. Appointment needed. 1012 14th St. NW,
Suite 700. 202-638-0750.
services (by appointment). 202-291-4707,
BET MISHPACHAH, founded by members of the
GLBT community, holds Friday night Shabbat
services followed by oneg social hour. 8-9:30 p.m.
Services in DCJCC Community Room, 1529 16th St.
NW. betmish.org.
GAY DISTRICT holds facilitated discussion for
GBTQ men, 18-35, rst and third Fridays. 8:30 p.m.
The DC Center, 1318 U St. NW. 202-682-2245,
gaydistrict.org.
GAY MARRIED MENS ASSOCIATION (GAMMA)
is a peer-support group that meets in Dupont Circle
every second and fourth Friday at 7:30 p.m. gay-
married.com or GAMMAinDC1@yahoo.com.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker Health,
Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,
9 a.m.-5 p.m. 202-745-7000, whitman-walker.org.
PROJECT STRIPES hosts LGBT-afrming social
group for ages 11-24. 4-6 p.m. 1419 Columbia Road
NW. Tamara, 202-319-0422, layc-dc.org.
SMYALS REC NIGHT provides a social
atmosphere for GLBT and questioning youth,
featuring dance parties, vogue nights, movies and
games. catherine.chu@smyal.org.
TRANSGENDER HEALTH EMPOWERMENT
Diva Chat support group. 6-8 p.m., 1414 North
Capitol St. NE. Snacks provided. 202-636-1646.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2
BURGUNDY CRESCENT, a gay volunteer
organization, helps at Food & Friends, with Lost
Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation at Falls Church
PetSmart and at DCDDs fall concert. To help, visit
burgundycrescent.org.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31
WEEKLY EVENTS
Suite 700. 202-638-0750.
offers free HIV testing, 9-5 p.m., and HIV services
(by appointment). Call 202-291-4707, or visit
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session
at the Takoma Aquatic Center, 7:30-9 p.m. Visit
swimdcac.org.
DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay and lesbian square-
dancing group features mainstream through
advanced square dancing at the National City
Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle NW, 7-9:30 p.m.
Casual dress. 301-257-0517, dclambdasquares.org.
The DULLES TRIANGLES Northern Virginia social
group meets for happy hour at Sheraton in Reston,
11810 Sunrise Valley Drive, second-oor bar, 7-9
p.m. All welcome. dullestriangles.com.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker Health. The
9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max Robinson Center, 2301
MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Call 202-745-
7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.
in Gaithersburg, 414 East Diamond Ave., and in
Takoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411.
Walk-ins 2-6 p.m. For appointments other hours,
call Gaithersburg, 301-300-9978, or Takoma Park,
301-422-2398.
SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5 p.m., by
appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger.
202-567-3155 or testing@smyal.org.
WOMENS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE for young
LBTQ women, 13-21, interested in leadership
development. 5-6:30 p.m. SMYAL Youth Center, 410
7th St. SE. 202-567-3163, catherine.chu@smyal.org.
US HELPING US hosts a Narcotics Anonymous
Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave. NW.
The group is independent of UHU. 202-446-1100.
Metro Weeklys Community Calendar highlights important events in
the D.C.-area LGBT community, from alternative social events to
volunteer opportunities. Event information should be sent by email to
calendar@MetroWeekly.com. Deadline for inclusion is noon
of the Friday before Thursdays publication. Questions about
the calendar may be directed to the Metro Weekly ofce at
202-638-6830 or the calendar email address.
LGBTCommunityCalendar
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF
CHRIST welcomes all to 10:30 a.m. service, 945 G
St. NW. rstuccdc.org or 202-628-4317.
HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST welcomes
GLBT community for worship. 10:30 a.m., 6130 Old
Telegraph Road, Alexandria. hopeucc.org.
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF REFORMATION invites
all to Sunday worship at 8:30 or 11 a.m. Childcare is
available at both services. Welcoming LGBT people for
25 years. 212 East Capitol St. NE. reformationdc.org
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF
NORTHERN VIRGINIA services at 11 a.m., led by
Rev. Onetta Brooks. Childrens Sunday School, 11
a.m. 10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax. 703-691-0930,
mccnova.com.
NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH, inclusive
church with GLBT fellowship, offers gospel worship,
8:30 a.m., and traditional worship, 11 a.m. 5 Thomas
Circle NW. 202-232-0323, nationalcitycc.org.
ST. STEPHEN AND THE INCARNATION, an
interracial, multi-ethnic Christian Community
offers services in English, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and
in Spanish at 5:15 p.m. 1525 Newton St. NW. 202-
232-0900, saintstephensdc.org.
UNITARIAN CHURCH OF ARLINGTON, an
LGBTQ welcoming-and-afrming congregation,
offers services at 10 a.m. Virginia Rainbow UU
Ministry. 4444 Arlington Blvd. uucava.org.
UNIVERSALIST NATIONAL MEMORIAL
CHURCH, a welcoming and inclusive church. GLBT
Interweave social/service group meets monthly.
Services at 11 a.m., Romanesque sanctuary. 1810 16th
St. NW. 202-387-3411, universalist.org.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4
CHRYSALIS arts & culture group sees Mildred
Pierce at National Theater, E Street NW, between
13th & 14th Streets. Free tickets distributed at the
door, 6 p.m. Film begins at 6:30. Craig, 202-462-
0535, craighowell1@verizon.net.
WEEKLY EVENTS
testing. No appointment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012
14th St. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.
The DC Center hosts COFFEE DROP-IN FOR THE
SENIOR LGBT COMMUNITY. 10 a.m.-noon. 1318 U
St. NW. 202-682-2245, thedccenter.org.
Michael Brazell teaches BEARS DO YOGA, a
program of The DC Center. 6:30 p.m., Green
Lantern, 1335 Green Court NW. No cost, newcomers
welcome. 202-682-2245, thedccenter.org.
GETEQUAL meets 6:30-8 p.m. at Quaker House,
2111 Florida Ave. NW. getequal.wdc@gmail.com.
KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY (K.I.) SERVICES,
3333 Duke St., Alexandria, offers free rapid HIV
testing and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 703-823-4401.
Youth Center, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155 or
testing@smyal.org.
US HELPING US hosts a black gay mens evening
afnity group. 3636 Georgia Ave. NW.
202-446-1100.
WASHINGTON WETSKINS Water Polo Team
practices 7-9 p.m. Takoma Aquatic Center, 300
Van Buren St. NW. Newcomers with at least basic
swimming ability always welcome. Tom, 703-299-
0504, secretary@wetskins.org, wetskins.org.
Whitman-Walker Health HIV/AIDS SUPPORT
GROUP for newly diagnosed individuals, meets
7 p.m. Registration required. 202-939-7671,
hivsupport@whitman-walker.org.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5
WEEKLY EVENTS
A COMPANY OF STRANGERS, a theater chorus,
meets 7:30-9:30 p.m. A GLBTA and SATB looking
for actors, singers, crew. Open Hearth Foundation,
1502 Massachusetts Ave. SE. Charles, 240-764-
5748. ecumenicon.org.
ASIANS AND FRIENDS weekly dinner in Dupont/
Logan Circle area, 6:30 p.m. afwash@aol.com,
afwashington.net.
THE GAY MENS HEALTH COLLABORATIVE
offers free HIV/STI screening every 2nd and 4th
Tuesday. 5-6:30 p.m. Rainbow Tuesday LGBT
Clinic, Alexandria Health Department, 4480 King
St. 703-321-2511, james.leslie@inova.org.
Whitman-Walker Healths GAY MENS HEALTH
AND WELLNESS/STD CLINIC opens at 6 p.m.,
1701 14th St. NW. Patients are seen on walk-in basis.
No-cost screening for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and
chlamydia. Hepatitis and herpes testing available
for fee. whitman-walker.org.
THE HIV WORKING GROUP of THE DC CENTER
hosts Packing Party, where volunteers assemble
safe-sex kits of condoms and lube. 7 p.m., Green
Lantern, 1335 Green Court NW. thedccenter.org.
in Gaithersburg, 414 East Diamond Ave., and in
Takoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411.
Walk-ins 2-6 p.m. For appointments other hours,
call Gaithersburg at 301-300-9978 or Takoma Park
at 301-422-2398.
KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY (K.I.) SERVICES,
at 3333 Duke St., Alexandria, offers free rapid HIV
testing and counseling, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 703-823-4401.
Youth Center, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155,
testing@smyal.org.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR LGBTQ YOUTH ages 13-21
meets at SMYAL, 410 7th St. SE, 5-6:30 p.m. Cathy
Chu, 202-567-3163, catherine.chu@smyal.org.
Suite 700. 202-638-0750.
US HELPING US hosts a support group for black
gay men 40 and older. 7-9 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave.
NW. 202-446-1100.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6
THE TOM DAVOREN SOCIAL BRIDGE CLUB
meets for Social Bridge. 7:30 p.m. Dignity Center,
721 8th St. SE. No reservations, no partner needed,
all welcome. 301-345-1571.
WEEKLY EVENTS
testing. No appointment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012
14th St. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.
services (by appointment). 202-291-4707,
AD LIB, a group for freestyle conversation, meets
about 7:45 p.m., covered-patio area of Cosi, 1647
20th St. NW. All welcome. Jamie, 703-892-8567.
DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) practice session at
Marie Reed Aquatic Center, 2200 Champlain St.
NW. 8-9:30 p.m. swimdcac.org.
in Gaithersburg, 414 East Diamond Ave. Walk-
ins 2-7 p.m. For appointments other hours, call
Gaithersburg at 301-300-9978.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker Health. D.C.:
9 a.m.-6 p.m. At the Max Robinson Center, 2301
MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 202-745-7000,
whitman-walker.org.
PRIME TIMERS OF DC, social club for mature gay
men, hosts weekly happy hour/dinner. 6:30 p.m.,
Windows Bar above Dupont Italian Kitchen, 1637
17th St. NW. Carl, 703-573-8316; or Bill,
703-671-2454.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7
BOOKMEN DC, informal mens gay-literature
group, discusses Tinderbox: How the West Sparked
the AIDS Epidemic and How the World Can Finally
Overcome It by Craig Timberg and Daniel Halperin.
7:30 p.m. Tenleytown Library, 4450 Wisconsin Ave.
NW. All welcome. bookmendc.blogspot.com. l
15
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LGBTOpinion
SO WHILE I
was driving my
nephew back to
Falls Church for a
weekend visit, we
were having a con-
versation about
the experience of
8th grade. This is
a fraught topic for
me, as I remember my last year of
middle school as one of the most miser-
able times of my life. Its hard for me to
imagine anyone enjoying that cesspit of
hormones, casual cruelty and teenage
social Darwinism.
Yes, I have a tendency to project a bit.
Fortunately, my nephew appears
to be having the opposite experience,
making new friends and generally
growing into his newly minted, 13-year-
old teen self. Remembering how dif-
cult it was to break out of social circles
at that age, I asked him how he was
managing to do that, for which he had a
simple answer: Every group of friends
needs an Asian.
On the surface, that seems like a
fairly cute and innocent answer from a
Vietnamese-American kid in a Pennsyl-
vania middle school where out of a few
hundred classmates only 10 or so others
are Asian. I even posted the quote on
Facebook without tagging my neph-
ew, because while I may be brazen in
mining my personal life for material,
Im not cruel where it got some nods
of recognition from Asian friends, plus
white friends telling their Asian friend,
Look, see, thats you!
The problem was the reasoning my
nephew gave me: On TV, groups of
friends will sometimes have one Asian
friend (if any at all). And that Asian
friend is generally tasked with comic
relief and stereotyped behavior that
fullls the set list of items that make
up our modern television-writing for-
mula. Hence, every group of friends
needs an Asian.
I really have a problem with my
nephew having that as a template for
his social skills.
It reminds me of my childhood,
when TVs gay characters were fam-
ily jokes (Jodie on Soap), risqu trag-
edies (the various Stevens on Dynasty),
or perverted objects of pity or hatred
(everything else). When you dont t
the prevailing narrative conception of
normal, television can be an inadver-
tently poisonous inuence.
I realize Ive inured myself to this
because not only do I not watch much
TV these days, I married into an Asian
family. I live right smack in the middle
of Northern Virginias huge Vietnamese
community, an area which also happens
to be heavily Latino. To be the only
white guy in the room I have to stay at
home in my ofce with the door closed.
Im generally dismissive of the idea
of counting gay or minority characters
on TV because its less about the num-
ber of characters than it is about what
those characters are doing, the same as
it doesnt matter how many Asians and
Latinos and African-Americans you live
around if you dont interact with any
of them. Yes, numbers are important
because you have to get the characters
on the screen before you can start rais-
ing questions about what theyre actu-
ally doing, but thats all it is, a start.
I have no obvious solution to the
problem. I cant airlift an infusion of
Asian students into my nephews school.
I cant wave a wand and give him a fully
inclusive media where Asians are more
than martial-arts bad guys and where
Asian actors are actually cast in Asian
roles. I can encourage his love of anime,
partly because I share it, partly because
it opens up a lot of Asian culture. And I
got him hooked on K-pop, so hes aware
that Asians are part of the worlds music
culture. Thank God for the Internet.
My nephew is an extroverted and
energetic kid and I expect hell be just ne,
regardless of my own fears. I just want
everyone to remember that your Asian
friend is neither your comic relief nor your
badge of diversity. My nephew will grow
up to be a man, not an accessory. l
Asian, Party of One
Like it does with gays, TV too often makes Asians fash-
ion-accessory friends rather than actual characters
by Sean Bugg
Asian, Party of One
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HE MAY HAVE CATAPULTED TO FAME
for her standup when she was barely old enough to drink, but
Margaret Cho has shown no signs of slowing. Her 20-year-plus
career has taken her from comedy stages, to TV starting with
her own short-lived yet groundbreaking All-American Girl to
movies to activism to burlesque to books to dancing with stars.
On and on and on.
While the rides not necessarily been pleasant every step of
the way, Cho has held on tight. Today, shes continuing with the
Mother tour she launched in September 2012.
Its probably my edgiest show to date, lled with riotous
observations on race, drugs, sexuality gay-straight-everything
in between, celebrity, culture, politics nothing is sacred, Cho
says of the show in the promotional notes.
But its not a nonstop tour. Cho has to make time for her role
as Teri Lee on Lifetimes Drop Dead Diva, produced in Atlanta.
Im there probably four to ve months a year, which is prob-
ably the most I am anywhere, Cho says of Atlanta. Its very
progressive and very queer. And Southern so Im learning
about that, too.
She already knows Californias version of Southern, where
the San Francisco native and her husband are ultimately based
no kids, two dogs.
Theyre so sweet, she gushes of her mostly Chihuahua
and Australian shepherd mutts. I think rescue dogs are really
special. And mutts are really special. They really are grateful
theyve been rescued. Thats the best. I think animals are awe-
some.
That big heart was on display in Washington as recently as
July 2012 when Cho emceed the Keep the Promise rally ahead
of the giant XIX International AIDS Conference. Shell be a little
less activist and bit more riotous, however, when she returns to
D.C. Nov. 9, bringing her Mother tour to the Warner Theatre.
People have to come, Cho insists, speaking by phone from
a tour date in Austin, Texas. Its going to be a lot of fun and Im
really looking forward to it.
No doubt quite a few Washingtonians particularly the
gay are looking forward to it, too.
METRO WEEKLY: Looking at the tour, at Mother, I was advised
to ask you about the content. I heard the material doesnt actu-
ally include much about your mother, one of the hallmarks of a
Margaret Cho performance. So, whats the theme? Is it like, the
mother of all tours?
MARGARET CHO: She is in this show, but its always different. Its
also kind of feeling like being the mother superior to my group
of gay friends, too, because Im the oldest, the one with the most
experience. You get to a level of like when youve kind of been
around the gay community for a long time, and youve been a fag
hag for a long time, youre like the mother fag hag. And thats
kind of what this show is, too.
There are a lot of different things, but I think thats probably
what I was really thinking about. Its like, Were going to go see
Mother. Its an identity. Ive also talked a lot about my mother
in the past. The show changes from day to day, too, depending
on whats going on. Its also kind of the identity, this point Ive
reached in my life.
MW: That context, mother, reminds me of interviews Ive read
where you compare good occasions like a great audience or a
wonderful collaboration to being like family. But beyond your
parents, as youve included them in your material, I have no idea
what kind of family you have. What is family to you?
CHO: To me, its more about people I grew up with. A lot of peo-
ple in the gay community that were working for my dad in the
70s and 80s in San Francisco, the extended family they built.
Being in San Francisco during very traumatic, very insane times,
then through AIDS, through this devastation where people grew
very close.
Family means a lot of things. It doesnt necessarily mean
blood relations. It goes into the much deeper search for fam-
ily that I think is always happening within the gay community,
because a lot of people get cast out of their family and then create
their own families. That is a very beautiful thing, and a very nat-
ural thing to happen within the gay community. Its something
that Ive always done.
There are always strong relationships in terms of family
in Asian culture, but for me it goes beyond that. There were
denitely a lot of people who taught me who I was going to be:
very tattooed, riding motorcycles and being an artist. Theres
a lot more to it than just my Asian upbringing and my Korean
upbringing. It goes beyond that.
MW: As that sort of mother superior to chosen family, how young
is that family?
CHO: Probably the younger ones are in their early 20s. Theres
also the impetus of when you see gay kids around, you always
want to kind of acknowledge their presence which I talk about
in the show as being an important theme, as a gay adult having
survived bullying, having survived all the stuff that I know every
gay kid goes through, no matter what.
Its a very important thing to acknowledge our youth and
to parent them in the sense that were all part of this family,
whether or not we actually are involved in their lives. We have
to acknowledge we are family, and that thats a really good thing.
MW: We just had GLAADs Spirit Day to counter bullying. Did you
wear purple in support?
CHO: Yes! I think its such a great thing to do. Its great to
acknowledge this idea that we can nd a way to protect kids.
Theres also the It Gets Better campaign and all that Dan Savage
does. Its a great thing to participate in.
MW: You mentioned you were bullied. I didnt know that.
CHO: For me, it was mostly a reason to become an adult. I became
a comedian very early on because I wanted to get out of the
powerlessness of being a kid and being around other kids. The
feeling you have of, Ive got to get out of being a child so that
I can somehow get control over the situation. I think this is
almost inevitable for people who are different, in any situation.
But certainly for queers its very tough.
MW: Would you consider parenthood yourself?
CHO: Yeah. Its always a possibility. Im a little bit older now, so I
dont know, physically, if I would do it. Ive never had that much
trust in my own body to be able to let go in the way that preg-
nancy really needs. Thats always been something thats very
scary to me. But its always possible. I dont know. I feel like we
can feed that impulse and still be maternal towards the world, be
kind of a mother gure for everyone, which is a great thing to do.
MW: Youre kind of reminding me of Annie Sprinkle.
S
CHO: Its very Annie Sprinkle. Its very god-
dess-y.
MW: Another bit of family, I want to ask about
your marriage, because youve described it as
very conventional, but also very unconven-
tional. Whats your marriage like?
CHO: Were just very close. Were denitely
family. We dont have a feeling of, like, we
have to be monogamous and we have to be
exclusive. But, at the same time, thats sort of
what it ends up being.
When you have those freedoms in place,
when you have that philosophy in place, it
almost never really gets utilized or exercised
or whatever. It ends up like I dont even care.
I have everything I need. Its funny. Its like
you have the freedom to do whatever you
want, but it doesnt really matter, because
you just sort of want to stay home. At least in
my experience.
MW: That reminds me of when I stopped smok-
ing. If it was forbidden, Id xate. But as long
as Im simply choosing not to smoke at nearly
any given time, no big deal.
CHO: Yeah. Its like dieting, too. When youre
saying, Im only going to eat this, and then
you start to get really freaked out because
you cant have certain things. It becomes
obsessive. But if you allow yourself to kind
of have whatever, it ends up kind of balanc-
ing out.
MW: That goes back to your experience with
All-American Girl. Youve said that after the
show was canceled, with all you were put
through, you had a difcult time with drugs
and alcohol. How did you navigate that?
CHO: There was identity, too. Trying to gure
out, What am I supposed to do? You put a
lot of importance on the way other people
or an entity, like a studio or a network can
validate your work, and its really more about
what we can do, what we can communicate.
That was more important for me to gure out, that I didnt need
an entity to validate what I did. I didnt need somebody else to
say that it was good. I had to nd that within myself.
MW: But with substance abuse, specically, how did you deal with
that?
CHO: I had denite phases of being super self-destructive. But
I always found food to be way more difcult either bulimia
or anorexia than substances or drinking. But you go through
these programs for sobriety and you nd out what your core
issue is. This is where I felt my problems were, mainly that if
I was drinking or doing drugs, it was mainly so that I could not
eat. Or so that I could eat. Or something. So that I could control
hunger.
Everybodys got their own issues. Gambling or shopping or
whatever. Theres sort of an addictive thing that happens to
everyone. Its a very difcult thing to deal with. Happens a lot in
your 20s, for a lot of people.
MW: So, you can go for a beer after a show, for example?
CHO: Oh, totally. Of course. There are all these different paths to
ecstasy. Thats certainly a journey on its own.
MW: Have you sort of channeled that energy into your many proj-
ects?
CHO: You hope to channel some of that into
something else. Maybe its just being more
productive, taking all that energy and put-
ting it into creating. But Im sure that there
are things I denitely need to address. Im
kind of not in any idea of staying away from
things. Im trying to be moderate as much as
I can. Its easier to achieve as I get older.
MW: Have you achieved balance?
CHO: Im trying to get to balance. Im trying to
get to peace. Maybe thats through work or
art or something but thats the goal.
MW: Mentioning beer has me thinking of the
beer garden that just opened in my neighbor-
hood, and that they were offering free beers to
furloughed employees during the shutdown.
Youre also very political. Did the shutdown
grab your attention?
CHO: Oh, my God. I dont understand what
it means, exactly. Especially because things
seemed to be going so well for LGBT rights.
This is a good time to shut down? I dont get
the shutdown. It seemed so weird.
MW: Where are you putting your political
attention these days?
CHO: Its always going to be with different
LGBT causes. Im looking at the community
and how we can do things for the BT part.
The bisexual and transgender parts of the
LGBT are often overlooked. I really hope
that we can pay more attention. Thats a
great place to start. I would like to see more,
especially for transgender youth.
MW: Its fair to say youre bisexual, right?
Have you experienced biphobia? Or gay people
who want to dismiss the T?
CHO: Thats right, Im bisexual. And, yeah, its
disturbing and its weird and I see it all the
time. Its something we denitely need to
deal with. It is almost like a family struggle,
and needs to be dealt with sensitively.
MW: Looking beyond the U.S., do you tour much outside the coun-
try?
CHO: I do! Im actually going to Europe to tour all these different
countries I havent been to. Norway, Switzerland. Thats going
to happen in December. Im doing more international touring,
which is great.
MW: Have you been following whats going on in Russia? The call
to boycott the Olympics?
CHO: You want to nd a way to make it easier for the LGBT com-
munity that lives there, to help them have a voice, to have them
feel that the world cares about them. It would be great to play for
the community there.
MW: It might be dangerous. Your material might get you arrested.
The law is so vague.
CHO: But you think because youre coming as sort of an ambas-
sador of goodwill that would protect you to some extent, because
they do seem to be concerned about their image to the point of
looking at the world, wanting to be a world power, having the
Olympics. But if you want to be that, you have to have human
rights, you have to have civil rights.
MW: So, at this stage in your life, 44, youre taking on some new
When youve
kind of been
around the gay
community for
a long time,
and youve
been a fag
hag for a long
time, YOURE
LIKE THE
MOTHER
FAG HAG.
travels. What else is fueling your interest?
CHO: I try to be creative, to write and make music and grow. I
try to do things that are inspiring. There is a lot to learn about.
Thats a big journey.
MW: Is it okay to lose some edge as you age? Is this the stage
where you get a gig writing a travel log for some high-end lifestyle
magazine?
CHO: It certainly depends on the kind of person you are. I think it
would be fun to do all of it. The most political thing for me would
be to be the most mainstream, because that would be sort of a
different choice. There are a lot of different ways to be and grow
and be political and do your thing. But it would be fun to do that,
too, to do the vanilla thing.
MW: Okay, well have a spa day!
CHO: Yes! [Laughs.]
MW: Do you have any unrealized dreams? Hoping to climb Mount
Kilimanjaro, maybe?
CHO: I dont know. Maybe something like that. But I dont do well
with altitude.
I think its more like mastering at this point. Getting better
at things Ive started, like being a musician or a writer. You just
want to excel at it, and that takes a lifetime.
MW: Would your close friends consider you a perfectionist?
CHO: I think so. I try to be. That is something you have to work
on, too, because it doesnt have to be perfect. Its about letting go
of it, knowing when its done.
MW: That sounds like the sort of advice you might be giving in that
mother superior role you described. What else do you tell these
people looking up to you?
CHO: That if its really painful, its probably teaching you some-
thing. That nothing is easy. If its hurting, thats probably point-
ing to a bigger lesson.
Thats something thats always stuck with me: If something is
really hard, then its always more valuable. Its the better choice,
no matter what it is. I think thats the best lesson, the best
thing Ive understood. The other one is that the only way out is
through. Thats sort of the same thing. Those are the things that
I think are really valuable.
MW: Not to take the easy way?
CHO: And that you cant, really. There is no easy way. And thats
okay. Its okay that its hard. Its okay that its painful. Its actu-
ally ne. Everything is ne. Its a good thing.
MW: Im not going translate that to mean youre a masochist. Or
a sadist.
CHO: No! [Laughs.] Its actually more complicated. In some vast
way, its much more about, like, if you really put your mind
toward something, you really want to go through something,
you really have to go through it. You cant just skate through it
or coast through it. You really have to do it.
MW: Do you have mentors of your own whove given you guidance?
CHO: There are lots of different ones. Joan Rivers, certainly, is a
mentor, a role model, in terms of work and kindness. Shes great.
My mother, certainly, and my father. There are lots of different
people that I look to. Im lucky to have them in my life.
MW: You mentioned kindness. I can see that your line of work
demands talent and tenacity. I dont see it demanding kindness. Do
you see much of that, though?
CHO: I see a lot of kindness in people who are really successful. I
see a lot of it in people I really admire. Yeah, theres a lot of that.
And a lot of generosity, too. Theres more at work than talent and
tenacity. In the people you want to be like, to emulate, theres a
lot more there than anybody realizes.
MW: Is there any secret to your own success?
CHO: I just like it. Theres a level of enjoyment. It has to be fulll-
ing. Thats a feeling I have a lot. I really like it. It doesnt feel like
work, or whatever we perceive as work. Its really just a genu-
inely great, fun thing to do.
MW: Even without an audience, like in a studio with just a couple
people, you still look like youre having a good time.
CHO: Thats the fulllment. Thats what keeps me at it. I just have
fun. Thats a major part of it. Its got to be enjoyable.
MW: You once told me President Obama is
a fan. Any chance youll drop by the White
House while youre here?
CHO: Maybe. [Laughs.] Id love to. Well see.
That would be good.
MW: Before I let you go, I need advice. Im
celebrating my 45th birthday in San Fran-
cisco Pride weekend. Ive never been there.
Any recommendation?
CHO: The best thing might be the Power
Exchange. Ive not been there myself, but
its supposedly a sex club thats like ve
oors and each oor is like a different
sexual identity. I bet that would be really
good on Pride weekend.
MW: I am planning on booking the tour at
The Armory [adult-lm studio].
CHO: Oh, God, yeah. Ive spent a lot of time there. Thats a good
one. Its really amazing. I dont know how much they show the
public on the tours, but you can build these relationships with
the people that run it and its pretty extraordinary. Its a little bit
much for me. [Laughs.] But if youre down with it, theres lots
of different stuff. I think its a good idea. I think youre right on
track there!
MW: Theres no question your hearts still in San Francisco?
CHO: For sure! Always. I love it there. I have a lot of friends there,
at The Armory and beyond.
MW: Okay, Im going to drop your name.
CHO: Youll get in in a big way if you tell them youre with me, if
you tell em I sent ya.
MW: Last question, because I know hes a hero of yours. Harvey
Milk stamp pretty cool?
CHO: Very cool! Very, very cool. Its a great thing. Im sure he
wants you to lick it.
Margaret Cho brings her Mother tour to the Warner Theatre, 513
13th St. NW, Saturday, Nov. 9, at 8 p.m. Tickets, $26. 50 to $53, are
available by calling 202-783-4000 or online at
warnertheatredc.com. l
THE BISEXUAL AND
TRANSGENDER PARTS OF THE
LGBT ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED.
I really hope that we can pay more
attention. Thats a great
place to start.
OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 7, 2013
SPOTLIGHT
ANI DIFRANCO, MELISSA FERRICK
A generations favorite and most influential
female folk-rocker, Ani DiFranco returns to the
area for a show with a fellow female folk-rock
powerhouse, Melissa Ferrick. The repeat Capital
Pride performers last set, 2011s stirring Still Right
Here, even featured a guest turn by DiFranco. And
then theres the concerts rst opening act, the odd-
man-out Buddy Wakeeld, a two-time Individual
World Poetry Slam Champion and part of DiFrancos
Righteous Babe Records family. Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Doors at 7 p.m. Nightclub 9:30, 815 V St. NW. Tickets
are $40. Call 202-265-0930 or visit 930.com. Also
visit 930.com/friends to sign up for the clubs new
Friends With Benets rewards program offering
exclusive deals and discounts on tickets, drinks and
merchandise.
BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR
Abdellatif Kechiches intimate French drama about
young lesbians earned an NC-17 rating from the
MPAA, and not without reason: A New York Times
review says the lm features a minutes-long sex
sequence that is longer and more literal than
anything you are likely to encounter outside of
pornography. But that critic, A.O. Scott, also called
the lm glorious and at this years Cannes
festival, the jurors took the unprecedented step
of awarding the Palm DOr to Kechiche and his
two lead actresses, Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea
Seydoux, a testament to their work in tandem. Opens
Friday, Nov. 1. Area theaters. Visit fandango.com.
IN THE FOREST, SHE GREW FANGS
Daring theater company the Washington Rogues,
a Capital Fringe Festival favorite, offers its rst
full-scale production outside of Fringe, courtesy of
CulturalDC. Local playwright Stephen Spotswoods
stunning new thriller In The Forest, She Grew
Fangs is an adaptation of the Little Red Riding Hood
story, born out of a Twitter conversation between
Spotswood and the Rogues Artistic Director Ryan
S. Taylor and inspired by recent bullying tragedies
and efforts such as the It Gets Better Project. Megan
Graves and Jenny Donovan play troubled high
school students in this otherwise adult-themed play
that is not recommended for children. Closes this
Sunday, Nov. 3. Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint, 916
G St. NW. Tickets are $15. Call 202-315-1310 or visit
ashpointdc.org or washingtonrogues.org.
SARAH LEE GUTHRIE AND JOHNNY IRION
The daughter of Arlo and granddaughter of Woody
is married to the grandnephew of author John
Steinbeck and together Sarah Lee Guthrie and
Johnny Irion make beautiful Southern rock music
together, in life and in concert. During a local
performance at the Mansion on O Street, guests
can explore the venues O Street Museum of art and
memorabilia, including 60 signed guitars. Thursday,
Oct. 31. Doors at 5:30 p.m. The O Street Museum, the
Mansion on O Street, 2020 O St. NW. Tickets are
$10, online reservations required. Visit omuseum.org.
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BEEFED-UP BALLET
TWBs Giselle puts its male dancers front and center
M
EN IN TIGHTS. SEPTIME WEBRE LAUGHS AFTER HE SAYS
that, the rst thing that springs to mind when asked whats gay about
The Washington Ballets production of Giselle. But Webre is not, in
fact, kidding. As the companys artistic director, Webre has actually increased the
ballets homoerotic appeal.
It was created at a time when men were very much in the background in bal-
let, and they didnt dance very much, he explains about Giselle, rst produced in
Paris in 1841. But Webre has tweaked the ballet, in part, to better showcase his
companys strengths. Weve got this amazingly strong cadre of male dancers,
he says. So we beefed up the dancing for the men in Act 1. The Washington Bal-
lets production also features four casts rotating in the principal roles.
Giselle centers on the dramatic tale of a weak-hearted young dancer who dies
after learning that the man she loves is engaged to another. In the second act, the
title character comes back from the dead and cavorts with men-killing vampire
women called the Wilis. Theres a whole other-worldliness and gothic aspect
to Giselle thats really timely right now, Webre says.
Giselle was the rst traditional ballet Webre presented with The Washington
Ballet. Its a kind of return to home base, says Webre, adding that its only a
temporary return. After the holiday run of The Nutcracker, the company offers
the mixed dance programs The Jazz/Blues Project and British Invasion: The
Beatles & The Rolling Stones.
Says Webre: In the winter and spring, we return to a sense of adventure.
Doug Rule
The Washington Ballets Giselle runs through Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Kennedy
Center Eisenhower Theater. Tickets are $25 to $125. Call 202-467-4600 or visit
kennedy-center.org.
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SOLANGE
Though late last years True wasnt as stirring as the
2009 set Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams, the
EP did prove that Beyoncs little sister Solange is as
quirky as she looks and sounds. You just never know
in what direction shell go next on record from
old-school soul to 80s R&B, say and shes every
bit as dynamic live. Though at least the last time
she was in town, for the Sweetlife Festival this past
spring at Merriweather Post Pavilion, she displayed
typical Knowles family charisma. Saturday, Nov. 2, at
8 p.m. Lisner Auditorium, The George Washington
University, 730 21st St. NW. Tickets are $20 to $35.
Call 202-994-6851 or visit lisner.org.
THE IRREPRESSIBLES
This 10-piece chamber-pop band from London led
by gay singer-composer Jamie McDermott tours
with a multimedia show in support of the new album
Nude. McDermotts quirky voice and the bands
theatrical music may remind you of Antony and the
Johnsons or even Sigur Ros, and the bands mission
is billed as breaking boundaries and being honest
about being gay in music. Sunday, Nov. 3, at 8 p.m.
Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Tickets
are $15 in advance, or $18 at the door. Call 202-399-
7993 or visit atlasarts.org.
FILM
DIANA
Naomi Watts stars as the ill-fated Princess of Wales
in Oliver Hirschbiegels biopic set during the nal
two years of Princess Dianas life, detailing her
divorce from Prince Charles and her clandestine
affair with Pakistani heart surgeon Hansat Khan.
The lm was inspired by Kate Snells intimate
biography Diana: Her Last Love. Opens Friday, Nov.
1. Area theaters. Visit fandango.com.
KILL YOUR DARLINGS
Daniel Radcliffe, Elizabeth Olsen, Dane DeHaan and
Michael C. Hall star in this retelling of the bloody
origins of the Beat poets. John Krokidass Kill Your
Darlings is another Sundance hit, which got rave
reviews for its complex performances. Opens Friday,
Nov. 1. Area theaters. Visit fandango.com.
STAGE
36 VIEWS
Constellation Theatre Company offers this intricate,
intelligent drama about the impossible search for
the truth by Naomi Iizuka that involves a Japanese
pillow book that may or may not be ancient, and
the search for authenticity provokes an erotic game
of hide-and-seek among six ambitious individuals.
Allison Arkell Stockman directs the show. To Nov.
24. Source, 1835 14th St. NW. Tickets are $45. Call
202-204-7760 or visit constellationtheatre.org.
APPROPRIATE
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company presents
Branden Jacobs-Jenkinss audacious comic drama
in which the estranged members of a family return to
Arkansas, and their crumbling old plantation home,
to settle the accounts of their recently deceased
patriarch. Of course, while there theyll discover
a gruesome relic leading to a family secret. Liesl
Tommy directs. Opens in previews Monday, Nov. 4,
at 8 p.m. To Dec. 1. Woolly Mammoth, 641 D St. NW.
Tickets range from $35 to $72.50. Call 202-393-3939
or visit woollymammoth.net.
CABARET MACABRE
Happenstance Theater returns to Round House
Silver Spring with what has become an annual
Halloween tradition. Now in its fourth year, Cabaret
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RECKONING BALL
Mount Moriahs Heather McEntire nds healing after coming out
H
EATHER MCENTIRE HAS A SWEET, PRISTINE VOICE THAT
recalls country antecedents, from Alison Krauss to Dolly Parton. Yet
McEntire was essentially an adult before anyone ever got to hear it.
I was very shy as a kid and as a teenager, explains the western North
Carolina native who leads the country-tinged rock band Mount Moriah as a
singer and guitarist. I didnt really start singing until I was 18. Even in church
I would just kind of mouth the words. And church was about the only place
McEntire heard music of any kind, outside of the country music that was
always on at her grandparents house. My family didnt listen to music at all
growing up. My mom really likes the silence, she says. It wasnt until college
that McEntire got into indie and alternative rock, and realized she could put
her creative-writing passion to use as a songwriter.
You can hear all those inuences on Mount Moriah, a band started by
guitarist Jenks Miller, McEntires longtime best friend. The music is often
austere and pensive, and effectively conjures thoughts and images of the rural
South though from a progressive perspective. For example, the bands self-
titled 2011 debut, particularly the song Reckoning, discusses McEntires
struggle of coming out to her family. Mama dry your eyes, forget about the
re, McEntire sings. Look how my face smiles and shines. Can you learn to
know your child?
That was really scary for me, to write so autobiographical, she says, but
I needed to be very direct in that way about my sexuality. McEntire describes
her parents coming to accept her and her sexuality as a process.
My parents came from this small town. They worked for Billy Grahams
tele-ministry, she explains. Theyre opening their minds and their hearts,
taking baby steps.
In fact, after coming out, there was a period in which McEntires parents
werent in her life. But now? Theres been a lot of healing, she says, before
adding theyre probably my biggest fans. Its really sweet my dad watches
all the videos, and they come to shows. Doug Rule
Mount Moriah opens for Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside Friday, Nov. 1. Doors
at 7 p.m. Rock and Roll Hotel, 1353 H St. NE. Tickets are $14.
Call 202-388-ROCK or visit rockandrollhoteldc.com.
Macabre features melodramatic music played
live and a stitched-together Gothic romance
think Edward Gorey and Victorian nightmares
performed by local actors including Mark Jaster,
Sabrina Mandell, Alex Vernon and Gwen Grastorf.
To Nov. 10. Round House Theatre-Silver Spring,
8641 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. Tickets are $20.
Call 240-644-1100 or visit roundhousetheatre.org.
DANCE OF THE HOLY GHOSTS
Baltimores Center Stage offers a production of
Marcus Gardleys acclaimed play, a poetic family
drama set in the key of the blues and focused on a
reunion between a blues man grandfather and his
estranged grandson. To Nov. 17. Center Stage, 700
North Calvert St., Baltimore. Call 410-986-4000 or
visit centerstage.org.
GEES BEND
MetroStage taps Thomas W. Jones II once again
to direct and choreograph a bio-musical rooted in
the African-American tradition and once again
William Hubbard and William Knowles are in
charge of the music. This time, the focus is on the
gospel music that the women of the Pettway family
in Gees Bend, Ala., would sing as they made quilts
during the segregation and Civil Rights eras as a
way to deepen a sense of community and comfort.
The quilts, a labor both of love and necessity, ended
up becoming valuable works of art. Closes this
Sunday, Nov. 3. MetroStage, 1201 North Royal St.,
Alexandria. Tickets are $50 to $55. Call 800-494-
8497 or visit metrostage.org.
LOVE IN AFGHANISTAN
Arena Stage presents this world premiere drama
from Charles Randolph-Wright about an Afghan
interpreter and a hip-hop artist who nd improbably
nd love amidst war. Lucie Tiberghien directs. To
Nov. 17. Kogod Cradle at the Mead Center for
American Theater, 1101 6th St. SW. Tickets are $40
to $105. Call 202-488-3300 or visit arenastage.org.
PRIDE IN THE FALLS OF AUTREY MILL
Michael Kahn directs Christine Lahti in this
drama about the toxic qualities of suburbia, a
world premiere from Paul Downs Colaizzo, who
created quite a sensation with his last show at
Signature, 2012s Really Really. Shakespeare Theatre
Companys Michael Kahn, who just made a splash
directing Studio Theatres Torch Song Trilogy, hopes
for a repeat directing this show at Signature. To Dec.
8. Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington.
Call 703-820-9771 or visit signature-theatre.org.
ROMEO AND JULIET
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Folgers Romeo and Juliet is a dark, despairing
descent into fair Verona, featuring a workmanlike
set by Meghan Raham that doesnt even allow for a
true, grand Juliet balcony in the Capulet household.
And then theres Laree Lentzs mostly drab costumes
for the characters to wear, certainly for the plays
two leads. Seriously, theres not much to look at here.
At least theres nothing drab in the acting on display
to say nothing of Shakespeares patently great way
with words and wordplay. Both Michael Goldsmith
as a hyper-charged Romeo and Erin Weaver as a
determined Juliet win you over as the tragedys
star-crossed lovers, while Signature Theatre star
Sherri L. Edelen steals the show as the sweet, sassy,
say-it-like-it-is Nurse. To Dec. 1. Folger Theatre, 201
East Capitol St. SE. Tickets are $30 to $72. Call 202-
544-7077 or visit folger.edu. (Doug Rule)
SISTER ACT
The Kennedy Center offers a run during the national
tour of this crowd-pleasing musical based on the hit
33 METROWEEKLY.COM OCTOBER 31, 2013 33 METROWEEKLY.COM OCTOBER 31, 2013
lm and featuring original music by Alan Menken
(Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors).
TaRea Campbell takes on the Whoopi Goldberg-
popularized lead role, while the role of uptight
Mother Superior goes to Hollis Resnik, who you may
remember from her Helen Hayes Award-winning
tour-de-force turn as the Old Lady in Shakespeare
Theatre Companys Candide a few seasons back. To
Nov. 10. Kennedy Center Opera House. Tickets are
$39 to $125. Call 202-467-4600 or visit
kennedy-center.org.
THE ARGUMENT
Theater J offers a production of Alexandra Gersten-
Vassilaross play about a 40-something couple
whose relationship is rocked by pregnancy and its
corollary, abortion. Susan Rome, James Whalen and
Jefferson A. Russell star in a production led by Shirley
Serotsky. To Nov. 24. The Aaron & Cecile Goldman
Theater, Washington, D.C.s Jewish Community
Center, 1529 16th St. NW. Tickets are $30 to $55. Call
202-518-9400 or visit washingtondcjcc.org.
THE NIGHT WATCHER
Two-time Obie Award winner and Tony Award
nominee Charlayne Woodard performs her rich
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and powerful one-woman show on motherhood
something that has technically escaped the actress.
This Studio Theatre production is directed by Bart
DeLorenzo. To Nov. 17. Studio Theatre, 1501 14th
St. NW. Tickets are $39 to $59. Call 202-332-3300 or
visit studiotheatre.org.
THIS
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At the heart of Melissa James Gibsons This is two
college friends played at Round House by Lise
Bruneau and Felicia Curry whove stayed besties in
the decades since, but whose relationship is becoming
increasingly tested by the demands and distractions
of parenthood, as well as the recent loss of one of
the womens husband. A third college pal is the gay
best friend, who naturally provides comic relief
and good counsel and at least in the hands of
Michael Glenn, youre actually charmed, not annoyed,
at a stock supporting character that has otherwise
become a tiring trope. Gibson has a dazzling way with
language and wordplay, and the show always remains
entertaining. That is particularly the case as performed
on James Kronzers signature carousel set, spinning
us from one scene to the next with its many moving
parts as if This is a kind of theatrical amusement-park
ride. And, ultimately, at Round House it is. Closes this
Sunday, Nov. 3. Round House Theatre, 4545 East-
West Highway, Bethesda. Call 240-644-1100 or visit
roundhousetheatre.org. (Doug Rule)
MUSIC
COLIN MELOY, ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER
The lead singer and songwriter for the Portland, Ore.-
based, hyper-literate folk band The Decemberists
stops through D.C. as part of a 10-city solo tour.
Colin Meloy will perform songs from throughout
his career, and based on the 2008 Colin Meloy Sings
Live! solo recording, he performs a solo show as if
leading a campre, calling on fans to sing along with
him, whether its to Down By The Water from
The Decemeberists or Dreams by Fleetwood Mac.
Maybe the concert opener, the Fiery Furnacess
Eleanor Friedberger, will join in on the act. Tuesday,
Nov. 5. Doors at 7 p.m. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St.
NW. Tickets are $35. Call 202-328-6000 or visit
thelincolndc.com.
HOLY GHOST!, MIDNIGHT MAGIC
After opening for New Order a few months ago at
Merriweather Post Pavilion and a couple months
BROADWAY BABY
Melissa Errico brings her musical passions to
Wolf Trap
T
HE NEW YORK TIMES ONCE REFERRED TO
soprano Melissa Errico as one of the most valu-
able assets of the musical theater. Yet New York-
native Errico acknowledges she hasnt been one of its most
visible assets. I havent been double blessed with huge hit
shows that really dene my career, she says, but I have
things that I feel appreciative of.
Among them: Stephen Sondheim selecting Errico to
co-star in the 2002 production of Sunday in the Park with
George at the Kennedy Center; starring in the failed 2001
musical Dracula, which Errico laughingly calls the piece
de resistance of bombs, as Broadway bombs go; her 2003
Tony nomination for Best Actress in the musical Amour;
and her breakout role on Broadway starring in the 1993
revival of My Fair Lady.
My career kind of started with a bang really, and My
Fair Lady is probably what Im best known for, she says.
And that sort of began a lifelong association with the
legend of Julie Andrews. Errico has taken on other roles
originated by Andrews, including productions of Camelot
and The Sound of Music at the Hollywood Bowl.
Errico, who has regularly appeared in small roles on
television and in lm, will next appear as a recurring char-
acter on Steven Soderbergh and Clive Owens series The
Knick, set to debut on Cinemax in February.
But its musical theater thats Erricos passion, which
is partly why her upcoming cabaret show at the Barns at
Wolf Trap is titled A Passion for Broadway. The cabaret
will feature a wide range of music, but the focus is on the music of Stephen Sondheim. Errico starred in last springs off-
Broadway hit revival of the Sondheim-James Lapine musical Passion, earning her further critical acclaim.
I will be performing one song from Passion, Errico says, while teasing, Its a surprise though. It will not be the song
you think of. Doug Rule
Melissa Errico performs Saturday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m. The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna. Tickets are $40 to $42.
Call 877-WOLFTRAP or visit wolftrap.org.
before that at Merriweathers Sweetlife Festival
Holy Ghost! returns to the region to make sure
any and all lovers of new wave rock/synth-pop
get hip to them. The band is part of Brooklyns hip
electronic/rock label DFA Records, co-founded by
James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem, whose dance-
rock sound Holy Ghost! furthers. When the band
stops at the 9:30 Club, one opening act is Midnight
Magic, another DFA-afliated act which is helping
revive the notion of a live disco/funk band. Friday,
Nov. 1. Doors at 11 p.m. Nightclub 9:30, 815 V St.
NW. Tickets are $20. Call 202-265-0930 or visit 930.
com. Also visit 930.com/friends to sign up for the
clubs new Friends With Benets rewards program
offering exclusive deals and discounts on tickets,
drinks and merchandise.
JASON MORAN AND THE BANDWAGON
Jazz pianist Jason Moran, the artistic advisor for
jazz at the Kennedy Center, leads his trailblazing trio
The Bandwagon featuring bassist Tarus Mateen and
drummer Nasheet Waits. Saturday, Nov. 9, at 7:30
p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Kennedy Center Terrace Gallery.
Tickets are $26 to $30. Call 202-467-4600 or visit
kennedy-center.org.
LUCIE ARNAZ
Next up getting the spotlight as part of Broadway
legend Barbara Cooks cabaret series at the Kennedy
Center is Lucie Arnaz, who made her Broadway
debut in 1979 with Theyre Playing Our Song and has
appeared in many stage shows around the country
since. Name sounds familiar right? It should: Its a
merger of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, since Lucie
Arnaz is, in fact, Lucy and Desis daughter. Friday,
Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m. Kennedy Center Opera House.
Remaining tickets are $45. Call 202-467-4600 or
visit kennedy-center.org.
MAVIS STAPLES
Ill Take You There all right: The legendary R&B
and gospel singer Mavis Staples, who got her start
with the family group the Staple Singers and helped
soundtrack the civil rights movement, comes to
town in her debut performance at the University
of Maryland Clarice Smith Center. Friday, Nov. 8,
at 8 p.m. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Centers
Ina and Jack Kay Theatre, University of Maryland,
University Boulevard and Stadium Drive, College
Park. Tickets are $50. Call 301-405-ARTS or visit
claricesmithcenter.umd.edu.
THE FOUR BITCHIN BABES
Founded by Christine Lavin and counting Patty
Larkin and Julie Gold among its alumnus, this
folky cabaret group returns for its annual show
at the Birchmere, where the band recorded its
rst album. This time around, the funny foursome
Sally Fingerett, Deirdre Flint, Debi Smith and
Marcy Marxer offer a show based on its recent
recording Mid Life Vices. Saturday, Nov. 9, at 7:30
p.m. The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave.,
Alexandria. Tickets are $35. Call 703-549-7500 or
visit birchmere.com.
THE WASHINGTON CHORUS
Led by Julian Wachner, the celebrated Washington
Chorus opens its 53rd season with a performance
of Benjamin Brittens War Requiem, a reprise of a
concert that garnered the company a Grammy for
Best Choral Performance in 2000. The Childrens
Chorus of Washington plus soloists Jessica
Muirhead, Vale Rideout and Christopher Burchett
lend their voices to this monumental masterpiece.
Sunday, Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m. Kennedy Center Concert
Hall. Remaining tickets are $15 to $70. Call 202-467-
4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
DANCE
DAVID DORFMAN DANCE
Veteran choreographer David Dorfman and company
perform Come, and Back Again, an exploration of
vulnerability, mortality and the virtuosity required
to live daily life. Five dancers will be accompanied
by a live, ve-piece, rock-oriented band performing
onstage with choreographer Dorfman both
dancing and playing saxophone. Friday, Nov. 1, and
Saturday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m. Clarice Smith Performing
Arts Centers Ina and Jack Kay Theatre, University
of Maryland, University Boulevard and Stadium
Drive, College Park. Tickets are $35. Call 301-405-
ARTS or visit claricesmithcenter.umd.edu.
LUIS BRAVOS FOREVER TANGO
A few months after yet another run on Broadway, the
ery spectacle known as Luis Bravos Forever Tango
stops at Strathmore to explore the history of tango
with an all-Argentine cast of 14, accompanied by an
11-piece orchestra. Thursday, Nov. 7, at 8 p.m. Music
Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North
Bethesda. Tickets are $36 to $78. Call 301-581-5100
or visit strathmore.org.
SILK ROAD DANCE COMPANY
This Maryland-based dance company offers a
hometown show, an evening Gala Dance Concert
after a day of dance workshops as part of the Silk
Road Dance Festival. Including international
guest artists, the program features rare dance
traditions from Iran and several stans: Uzbekistan,
Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. Saturday,
Nov. 9, at 8 p.m. Joes Movement Emporium, 3309
Bunker Hill Road, Mount Rainier, Md. Tickets are
$20 in advance or $25 at the door. Call 301-699-1819
or visit joesmovement.org or silkroaddance.com.
SUSAN MARSHALL & COMPANY
Play/Pause is a new work from this New York-
based company blending virtuoso athleticism,
ordinary movement and gesture as well as high
art with a YouTube-crazed pop culture. The evening
features live music performed by the electric guitar
quartet Dither and originally composed by Pulitzer
Prize winner David Lang. Remaining performance
Thursday, Oct. 31, at 7:30 p.m. Kennedy Center
Terrace Theater. Tickets are $36. Call 202-467-4600
or visit kennedy-center.org.
THE SUZANNE FARRELL BALLET
The world-renowned, Kennedy Center-based
company of George Balanchines most celebrated
muse returns with two mixed repertory programs,
including company premieres Romeo and Juliet, with
choreography by Paul Mejia set to Tchaikovskys
Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture, and Balanchines
Pas de Dix. The Kennedy Center Opera House
Orchestra accompanies. Opens Wednesday, Nov. 6,
at 7:30 p.m. To Sunday, Nov. 10. Kennedy Center
Eisenhower Theater. Tickets are $29 to $84. Call
202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.
THE WASHINGTON BALLET
With Giselle, gay artistic director Septime Webre
presents one of his all-time favorite classical ballets,
which has inspired generations of dancers in its tale
of a young peasant girl who has a passion for dancing
but dies of a broken heart. Music by Adolphe Adam.
Remaining performances Thursday, Oct. 31, through
Saturday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m. Also Saturday, Nov.
2, at 1:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 3, at 1:30 and 6:30
p.m. Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater. Tickets
are $25 to $125. Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-
center.org.
events throughout its run. Through June. National Geographic Museum, 1145
17th St. NW. Tickets are $11. Call 202-857-7588 or visit ngmuseum.org.
CREATING THE IDEAL HOME, 1800-1939
Housed in the same building as Constitution Hall, the D.A.R. Museum offers a
new exhibit exploring the evolution of household comfort and conveniences, and
how American inventors patented all sorts of laborsaving and leisure-providing
home devices, from the vacuum and the washing machine to the telephone and
television. Through Aug. 30, 2014. D.A.R. Museum, 1776 D St. NW. Admission is
free. Call 202-879-3241 or visit dar.org/museum.
DC CONSPIRACY: COMICS MAKING STUDIO
Members of the comics-creating collaborative DC Conspiracy have onsite
working hours, where they draw art intended for the Spring 2014 edition of Magic
Bullet, a free, semi-annual local comics newspaper. Closes this Sunday, Nov. 3.
Works in Progress Gallery at Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Call 703-
875-1100 or visit artisphere.com.
DISCONNECT
Disconnect is an all-media, juried exhibition examining how the development of
new technologies and social media has caused a shift in how people relate to and
interact with one another. Closes this Sunday, Nov. 3. Torpedo Factory Art Center,
105 North Union St., Alexandria. Call 703-838-4565 or visit torpedofactory.org.
GENOME: UNLOCKING LIFES CODE
Thanks to the work of the decade-long, $3 billion Human Genome Project, human
society has gained much greater insight into our bodies and our health. Scientists
have identied genes that contribute to disease, stoking hope for ways to treat or
eradicate cancer among many other ailments. This new Smithsonian exhibition,
which will travel the country later next year, explores the work and growth in
sequencing technology that helped spark this medical and scientic revolution.
Through September 2014. National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and
Constitution Avenue NW. Call 202-633-1000 or visit mnh.si.edu.
GRAND PROCESSION: DOLLS FROM THE DIKER COLLECTION
Grand Procession: Dolls from the Charles and Valerie Diker Collection features
the work of ve female artists from Plains and Plateau tribes. The exhibition
includes 23 colorful and meticulously detailed dolls originally created as both toys
and teaching tools in their communities. Through Jan. 5, 2014. National Museum
of the American Indian, Independence Avenue and 4th Street SW. Call 202-633-
1000 or visit nmai.si.edu.
HATS OFF TO DR. SEUSS!
P&C Art Galleries in Old Town offers a stop for the national touring exhibition
of the fantastical private hat collection of, as well as additional secret art pieces
created by, Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known to everyone as Dr. Seuss. Hats Off
to Dr. Seuss! is part of a celebration in honor of the 75th anniversary of Dr. Seusss
second book The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. Opening reception Saturday,
Nov. 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. On exhibit through Nov. 18. P&C Art Galleries, 212 King
St., Alexandria. Call 703-549-2525 or visit pcart.com or drseussart.com.
HISTORY IN THE MAKING: 100 YEARS AFTER THE ARMORY SHOW
New Yorks controversial 1913 Armory Show, the rst major modern art exhibition
in the U.S., was controversial, but among other things it had a transformative
effect on this museums namesake founder, reected by the acquisitions Duncan
Phillips made in the decades afterward. Through Dec. 1. The Phillips Collection,
1600 21st St. NW. Tickets are included in museum admission, which costs $12.
Call 202-387-2151, ext. 247, or visit phillipscollection.org.
HUMAN, SOUL & MACHINE: THE COMING SINGULARITY!
Baltimores American Visionary Art Museum opens its 19th original thematic
yearlong exhibition this weekend. Human, Soul & Machine is a playful examination
of the serious impact of technology on our lives, as seen through the eyes of more
than 40 artists, futurists and inventors in a hot-wired blend of art, science, humor
and imagination. Through August 2014. American Visionary Art Museum, 800
Key Highway, Baltimore. Call 410-244-1900 or visit avam.org.
JOHN F. SIMON JR.: POINTS, LINES AND COLORS IN SUCCESSION
As part of its Intersections series, the Phillips Collection presents in its house
stairwell John F. Simon Jr.s four-part installation, which incorporates drawing,
software and computer-generated fabrication, all inspired by the progression of
movement in the natural world. Through Feb. 9. The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st
St. NW. Tickets are $12. Call 202-387-2151, ext. 247, or visit phillipscollection.org.
LIVING ARTFULLY: AT HOME WITH MARJORIE MERRIWEATHER POST
Living Artfully transports visitors to Marjorie Posts grand estates of the 1950s
and 1960s through multimedia presentations, audio tours, jewelry and apparel
displays, and decorative art and furniture collections. Through Jan. 12. Hillwood
Museum, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW. Tickets are $15. Call 202-686-5807 or visit
HillwoodMuseum.org.
COMEDY
JON LOVITZ
The Saturday Night Live alum and character actor, known for Big and A League of
Their Own, returns to Arlington for another weekend run of his standup. Friday,
Nov. 8, and Saturday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Arlington Cinema N Drafthouse,
2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington. Tickets are $30. Call 703-486-2345 or visit
arlingtondrafthouse.com.
TONY ROCK
Chris Rocks younger brother is a regular on the standup comedy circuit.
Thursday, Oct. 31, through Sunday, Nov. 3, at 8 p.m. Also Friday, Nov. 1, and
Saturday, Nov. 2, at 10:30 p.m. DC Improv, 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW. Tickets
are $17 to $20. Call 202-296-7008 or visit dcimprov.com.
GALLERIES
A DEMOCRACY OF IMAGES
A Democracy of Images offers a survey of photography in America, tracing its
evolution from a purely documentary medium to a full-edged artistic genre.
The exhibit marks the 30th anniversary of the museums pioneering photography
collection, and its title was inspired by Walt Whitman, who believed that the
then-young art form matched the democratic spirit of America. Through Jan. 5.
Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1st Floor West, 8th and F Streets NW. Free.
Call 202-633-1000 or visit americanart.si.edu.
A NEW AGE OF EXPLORATION: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC AT 125
As part of an organization-wide toast to the rst 125 years, the National
Geographic Museum offers a visual and interactive exhibition celebrating modern
exploration by featuring some of the most iconic moments from the institution
and its bedrock magazine. Entered through an archway made of hundreds of
issues of National Geographic magazine, the exhibition in the complexs 17th
Street gallery features the work of National Geographic explorers, photographers,
scientists and journalists everyone from Jacques Cousteau to James Cameron
and is sponsored by GEICO, with the North Face a sponsor of giveaways and
MAKE SOME NOISE: STUDENTS AND THE CIVIL
RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Pegged to the 50th anniversary of the March on
Washington and just one of several exhibitions at the
Newseum marking the occasion, Make Some Noise:
Students and the Civil Rights Movement explores
the new generation of student leaders that emerged
in the 1960s to ght segregation and ght for civil
rights. John Lewis, now a U.S. representative from
Georgia, and Julian Bond, a former chair of the
NAACP, are among the leaders highlighted here.
Through 2015. Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave.
NW. Tickets are $21.95 for general admission. Call
888-NEWSEUM or visit newseum.org.
NOT ALONE: THE POWER OF RESPONSE
Subtitled Letters of Support to the Parents of
Matthew Shepard Following His Murder, this special
Fords Theatre exhibit featuring a selection of the
nearly 10,000 cards and letters sent to Judy and
Dennis Shepard after their gay son was murdered,
considering the larger themes of empathy,
community response and personal responsibility.
Part of Fords Lincoln Legacy Project and running
in conjunction with its great stage production of
The Laramie Project. Extended to Dec. 8. Leadership
Gallery at Fords Theatres Center for Education and
Leadership, 514 10th St. NW. Call 800-982-2787 or
visit fordstheatre.org.
ONE LIFE: MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
One Life: Martin Luther King Jr. features historic
photographs, prints, paintings and memorabilia,
mostly drawn from the National Portrait Gallerys
extensive collection, tracing the trajectory of Kings
career. Through June 1. National Portrait Gallery,
8th and F Streets. NW. Call 202-633-8300 or visit
npg.si.edu.
OVERDRIVE:
L.A. CONSTRUCTS THE FUTURE, 1940-1990
Organized by L.A.s J. Paul Getty Museum, this
exhibition traces the citys transformation into
an internationally recognized destination with its
own design vocabulary, canonized landmarks and
coveted way of life. Through March 10. National
Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Tickets are $8. Call
202-272-2448 or visit nbm.org.
PALACES FOR THE PEOPLE
Palaces for the People: Guastavino and Americas
Great Public Spaces pays tribute to Rafael
Guastavino Sr., arguably one of the most inuential
architectural craftsmen working in America a century
ago, designing tiles in New Yorks Grand Central
Terminal, the Baird Auditorium of the National
Museum of Natural History and the Washington
National Cathedral, among other venues. Through
Jan. 20. National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW.
Call 202-272-2448 or visit nbm.org.
SHUNGABOY:
DC PAINTINGS AND OTHER WORKS
A New York artist of Japanese ancestry, Shungaboy
coined his name in homage to the centuries-old
Japanese erotic-art genre known as shunga.
Shungaboy presents a collection of his male
gurative drawings done as part of the Make
Sketch Sessions at D.C.s gay-owned, male-nude-
focused Vitruvian Gallery, as well as others from
similar drawing groups in New York and Colorado.
Through Nov. 16. Vitruvian Fine Arts Gallery, 734
7th St. SE, 2nd Floor. Suggested donation of $5. Visit
vitruviangallery.com. l
FOR MORE OUT ON THE TOWN LISTINGS
PLEASE VISIT
WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM
40
W
HEN IT COMES TO LINDA BLOODWORTH-THOMASON, AN AUTO-
matic association is comedy granted, often socially aware comedy
like her hit show Designing Women. The tragedy is a bit further in
the back, but its denitely there and it most certainly played a part in
dening who she is today.
The same year Designing Women debuted, 1986, Bloodworth-Thomasons mother
along with many gay men was dying in a Los Angeles AIDS ward, having contracted HIV
from a blood transfusion. Bloodworth-Thomason was by her side.
What shocked me was the prejudice and ignorance I saw when my mother had AIDS,
she shares. That was my rst experience of knowing what it might be like to be gay. We
were treated so abysmally. I thought this is what it must feel like to be gay, to feel this
shunned and rejected. I couldnt get a funeral home to take my beautiful mother. I never
forgot it.
That experience became the basis for an iconic episode of Designing Women, Killing
All the Right People, drawn from a comment made to her in a hallway of that hospital.
Bloodworth-Thomason speaks freely about the homophobia and bigotry she encountered
those decades ago, and hopes her new project, also born of tragedy, can strike another
blow against some of that hate. That new project is her rst full-length documentary,
Bridegroom, the evolution of a 10-minute YouTube video made by Shane Bitney Crone
after the accidental death in 2011 of his anc, Tom Bridegroom.
While the power of that video, It Could Happen To You with more than 4 million
views, so much footage of two young men obviously in love, the devastating heartache of
Bridegrooms death and then his familys effort to block Crone from the funeral alone
wouldve been enough to draw in Bloodworth-Thomason, it also so happened the three
shared a social connection.
I met Shane and Tom at a wedding a few years earlier, she explains. They were seated
next to me. Tom was a Designing Women fan, so we struck up a big conversation. They were
so charming, really very memorable. It was so clear they were so in love.
When she heard the news that the charming man shed met had died falling from
Linda Bloodworth-Thomason documents death, discrimination and
love with Bridegroom
Bridegroom: Tom Bridegroom (L) and Shane Bitney Crone
Tragic Tale
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a roof while photographing a
friend, it was upsetting. Then she
saw Crones sorrowful video and
decided the two should talk.
That Shane had been treated
so shabbily by Toms family, I
found so distressing. Then I saw
the video and it just made me so
angry. I called him and said, Why
dont you come in?
In the process of nding
a direction to expand on what
Crone had begun on YouTube,
Bloodworth-Thomason found
that Crone had a huge amount of
personal footage, a habit begun
during his youth as a small-town,
Midwestern, closeted youth, often
using his computers camera as a
sort of confessional. The result of
their collaboration, with Blood-
worth-Thomason producing and
directing, is Bridegroom, intro-
duced in April at the Tribeca Film
Festival by Bloodworth-Thoma-
sons friend Bill Clinton and win-
ning the Audience Award for Best
Documentary.
What I really wanted to do
was show people exactly what it
is theyve been opposing, Blood-
worth-Thomason says of Bride-
groom and those opposed to mar-
riage equality. Theres no ques-
tion the law is going to change
on same-sex marriage, in our
favor, in the favor of gay people,
but there are just so many nega-
tive images and stereotypes out
there. We had the Civil Rights
Act in 1968 and that changed the
law, but Guess Whos Coming to
Dinner and then Roots and then
The Cosby Show and Oprah, thats
what really changed people. My
hope is that Bridegroom can take
a place in that pantheon of lms
that made a difference.
Id rather have Tom than this
lm, but there is no better rep-
resentative than Tom to stand in
for all the people who want to get
married. I felt this was an even
bigger platform for us to stand up
to the hatred that was aimed at
my mother.
Bridegroom is available as
streaming video on Netlx at
netix.com. l
42
T
HE CROSSOVER IS SOMETHING OF AN ANOMALY. IT CANT BEAT A
full-size SUV in space or off-road ability, it cant touch a minivan for versatility,
and it cant match a normal hatch on fuel economy. It is, however, a hybrid in the
most literal of terms an amalgamation of these car types into something that
supposedly represents the best of everything. But does it? Can a jack-of-all-trades truly be
a master of anything? The sales gures and proliferation of models across every marque
would seem to suggest yes, so I hit the streets in two crossovers that aim to offer all of the
above and a little more sporty luxury is the name of the game, here. I tested Cadillacs
SRX and Mercedes-Benzs GLK350 across two separate weekends to see if these upmarket
crossovers could cut it on the cutthroat streets of downtown D.C., the open highway, the
shopping mall car park and, shamefully, a couple of fast-food drive-thrus.
First up was Cadillacs SRX, which tackled a night out at the Kennedy Center, 240 miles
of driving to Kings Dominion and Six Flags America, and a grocery run. Picking it up from
Hertz at the Washington Hilton, it immediately captivated. Cadillacs current design DNA
runs deep in the SRX, with bold, LED headlights and taillights, angular curves and a squat,
beefy stance, tempered by swathes of chrome and lighting details, such as small LEDs in
the side vents, which add a nice visual drama at night.
Climb inside, over the illuminated doorsills, and the interior will likely surprise you. Ca-
dillacs all-touch center stack is a pretty incredible sight to behold, with no visible buttons
and a piano-black fascia broken up by silver strips. These guide you to the touch sensitive
areas that activate certain functions, and the theme carries through to the touch-sensitive
screen, which controls the majority of the infotainment system through Cadillacs CUE
interface. It feels incredibly futuristic, the screen and dash both providing a subtle, vibrat-
ing feedback when touched, but it sadly cant hold up to use during driving. The system is
too unintuitive to use condently without looking for extended periods, and is occasionally
plagued by extreme lag the otherwise excellent satellite navigation system seems the
worst culprit here. CUE is very much form over function, but its a really exciting form that
needs further development.
Where the Cadillac shines
is in making you feel like youre
in a much more expensive car.
Whether attending a show at the
Kennedy Center, with the lights
bouncing off of its glossy black ex-
terior and bright chrome alloys, or
pulling into a Kings Dominion car
park and sliding in among sedans
and SUVs, the SRX manages to
look like a car twice its price. That
feeling extends to the highway
drive, where the soft suspension,
quiet cabin and excellent Bose ste-
reo dispatch the miles with ease.
An editor and I drove to Kings
Dominion and Six Flags over two
days, and the SRXs soft seats cos-
seted our roller-coaster-bruised
behinds as effortlessly as the 308
horsepower V6 dispatched with
overtaking. Theres even more for
the slightly geeky among us as, un-
der the instrument dials, there are
three digital screens that can be
congured on-the-y to display
trip, navigation or audio info in a
myriad of combinations I loved
this addition, and it adds extra
cool factor to the stylish interior.
Where the Cadillac falters
somewhat is in the city, despite
some nice touches aimed at im-
proving practicality. With space
for ve and a big trunk, the SRX
is a practical car, and the prox-
imity sensors, rear-view camera
and blind-spot warning system
combine with the weighty-but-
easy steering to make parking and
merging with trafc a cinch. These
systems are needed though, as the
SRXs styling leads to some pretty
dangerous blind spots and visibil-
ity problems around the car. And,
as nice as the steering is, the SRX is
very American in the way it tackles
corners, even with Cadillacs sporty
pretensions the soft suspension
that soaks up bumps and cracks in
the road pitches and wallows more
than youd expect when presented
with a fast off-ramp or sprightly
corner. Show the SRX a heavy right
foot, or take it into the city and nd
yourself in trafc, and youll also
experience the downside of its V6
engine fuel economy is middling
at best, unless youre steadily cruis-
ing on the highway.
All told, it was tough to give
the Cadillac back at the end of our
long weekend together. Its style,
luxurious nature and plethora of
equipment outshone the limita-
tions of the CUE system and its
While Cadillacs SRX aims for the luxury market, Mercedes GLK350
bests it with a drive that beats some sedans
Sleek in silver: Cadillac SRX
Crossing Over

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disappointing handling and fuel economy.
It also impacted the Mercedes-Benz
GLK350, my next car. Walking up to the
Hertz counter once more, the GLK was
much less remarkable on rst impres-
sion. A sporty yet squat, boxy crossover,
Mercedes has eschewed the sharp look
of the ML- and GL-Class SUVs, and in-
stead aimed for pure aggression. It cer-
tainly works, but next to the Cadillac it
looks decidedly less rened almost
awkward, even.
Step inside, and the Mercs cabin is sim-
ilarly underwhelming on rst impression.
Its classic Mercedes, with lots of wood,
aluminum air vents and a restrained cen-
ter console, with the COMAND rotary dial
control and touch screen. The seats, too,
feel rmer than the SRXs and took longer
to adjust to a comfortable driving posi-
tion, though offered greater adjustability
for both the seat and steering wheel. Once
you grip the wheel and shift it into drive,
however, its an entirely different beast.
Starting with that leather-coated
wheel, which is suitably chunky and feels
great in the hand, the GLK is a much sport-
ier car. The electronic, 7-speed gear shift-
er is mounted on the wheel and, combined
with paddle shifters for manually chang-
ing gear, makes for a much easier and
more engaging solution to the SRXs tra-
ditional dash-mounted shifter. The GLKs
pedals are similarly more involving, with
an immediate throttle response and much
sharper brakes than the Cadillac. Take it
into the city, and the rm-yet-supple sus-
pension soaks up the worst bumps, keep-
ing the Merc composed over all surfaces.
I took the GLK for a run through Rock
Creek Park and into Maryland, the tight
bends and twisty roads letting the GLKs
sharp chassis shine its night and day
compared to the SRX, with the GLK of-
fering a condent, composed ride, which,
combined with nicely weighted steering,
inspires the condence to tackle corners
and off-ramps at much higher speeds than
is probably advised. The GLKs all-wheel
drive helped here, an optional extra not
tted to the SRX.
The following day I drove to Baltimore,
and the GLK continued to bury its way
into my heart as I buried the gas pedal into
the oor. On the highway, its 302 horse-
power V6 proved even sprightlier than
the Cadillacs, pulling faster and harder
when overtaking and allowing for better
acceleration across all gears. Those seven
gears also let the GLK settle into a near-
silent cruise, something that cant be said
for the SRXs six-gear setup. Aside from
some wind noise at speed and road noise
over harsh surfaces, its blissfully quiet,
aided by a bassy audio system that made
any music I threw at it shine.
That drive also aided in my appreci-
ating the interior more than on rst im-
44
A
FTER 15 YEARS AND
ve installments, Game
Freak has released a
sixth edition to the
Pokmon canon of games that
originated with Red/Blue and nds
itself present today in Pokmon
X/Y. As with past entries, much
of the formula will be familiar to
series regulars, but X/Y also adds
a plethora of fresh content to keep
fans and newbies alike excited. X/Y
is technically two separate games,
and for the completionists among
you both are a necessary purchase,
as each offers unique Pokmon
to capture and exclusive items to
tempt your exploratory side.
Wait, you may be thinking,
Isnt Pokmon for kids? Well,
Im a mid-20s college graduate,
and Im still captivated by Pok-
mon. Im not alone, either dont
let the cutesy, cartoon appearance
fool you, Pokmon is a hands-on,
full-bore RPG that manages to
be both technical and competi-
tive, and can appeal to kids and
adults alike. Small wonder its one
of Nintendos most lucrative and
successful properties.
Pokmon X/Ys premise is sim-
ilar to many of its predecessors.
You begin as a nobody, explore
your region and capture many and
varied Pokmon, training them
and battling gym leaders to test
your strength. These mini-battles
lead to the nal boss battles, in-
volving the Elite Four. Defeat
them, and you become Pokmon
master and, really, who doesnt
want that as their title? Okay, so
the narrative is pretty much co-
py-and-pasted from past install-
ments, with the odd divergent
side story tacked on along the way
though these all become pretty
forgettable. The setup is that your
character has recently moved to
the Kalos region and within days
has established a nemesis in your
JULIAN VANKIM
neighbor, met several forgettable
friends and gained your rst Pok-
mon. Moving is so stressful.
From there, you meet a pro-
fessor who sets you the task of
traveling the area, capturing and
documenting the various Pok-
mon you encounter. This plotline
eventually focuses on befriend-
ing your archrival, the mysteri-
ous properties of Mega Evolution,
and an evil organization called
Team Flare and their desire to
steal powerful Pokmon and any
valuable resources, using both to
destroy the world and recreate
it to their liking. Kalos region re-
ally isnt looking like such a great
move anymore.
Thats pretty much where the
story ends, with its linear format
grinding to a halt once the Elite
Four are encountered and de-
feated. Following your victory,
though, is the meat and bones
of Pokmon X/Y. After the nal
battle, the entire world opens up,
allowing you to make your own
story. You can choose to focus on
capturing every Pokmon and ll-
ing your Pokedex which collects
data on every Pokmon you cap-
ture or encounter or training
your Pokmon and taking them
online to battle competitively.
Pokmons gameplay is stan-
dard turn-based RPG fare, with
you and your opponent taking
turns attacking one another or
boosting your own stats. Stan-
dard as it is, Pokmon makes the
most of its system with incred-
ible depth. You can only carry six
Pokmon at any time, so strategy
is key. Each Pokmon takes turns
battling, similar to Final Fantasy
and other JRPGs, and the speed of
individual Pokmon determines
which goes rst. Battling is rela-
tively straightforward, with each
Pokmon utilizing four moves
to attack, defend, boost or lower
stats or even add passives that last
for a couple of rounds.
The strategy aspect furthers the
depth of each battle. Each Pok-
mon has a specic type Water,
Grass, Dark, Fighting, etc. with
each type stronger against one and
weaker against another. Fire, for in-
stance, is strong against Grass but
vulnerable to Water. Their attacks
follow similar types, with Fire at-
tacks doing more damage to a Grass
Pokmon and so on. In total, there
are 18 types, including a new Fairy
type that is strong against Dragons
GAMEFACE
Its immensely pleasurable to see just how far Pokmon has evolved
since its 8-bit origins on the Game Boy
If you catch it, its yours: Pokmon
POKEMON X/Y
HHHHH
Nintendo
$39.99 (each)
Nintendo 3DS
pokemonxy.com
Battle Tested
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pression. Its a well-made, spacious cabin,
though somewhat drab when compared
with the SRX. Logically laid-out, its ro-
tary dial and touchscreen make for a more
intuitive system than Cadillacs CUE, and
every surface is soft-touch, suitably dense
and betting of its luxury crossover status.
As nicely screwed together as the inte-
rior of the GLK is, though, it cant touch
the Cadillac for the amount of equip-
ment included as standard. Our SRX, as
provided by Hertz, came in Luxury trim,
and with satellite navigation and chrome
nish alloys costs around $46,000. The
GLK comes in one trim, but to bring it up
to the same level of specication as the
SRX leather seats, illuminated door
sills, rear-view camera, parking sensors,
sat nav, voice control, blind spot assist and
more would bring its total to $49,000, or
$51,000 with the 4MATIC all-wheel drive
system included on our car. It was by no
means lacking, but in direct comparison
to the SRX, Mercedes miserly standard
equipment feels slightly insulting at this
price bracket.
Returning from Baltimore and navigat-
ing the streets of D.C., though, the GLK
shrugged off equipment inadequacies and
further outshone the SRX. Here, its start-
stop system kicked in at lights, turning
the engine off when the brake is pressed
and the vehicle has fully stopped. Its an
excellent idea and works well in practice,
with the engine taking as long as it took
to move a foot from brake to gas pedal to
switch back on. The savings bore fruit in
GEARS continued from page 43
but vulnerable to Steel.
Battling, and knowing your strengths
and limitations therein, is essential when
playing Pokmon, particularly online. If an
opponent uses a type strong against yours,
you must decide whether to use a differ-
ent Pokmon to counter, or go for the kill
and risk defeat. The same logic carries to
every battle, whether online, NPC or with
random Pokmon met in the wild. Wild
encounters add an extra layer you can
either defeat the Pokmon for experience
points, or leave them in a critical state and
capture them. Not all Pokmon are easily
captured, but if youre successful they can
be raised, trained and used for battles in
future or, you can devote your time to
simply collecting them all. Pokmon are
cooler than stamps, after all.
Following a battle, should you be victo-
rious, your Pokmon will gain experience
points. These points in turn level your
Pokmon, enabling them to learn better
moves or evolve into more advanced ver-
sions of themselves. While many Pok-
mon can evolve up to three times, some
are restricted and several cant evolve at
all. Following this, a new addition to X/Y
is Mega Evolution. These are temporary
evolution states, usable in battle and
again not all Pokmon have access to them
which allow Pokmon to change form,
boosting stats or learning new abilities,
helping to change the balance of power in
a ght. The downside here is that, while
impressive in theory, the reality is more of
a cosmetic gimmick and its limited by its
once-per-battle use. Its a nice change of
pace in the middle of a ght, but its an un-
necessary one.
Thats not the only aw in Pokmon
X/Y. While graphics are signicantly im-
proved this time around, the new content
is very much hit or miss, with many addi-
tions feeling pointless. Pokmon-Amie is
a Tamagotchi-esque addition that allows
players to interact with their Pokmon,
petting them, feeding them cake and play-
ing games. Cute and initially endearing,
but ultimately redundant despite the mi-
nor bonuses it grants players during bat-
tles. All of the new content has impacted
frame rate, too, which often slows down
animations during intense battles and
when there are a lot of items on-screen.
Find yourself in a battle with a Fire Pok-
mon, whose body is partially engulfed in
moving ames, and an Avian, which will
continuously ap its wings, and the fast-
paced battle will grind to a slow crawl. Its
not a constant problem, but when it occurs
its noticeably distracting. That said, the
graphics are, for the most part, gorgeous.
Utilizing the power of the 3DS, for the rst
time in the series Pokmon are rendered
in full 3D models. For someone used to 2D
sprites, it adds a whole new layer.
Difculty settings can also produce
some irks. This is the biggest disappoint-
ment youll encounter in Pokmon X/Y.
Let me preface this by saying that Pok-
mon games dont place a great focus on dif-
culty. Catching Pokmon, training them
for battle, exploring the world that was
always the main focus. However, Id be re-
miss if I didnt say I craved some additional
difculty or challenge when battling other
characters in-game. Halfway through X/Y
it became clear that the games designers
are still stuck in the youth-oriented mind-
set associated with Pokmon this is most
evident in the battles with each gym lead-
er, where, if youre playing properly, your
Pokmon will likely already be maxed out
and you can easily win without breaking a
sweat. I want to see the designers bake in a
difculty setting so that experienced play-
ers can make the game harder and offer
more of a challenge. Thats not to say that
the whole game is a cakewalk. Training
Pokmon is an impressive challenge that
requires time and effort to raise the stats
and prowess of each individual Pokmon.
This can be furthered by breeding Pok-
mon, choosing compatible parents and
balancing character traits to produce the
ultimate ghter. Still, if the resulting battle
is so easy, why bother?
Quibbles aside, Pokmon is still a game
that you can sink countless hours into.
Replay value is very strong, as the need to
see and capture every Pokmon remains
as addictive as it has ever been. There
are more than 700 Pokmon in total, so
youre going to be here a while. That ad-
diction is hard to describe, but every time
a Pokmon would pop up on-screen, I felt
a burning need to capture it, train it and
make it my own.
This obsession can then carry you
through to the online portion of the game,
where Pokmon can be traded with other
gamers, allowing everyone to expand their
collections through a sort of Pokmon-
based le-sharing system. Not all Pok-
mon are available in-game, so the incen-
tive to go online and actively participate
in the trading system is there for those
desperate to ll their collections. Those
collected Pokmon will pay dividends in
the backbone of Pokmon X/Y online
battles. A way to demonstrate your skill at
training and ghting, online tournaments,
rankings and additional training options
help cement player-versus-player combat
as the true time-sink of Pokmon. You can
lose hours training, ghting and collecting,
then training and ghting again as you at-
tempt to increase your world ranking. Its
also a great measure of your current skill.
I frequently lost battles, seeing each loss as
a reason to further train and advance my
Pokmon. Its seriously habit-forming.
Really, thats why I love Pokmon so
much. Graphics and story and glitches
aside, the core gameplay and the attach-
ment I form to my Pokmon are what
keep me returning for more. I started with
nothing and was given a Pokmon by my
in-game friends. My choice? The Frog, of
course, because frogs are cool. From there,
I was let loose into a world of monsters to
ght, capture and add to my roster. With
over 700 potential Pokmon it makes it
that much harder to distill it down to the
six you are limited to carrying. On my trav-
els, I changed my setup at least four times.
After 15 years, its immensely plea-
surable to see just how far Pokmon
has evolved since its 8-bit origins on the
Game Boy. Playing Pokmon X/Y invoked
a heady sense of nostalgia as old favorites
shone in their new 3D skins, vibrant colors
and (mostly) smooth animations bringing
them to life in my hands. This latest install-
ment is testament to the longevity of the
Pokmon series, its success among gam-
ers, old and new, proving that theres still
room for the series to evolve further. Dont
be put off by its young audience, dont be
distracted by its cutesy look or cartoon-
ish graphics. Pick up a 3DS and dive into
a complex world of strategy that will sink
into your subconscious and leave you hun-
gry for more. Pokmon has evolved, and
its time you joined the ght. l
terms of fuel economy, with the GLK, de-
spite having four-wheel-drive, returning
better fuel economy than the SRX around
town. Its boxy shape makes it much easier
to park, too, despite our car lacking elec-
tronic aids.
Even the Mercs styling grew on us
during the four days I had it. Its aggressive
stance may not be as luxurious as the Ca-
dillacs, but its distinctive, and the smaller
details, such as the trapezoidal exhausts,
began to stand out. Any reservations with
its looks, though, melt away when you
drive it it really is so surprisingly ca-
pable. Handing it back to Hertz was, if
anything, harder than with the Cadillac.
The classy interior, the sporty styling, the
excellent drive and the comfortable ride
had won me over, despite initially tenta-
tive impressions.
Ultimately, could we recommend ei-
ther over standard SUVs or smaller cars?
Yes. Unequivocally. Even in a city as busy
to drive in and with as limited parking as
D.C., both cars tackled the streets with
aplomb, never feeling unwieldy. Out on
the freeway, both offer a relaxing, hushed
drive. Both have distinctive styling and
well-made interiors. Both are practical
and spacious, with room for ve adults
and their luggage.
The Cadillac SRX is clearly aiming
for a more luxurious market. Its angular,
detailed design and tech-heavy interior
evoke a sensation that cars twice its price
struggle to achieve. Though average han-
dling, middling fuel economy and the oc-
casionally frustrating CUE interface ham-
per it in this comparison, the SRX is an
excellent crossover.
The Mercedes, while not as sexy as the
Caddy, is a grower, its boxy styling and
sporty intentions gradually winning you
over. Its sedate interior is more intuitive
and higher-quality than the SRX and it
drives with greater composure than many
sedans. Combined with surprisingly good
fuel economy and the savage acceleration
of its V6, its the winner of this compari-
son. Park next to an SRX, with its hand-
some exterior and futuristic interior, and
the GLK wont feel as special on the sur-
face the Cadillac is the glitzier car. Get in
and drive home though, and youll know
youve made the right choice. The GLK is
a great crossover, but its not just limited
to that. SUV, minivan, hatchback, even
sporty sedan the GLK does it all.
Our thanks go to Hertz, who provided both
cars for review. The GLK and SRX are
available as part of Hertzs Prestige Col-
lection, a range of luxury SUVs, crossovers,
sedans, coupes and convertibles available
nationwide. If youre considering renting on
your next vacation, we thoroughly recom-
mend the Prestige Collection. It makes any
trip, either business or leisure, that much
more memorable. n
NIGHT
LIFE
49 METROWEEKLY.COM
M
THURSDAY, 10.31.13
9 1/2
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm Multiple
TVs showing movies,
shows, games, football on
Sundays Expanded craft
beer selection No cover
ANNIES/ANNIES
UPSTAIRS
4@4 Happy Hour,
4pm-7pm $4 Small
Plates, $4 Stella Artois,
$4 House Wines, $4
Stolichnaya Cocktails, $4
Manhattans and Vodka
Martinis
COBALT
Midnight Costume Contest
with Sasha and BaNaka
1st $750, 2nd $150 +
$50 Gift Card, 3rd $100 +
$50 Gift Card DJ Sean
Morris, DJ MadScience
$5 Cover
DC EAGLE
3-Way Thursdays Bring
Your Buddies when two
friends buy drinks, yours
are free, rail or domestic
Join D.C.s newest
Rugby Team Club Bar:
DC Scandals, with Jello
Shots and BOGO Draughts
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm
Karaoke, 9pm
GREEN LANTERN
Shirtless Men Drink Free,
10-11pm
JR.S
$3 Rail Vodka Highballs,
$2 JR.s drafts, 8pm to
close Top Pop Night
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Beat The Clock Happy
Hour $2 (5-6pm), $3
(6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm)
Buckets of Beer $15
Drag Bingo
LISTINGS
50
Somebody get this man a passport. Coverboy Brian wants to travel the world,
but the 22-year-old, originally from Hagerstown, Md., hasnt strayed far from the
D.C. metro area. Now in Alexandria, Brian works in retail by day and dances at
Ziegfelds/Secrets at night. Because of his packed weekly schedule, he spends
more of his free time napping than going out, though he manages an occasional
outing to Cobalt and JR.s on Mondays and DIK Bar on Tuesdays. As for his secret
to staying in shape, Brian says he doesnt work out at all, possibly making his
rough-around-the-edges persona even more intriguing to would-be Romeos.
51
Photography by
Julian Vankim
ANNIES
4@4 Happy Hour, 4-7pm
$4 Small Plates, $4 Stella
Artois, $4 House Wines,
$4 Stolichnaya Cocktails,
$4 Manhattans and Vodka
Martinis Upstairs open
5-11pm
DC BEAR CRUE
@Town Bear Happy
Hour, 6-11pm $3 Rail,
$3 Draft, $3 Bud Bottles
Free Pizza, 7pm Hosted
by Charger Stone No
cover before 9:30pm 21+
DC EAGLE
DC Eagle Welcomes Otter
Crossing New Happy
Hour Specials, $2 off
regular prices, 4-9pm
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm
Karaoke, 9pm
NUMBER NINE
drink, 5-9pm No Cover
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All male, nude dancers
Shirtless Thursday
DJ Tim E in Secrets DJ
Joey O in Ziegfelds
$500 Prize Doors 9pm
Cover 21+
FRIDAY, 11.01.13
9 1/2
Open at 5pm Happy
Hour: 2 for 1 on any drink,
5-9pm Friday Night
Videos with resident
DJ Shea Van Horn VJ
Expanded craft beer
selection No cover
JR.S
Buy 1, Get 1,
11pm-midnight Happy
Hour: 2-for-1, 4-9pm $5
Coronas, $8 Vodka Red
Bulls, 9pm-close
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
DJ Matt Bailer Videos,
Dancing Beat The Clock
Happy Hour $2 (5-6pm),
$3 (6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm)
Buckets of Beer $15
NUMBER NINE
Open 5pm Happy Hour:
2 for 1 on any drink, 5-9pm
No Cover
PHASE 1
DJ Styalo Dancing
$5 cover
PHASE 1 OF DUPONT
1415 22nd St. NW
For the Ladies DJ Rosie
Doors at 9pm 21+
PWS SPORTS BAR
9855 Washington Blvd. N
Laurel, Md.
301-498-4840
Drag Show in lounge
Half-price burgers and
fries
TOWN
Drag Show starts at
10:30pm Hosted by
Lena Lett and featuring
Tatianna, Shi-Queeta-
Lee, Jessica Spaulding
Deverreoux and BaNaka
Doors open at 10pm For
those 21 and over, $5 from
10-11pm and $10 after
11pm For those 18-20,
$10 all night 18+
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Ladies of Illusion with
host Kristina Kelly, 9pm
Cover 21+
SATURDAY, 11.02.13
9 1/2
Open at 5pm Happy
Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm VJ Dean
Expanded craft beer
selection No cover
DC EAGLE
Mr. DC Eagle 2013, Nigel,
Bar Night $2 Off for
Men with Club Mugs,
Leather Vests, Harnesses
or Chaps Club Bar:
Former Mr. DC Eagles
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Diner Brunch, 10am-3pm
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm
Karaoke and/or live
entertainment, 9pm
JR.S
$4 Coors, $5 Vodka
highballs, $7 Vodka Red
Bulls
NELLIES
Guest DJs Zing Zang
Bloody Marys, Nellie Beer,
House Rail Drinks and
Mimosas, $4, 11am-5pm
Buckets of Beer, $15
NUMBER NINE
DILF Open 5pm Happy
5-9pm No Cover
PHASE 1
Dancing, 9pm-close
PHASE 1 OF DUPONT
Doors at 9pm 21+

PWS SPORTS BAR
Laurel, Md.
301-498-4840
Karaoke in the lounge
Charity Bingo with Cash
Prizes 3rd Sat. of Every
Month
M
52
TOWN
Jinkx Monsoon in Two
Special Shows Cabaret
at 7:30pm, Doors 6:30pm
Tickets $20-$50,
Flavorus.com Drag
Show with Jinkx starts
at 10:30pm Hosted by
For those 21 and over,
$8 from 10-11pm and $12
after 11pm
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
All nude male dancers,
9pm Ladies of Illusion
with host Ella Fitzgerald,
9pm DJ Steve
Henderson in Secrets
DJ Spyke in Ziegfelds
Cover 21+
SUNDAY, 11.03.13
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
DC EAGLE
New Happy Hours
Specials: $2 off rail
and domestic, 4-9pm
Football - Redskins v.
Chargers, 1pm Chicken
Wings, Dipping Sauces,
Sides and Dessert
FIREPLACE
Skyy Vodka, $3 $5 cover
with $1 off coupons
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Champagne Brunch
Buffet, 10am-3pm
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm
Drag Show hosted by
Whats on your nightstand?
My phone, my alarm clock, my lamp
and a coaster.
Whats in your nightstand drawer?
A Fleshlight, a dildo, some condoms,
lube and poppers.
What are your television favorites?
I love me some Modern Family,
American Dad, Family Guy. Pretty
much anything that makes me laugh.
What was your favorite cartoon
when you were a kid?
Rugrats.
53
Destiny B. Childs featuring
performances by a rotating
cast, 9pm No cover
Karaoke follows show
JR.S
Sunday Funday Liquid
Brunch Doors open at
1pm $2 Coors Lights &
$3 Skyy (all favors), all
day and night
NELLIES
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
No Cover
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Decades of Dance DJ
Tim-e in Secrets 9pm
Cover 21+
MONDAY, 11.04.13
9 1/2
Open at 5pm Happy
TVs showing movies,
Sundays Gay Spelling
Bee hosted by Brett
Expanded craft beer
selection No cover
ANNIES
Martinis
DC EAGLE
Open 4pm Monday
Night Football $1 Drafts
- Bud and Bud Light
FREDDIES
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm
Karaoke, 9pm
JR.S
Happy Hour: 2-for-1, 4-9pm
Showtunes Songs &
Singalongs, 9pm-close
DJ Jamez $3 Drafts
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Hour $2 (5-6pm), $3
(6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm)
Buckets of Beer $15
Poker Texas Holdem, 8pm
NUMBER NINE
No Cover
PWS SPORTS BAR
Laurel, Md.
301-498-4840
Buzztime Trivia
competition 75 cents off
bottles and drafts
TUESDAY, 11.05.13
9 1/2
Open at 5pm Happy
TVs showing movies,
ANNIES
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $4
Stella Artois, $4 House
Wines, $4 Stolichnaya
Cocktails, $4 Manhattans
and Vodka Martinis
DC EAGLE
Open 4pm $2 Rail and
Domestic, All Day Free
Pool till 9pm
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm
Karaoke, 9pm
JR.S
Underground (Indie Pop/
Alt/Brit Rock), 9pm-close
DJ Wes Della Volla
2-for-1, all day and night
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Hour $2 (5-6pm), $3
(6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm)
Buckets of Beer $15
Karaoke
NUMBER NINE
No Cover
PWS SPORTS BAR
Laurel, Md.
301-498-4840
75 cents off bottles and
drafts Movie Night
WED., 11.06.13
9 1/2
Open at 5pm Happy
TVs showing movies,
ANNIES
Happy Hour, 4-7pm $4
Stella Artois, $4 House
Wines, $4 Stolichnaya
Cocktails, $4 Manhattans
and Vodka Martinis
How would you describe your
dream guy?
Tall, good-looking, with maybe some
scruff and pretty eyes.
Dene good in bed.
I like it a couple of different ways.
Passionate, really getting into it;
and then maybe a little rougher. But
nothing too crazy.
Who should star in a movie
about your life?
Josh Hutcherson. We have very similar
facial features.
Who was your rst celebrity crush?
Aaron Carter.
Who gets on your nerves?
People who dont know how to drive.
If your home was burning, whats
the rst thing youd grab while
leaving?
My phone, my wallet and all my
jewelry.
Do you have a lot of jewelry?
I have a bunch of designer watches, so
Id grab the whole case and
bring it with me.
Whats your biggest turn-on?
A good kisser.
Whats your biggest turn-off?
A bad kisser.
Whos your greatest inuence?
My mother. She pretty much raised my
brother and me by herself. She worked
multiple jobs to make sure we could
get what we needed in life.
Whats your greatest fear?
Any type of bug. Actually, anything
thats not human it could
be bugs, mice, rats.
Pick three people, living or dead,
who you think would make the most
fascinating dinner
guests imaginable.
Betty White, Kathy Grifn and
Lisa Lampanelli.
What would you serve?
Some kind of steak dinner,
with lots of alcohol.
54
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm
Karaoke, 9pm
GREEN LANTERN
Shirtless Men Drink Free,
10-11pm
JR.S
$3 Rail Vodka Highballs,
$2 JR.s drafts, 8pm to
close Top Pop Night
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Hour $2 (5-6pm), $3
(6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm)
Buckets of Beer $15
Drag Bingo
NUMBER NINE
drink, 5-9pm No Cover
DC EAGLE
Open 4pm Wooden
Nickels Redeemable
2 Nickels get Rail or
Domestic
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm Drag
Bingo, 8pm Karaoke,
10pm
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour Prices,
4pm-Close
JR.S
Trivia with MC Jay
Ray, 8pm The Queen,
10-11pm $2 JRs Drafts
& $4 Vodka ($2 with
College I.D./JRs Team
Shirt)
NELLIES SPORTS BAR
Hour $2 (5-6pm), $3
(6-7pm), $4 (7-8pm)
Half-Price Burger Night
Buckets of Beer $15
SmartAss Trivia, 8pm
NUMBER NINE
No Cover
PWS SPORTS BAR
Laurel, Md.
301-498-4840
Free Pool 75 cents off
Bottles and Drafts
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
New Meat Wednesday DJ
Don T 9pm Cover 21+
THURSDAY, 11.07.13
9 1/2
TVs showing movies,
ANNIES/ANNIES
UPSTAIRS
4@4 Happy Hour,
4pm-7pm $4 Small
Plates, $4 Stella Artois,
$4 House Wines, $4
Stolichnaya Cocktails, $4
Manhattans and Vodka
Martinis
DC EAGLE
Boys Night Out/3-Way
Thursdays Bring Your
Buddies when two
friends buy drinks, yours
are free, rail or domestic
Club Bar: DC Boys of
Leather
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Shirtless Thursday DJ
Tim E in Secrets 9pm
Cover 21+
FRIDAY, 11.08.13
9 1/2
Open at 5pm Happy
5-9pm Friday Night
Videos with resident
DJ Shea Van Horn VJ
Expanded craft beer
selection No cover
ANNIES
Martinis Upstairs open
5-11pm
DC BEAR CRUE
@Town Bear Happy
Hour, 6-11pm $3 Rail,
$3 Draft, $3 Bud Bottles
Free Pizza, 7pm Hosted
by Charger Stone No
cover before 9:30pm 21+
DC EAGLE
New Happy Hour Specials,
$2 off regular prices,
4-9pm Club Bar: Men
of SigMa
FREDDIES BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm
Karaoke, 9pm
JR.S
Buy 1, Get 1,
11pm-midnight Happy
Hour: 2-for-1, 4-9pm $5
Coronas, $8 Vodka Red
Bulls, 9pm-close
Whats something youve always
wanted to do but havent yet tried?
Travel the world.
Whats something youve tried that
you never want to do again?
A few years ago, when I was training
to be a lifeguard, I had to swim a mile.
I never want to do that again.
Boxers, briefs or other?
Briefs and boxer-briefs. Of course,
I wear jockstraps and skimpier
underwear for Secrets.
Whos your favorite musical artist?
Right now, Lady Gaga.
Whats your favorite website?
Facebook. Im on it 95 percent of
my day.
Whats the most unusual place
youve had sex?
I had sex in the woods one time.
What position do you play in the big
baseball game of life?
I play both sides.
Whats your favorite retail store?
Express.
Whats the most youll spend
on a haircut?
Ive never paid for a haircut. My mom
is a cosmetologist and shes cut my
hair my entire life.
What about on shoes?
$200.
Whats your favorite food to
splurge with?
McDonalds.
Whats your favorite season?
Summer. I can go to the beach, tan and
be half-naked.
What kind of animal would you be?
A dog, because they have life made
with their owners. Theyre fed, theyre
watered and they sleep a lot.
What kind of plant would you be?
A rose, because theyre super
beautiful, yet they have thorns. I tend
to protect myself.
55
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
No Cover
PHASE 1
DJ Styalo Dancing
$5 cover
PHASE 1 OF DUPONT
1415 22nd St. NW
Doors at 9pm 21+
PWS SPORTS BAR
Laurel, Md.
301-498-4840
Drag Show in lounge
Half-price burgers and
fries
TOWN
Drag Show starts at
10:30pm Hosted by
Doors open at 10pm For
those 21 and over, $5 from
10-11pm and $10 after
11pm For those 18-20,
$10 all night 18+
ZIEGFELDS/SECRETS
Ladies of Illusion with
host Kristina Kelly, 9pm
Cover 21+ l
What kind of car would you be?
A Tesla, because theyre super sporty
and very simple on the inside.
Im a very simple guy.
What are you most grateful for?
The friends and family in my life.
Whats something you
want more of?
More time to spend outside of work.
State your life philosophy in
10 words or less.
Never give up. You can always get
what you want. l
56 SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE
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I always felt like I owed them a huge apology

for coming out too late.
Some people in the gay community were very upset with me for not coming out on their terms.
Actor SEAN HAYES, on his character Jack in Will & Grace forcing him back into the closet. The actor explained that he received
death threats while working on the show, and felt the responsibility of speaking openly for the gay
community was too great at the time.
(Los Angeles Times)
My goal is for Philadelphia to be one of,

if not the most, LGBT-friendly cities
in the world and a leader on equality issues.
Philadelphia Mayor MICHAEL NUTTER, speaking to NBC afliate WCAU, after signing new legislation that mandates all new
or renovated buildings to include gender-neutral bathrooms, offers tax incentives to LGBT-inclusive companies, amends the
nondiscrimination ordinance to include gender identity and offers relationship-recognition rights for same-sex couples.
(NBC 10 Philadelphia)
Im not down with that gay shit.
I feel like boxing.
Singer CHRIS BROWN to Adam Parker, a 20-year-old man perceived by Brown to be gay, who jumped into a photo of Brown and
another person outside the W Washington D.C. hotel. Brown and his companion both punched Parker,
who was later admitted to hospital with a broken nose.
(CNN)
He cited statistics of a survey of homosexualists:

27% engage in sex with children from 15 to 18,
15% with children under 15; 32% think such sex is OK
Russian lawmaker ALEXANDER SIDYAKIN, quoting on his Twitter account gures delivered in the Russian Parliament by
discredited American anti-gay psychologist Paul Cameron, founder of Family Research Institute. Cameron has been censured in
America by the APA and ASA for distorting statistics.
(Buzzfeed)
I was fortunate to become friends with dozens of devout,

godly people who are gay, lesbian and transgender. I saw that we may seem different, but
we all have a lot more in common.
Retired U.S. Lutheran Pastor GILBERT ROSSING, in an op-ed piece for The Oregonian, discussing how, through his two gay sons,
he came to accept and embrace LGBT people and the campaign for marriage equality. The Oregon native wants his state
to legalize same-sex marriage so that he may ofciate at the wedding of one of his sons.
(Gay Star News)

Metro Weekly - 10-31-13 - Margaret Cho

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Metro Weekly - 10-31-13 - Margaret Cho

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2 OCTOBER 31, 2013 METROWEEKLY.

I always felt like I owed them a huge apology

My goal is for Philadelphia to be one of,

He cited statistics of a survey of homosexualists:

I was fortunate to become friends with dozens of devout,

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