CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 Volume 25 Issue 21

25 UNITED IN PRIDE
The NOVA Pride Festival celebrates a segement of
the LGBTQ community often underserved.

By John Riley

THE WEST WINGER

In his new book, former White House staffer
Gautam Raghavan showcases the people behind
President Obama’s eight years in office.

Interview by John Riley

Photography by Todd Franson
28
36 FRENCH TOAST
Keira Knightley’s latest star turn takes her to the
salons of turn-of-the-century Paris.

By André Hereford

SPOTLIGHT: DISSONANCE DANCE THEATRE p.7 OUT ON THE TOWN p.11

SCIENCE PAIR: CRISTINA COSTANTINI AND DARREN FOSTER p.12
ART AND COMMERCE: ART ALL NIGHT p.16
SCENE: WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTH’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY GALA p.19
THE FEED p.21 SCENE: HRC NATIONAL DINNER p.23 COMMUNITY: UNITED IN PRIDE p.25
COVER STORY: THE WEST WINGER p.28 GALLERY: STUDIO 54 FOREVER p.35 FILM: COLETTE p.36
STAGE: LINCOLNESQUE p.37 NIGHTLIFE p.39 SCENE: TRADE p.39 LISTINGS p.40
NIGHTLIFE HIGHLIGHTS p.43 LAST WORD p.46

Real LGBTQ News and Entertainment since 1994

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

Metro Weekly 1775 I St. NW, Suite 1150 Washington, DC 20006 202-638-6830
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© 2018 Jansi LLC.

4 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY

 SHAWN SHORT
Spotlight

Dissonance Dance Theatre

F
OUNDED AND LED BY GAY CHOREOGRAPHER
Shawn Short, “D.C.’s only African-American-managed
contemporary ballet company” opens its 12th season
with “Fall Forward,” a mixed-bill program of new works
presented as a showcase for students from the company’s
pre-professional dance training arm, The Ngoma School.
“Fall Forward” offers three world-premiere dance piec-
es including The Winds of Time, a work intended to honor
and give a “homegoing” to Aretha Franklin choreographed
by Alvin Mayes, head of the undergraduate dance program
at the University of Maryland, College Park. That ensem-
ble modern-dance piece, soundtracked by music from the
German techno producer Senking, will be bookended by two
choreographic works from Short: Rise, a fast-paced dance set
to music by neofolk French artist Woodkid that shows the
range of emotion three men face in the midst of uncertainty,
fear, pain, and hope; and The Happy Hour, a tutu ballet set
to music recorded by the Kronos Quartet that sheds light
on life’s jovial moments of self-expression, play, and friend
interaction. —Doug Rule

Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 30, at 5 p.m. The Dance Theatre in The Clarice, 8270 Alumni Dr.,
College Park. Tickets are $25 to $30. Call 301-405-ARTS or visit theclarice.umd.edu.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 7

 Spotlight
THE BIRD:
FLOCKTOBERFEST
The poultry-themed Shaw eatery toasts
the German-inspired drinking season with
HERAN MANE, GENERAL MANAGER, THE BIRD

a patio party featuring games and activi-

ties. Naturally the focus of the party is on
German-style food offerings and a variety
of beer options, including those from the
event’s partners, 3 Stars Brewing and Atlas
Brew Works. Saturday, Sept. 29, starting at
2 p.m. The patio on the corner of 11th and O
Streets NW. Tickets are $10, including one
free beer and complimentary small bites.
Call 202-518-3609 or visit thebirddc.com.

BORN YESTERDAY
Garson Kanin’s sharp-edged screw-
ball comedy may be 70 years old,
but it resonates all too well with
the Washington of today. The story
focuses on an opportunistic tycoon
seeking to game the Washington
system — but the plans are sab-
otaged by his girlfriend and her
alliance with an idealistic reporter
pushing back to end corruption.
Aaron Posner directs Edward Gero
and Kimberly Gilbert in a lavish
production bolstered by Daniel Lee
Conway’s set, a glamorous two-lev-
el hotel suite with striking archi-
tectural details. To Oct. 21. Ford’s,
511 10th St. NW. Tickets are $17
to $64. Call 800-982-2787 or visit

CAROL ROSEGG
fords.org.

THE EVENTS
In the wake of a mass shooting, a
lone survivor yearns to find the com-
passion, understanding, and peace she
needs to overcome her trauma — but
thoughts and visions of the shooter
haunt her every step. David Greig’s
The Events is another socially con-
scious, thought-provoking work pre-
sented by Theater Alliance, featuring
Regina Aquino as the survivor and
Josh Adams as the shooter. Colin
C. STANLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Hovde directs. To Oct. 7. Anacostia

Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Place SE.
Tickets are $35 to $40. Call 202-241-
2539 or visit theateralliance.com.

8 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY

 Spotlight
RA XTRA: MAN MADE
T Cooper’s documentary profiles four contes-
tants at Trans FitCon, the world’s only transgen-
der bodybuilding competition. The movie delves
headfirst into the heart of transgender male cul-
ture, revealing unexpected truths about gender,
masculinity, humanity and love. Part of Reel
Affirmations’ monthly screening series, RA Xtra.
Friday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. at the HRC Equality
Center, 1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Tickets are
$12, or $25 for VIP seating as well as one compli-
mentary cocktail, beer or wine and popcorn. Call
202-682-2245 or visit thedccenter.org

CHRISTOPHER JACKSON
Although more expansive in nature, cov-
ering opera and classical artists as well
as those from theater and cabaret/pop,
Renee Fleming’s VOICES showcase at the
Kennedy Center is proving to be a suit-
able replacement for the much-beloved
Spotlight series curated by the late-Broad-
way legend Barbara Cook. Case in point
is this cabaret featuring the original,
Tony-nominated George Washington in
Hamilton. Jackson has also composed
music for everyone from LL Cool J and
will.i.am to Sesame Street, earning him an
Emmy. “Christopher Jackson is the rare
kind of actor/singer whose powerful voice
and presence are compelling in any medi-
um,” says Fleming, summing up her adora-
tion for the “creative dynamo.” Saturday,
Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m. Terrace Theater.
Tickets are $79 to $150. Call 202-467-4600
or visit kennedy-center.org.

CULTURE SHOCK DC:

THE ENLIGHTENMENT
A mixed-bill evening choreographed
and performed by members of this
eclectic company, which features 150
dancers across five troupes and uses
hip-hop and urban dance, spoken-word,
and live music to inspire positive
change in the community. Saturday,
Sept. 29, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Sept.
COURTESY CULTURE SHOCK

30, at 7 p.m. Dance Place, 3225 8th St.

NE. Tickets are $25 in advance, or $30
at the door. Call 202-269-1600 or visit
danceplace.org.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 9


BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: STAR WARS
Jack Everly conducts the BSO in a live performance of John Williams’ score to 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope, which will
screen overhead as the orchestra plays. The space epic introduced the world to Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia,
Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi, R2D2, Chewbacca, and Darth Vader. The Oscar-winning soundtrack is as highly regarded as the
film, ranking at the top of the American Film Institute’s list of best film scores. Friday, Sept. 28, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday,
Sept. 29, and Sunday, Sept. 30, at 3 p.m. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore. Tickets are $35
to $85. Call 410-783-8000 or visit bsomusic.org.
Compiled by Doug Rule
FILM
LOVE, GILDA
Back in the ’70s, when Saturday
Night Live was in its infancy — and
still fresh — Gilda Radner stood out
as one of the show’s most vibrant
lights. Her most iconic characters
— Emily Litella, Lisa Loopner, and
Roseanne Roseannadanna — were
nuggets of explosive comic joy,
although her transition to movies
was less than smooth, with several
of them directed by and co-starring
her husband, Gene Wilder. (Radner
had better success with a one-wom-
an show on Broadway.) Without
question, her untimely death in
1989 robbed the world of one of the
greats. The film features interviews
with Chevy Chase, Lorne Michaels,
Laraine Newman, Paul Shaffer,
and Martin Short. Now playing at
Landmark’s E Street Cinema.
NORTH BY NORTHWEST
One of Hitchcock’s most ambi-
tious, entertaining works, North
Out On The Town
by Northwest tells the story of an
Madison Avenue ad man (Cary
STAGE and B. Stanley. Weekends to Oct.
20. District of Columbia Arts Center
Grant) who is mistaken for a CIA (DCAC), 2438 18th St. NW. Tickets
operative by some very bad men,
GLORIA
A play focused on the cutthroat are $25 to $40. Call 866-811-4111 or
led by the silken-voiced James visit theklunch.com.
world of New York’s publish-
Mason. Eva Marie Saint steps into
ing industry, and specifically the
the role of blonde femme fatale, LABOUR OF LOVE
Millennial editorial assistants chas-
and a thin, equine Martin Landau A clever mashup of the political
ing the dream of getting a book deal
is chilling as Mason’s number one gamesmanship of The West Wing
before they turn 30. Extended to
(and yes, there is a distinct whiff of with a war-of-the-sexes saga akin
Oct. 7. Woolly Mammoth, 641 D St.
homoeroticism between the pair). to Shakespeare’s Much Ado About
NW. Tickets range from $20 to $69.
The movie is known for its larg- Nothing, James Graham’s Olivier
Call 202-393-3939 or visit woolly-
er-than-life set pieces, including a Award-winning comedy is set in
mammoth.net.
silent seven-minute stunner set in a member of Parliament’s district
a cornfield and ending with a huge office and pokes witty fun at the ups
HOW TO WIN A RACE WAR
ball of fire, and a breathtaking romp and downs of left-wing British pol-
A parody of white supremacist
atop Mount Rushmore. Bernard itics. Leora Morris directs Olney’s
“race war” fiction, Ian Allen’s play
Herrmann’s memorable score all production, which features M. Scott
spans more than three centuries
but shoves the action forward and McLean and Julia Coffey. To Oct.
of civilization for an epic journey
Saul Bass’s clever, geometric open- 28. Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab,
that is part-satire, part-exposé,
ing credits rank with his finest. 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road,
and part horror show — depicting
North by Northwest is one of those Olney, Md. Call 301-924-3400 or
slave rebellions, skinheads, and a
movies you never tire of watching. visit olneytheatre.org.
liberal dystopian future, and even
Part of the Capital Classics series
featuring song-and-dance numbers.
at Landmark’s West End Cinema. LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE
Presented by the D.C. theater col-
Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 1:30, 4:30, and
lective The Klunch, the world-pre-
7:30 p.m., 2301 M St. NW. Happy Love, sorrow, and longing are
miere production has a large 12-per-
hour from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tickets are folded into the plot and into
son cast including Kevin Boudreau,
$10 to $12.50. Call 202-534-1907 or each delectable dish described in
Kim Curtis, Tony Greenberg,
visit landmarktheatres.com. Mexican author Laura Esquivel’s
Connor Padilla, and Ned Read, with
beloved 1989 novel Como Agua para
voice work by Christopher Henley
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 11
 Chocolate. That bittersweet recipe
produced an equally popular film,
directed by Esquivel’s ex-husband
Alfonso Arau, and now begets a the-
atrical adaptation, care of Spanish
playwright Garbi Losada. Making
its U.S. premiere at GALA Hispanic
Theatre under the assured direction
of Olga Sánchez, Como Agua para
Chocolate captures the poetry and
magical realism that have stirred
fans of the story’s previous incar-
nations. In Spanish with English
surtitles. To Oct. 7. GALA Theatre
at Tivoli Square, 3333 14th St. NW.
Tickets are $25 to $48. Call 202-
234-7174 or visit galatheatre.org.
(Andre Hereford)

MARIE AND ROSETTA

Mosaic Theater Company launch-
es its fourth season with George
Brant’s empowering play with
songs highlighting the talents of
Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight,
two under-appreciated black music
legends. Sandra L. Holloway directs

SCIENCE PAIR
a production starring Helen Hayes
Award-winning actress Roz White
(Studio Theatre’s Bessie’s Blues)
as Tharpe, the queer black woman
Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster celebrate the smart kids who all but invented rock ‘n’ roll,
while Ayana Reed takes on the role
in their lovable documentary Science Fair. of Tharpe’s young protege Knight.

E
Music direction comes from e’Mar-
VERY KID SHOULD GET TO EXPERIENCE A MOMENT OF SHEER, JOYOUS TRIUMPH cus Harper-Short. Closes Sunday,
Sept. 30. The Lang Theatre in the
like the one that leaves teen scientist Jack Andraka speechless at the beginning of Science Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333
Fair. Andraka and his euphoric winning moment at the 2012 International Science & H St. NE. Tickets are $50 to $68.
Engineering Fair set a gleeful tone for Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster’s award-winning Call 202-399-7993 or visit mosa-
ictheater.org.
documentary about several budding virologists, programmers, and physicists on their road to the
2017 edition of the Super Bowl of high school science competitions. MERMAID
For the filmmakers, showcasing the next wave of scientists forging their own paths towards When nine-year-old Everett tells
innovation is as much about embracing community as it is about competition. “The movie is a her family she’s a girl, their good
liberal values are put to the test in
celebration of the feelings that kids have when they go to the International Fair,” says Costantini. a lyrical, thought-provoking med-
“Which is that they finally found their tribe and they’re finally around people like them. And their itation on gender identity from
ideas are being celebrated in a way that they’re usually not in high school. We wanted to show playwright Andrew Rosendorf.
Signature Theatre presents a free
those kinds of stories where people finally found a home.” reading of the work as part of its
Costantini found solace and inspiration when she competed at ISEF as a high schooler. “[The SigWorks: Monday Night New Play
film is] very much like a love letter from me, to this world, because it saved me during the dark Readings series, an initiative that
years of high school,” she says. “It validated my passions. It made me who I am.” highlights and supports the work of
regional playwrights. Monday, Oct.
Passion is a quality exemplified by the teens in the film’s charming cast of youngsters, from a 1, at 7 p.m. Ali’s Bar, 4200 Campbell
math and machine learning whiz in West Virginia, to a pair of Brazilian students working to per- Ave., Arlington. Call 703-820-9771
fect an anti-Zika medication. Narrowing down the handful of stories the film would cover from the or visit sigtheatre.org.
1,700 students who qualified for ISEF was its own exacting process. MOTHER ROAD
“We interviewed hundreds of kids,” says Constantini. “We were interested in the science and Baltimore playwright Peter Davis
the groundbreaking work that they were doing, but we were mostly interested in human stories. premieres the latest in his Parlor Play
And finding stories that said something about who we are as a country and where we are in the series, presented in an immersive
and intimate environment in which
world right now.” there is a far less divide between
“The cast of characters we have are so inspiring, that we hope [young people] can identify with the actors and audience than tradi-
at least one and be inspired to either pursue subjects in science or to just be inspired to follow their tional theater. Following the perfor-
mance, the playwright, performers,
passions, no matter what field they’re in,” adds Foster. and audience engage in a discussion
Then, there is always the vicarious thrill of watching brilliant minds like Andraka — who has centered on the 30-minute one-act
continued to make waves as a cancer researcher and LGBTQ activist — reach for glory. play, a drama set in the politically
“These kids represent the best of us,” says Foster. “At a time when there’s a real lack of leader- volatile year of 1968 and focused on a
Vietnam vet who has returned home
ship in science and many adults are behaving like children in the face of global challenges, these and is struggling to reconnect to his
kids are a beacon of hope and reminder that the future is bright.” —André Hereford high school sweetheart, who found
her voice, her womanhood, and her
desire in his absence. Friday, Sept.
Science Fair is rated PG, and opens Friday, September 28, at the Landmark West End Cinema 28, and Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7 and 9
in Washington and the Arclight Cinemas in Bethesda. p.m. The Old Church on Falls, 3649

12 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY

 are $40 to $95. Call 202-488-3300
or visit arenastage.org.

MUSIC
ALL THINGS GO FALL CLASSIC
For its fifth year, the high-caliber
indie-pop festival has taken inspi-
ration from the push for women’s
rights and gender parity sparked
by last year’s Women’s March to
present an all-female lineup on its
first day, Saturday, Oct. 6. Featuring
brand-new, buzz-generating stars
Maggie Rogers and Billie Eilish
as headliners, the day also brings
up-and-coming sensations includ-
ing Finnish pop star Alma, sunny
alt-R&B artist Ravyn Lenae, the Sara
Bareilles-esque bright pop-rocker
Charlene Kaye (female vocalist of
indie-pop group San Fermin), and
LPX, the alias of Lizzy Plapinger.
ALEX BRAUN

Sunday, Oct. 7, brings bigger names

all around, with headliners BØRNS,
and former Capital Pride headliners
Carly Rae Jepsen and Betty Who.
The Fall Classic also showcas-
es local culinary favorites Timber
WILFRIED ZEISLER: THE FIRM OF FABERGÉ Pizza, Shake Shack, Rocklands, and
Hillwood’s chief curator explores the history of the House of Fabergé and the success Bun’d Up, among others. General
Admission tickets are $65 for 1-Day
of its creations among Russian imperial clientele and later American collectors, such as
or $95 for 2-Day, while VIP tickets
Hillwood Estate founder Marjorie Merriweather Post. Zeisler’s lecture, “The Firm of are $139 for Sunday or $229 for
Fabergé: Business, Clients, and Collectors,” is the first of five discussions in October, part 2-Day (Saturday-only VIP is sold
of a lecture series in conjunction with the venue’s current temporary exhibition, Fabergé out) and include fast-entry express
lane, access to a VIP Viewing Area
Rediscovered (see “Museums & Galleries”). Wednesday, Oct. 3, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. 4155 and Lounge with complimentary
Linnean Ave. NW. Tickets are $20 for one lecture, or $100 for the full series. Call 202-686- food, dedicated cash bar and spe-
5807 or visit HillwoodMuseum.org. cialty food vendors viewing areas.
Call 888-512-7469 or visit allthings-
gofallclassic.com.

Falls Rd., Hampden, Md. Tickets are
$10. Search “Mother Road” in the
Baltimore section of eventbrite.com.
PRAMKICKER
Sadie Hasler’s drama concerns two
sisters who are both childless and
burdened, to different degrees, by
that status. A hit several years ago
at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival,
Pramkicker comes to D.C. in a
Taffety Punk Theatre production
directed by Linda Lombardi and
starring Tonya Beckman and Esther
Williamson. The show tackles seri-
ous issues, including discussions of
sexual assault and abortion, with
humor and wit. Remaining per-
formances are Thursday, Sept. 27,
and Friday, Sept. 28, at 8 p.m., and
Saturday, Sept. 29, at 3 and 8 p.m.
Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545
7th St. SE. Tickets are $15. Call 202-
547-6839 or visit taffetypunk.com.
STEEL MAGNOLIAS
Port Tobacco Players kicks off its
70th season as a community the-
ater in southern Maryland’s Charles
County with Robert Harling’s com-
edy about six Southern friends who
harangue, needle, and ultimately
support each other in times of cri-
sis. Brimming with sweetness and
sass, heart and compassion, Steel
Magnolias really takes the cake
— a giant Armadillo cake, in fact.
Weekends to Oct. 7. 508 Charles
St., La Plata, Md. Tickets are $15
to $18. Call 301-932-6819 or visit
ptplayers.com.
SUMMERLAND
The Washington Stage Guild pres-
ents Arlitia Jones’ drama relay-
ing the mysterious but true tale of
William H. Mumler, a spirit pho-
tographer with a talent for captur-
ing haunting images from the world
beyond the veil. Set in the years after
the Civil War, Summerland focuses
on Mumler’s booming business of
contacting the dead for mourners,
and the city marshal who wants to
prove the photographer is a fraud.
Starring Yury Lomakin, Rachel
Felstein, and Steven Carpenter.
Kasi Campbell directs. To Oct.
21. Undercroft Theatre of Mount
Vernon United Methodist Church,
900 Massachusetts Ave. NW.
Tickets are $30 to $60. Call 240-582-
0050 or visit stageguild.org.
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
Shakespeare’s early comedy of mis-
taken identities involves two sets
of twins and an ocean of confusion.
Veanne Cox, Nancy Robinette, Tom
Story, Ted van Griethuysen, Sarah
Marshall, and Eleasha Gamble head
a large, gifted cast. Directed by
Alan Paul. To Oct. 28. Lansburgh
Theatre, 450 7th St. NW. Call 202-
547-1122 or visit shakespearethe-
atre.org.
THE LARAMIE PROJECT
The LGBTQ-focused Richmond
Triangle Players marks the 20th
anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s
death with a production of Moisés
Kaufman’s groundbreaking examina-
tion into the Wyoming murder and its
aftermath. Lucian Restivo directs. To
Oct. 19. The Robert B. Moss Theatre,
1300 Altamont Ave. Richmond.
Tickets are $10 to $35. Call 804-346-
8113 or visit rtriangle.org.
TURN ME LOOSE
Gretchen Law’s intimate and
no-holds-barred drama chronicling
Dick Gregory’s rise as the first black
comedian to expose audiences to
racial comedy. Edwin Lee Gibson
plays Gregory, with John Garlin
taking on all the other supplemen-
tal roles, from emcee to interviewer
to heckler to cabbie. John Gould
Rubin directs. To Oct. 14. Kreeger
Theater, 1101 6th St. SW. Tickets
CHOPTEETH
The Washington Post has referred
to this 12-piece band as “a storm-
ing powerhouse of big-band African
funk...smart, tight and relentlessly
driving.” The Afrobeat-driven group
has won a number of Washington
Area Music Association Awards,
including Artist of the Year in 2008,
and performs regularly throughout
the region. Caz Gardiner opens.
Saturday, Sept. 29, at 9 p.m. Gypsy
Sally’s, 3401 K St. NW. Tickets are $15
in advance, or $18 day-of. Call 202-
333-7700 or visit gypsysallys.com.
CHRISTINA AGUILERA WITH
SPECIAL GUEST BIG BOI
Christina Aguilera’s first outing in
a decade comes in support of the
R&B/hip-hop-flavored Liberation,
her first album in six years. Likely to
be stacked with her stock-in-trade
power ballads and self-empower-
ment anthems, the comeback con-
cert also features hip-hop royalty
in the shape of Big Boi, the OutKast
veteran touring in support of his
third solo set Boomiverse, whose
inclusion should further stoke the
crowd. Sunday, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m.
Theater at MGM National Harbor,
7100 Harborview Ave., Oxon Hill,
Md., Oxon Hill, Md. Tickets are $89
to $350. Call 844-346-4664 or visit
mgmnationalharbor.com.

14 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY

 ELENA & LOS FULANOS
A bilingual folk/rock band based
in D.C. and influenced by its front-
woman’s experience growing up
steeped in two cultures, Nicaraguan
and American. With original
music ranging from twangy, heart-
break-themed folk Americana to
soothing, introspective, violin-in-
fused Latin rock, the band will per-
form at the Dupont Underground
as part of a new partnership with
Washington Performing Arts’ Mars
Urban Arts Initiative — named
after and supported by the Virginia
family behind the Mars candy bar
empire. Friday, Sept. 28. Doors at
7:30 p.m. Dupont Underground,
1500 19th St. NW. Tickets are $15 to
$18. Visit dupontunderground.org.

FUTURE ISLANDS
The Baltimore electro-indie act
rose to national fame with a per-
formance on David Letterman’s
show in 2014, when lead singer Sam
Herring began beating his chest,
ALEXANDER PADRO

punching the air and dropping to

his knees, belting out the lyrics to
“Seasons.” It’s hard to think of a
band that made a bigger impression
on a late-night talk show. Herring’s
voice is what gives Future Islands
its sense of immediacy and rawness,

ART AND COMMERCE

as he shouts and bellows one min-
ute and quavers over some tearful
realization the next. Herring and co.
— keyboardist Gerrit Welmers, gui-
tarist William Cashion, and touring
Art All Night brings together the arts and local businesses drummer Michael Lowry — will be
to create a unique evening for all. joined by Ed Schrader’s Music Beat,

I
another neo-new wave/synth-pop
act from Baltimore. Friday, Sept.
N 2009, ALEXANDER PADRO AND HIS PARTNER WERE SO INSPIRED BY A VISIT TO 28. Doors at 6:30 p.m. The Anthem,
Paris’ Nuit Blanche that they launched a D.C. version of the free, one-night-only art festival — 901 Wharf St. SW. Tickets are $41
despite having little experience and even less money for promotion. to $76. Call 202-888-0020 or visit
theanthemdc.com. (Sean Maunier)
“We thought we might attract a couple thousand people,” Padro says of their inaugural 2011
event. “Lo and behold, we had fifteen thousand people show up.” NSO: PICTURES FROM
Three years later, Art All Night expanded from its Shaw Main Street confines to include several AN EXHIBITION
other D.C. neighborhoods, and this Saturday, Sept. 29, the festival will boast activities, perfor- NSO Music Director Gianandrea
Noseda conducts a program of music
mances, and displays in eight different localities. inspired by the visual arts, includ-
“Many of the businesses in our Main Street districts report that Art All Night is their best sales ing Musorgsky’s Pictures from an
night of the year,” says Padro. Exhibition, a suite that brings paint-
ings by Victor Hartmann to sym-
Though not LGBTQ-specific, many of the events are geared toward the community, including
phonic life. Also on the program:
a performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Dupont Circle; a Rachmaninoff’s The Isle of the Dead,
Drag Show from 8 to 10 p.m. at Congress Heights’ DeVine Stylez Hair Studio (3025 MLK Jr. Ave. a tone poem influenced by Swiss
SE); an “Art of the Cut” hairstyle show and event from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Atlas (1333 H St. symbolist Arnold Böcklin’s paint-
ing, and Respighi’s Trittico botti-
NE); a Mambo Dance Showcase party with DJ Jim Byers of WPFW’s “The Latin Flavor” at the DC celliano, a triptych suite born from
Eagle; and a variety show hosted by Rayceen Pendarvis and featuring GiGi Holliday, Pussy Noir, Sandro Botticelli paintings includ-
Hell O’Kitty, and Private Tails at the DC Housing Finance Agency (815 Florida Ave. NW). ing “The Birth of Venus.” Friday,
Sept. 28, and Saturday, Sept. 29,
Padro gave up overseeing the citywide festival in 2016, but still oversees Shaw’s contribution to
at 8 p.m. Kennedy Center Concert
the night. He marvels at how many artists take part in that neighborhood alone. Hall. Tickets are $15 to $89. Call
“There are over 100 artists and performers involved,” he says, “including the Batala drummers, 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-cen-
and the Soka Tribe dancers, and Robin Bell, the noted projection artist that does all of the anti- ter.org.
Trump projections on Trump properties around the world. NEW WORLDS: BILL MURRAY,
“Fire performers are a very popular part of the festival in Shaw, and we have two different sets JAN VOGLER, AND FRIENDS
of fire performers. One is going to be doing fire bubbles — which is something new we’ve never And now for something complete-
ly different: Bill Murray branch-
seen before. They’re actually going to have fire inside of the bubbles.” —Doug Rule
es out with this classical-minded,
mixed-genre program “mash-
Art All Night is Saturday, Sept. 29, from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. at various venues in the neighborhoods of up.” Designed to “showcase core
American values in literature and
Congress Heights, Deanwood, Dupont Circle, H Street, Minnesota Avenue, North Capitol, Shaw, music,” Murray narrates the pro-
and Tenleytown. Visit artallnightdc.com for full details. gram and reads from Hemingway,

16 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY

Whitman, and Twain, among oth-
ers, as well as sings lyrics from
Bernstein, Gershwin, and Foster,
accompanied by a piano trio fea-
turing German-born cellist Jan
Vogler, former Chinese child violin
prodigy Mira Wang — Vogler’s wife
— and Venezuelan-American pia-
nist Vanessa Perez. Co-conceived
by Murray and Vogler, the New
Worlds ensemble tours in sup-
port of a companion Decca Gold
recording. Friday, Sept. 28, at 8 p.m.
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301
Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.
Tickets are $68 to $148. Call 301-
581-5100 or visit strathmore.org.
RYAN SPEEDO GREEN
The Washington National Opera
and the Fortas Chamber series
co-presents this recital featuring
the winner of the 2018 Marian
Anderson Vocal Award, whose
past recipients include Denyce
Graves, Eric Owens, and Lawrence
Brownlee. The New York Times
refers to Green as a “scene-stealing
bass-baritone with a robust voice.”
Thursday, Oct. 4, at 7:30 p.m.
Kennedy Center Terrace Theater.
Tickets are $39. Call 202-467-4600
or visit kennedy-center.org.
TROYE SIVAN
Sivan has straightforwardly and
openly centred his sexuality on his
second album Bloom, making his
queerness the focal point of the love
songs on the album. “The album is
at its strongest when he is leaning
into the more joyful sides of the
queer experience, as he does on the
title track ‘Bloom,’ a catchy, under-
stated celebration of bottoming,”
writes Metro Weekly music critic
Sean Maunier. Months out from
his incredibly stirring and heart-
felt performance at Capital Pride,
Sivan returns to D.C. for a kind
of mini-Pride Mainstage show of
his own making — a concert fea-
turing two opening acts, including
fellow Capital Pride performer Kim
Petras, a German-born, L.A.-based
trans dance-pop artist, and Leland,
the alias of singer-songwriter Brett
McLaughlin, who has co-written
many of Sivan’s hits, including
“Bloom” and “Youth.” Thursday,
Oct. 4. Doors at 6 p.m. The Anthem,
901 Wharf St. SW. Tickets are $48
to $168.50. Call 202-888-0020 or
visit theanthemdc.com.
URBANARIAS: THE LAST
AMERICAN HAMMER
The local opera company opens its
season with a topical work by com-
poser Peter Hilliard and librettist
Matt Boresi with stars Elizabeth
Futral, Timothy Mix, and Briana
Elyse Hunter. Holed up in the base-
ment of a Toby Jug Museum on
an abandoned Main Street, a con-
spiracy-theorist YouTube celebri-
ty eagerly awaits a visit from the
FBI to explain his theory about the
“original” 13th Amendment and
NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC: ON THE WATERFRONT
Elia Kazan’s iconic Oscar-winning film plays in remastered high-definition while Leonard
Bernstein’s only work composed specifically for film is rendered live. Bernstein acolyte
Piotr Gajewski conducts Strathmore’s resident orchestra. The evening opens with a
performance of the Star-Spangled Banner conducted by Eliot Pfanstiehl, founder of the
Strathmore Hall Foundation. Saturday, Sept. 29, at 8 p.m. Prior to the performance, there
will be a display of behind-the-scenes images from filming, as well as other books and
memorabilia about Bernstein and the cast on the Promenade Level, courtesy Second
Story Books. There’s also a pre-concert lecture with associate conductor Victoria Gau at
6:45 p.m., and a panel discussion and Q&A with film experts Linda DeLibero and David
Sterritt, at 7 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.
Tickets are $35 to $80. Call 301-581-5100 or visit nationalphilharmonic.org.
bringing about justice. His prized
piece of evidence: the last American
READINGS REBECCA TRAISTER: THE
REVOLUTIONARY POWER OF
hammer. Performances are Friday,
Sept. 28, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, & LECTURES WOMEN’S ANGER
Good and Mad: The Revolutionary
Sept. 29, at 8 p.m. Sprenger Theatre Power of Women’s Anger is an
in the Atlas Performing Arts Center, NATHAN SCHNEIDER:
incisive exploration into female
1333 H St. NE. Tickets are $25 to EVERYTHING FOR EVERYONE
anger and its ability to transcend
$45. Call 202-399-7993 or visit atla- Subtited The Radical Tradition
into a political movement. In her
sarts.org. That is Shaping the Next Economy,
new book, Traister, a writer-at-
Schneider’s book documents how a
large for New York magazine and
OPERA IN THE OUTFIELD: THE new feudalism, a new version of the
bestselling author of All The Single
BARBER OF SEVILLE robber-baron economy, is on the
Ladies, tracks the history of female
Now in its 11th year, the Washington rise — but so, too, is an alternative
anger as political fuel, from suf-
National Opera’s annual invitation in the cooperative economy. Jointly
fragettes chaining themselves to
to any and all to give opera a try owned, democratically controlled
the White House, to office work-
via the big screen at Nationals Park enterprises that advance the eco-
ers vacating their buildings after
continues with a hit production nomic, social, and cultural inter-
Clarence Thomas was confirmed
from this past spring of Rossini’s ests of their members, cooperatives
to the Supreme Court. Women’s
The Barber of Seville. Boasting often emerge during moments
collective anger, when harnessed,
sparkling melodies, high-flying of crisis not unlike our own. The
can change history, Traister sum-
vocal fireworks, and tour-de-force author shows how the co-op move-
marizes in her book, which she’ll
showstoppers, the comedy is one ment is showing renewed signs
discuss with Fatima Goss Graves of
of the most beloved operas of all of life, profiling taxi cooperatives,
the National Women’s Law Center.
time. Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. an outspoken mayor transforming
Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. Sixth &
Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol his city in the Deep South, and a
I Historic Synagogue. 600 I St. NW.
St. NE. Free. Call 202-295-2400 or fugitive building a fairer version of
Tickets are $15, or $35 including
visit dc-opera.org. Bitcoin, among others “poised to
one book, $45 for one book and two
help us reclaim faith in our capac-
tickets. Call 202-408-3100 or visit
ity for creative, powerful democra-
sixthandi.org.
cy.” Thursday, Oct. 4, at 6:30 p.m.
Kramerbooks, 1517 Connecticut
Ave. NW. Call 202-387-1400 or visit
kramers.com.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 17
 eries in addition to Denizens: D.C.’s
3 Stars, Atlas, Bluejacket, Craft
Kombucha, Hellbender, and Right
Proper, Maryland’s Black Flag,
Brewer’s Art, Franklin’s, Manor
Hill, Union Craft, and Waredaca,
and Virginia’s Black Narrows, Mad
Fox, and Port City. Saturday, Sept.
29, from 1 to 5 p.m. 1115 East-West
Highway, Silver Spring. Tickets are
$62.50 online or $75 at the door
and include a souvenir tasting glass
and unlimited sample pours. Call
301-557-9818 or visit denizensbrew-
ingco.com.
mances will come from the 19th
Street Band, Aztec Sun, Elikeh, Jay
Byrd & the Musical Trust, Joker’s
Wild, Rochelle Rice, Sara Jones,
and Sweet Saludos, plus Ancient
Rhythms Dance Company, Coyaba
Dance Theater, the Culkin School
of Traditional Irish Dance, Urban
Artistry, and Wong Chinese Lion
Dancers. Saturday, Oct. 6, from 11
a.m. to 4 p.m. Woodmont Triangle,
Bethesda. Free admission, or $5 for
four “taste” tickets. Call 301-215-
6660 or visit bethesda.org for more
information.

LOGAN TAVERN:
LOGANFEST HAPPY HOUR
The pioneering eatery that helped
SMITHSONIAN’S CRAFT2WEAR SHOW
Now in its 12th year, this “show and sale of wearable
pave the way for Logan Circle’s
restaurant boom puts a happy hour
spin on its Oktoberfest promotion.
art” features masters of American handicrafts — more The LoganFest 2018 “Bier Festival”
than 60 — selected by the Smithsonian Women’s features local Oktoberfest beers,
Committee, as well as leaders from notable design a Berlin Mule, plus appetizers of
Pretzel Bites, Beer & Cheddar Dip,
schools. Having raised over $12 million in its first 11
and German Sausages — with all
years for the Smithsonian’s museums, research facil- items priced at $7. Everyday from
ities and traveling exhibits, the focus of Craft2Wear 4 to 7 p.m. through Oct. 7. 1423 P
is on purchasable, one-of-a-kind clothing, jewelry and St. NW. Call 202-332-3710 or visit
logantavern.com.
accessories. This year’s festival debuts “Pepper,” a
robot guide to the many individually designed pieces RADIATOR BIERGARTEN
for sale. It opens with a cocktail reception featuring The cocktail bar and cafe in
Kimpton’s Mason & Rook hotel
hors d’oeuvres, sweets, an informal fashion show, and
will celebrate cooler temperatures
a first chance to see and buy designs on Thursday, Oct. and Oktoberfest traditions with an
4, from 6 to 9 p.m. Festival runs Friday, Oct. 5, and autumnal festival on the patio, com-
Saturday, Oct. 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. National plete with outdoor fire pits. The
highlight is German fare on com-
Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Tickets are $13 per munal tables, from the traditional
day in advance or $15 at the door, or $50 for Opening (Bavarian-themed lagers poured
Night with one-day return, by advance purchase only. into steins) to reimagined bier-
garten bites from Executive Chef
Call 202-272-2448 or visit smithsoniancraft2wear.org.
Jonathan Dearden, including pret-
zels and beer cheese dip, grilled
bratwurst with charred onion and
sauerkraut, and chicken schnitzel
ART tunity the next day, Saturday, Sept.
29, which also ushers in a judged
sliders on a pretzel bun. The pro-
motion includes a loyalty punch
ABOVE
& BEYOND
SLEAZE: YOU GO, GHOUL!
The Wonderland Ballroom in
Columbia Heights is never as queer
and anything-goes as it is the first
Thursday of every month, when
Steve “Lemz” Lemmerman throws
this popular party, launched in the
spring of 2017. Largely inspired by
Horse Meat Disco — the traveling
U.K.-based gay party with a dark
and dirty-disco vibe — Sleaze fea-
tures a dimly lit and foggy intimate
dance floor and an eclectic musical
mix focused on dark disco throw-
backs and disco-inspired dance
tracks, or what Lemz calls “bath-
house music...and future techno.”
Lemz switches with his fellow res-
ident DJ Keenan Orr, and the two
are joined by DJ Jacq Jill for this
early Halloween-themed “fright
fest” with host Jane Saw, and a
special performance by Jaxknife
Complex. Thursday, Oct. 4, starting
at 9 p.m. 1101 Kenyon St. NW. Cover
is $5. Call 202-232-5263 or visit
sleazeparty.com.

MOUNTAIN MARYLAND
PLEIN AIR
This 10th annual arts event, tak-
ing place this week in Western
Maryland, is a celebration of the
region’s mountainous landscape
and of the longstanding French phi-
losophy of “painting in the open
air.” Produced by the Allegany
Arts Council, the festival selects a
total of 30 artists from around the
country to spend the week painting
the scenery surrounding a partic-
ular area spot of their choosing.
Among the D.C./Baltimore area art-
ists participating this year are Lissa
Abrams, Claudia Brookes, Henry
Coe, David Diaz, Raymond Ewing,
David Finnell, Jane Knighton, Mike
McSorley, Chris Rapa, and J. Stacy
Rogers. On Friday, Sept. 28, from 5
to 7 p.m., all participating artists will
unveil their works during the 2018
Collector’s Reception and Awards,
where $11,000 will be given out
to winning artists and patrons will
have the first opportunity to pur-
chase the festival-created works.
The general public gets that oppor-
Quickdraw competition, concluding
with an awards ceremony, at the
downtown Cumberland pedestrian
mall. Proceeds of artwork sales go
toward the Arts Council, based in
Cumberland, Md. Call 301-777-2787
or visit mmpleinair.org for more
information.
FOOD & DRINK
DENIZENS BREWING: MAKE IT
FUNKY WILD BEER FEST
Silver Spring’s lesbian-owned
brewery hosts the 4th annual fes-
tival celebrating the unique style of
wild and sour brews — from briny
goses to barnyardy brett beers. Over
100 funky beers from more than 30
craft breweries, most of them local,
will be available for tasting at this
event, with the band Soul Witness
performing in the beer garden and
DJ Kenny M. in the brewery. A spe-
cial festival menu will also be avail-
able. Among the participating brew-
card, with each liter of beer earning UNCENSORED COCKTAIL
PARTY: BANNED BOOKS WEEK
one punch — those with 10 punches
FUNDRAISER
will win an Oktoberfest-themed das
Lovers of literature and the First
boot to take home. Daily from 4
Amendment have a chance to raise
p.m., weather permitting. Saturday,
a glass to their favorite books as
Sept. 29, offers a DJ playing German
they commemorate Banned Books
pop hits from 2 to 5 p.m. Through
Week. Now in its fifth year, the
Oct. 22. Radiator, Mason & Rook,
annual cocktail party, hosted by the
1430 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Patio
DC Public Library Foundation, is
seating on a first-come, first-served
basis. Call 202-742-3150 or visit designed to celebrate those books
that have been banned or chal-
radiatordc.com.
lenged by censors, from the politi-
cally motivated to the prudish, for
TASTE OF BETHESDA
a host of reasons. For the party,
This 29th annual festival brings
the DC Public Library Foundation
nearly 50 restaurants and five stag-
brings in some of D.C.’s top bar-
es of entertainment to Bethesda’s
tenders and mixologists to create
Woodmont Triangle. Produced by
cocktails based on their favorite
the Bethesda Urban Partnership,
book. The party also features live
this year sees participation from
musical acts, crafts, and a pop-up
new area restaurants including the
market with local retailers. Friday,
Big Greek Café, CherCher Ethiopian
Sept. 28, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Blind
Cuisine, Dog Haus Biergarten,
Whino, 700 Delaware Ave. SW.
Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant, The
Tickets are $60. Call 202-869-4099
Red Bandana Bakery, and True
or visit dcplfoundation.org. l
Food Kitchen. Returning favor-
ites include Georgetown Cupcake,
Jaleo Bethesda, Mussel Bar, Olazzo,
and Ruth’s Chris. Live perfor-

18 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY

Scene Whitman Walker Health’s 40th Anniversary - Saturday, Sept. 22 - Photography by Ward Morrison
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 19

20 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY
 theFeed
UP IN SMOKE
Catholic church removes Chicago priest who burned LGBTQ rainbow flag. By Rhuaridh Marr
T
HE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO HAS REMOVED
a priest who ignited controversy after burning an
LGBTQ pride flag on church grounds. Rev. Paul
Kalchik was removed from Resurrection Catholic Church in
the city’s Avondale parish after he carried out the stunt on
September 14, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Cardinal Blase Cupich told Kalchik not to burn the flag,
which depicted a cross with a rainbow background, instruct-
ing him not to “move forward with that planned activity.”
Kalchik did so anyway, performing a prayer of exorcism
before carrying out the burning with a small group of parish-
ioners in a yard next to the church.
After learning that Kalchik had defied him, Cupich
informed Kalchik that he would be removed from his posi-
tion, a decision that was then relayed in a letter to parishio-
ners and staff.
“For some weeks now, I have become increasingly con-
cerned about a number of issues at Resurrection Parish,”
Cupich wrote. “It has become clear to me that Fr. Kalchik
must take time away from the parish to receive pastoral sup-
port so his needs can be assessed.
“I have a responsibility to be supportive of our priests
when they have difficulties,” he added, “but I also have a
duty to ensure that those who serve our faithful are fully able
to minister to them in the way the Church expects.”
Kalchik reportedly carried out the flag-burning as a
response to Cupich’s moves to make the church more
accepting of LGBTQ people, as well as Kalchik’s belief that
Cupich is trying to cover-up the sex abuse scandals plaguing
the Catholic Church.
In an interview with the Sun-Times, Kalchik said the
rampant abuse within the church was “definitely a gay
SUPREME FAILURE
LGBTQ and progressive groups call on White House
to withdraw Kavanaugh nomination. By John Riley
L
GBTQ GROUPS ARE CALLING ON PRESIDENT
Trump to withdraw the Supreme Court nomination
of Brett Kavanaugh after a second woman came for-
ward to accuse Kavanaugh of inappropriate sexual behavior,
and with a third woman expected to go public this week.
Kavanaugh seemed slated for an easy confirmation until
last week, when Palo Alto University professor Christine
Blasey Ford came forward to accuse him of trying to sexually
assault her at a house party in high school.
Both Kavanaugh and Ford are expected to testify before
the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, Sept. 27, and
the full committee is scheduled to vote on Kavanaugh’s
nomination the next day.
The second allegation against Kavanaugh came this week
thing,” and asked, “What have we done wrong other than
destroy a piece of propaganda that was used to put out a
message other than what the church is about?”
He also said that the flag should have been destroyed in
2007, along with other rainbow-colored items, after he was
ordained as pastor. Kalchik said that the priests who had
led the church before him were “big in promoting the gay
lifestyle,” and the flag that he burned was installed in 1991 to
make the church more welcoming to LGBTQ people.
“It was just by accident that this banner that was made
to celebrate all things gay...did not get destroyed when I first
got here,” he said.
Kalchik claims he has received death threats since carry-
ing out the flag burning, with the Chicago Tribune reporting
that he required a police escort due to fear of being attacked.
The priest, who says he was sexually abused by a Catholic
priest when he was a seminarian, also told the Tribune that
he doesn’t hate gay people.
“I’m about as much of a ‘gay basher’ as Mother Teresa of
Calcutta,” he said. “Love the sinner, hate the sin — that’s as
harsh as I get.”
Local LGBTQ people and allies protested Resurrection
church after news broke of Kalchik’s stunt, with many call-
ing for him to be removed.
After it was revealed that he had been ordered to stand
down from his position, Al Grippe, a member of Northwest
Side Coalition Against Racism and Hate, cheered the deci-
sion, saying it would have been an “affront” to LGBTQ peo-
ple had Kalchik remained as priest.
“Having him remain in a leadership position would be an
affront to the LGBT community,” Grippe told the Tribune.
“It was a clear act of hate, and he was rightfully removed.”
from Deborah Ramirez, who works at an organization that
supports victims of domestic violence. Ramirez claims that
when she was a student at Yale, Kavanaugh exposed himself
to her at a party, thrust his penis in her face, and caused
her to touch it without her consent. According to the New
Yorker, Ramirez was reluctant to come forward because she
had been drinking and was initially unsure of her memories.
Democrats have called for the FBI to conduct a deeper
background investigation into Kavanaugh to determine
whether the accusations against him are true, but both the
White House and Senate Republicans have rejected that
idea.
LGBTQ groups and their progressive allies are support-
ing calls for a full FBI investigation, as well as demanding
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 21
 theFeed
that the White House withdraw Kavanaugh’s nomination.
“Allegations of sexual violence should always be taken serious-
ly and properly investigated,” Sharon McGowan, Lambda Legal’s
chief strategy officer and legal director, said in a statement. “The
allegations of sexual misconduct brought forward by Dr. Ford, as
well as the new claims brought to the public’s attention...should
be immediately referred to the FBI for a full investigation.
“By refusing to do so, Senate Republicans demonstrate that
they are incapable of taking their solemn responsibility serious-
ly, and that they have learned little since Anita Hill’s hearing
27 years ago,” McGowan added. “In fact, there is no indication
that Senate leadership will reconsider their reckless campaign
to force Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination through. But we believe
that there must be at least two Republicans of conscience who
share our view that enough is enough.”
The National Center for Lesbian Rights also called for
Kavanaugh’s nomination to be withdrawn.
“For any person seeking a lifetime position on the highest
court in the land, the emergence of multiple allegations of sexual
assault by credible individuals must be deemed disqualifying,”
NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter said in a statement. “No
person has a right to sit on the Supreme Court of the United
States. The American people deserve nine Supreme Court jus-
tices who possess the highest level of integrity and moral char-
acter and, in particular, whose ability to rule impartially in cases
about sexual violence and harassment is unquestioned.
“Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s allegations are detailed, credible,
and corroborated by reports to third parties. And now, more
individuals have come forward to share similar stories,” Minter
continued, adding, “The gravity of this pattern of alleged sexual
assaults casts a troubling cloud on Kavanaugh’s nomination.”
22 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY
As with Ford’s allegations, Kavanaugh has denied Ramirez’s
accusations, saying in a statement: “This alleged event from 35
years ago did not happen. The people who knew me then know
that this did not happen, and have said so. This is a smear, plain
and simple. I look forward to testifying on Thursday about the
truth, and defending my good name — and the reputation for
character and integrity I have spent a lifetime building — against
these last-minute allegations.”
In an attempt to save his nomination, Kavanaugh appeared
with his wife on Fox News for an interview with Martha
MacCallum. Kavanaugh denied the allegations against him, say-
ing repeatedly that he was asking for a “fair process” that would
allow him to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee and
clear his name.
On Tuesday, President Trump weighed in on Ramirez’s alle-
gations, saying she “has nothing.”
“She admits that she was drunk. She admits time lapses,”
the president told reporters at the United Nations General
Assembly. Trump echoed sentiments expressed by other right-
wing media figures that Democrats are “playing a con game” to
scuttle Kavanaugh’s nomination.
But progressives pounced on the remark, with Vanita Gupta,
the president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil
and Human Rights, saying: “The leader of the Republican Party
is again blaming sexual assault survivors. This must stop. And it
will only stop if members of his own party actually stand up to
him and demand that these brave women alleging sexual assault
against Brett Kavanaugh be heard and respected.
“Republicans are facing a decency test,” added Gupta. “We
know Donald Trump failed it long ago but the question is wheth-
er every Republican senator will fail as well.” l
Scene HRC’s National Dinner - Saturday, September 15 - Photography by Ward Morrison
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 23

24 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY
 Community
THURSDAY, SEPT. 27 1743 Lincoln Rd. NE. For more
information, visit scandalsrfc.
AGLA, the social and civic org or dcscandals@gmail.com.
organization for LGBTQ people
in Arlington and Alexandria, THE DULLES TRIANGLES
hosts an EVENING COFFEE Northern Virginia social
SOCIAL for members and other group meets for happy hour at

WARD MORRISON / FILE PHOTO

people interested in learning Sheraton in Reston. All wel-
more about the organization. come. 7-9 p.m. 11810 Sunrise
Look for coffee coordinator Valley Drive, second-floor bar.
Eric, who will be wearing For more information, visit
purple and gold Mardi Gras dullestriangles.com.
beads. Meet at 7 p.m. at Buzz,
818 N. Quincy St., Arlington, US HELPING US hosts a
Va. Ballston Metro is nearby. Narcotics Anonymous Meeting.
For more information, visit The group is independent of
agla.org. UHU. 6:30-7:30 p.m., 3636

UNITED IN PRIDE
Georgia Ave. NW. For more
Center Latinx and Trans-Latinx information, call 202-446-1100.
DMV hosts “HONORING
LATINX HERITAGE,” an event WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
INSTITUTE for young LBTQ
celebrating Latinx Heritage The NOVA Pride Festival celebrates a segement women, 13-21, interested in
Month. Xemiyulu Tapepechul,
the director of art and culture of the LGBTQ community often underserved. leadership development. 5-6:30

I
at Trans-Latinx DMV, will p.m. SMYAL Youth Center, 410
share more about the organi- 7th St. SE. For more informa-
GREW UP IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, AND I REMEMBER tion, call 202-567-3163, or email
zation’s work and how to get
involved. Pupusas from Judy’s how important it was just to know that groups like catherine.chu@smyal.org.
to be served with refreshments. Equality Fairfax existed,” says Brian Reach, executive
6-7:30 p.m. The DC Center, director of NOVA Pride. “I remember going to their web- FRIDAY, SEPT. 28
2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105.
site and looking at it, just to make sure it was still there,
For more information, visit GAMMA is a confidential, vol-
thedccenter.org. even though I wasn’t really involved with it. Just seeing untary, peer-support group
that there were people out there who were like me, even for men who are gay, bisexual,
The DC ANTI-VIOLENCE before I had come out, was important.” questioning and who are now
PROJECT, a group dedicated or who have been in a relation-
to combating anti-LGBT hate That connection was particularly important given the ship with a woman. 7:30-9:30
crimes, holds its monthly meet- “lack of services in Northern Virginia for LGBTQ people,” p.m. Luther Place Memorial
ing at The DC Center. 7-8:30 Reach says. “To be able to go to an event that’s welcoming Church, 1226 Vermont Ave
p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite NW. GAMMA meetings are
105. For more information, visit
and affirming, like the NOVA Pride Festival, is essential
also held in Vienna, Va., and in
thedccenter.org. to strengthening the LGBTQ community and giving them Frederick, Md. For more infor-
resources to meet their needs.” mation, visit gammaindc.org.
Weekly Events This year’s NOVA Pride Festival will be held on
The DC Center holds its
DC AQUATICS CLUB practice
Saturday, Sept. 29, at Bull Run Special Events Center in CENTER AGING MONTHLY
session at Takoma Aquatic Centreville, Va. The event will feature vendors, represen- LUNCH social for members
Center. 7:30-9 p.m. 300 Van tatives from various community and service organizations, of D.C.’s senior community.
Buren St. NW. For more infor- a Youth Pride area, food trucks, and live entertainment Lunch is potluck — bring your
mation, visit swimdcac.org. own dish to share. 12-2 p.m.
from Chrys Matthews, Wicked Jezebel, Heather Mae, 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105.
DC FRONT RUNNERS run- Colour Theory, and music by DJ Enzik. Radio personality For more information, visit
ning/walking/social club Jimmy Alexander from Mix 107.3 will serve as master of thedccenter.org or call 202-
welcomes runners of all ability 682-2245.
levels for exercise in a fun and
ceremonies.
supportive environment, with The event will feature remarks from Karen K. Holmes, WOMEN IN THEIR TWENTIES
socializing afterward. Route a transgender woman and former soldier with several mil- (AND THIRTIES), a social
distance is 3-6 miles. Meet at itary honors who has also served as a TEDx speaker, and discussion and activity group
7 p.m. at 23rd & P Streets NW. for queer women, meets at The
For more information, visit Terry McAuliffe, the former governor of Virginia. DC Center on the second and
dcfrontrunners.org. “This year’s theme is ‘United in Pride,’” says Reach. fourth Friday of each month.
“The whole point is to highlight the community’s strength Group social activity to follow
DC LAMBDA SQUARES, D.C.’s the meeting. 8-9:30 p.m. 2000
gay and lesbian square-dancing
through diversity and intersectionality. It’s obviously an 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For
group, features mainstream interesting time for the community and our country right more information, visit thedc-
through advanced square now, so in the face of hateful rhetoric and tribalism, we center.org.
dancing at the National City can set an example by standing together and celebrating
Christian Church. Please dress Weekly Events
casually. 7-9:30 p.m. 5 Thomas our diversity and our resilience in the face of adversity.”
Circle NW. 202-930-1058, —John Riley ANDROMEDA
dclambdasquares.org. TRANSCULTURAL HEALTH
The 5th Annual NOVA Pride Festival is Saturday, Sept. 29 offers free HIV testing and HIV
DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds services (by appointment). 9
practice. The team is always from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Bull Run Special Events Center, a.m.-5 p.m. Decatur Center,
looking for new members. 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville, Va. Admission is free, and 1400 Decatur St. NW. To
All welcome. 7-9 p.m. Harry free shuttles will be provided between the Vienna Metro arrange an appointment, call
Thomas Recreation Center, 202-291-4707, or visit androm-
Station and the festival grounds. Visit novapride.org. edatransculturalhealth.org.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 25

 BET MISHPACHAH, founded by
members of the LGBT community,
holds Friday evening Shabbat ser-
vices in the DC Jewish Community
Center’s Community Room. 8 p.m.
1529 16th St. NW. For more infor-
mation, visit betmish.org.
DC AQUATICS CLUB holds a prac-
tice session at Howard University.
6:30-8 p.m. Burr Gymnasium, 2400
6th St. NW. For more information,
visit swimdcac.org.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker
Health. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at 1525
14th St. NW. For an appointment
call 202-745-7000 or visit whit-
man-walker.org.
METROHEALTH CENTER
offers free, rapid HIV testing.
Appointment needed. 1012 14th
St. NW, Suite 700. To arrange an
appointment, call 202-638-0750.
PROJECT STRIPES hosts LGBT-
affirming social group for ages
11-24. 4-6 p.m. 1419 Columbia Road
NW. Contact Tamara, 202-319-
0422, layc-dc.org.
SMYAL’S REC NIGHT provides a
social atmosphere for LGBT and
questioning youth, featuring dance
parties, vogue nights, movies and
games. For more info, email cather-
ine.chu@smyal.org.
SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-6
p.m., by appointment and walk-in,
for youth 21 and younger. Youth
Center, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-
3155 or testing@smyal.org.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 29
Weekly Events
ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURAL
HEALTH offers free HIV testing
and HIV services (by appointment
only). 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Decatur Center,
1400 Decatur St. NW. To arrange
an appointment, call 202-291-4707,
or visit andromedatranscultural-
health.org.
DC AQUATICS CLUB holds a prac-
tice session at Montgomery College
Aquatics Club. 8:30-10 a.m. 7600
Takoma Ave., Takoma, Md. For more
information, visit swimdcac.org.
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/
walking/social club welcomes run-
ners of all ability levels for exercise
in a fun and supportive environ-
ment, with socializing afterward.
Route distance will be 3-6 miles.
Walker meet at 9:30 a.m. and run-
ners at 10 a.m. at 23rd & P Streets
NW. For more information, visit
dcfrontrunners.org.
DIGNITYUSA sponsors Mass for
LGBT community, family and
friends. 6:30 p.m., Immanuel
Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary
26 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY
Road, Alexandria. All welcome. For
more info, visit dignitynova.org.
IDENTITY offers free and confiden-
tial HIV testing at its Takoma Park
location. Walk-ins accepted from
12-3 p.m., by appointment for all
other hours. 7676 New Hampshire
Ave., Suite 411, Takoma Park, Md.
To set up an appointment or for
more information, call 301-422-
2398.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 30
ADVENTURING outdoors group
and CHRYSALIS arts & culture
group co-sponsor guided walking
tour of historic and contemporary
Frederick, Md. Lunch will be in
Brewer’s Alley restaurant down-
town. Bring beverages, snacks,
comfortable walking shoes, a few
bucks for transportation and trip
fees, and lunch money. Carpool
at 9:30 a.m. from Grosvenor-
Strathmore Metro Kiss & Ride lot.
Contact Craig, 202-462-0535, or
visit adventuring.org.
AGLA will hold an ICE CREAM
SOCIAL at a private residence in
Arlington, Va., near James Haley
Park. An ice cream truck will be
offering several exciting flavors and
toppings, including rainbow sprin-
kles. There will be no sugar added,
gluten-free, and dairy-free options
available. Free for AGLA members.
Non-AGLA members welcome,
but donation recommended. In
addition, as an ongoing community
service, bring along new or gently
used women’s bras, panties, and
socks, or men’s underwear and
socks to collect for A-SPAN, or
bring nonperishable food items
for AFAC, a local community food
bank. For the address, or more
information, visit agla.org.
MONDAY, October 1
The DC Center hosts a
VOLUNTEER NIGHT for commu-
nity members to lend a hand with
various duties, including cleaning,
keeping safe-sex kit inventory, and
sorting through book donations.
Pizza provided. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. For
more information, visit thedccen-
ter.org.
Weekly Events
DC AQUATICS CLUB holds a
practice session at Dunbar Aquatic
Center. 7:30-9 p.m. 101 N St. NW.
For more information, visit swim-
dcac.org.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker
Health. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at 1525 14th
St. NW, and 9 a.m-12 p.m. and 1-5
p.m. at the Max Robinson Center,
2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE. For an
appointment call 202-745-7000 or
visit whitman-walker.org.
STI TESTING at Whitman-Walker
Health. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at both 1525
14th St. NW and the Max Robinson
Center, 2301 Martin Luther King,
Jr. Ave. SE. Testing is intended for
those without symptoms. For an
appointment call 202-745-7000 or
visit whitman-walker.org.
The DC Center hosts COFFEE
DROP-IN FOR THE SENIOR LGBT
COMMUNITY. 10 a.m.-noon. 2000
14th St. NW. For more information,
call 202-682-2245 or visit thedc-
center.org.
US HELPING US hosts a black gay
men’s evening affinity group for
GBT black men. Light refreshments
provided. 7-9 p.m. 3636 Georgia
Ave. NW. 202-446-1100.
WASHINGTON WETSKINS
WATER POLO TEAM practices 7-9
p.m. Newcomers with at least basic
swimming ability always welcome.
Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van
Buren St. NW. For more informa-
tion, contact Tom, 703-299-0504
or secretary@wetskins.org, or visit
wetskins.org.
WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTH
HIV/AIDS SUPPORT GROUP
for newly diagnosed individuals,
meets 7 p.m. Registration required.
202-939-7671, hivsupport@whit-
man-walker.org.
TUESDAY, October 2
Weekly Events
DC AQUATICS CLUB practice
session at Takoma Aquatic Center.
7:30-9 p.m. 300 Van Buren St. NW.
For more information, visit swim-
dcac.org.
DC FRONT RUNNERS running/
walking/social club welcomes run-
ners of all ability levels for exercise
in a fun and supportive environment,
with socializing afterward. Route
distance is 3-6 miles. Meet at 7 p.m.
at Union Station. For more informa-
tion, visit dcfrontrunners.org.
DC SCANDALS RUGBY holds prac-
tice. The team is always looking
for new members. All welcome.
7-9 p.m. Harry Thomas Recreation
Center, 1743 Lincoln Rd. NE. For
more information, visit scandalsrfc.
org or dcscandals@gmail.com.
THE GAY MEN’S HEALTH
COLLABORATIVE offers free
HIV testing and STI screening
and treatment every Tuesday.
5-6:30 p.m. Rainbow Tuesday
LGBT Clinic, Alexandria Health
Department, 4480 King St. 703-
746-4986 or text 571-214-9617.
james.leslie@inova.org.
HIV TESTING at Whitman-Walker
Health. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at 1525 14th
St. NW, and 9 a.m-12 p.m. and 1-5
p.m. at the Max Robinson Center,
2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE. For an
appointment call 202-745-7000 or
visit whitman-walker.org.
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS
holds an LGBT-focused meet-
ing every Tuesday, 7 p.m. at St.
George’s Episcopal Church, 915
Oakland Ave., Arlington, just steps
from Virginia Square Metro. For
more info. call Dick, 703-521-
1999. Handicapped accessible.
Newcomers welcome. liveandletli-
veoa@gmail.com.
SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5
p.m., by appointment and walk-in,
for youth 21 and younger. Youth
Center, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-
3155 or testing@smyal.org.
STI TESTING at Whitman-Walker
Health. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at both 1525
14th St. NW and the Max Robinson
Center, 2301 Martin Luther King,
Jr. Ave. SE. Testing is intended for
those without symptoms. For an
appointment call 202-745-7000 or
visit whitman-walker.org.
Support group for LGBTQ youth
ages 13-21 meets at SMYAL. 5-6:30
p.m. 410 7th St. SE. For more
information, contact Cathy Chu,
202-567-3163, or catherine.chu@
smyal.org.
US HELPING US hosts a support
group for black gay men 40 and
older. 7-9 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave.
NW. 202-446-1100.
Whitman-Walker Health holds its
weekly GAY MEN’S HEALTH AND
WELLNESS/STD CLINIC. Patients
are seen on walk-in basis. No-cost
screening for HIV, syphilis, gon-
orrhea and chlamydia. Hepatitis
and herpes testing available for fee.
Testing starts at 6 p.m, but should
arrive early to ensure a spot. 1525
14th St. NW. For more information,
visit whitman-walker.org.
WEDNESDAY, October 3
BOOKMEN DC, an informal
men’s gay literature group, dis-
cusses Moises Kaufman’s plays,
“The Laramie Project and The
Laramie Project: Ten Years Later,”
at the Cleveland Park Library.
All are welcome. 7:30 p.m. 3310
Connecticut Ave. NW. For more
info, visit bookmendc.blogspot.
com.
The TOM DAVOREN SOCIAL
BRIDGE CLUB meets for Social
Bridge at the Dignity Center, across
from the Marine Barracks. No
partner needed. 7:30 p.m. 721 8th
St. SE. Call 301-345-1571 for more
information. l
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 27
 The
West
Winger
In his new book, former White House staffer
Gautam Raghavan showcases the people behind
President Obama’s eight years in office.
Interview by John Riley
Photography by Todd Franson
“It’s so funny to watch this White House,
and know that Anthony Scaramucci and Omarosa are now
household names,” says Gautam Raghavan. “No one knew about
the people who held those same kinds of jobs in the Obama
White House.”
Compared to their colorful successors, the White House
staffers who worked for the previous administration could be
considered downright dull. Most were not spotlight-seekers,
reality TV show veterans, the progeny of prominent right-wing
political families, or fodder for late-night talk shows due to their
slavish devotion to fringe ideological movements.
“Most of us never talked to press,” adds Raghavan, who served
from 2011 to 2014 as Associate Director of Public Engagement
under the Obama White House, and as chief liaison to both the
LGBTQ and Asian-American communities. “We were relatively
unknown people.”
In his new book, West Wingers: Stories from the Dream
Chasers, Change Makers, and Hope Creators Inside the Obama
White House (Penguin Random House, $17), Raghavan shines a
spotlight on the unseen and often unheralded individuals who
helped run the Obama administration, showcasing a number of
former staffers, their unique stories, and their reflections from
their time in government. That West Wingers also features nota-
ble diversity among those featured in the book is a reflection of
the emphasis that the Obama White House placed on recruiting
people from varied backgrounds.
28 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY
“Putting this together was fairly easy,” Raghavan says. “I sat
down with some friends and former colleagues. We made a big
list of about 60 people who we knew had a good story to tell.
Then I made my way down that list, trying to get a good mix,
because no reader wants to read five stories about healthcare
policy or terrorism.”
Raghavan, who compiled and edited the final submissions,
deliberately focused on those with personal connections to
their stories. “The idea was not to just find people who had a
great anecdote, but to find people who were in some way deeply
enmeshed in the story that they had to tell,” he says.
For Raghavan and his fellow writers, penning their own sto-
ries was “an exercise in nostalgia,” especially for people who are
horrified on a daily basis by the antics of the Trump administra-
tion. “The bigger issue for a lot of us was putting ourselves in the
story. We were used to talking about Obama, the president, his
legacy — giving him the credit and telling his story, but not really
explaining our own. So it was really hard for us to say, ‘This is
how I felt in a moment. Here were my critiques or frustrations.’
You’re not supposed to talk about that kind of stuff, but we want-
ed to be real about it, too.”
In his own chapter, the 36-year-old Raghavan draws par-
allels between his own coming out and his eventual marriage
to his partner Andy with the evolution of political support for
same-sex couples and families, from the time when the Bush
administration proposed a constitutional amendment to ban gay
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 29
marriage to President Obama’s eventual embrace of it as part of
his reelection platform.
“In a really weird way, [Andy and I] were lucky that our
relationship tracked the evolution of marriage equality, both
in terms of public opinion and in terms of the law, where by
the time we were ready to get married, we could get married
in D.C.,” he says. “It’s sort of a weird parallel trajectory, and,
as I write about in the book, plenty of people before us didn’t
have that luxury of being there at the right time for the right
moment.”
Raghavan now works as a consultant on LGBTQ program-
ming for the Biden Foundation and runs the day-to-day oper-
ations of the Indian American Impact Fund, a PAC focused on
electing candidates of Indian heritage to political office. But his
biggest focus in life is being a father to a 19-month-old girl, who
he and Andy adopted last year after two years of being waitlisted.
“All the cliches I found are true about, ‘Oh, it’s the best thing
you ever do,’” he says. “In the midst of all this professional and
personal chaos, it is so nice and reassuring that our little corner
of the world is great, and we can raise this baby girl — and we
can teach her differently. I like to joke that she’ll never really
remember who Trump was except as a boogeyman.”
METRO WEEKLY: What was your childhood like?
GAUTAM RAGHAVAN: My family immigrated from India to the
United States when I was three years old, originally to Atlanta
where my Dad was getting his PhD. But then he got a job offer
he couldn’t refuse in Seattle, so we moved up there. I grew up in
the Seattle suburbs, in a very diverse suburban community. We
go back to India every couple of years, but my experience was
Seattle suburbs.
MW: What were you like as a child?
RAGHAVAN: I would say I was half-drama nerd and half-band
geek. So I was a very popular kid in school. [Laughs.]
MW: When did you come out?
RAGHAVAN: My junior year in college. I started coming out to
friends. One of the things that inspired me was I was a resident
assistant in a dorm and a bunch of my freshmen kept coming
out to me. They were like, “You’re such a great ally,” and I was
thinking to myself, “This is ridiculous. You are 18, and you’re
freshly out, and I’m still in the closet.” One of the things that
also had a huge impact on me was that I spent the summer of
2003 in D.C., and it was the summer of the Federal Marriage
Amendment [proposed by] Bush and Rove, using marriage to
divide the country. I write about this a little bit in the book.
So I was in D.C. for the summer, and I started dating a guy.
I went home for a couple of days before going back to school.
My parents and I, we’re very close. We never used to talk
about relationships or who I was interested in. But they could
tell something was up, especially my mom. I really wanted to
say something, and I felt like I also couldn’t. I was at the point
where it wasn’t just my identity, it was hiding a relationship with
somebody, or at least something that had happened to me over
the summer.
I remember one afternoon we were watching Dancer in the
Dark, the movie that had Björk in it. I was sitting there, and I
really wanted to say something. We got maybe five minutes into
the titles when I hit pause, and I remembered telling her, “Hey,
there’s something I need to tell you,” and she said, “Okay, what’s
going on?” I said, “Well, I started dating somebody over the
summer.” She said, “Oh my gosh. Did you get a girl pregnant?”
I said, “No, that is not what happened. I started dating a man.”
30 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY
Then we went from there.
Her response was pretty much exactly what you hope a
parent’s response will be. If anything, I think she was sad that I
hadn’t said something sooner. She felt like, “How long have you
been holding this inside, and why couldn’t you tell me?”
MW: You mention in the book that she asked you if you still wanted
to have children.
RAGHAVAN: Yeah, “Do you still want to have kids?” Which is
the kind of response you want to get from your parent. In that
moment, I was still worried about telling my dad. Not for any
good reason — I mean, I had gay friends in high school, and
they were both super supportive. But I think a lot of young men
worry about what their dads are going to say. I told her, “Don’t
tell Dad.” I actually went back to school, and we would talk
occasionally, and I would say, “I just need some time to figure
out how to tell him.”
Eventually, it was, I think, too much for her. And so she told
him. I got back to my dorm room, and there was a voicemail from
my Dad where he basically said, “Mom told me. Don’t worry.
We love you.” Then he said, “I wonder how many people in our
family were gay and couldn’t say anything about it,” which was
a profoundly insightful thing to say in that kind of a moment.
MW: When you were working at the Pentagon, you got a call from
Brian Bond asking you to replace him as LGBTQ liaison for the
White House. What was that like?
RAGHAVAN: Working on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was my first,
real in-depth experience working with the community and
with the movement organizations. It was, obviously, a super
intense experience because it was a presidential priority, and it
initially meant a lot to the community. I mean, I couldn’t have
asked for a better way to get to know Joe Solmonese at HRC or
Aubrey Sarvis at what was then Servicemembers Legal Defense
“I remember seeing an
election night exit poll
that said public trust in
government was in the
low double digits. That
is a part of the reason
why Trump won — IF
YOU DON’T TRUST
GOVERNMENT, THEN
WHAT DOES IT MATTER
WHO’S LEADING IT?”
Network. It was the best way to get to know all these players
and organizations. When it was over, I was sad to see that end
because we were still working on the early part of implementa-
tion. But I really enjoyed that experience. I loved that the work
was so personal to me.
So when Brian called I was like, “Absolutely, I want that
job,” even though it was a pay cut, and the hours were going to
be worse, and there was a lot of pressure. I was ready for the
challenge.
MW: In your role, were you ever asked to work on or consult on
other issues?
RAGHAVAN: Yeah, for a couple of reasons. One is I was also
the Asian-American liaison. Many of my days, I was switching
between communities and modes and people I was talking to.
So, that automatically forced me to think about things a little bit
differently because I was thinking about immigration both in
terms of the experience of binational, same-sex couples, but also
in terms of undocumented kids. That’s one piece of it. But the
other was really that in the Office of Public Engagement, we had
morning meetings, and we all shared offices. So it was impossible
not to pick up on what was happening in other communities. I
think, rightfully so, there was a real focus on making sure that all
of our communities were not just thinking about their number
one, two, or three agenda items but also about the other things
that were happening in the country.
To the credit of a lot of these groups, I will say that, historical-
ly, a lot of our movement organizations have been very siloed in
terms of what they think about as a queer issue. But increasingly,
I think they’ve been more receptive and more aware of the link-
ages between various issues. I think the landscape we’re in right
now has really forced a lot of these organizations to understand,
“We have to stand up around Black Lives Matter and the Muslim
ban and DACA,” which is nice to see. So for all those reasons, I
think we really did try to look at things holistically.
MW: Was there ever a point while working in the White House
where you started questioning the administration? Where you
thought, “They really don’t have a handle on this,” or “What did I
get myself into?”
RAGHAVAN: All the time. I mean, it’s hard not to question what’s
happening, either because the media covers it or because for
those of us who were liaisons to communities, when things
weren’t going well, we heard about it. That’s sometimes a hard
position to be in.
But then, the great days are really great. An example of this
was we tried for three years to get an executive order on federal
contracting, and there was reticence and hesitation for a lot of
reasons along the way. Some good reasons, some bad reasons.
But that was really hard because I knew fully that it would cover
about 22 percent of the workforce in America. And to be told we
can’t get it done because the timing isn’t right, the optics might
be tricky for us, or the backlash will be problematic, was really
hard to hear.
MW: What was the main reason for the delay?
RAGHAVAN: I think it was a couple things. One was that there
are always competing priorities in any given time. There’s only
so much political capital that can be used for any given commu-
nity. The second reason was there was a desire to see how far
can we get legislatively before turning to executive action. The
third reason had a lot to do with this notion that the economy
was just beginning to recover, and that an executive order that
tells federal contractors that a certain kind of discrimination is
prohibited would be poorly received in the business community,
and people would use that to say, “Oh, it’s more liberal regula-
“Whoever comes in
next is going to have
a lot of work to do to
remind the American
people: ‘Here’s what it
means to be president
and to serve and to
lead.’ WHAT WE’RE
SEEING NOW IS
TOTALLY BATSHIT
CRAZY.”
tions that will harm business.” We know that was not the case,
and it doesn’t actually bear out. A lot of these companies already
protect their employees, but that was a concern that I remember
hearing.
MW: Someone told me that they believe Democrats need to realize
the only time they’re going to get anything on LGBTQ rights passed
is if they control all three branches of government, and just ram it
through and accept the electoral consequences. Do you agree with
that sentiment?
RAGHAVAN: To some degree. But I remember in 2010, I sat in
the Senate gallery the day that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal
passed and the DREAM Act failed. We had the Senate, we had
the House, we had the White House. But it took a lot of political
capital to get the Affordable Care Act passed. Then you had the
jobs package and all the [economic] stuff that happened earlier
on. If things had gone differently, and we hadn’t had an econom-
ic crisis at the beginning, I think we could have made a lot more
progress in those two years.
MW: When Republicans are in charge, they don’t seem afraid to
push through the legislation, judges, and Supreme Court nomi-
nations they want approved, regardless of how popular it is. Do
Democrats need to be more cutthroat in pursuing their agenda?
RAGHAVAN: I think it’s two different things. One argument is
about values, and one is about process. What I think is a com-
pletely legitimate critique is that too often progressives and
Democrats don’t stand up for their values and say, “This is what
we’re for” and articulate it. Sometimes, we’re too quick to com-
promise on whatever issue it might be. But on process, I push
back a little bit because I don’t think that ramming through bills
or nominations is ultimately healthy for the system. The next
guy or gal can chip away or undo parts of it, too.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is a great example. You could have
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 31
“I was a resident
assistant and a bunch
of my freshmen
kept coming out
to me. They were
like, ‘You’re such a
great ally,’ and I was
thinking to myself,
‘THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
YOU ARE 18, AND
YOU’RE FRESHLY OUT,
AND I’M STILL
IN THE CLOSET.’”
said, “Why do a year-long study on repeal at the Pentagon? Just
do it. Just have a vote and get it done.” One reason is I don’t think
that the vote would have gone the way we wanted it to, certainly
not with the extra Republican votes it ended up getting. But two,
when you take the time to do things the right way, it makes it a
lot harder to undo. So I don’t buy the argument that, for exam-
ple, if Democrats take control of the Senate and the House, that
we should just go nuts. But I do think we should articulate what
we’re for and have votes to push for change.
MW: In your book, you mention, as LGBTQ liaision, putting refer-
ences to loving, committed couples in speeches and sort of moving
the president to where you hoped he’d eventually end up.
RAGHAVAN: I didn’t think about it as moving the president. And
quite frankly, I don’t think anyone could move the president. I
didn’t see that as my role. I saw it more as “Let’s just make sure
he’s seeing every part of our community,” including couples who
want to get married and have kids and need to protect them.
Let’s make sure he sees that, and let’s give him as much informa-
tion and anecdotes and opportunity to see us and grapple with
whatever he’s grappling with on his own.
But it was hard. Those were really hard months to go through
all that, especially as a married staffer, and to increasingly get
questions from the community of, “What is taking so long?
What’s the problem?” That was really hard. These were the
days where I did think about whether this was right gig for me,
or maybe I couldn’t handle this, or if someone more creative or
aggressive were in my position, maybe they’d push harder and
32 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY
get it done.
MW: What do you think can be done if Democrats take back the
House? Are they essentially there as a fail-safe?
RAGHAVAN: They can exercise their oversight authority. There
are people right now like, “What’s oversight?” There needs to
be a co-equal branch that is actually doing its job. That’s what I
hope will happen.
MW: What should Democrats be talking about in the final month
before November’s election?
RAGHAVAN: I think we should we talk about values. Especially
in these last few days, there is a stark contrast in terms of values
between what progressives and Democrats offer, and what is the
current state of play with this administration and the Republican
majorities.
Even what’s happening right now with Kavanaugh. It’s
what’s happening with him, but more importantly, it’s how
they’re treating Dr. Ford and the ways in which they’re talking
about her and other women who’ve experienced sexual assault
in their lives. Number one, it’s disgusting. But number two, I
think there are a lot of people who see that and are rightfully
turned off by it.
I also think the corruption and nepotism we’re seeing across
the entire administration is something we should talk about. We
are a party that is for transparency and ethics and democratic
norms. Especially in individual districts, it’s about values.
MW: But Republicans will say that when Democrats get in power,
they’re equally as bad. They promise transparency and ethics, and
then violate those standards.
RAGHAVAN: Yeah, but I mean, let’s contrast the scandals. As I like
to joke, the biggest scandal in Obama’s years was the tan suit.
When we confirmed Sonia Sotomayor, the big scandal was the
“wise Latina” speech, which is also in the book.
Compare that to what we’re seeing now in this Supreme
Court nomination. No party is ever going to be completely
transparent or blameless when they have power. But I think the
contrast is pretty clear. It’s funny, I don’t think we use the word
“Trump” anywhere in this book, and we don’t have to, because
I think the contrast between what the Obama White House
looked like and what this White House looks like is very clear,
both in terms of the kinds of people who are there and what
motivates them.
MW: Talking about the White House, was there dysfunction that
we just didn’t know about? Did you ever have self-interested staff-
ers back-talking the president or lying to him...
RAGHAVAN: ...or taking papers off his desk or hiding pens?
MW: Right. Some people are going to argue that “This happens in
every White House.” Is that true?
RAGHAVAN: No, it’s not true, and quite frankly, I don’t think it
happened in the Bush White House before us either. This is a
completely different ballgame. I think it’s a lot of people who are
there for the wrong reasons who are taking their cues from the
commander-in-chief. You also look at the way in which these
people are thinking about government and public service, and
that’s really demoralizing.
I think whoever comes in next is going to have a lot of work
to do to adjust course and remind the American people, “Here’s
what it means to be president and to serve and to lead.” What
we’re seeing now is totally batshit crazy.
MW: A lot of people like Trump because he says exactly what he’s
thinking, and doesn’t kowtow to political correctness. What’s the
main problem with the way the president acts or the way the White
House conducts business?
RAGHAVAN: We’ll see how well it continues to play out. I remem-
ber seeing an election night exit poll that said public trust in
government was in the low double digits. It was something like
11 percent or 17 percent. I remember thinking, “That is insane
that people have such little trust in government.” That is a part
of the reason why Trump won — if you don’t trust government,
then what does it matter who’s leading it?
But to answer your question, there needs to be some morality
and integrity in the office of the president. It’s not just about
setting an example domestically, but it’s also how we’re seen
around the world. I think that, at its core, the lack of stability is a
huge problem with what we’re seeing right now.
MW: If public trust in government is at an all-time low — and may
get worse — how can the Democrats be successful?
RAGHAVAN: Well, people can start by reading our book. I say
that jokingly. One of the
things that we try to cap-
ture in the book is the ways
in which policy change
directly impacted people’s
lives, which is why it’s such
a diverse group of authors,
because all of our lives
were in some ways shaped
by the things that we did
in the Obama administra-
tion. Quite frankly, I don’t
think we did a good enough
job in the administration
of telling the stories, and
explaining to people why
the things that we were
doing mattered to them.
I mean, we’ve lost this
argument for decades. We
don’t explain why things
like Medicaid or our
national parks or the roads
we drive on are connected
to government writ large. We’ve ceded the argument that “big
government” is bad, that there’s a lazy federal workforce, that
there’s this rigid bureaucracy. Some of those things are true in
certain places, but on the whole, it’s not true.
MW: Why do you think it’s not true?
RAGHAVAN: From my experience, for every quote-unquote “lazy
federal worker” there are at least a dozen people who really
care about their work, and they stay there not for the benefits,
but because they are really good at what they do, and they feel
like what they do has a real impact on people. There is no other
industry — philanthropy, the private sector, faith communities —
that can have the kind of reach and impact the government can.
It’s not possible.
For government, you have to have people who really believe
in it and who represent the people, and believe they can do good
and are not there to criticize the deep state or freeze federal
worker pay or make it easier to fire people. But it also requires
government being run and staffed by the right people. Why
would you want to hire someone who doesn’t believe in philan-
thropy to run a foundation, or someone who doesn’t believe in
God to run a church? It doesn’t make sense.
MW: Do you think that the current administration could get the
same diversity of voices and opinions to write a similar book, or
are the type of experiences you chronicle unique to the Obama
White House?
RAGHAVAN: That’s a hard question to answer. In terms of the
diversity of the authors we have, no. Just look at the White
House staff, their internship classes, the administration, the
judges, the appointees. There’s a complete lack of diversity. It’s
overwhelmingly white men.
I don’t know anyone who works in this White House. But I
will say I have some degree of empathy for some of the folks who
work there, who probably came out of campaigns or the Hill or
the RNC who were probably thinking to themselves, “This is my
one shot to work at the White House and do good on the issue
that I care about.” I think that’s fine. I think you should go do
that. You should follow your dream and work on your passion.
But the question then becomes: how long can you stay? How
long do you let that play out? At some point, everyone’s got
to have their own line of
“This is no longer a place
where I can work and a
cause I can support.” I’m
sure there are good peo-
ple with good intentions
on the inside right now.
But I don’t think you’d get
a book like this.
MW: Is there anything that
you regret not having done
during your time in the
White House?
RAGHAVAN: Two things.
One is a policy thing,
where I wish we moved
faster on the trans mili-
tary service policy change,
and on the Title IX regu-
lations, because those are
both things that were done
through executive regula-
tory authority, not through
Congress, and they both
happened in the last year. I wish we had done those earlier,
because I think they would have had more time to be fully baked
in and harder to undo.
I think my personal regret is I actually wish I’d stayed until
the end because at the time, my husband and I were like, “We
need to start a family. We can’t do it with these hours and this
pay. So I need to go make some money and have some flexibil-
ity.” I don’t regret that, obviously, but I always assumed that
there’d be an opportunity to come back perhaps in the next
administration. When that didn’t happen, you realize how much
it mattered when you were doing that work.
MW: Would you ever go back to work for a future Democratic
administration, even if it meant taking a pay cut?
RAGHAVAN: If I believe in the values, yes. If Hillary had won, I
would’ve been in the Clinton administration today, I’m sure. At
least I would have liked to. Like I said earlier, I really believe
that there’s no other sector or institution that can have the
impact that government has. So in terms of having the greatest
reach and positive leadership, that’s where I’d want to be. l
West Wingers: Stories from the Dream Chasers, Change Makers,
and Hope Creators Inside the Obama White House is published
by Penguin Random House, and is available in paperback or ebook.
Visit amazon.com or penguinrandomhouse.com.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 33
 COURTESY EMBASSY OF SWEDEN
Gallery

Studio 54 Forever
Photography by Hasse Persson

R
IGHT NOW, YOU CAN GET A GLIMPSE INTO
THE world’s most iconic disco by taking a stroll
down to the Swedish Embassy on the Georgetown
Waterfront. Within the House of Sweden resides an exhibit
featuring photos from the glory days of Studio 54 captured
by Swedish photographer Hasse Persson, who snapped
images in the U.S. from 1967 to 1990, covering race relations,
American presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan,
and iconic figures such as Andy Warhol. Persson was one
of a handful of photographers granted permission to pho-
tograph inside the world’s most celebrated and notorious
nightclub. —Doug Rule

On display to Dec. 16, with public access limited to Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. 2900 K St. NW. Free.
Call 202-467-2600 or visit swedenabroad.com/washington.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 35

Movies

Of course, Colette is the one who actu-

French Toast
Keira Knightley’s latest star turn takes her to the salons
of turn-of-the-century Paris. By André Hereford
ally wrote the book, and all the subsequent
Claudine novels. Following Willy’s advice
to dash the stories with “more spice, less
literature,” she delivers what become
instant best-sellers. But her true contri-
butions to Willy’s success stay hidden
behind the larger-than-life man’s fame

S
and reputation. Willy closely guards the
OMEONE, SOMEWHERE, STANDS FIRMLY CONVINCED THAT KEIRA fact that he oversees a stable of ghost-
Knightley represents a sort of ideal of continental glamour and style. The current writers, into which he conscripts his wife.
face of the quintessentially French brand Chanel, Knightley now stars as the quint- Although Colette bristles at the arrange-
essentially French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette in the spare but lusty biographical ment, she accepts it. To a degree, Willy
drama bearing the single name by which the writer became known to the world. has her believing that were it not for him,
But in Colette ( ), the laissez-faire sensuality of the semi-louche libertine she never could have produced anything
seems not to come naturally to Knightley. Her performance more precisely recalls the great, and without him, she won’t contin-
sturdy, determined English girl who first lit up the screen in Bend it Like Beckham. ue to do great things.
The actress has won fans and acclaim portraying variations on that theme of chin- The film chronicles the writer’s femi-
up, shoulders-back brio ever since, usually while swanning about enviable locales, nist awakening, as it’s aroused by her par-
dressed in the finest period costumes. As Colette, she stretches not far from what audi- allel sexual awakening to freedoms that
ences have seen her do before — and yet, she’s riveting as the blossoming artist in fin previously had been solely the privilege of
de siècle Paris. Knightley takes command of this story of a woman discovering the full men in marriage. For example, Colette is
scope of her powers and talents. Moreover, she’s well-matched by an incisive script — fine with Willy taking a lover or two, but
co-written by the film’s director, Wash Westmoreland, Richard Glatzer, and Rebecca only if he accepts that she does the same.
D. Lenkiewicz — and her co-star Dominic West as the titular character’s lout of a hus- Her affairs include Georgie Raoul-Duval
band, the even more famous (at the time) writer Henry Gauthier-Villars, known by his (Eleanor Tomlinson), a fiery society wife
nom-de-plume, Willy. just arrived in Paris from Louisiana, and
Willy and Colette, who is 14 years his junior, become the toast of 1890s Paris with Marquise de Belbeuf (Denise Gough), a
the publication of “his” novel Claudine à L’école, a provocative account of a country wealthy androgyne nicknamed Missy.
schoolgirl’s coming-of-age. Led by Willy’s propensity for self-promotion, the couple Colette is nothing if not sophisticated in
presents the novel as a perfect marriage of Colette’s girlhood experiences and Willy’s its treatment of the mores and appetites of
genius for capturing her precocious spirit in his writing. continues on page 38

36 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY

CAMERON WHITMAN
Stage

ally is and the revered historical figure he

Stealing Words
Despite a few strong performances, Keegan’s
Lincolnesque doesn’t fully deliver, landing somewhere
in the muddy middle. By André Hereford
thinks he is falls short of convincing.
Tasked with communicating the wis-
dom and import of some of Lincoln’s most
powerful rhetoric, McCoy’s a technically
precise orator who nevertheless leaves
Francis sounding like a madman recit-
ing Lincoln, as opposed to living Lincoln.
According to the story, Francis’ dementia
might or might not be an act, but for the

J
most part, McCoy’s Civil War president
OHN STRAND’S COMEDY LINCOLNESQUE BOASTS A PREMISE STRAIGHT should live and breathe. Instead, it feels
out of a Frank Capra film, or, in the more contemporary parlance of the play, like a put-on. Leo has arranged his life,
a screwball series from USA Network: a stressed D.C. speechwriter recycles and partly his identity, around taking care
phrases from Abe Lincoln’s greatest hits in order to save the flailing campaign of his of Francis, so the character is ill-served by
congressman boss. Add a love interest (in this case, the congressman’s ferocious new a Francis who appears not psychotic but
chief of staff) and a comic complication (the writer sources those Lincoln quotes from merely uncooperative.
his mad-as-a-hatter brother who actually believes he is the 16th president), and the On the other hand, Stan Shulman as
show is good to go. Edwin, one of the burnouts Francis pals
For Keegan’s new staging of Lincolnesque (HHHHH), which the company gave around with in the park, offers a quite
its D.C. area premiere in 2009, the premise is fully charged with current midterm moving portrayal of a man who’s lost
election meaning. But while the pieces are set, it’s the production that flails. Caught his marbles. The script refers to D.C. as
between darkly satirizing the self-serving shenanigans of the hamsters on the wheel on a place where people lose their “back-
Capitol Hill, and portraying the emotionally fraught relationship of the speechwriter bone, their brains, or their balls,” and
Leo (Michael Innocenti) and his mentally unstable brother Francis (Brandon McCoy), Edwin, whom Francis/Lincoln calls his
director Colin Smith lands the production somewhere in the muddy middle. Secretary of War, is the play’s most piti-
The comedy hits peaks of laughter in its jabs at politicos, and the sibling drama ful example of a former idealist driven
uncovers poignant truths about caring for someone who’s mentally ill, but at the center mad by the moral rot he either promoted
of it all stands a performance by McCoy that doesn’t hold it all together. His Francis, or witnessed in his prior life. Shulman
who speaks in Lincoln-esque tones and renders the self-diagnosis that he’s “a house also makes Edwin funny, and imbues him
divided against itself,” comports himself with the formality of a presidential impres- with heart, in stark contrast to his turn in
sionist. The tricky multi-layered turn of essaying both the troubled man Francis actu- another role as an affably ruthless political

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 37

 ning against Leo’s boss, and befriends
Francis unaware that his janitor’s repur-
posed Lincoln quotes are what’s float-
ing the rival campaign. The coincidental
connection comes sharply back to bite
everybody, especially Leo, in a surprising
second-act development that might even
feel contrived in a Capra movie.
What feels genuine is Leo’s sense of
obligation to his brother, as Innocenti
makes his resentment palpable, well
before Francis tosses that charge at him
during an argument. Their heated conflict
over finding some balance of freedom
and structure to live by, since Francis’
last major psychotic incident, drives the
CAMERON WHITMAN

plot more forcefully than Leo’s poorly

operative named Harold Daly.
Daly, who owns the building where Francis buffs the floors,
is charmed by Francis’ simple righteousness, a novelty in his
world. Francis says he wants to “emancipate” Daly from his self-
made pain and suffering, and Daly responds by opening up and
absorbing the Lincoln-esque life lessons.
Daly also happens to represent the candidate who’s run-
delineated dalliance with chief of staff
Carla (Susan Marie Rhea), who urges
him to produce ever-more inspirational
speeches.
Rhea herself pushes the characteriza-
tion close to a parody of political amorality, but ultimately deliv-
ers on Carla’s frequent comic insults and asides. And it’s really
through her, and a brilliantly written speech exposing Lincoln’s
less-than-heroic acts, that the play carries out one of its key mis-
sions: to remind us that sounding inspirational should never be
more important than being truly inspired. l

Lincolnesque runs to October 14 at The Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW. Tickets are $36 to $46.
Call 202-265-3767, or visit KeeganTheatre.com.

continued from page 36 the Paris salon set. Colette is depicted
as a girl who might not know indepen-
dence, but she understands desire. And
what she doesn’t understand, she learns
quickly, be it in the drawing room or the
bedroom. Afforded several opportunities
to portray Colette’s lightbulb epiphanies,
both in the creative and carnal realms,
Knightley lends fierce expression to the
character’s sparks of imagination.
Meanwhile, the film overall portrays
the world’s lightbulb moment, as Willy
and Colette live through the advent
of the typewriter, the automobile, and
widespread indoor electrical lighting.
Theirs was an era that absorbed monu-
mental changes in technology and cul-
ture, and Westmoreland’s take on the
headstrong novelist places her like a
beacon at the cusp of this new age.
Tracking those epochal shifts, the scale
of the picture stays modest, while the
lush wardrobe keeps up with Colette’s
growing confidence to dress as suited
her androgynous nature.
“I want to be part of things,” she
pleads to Willy, and indeed, Colette
becomes the celebrated center of
a whirlwind of art, sex, and society.
Knightley steps out of her comfort zone
to embody the temptress at the height
of her physical powers, flaunting her
sexuality onstage in a series of modern
dance and pantomime performances.
While she doesn’t convey prowess as a
dancer, she strongly registers the steely
audacity that propels Colette onto the
stage in the first place.
There’s no question of Colette’s
indomitable determination to become
herself. Westmoreland likens her pro-
cess of becoming to the process of
writing, a sometimes agonizing labor
towards the ecstasy of filling page after
page with a form of truth. And in order
to accomplish that, she has to over-
come the lie that only a man could
create a sensational woman like her or
Claudine. Yes, Willy teaches Colette
and challenges her, but, whether this
is a portrait of radical marriage or
mentorship, Knightley’s performance
makes clear that, ultimately, Colette is
her own creation. l

Colette, rated R, opens on Friday, September 28 at the Landmark’s E Street and Bethesda Row Cinema.
Visit landmarktheatres.com.

38 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY

NightLife
Photography by
Ward Morrison

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 39

Scene Trade - Thursday, September 20 - Photography by Ward Morrison
See and purchase more photos from this event at www.metroweekly.com/scene

DrinksDragDJsEtc... SHAW’S TAVERN Friday, Dance Party, with Nellie’s TRADE

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40 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY

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• No Cover SHAW’S TAVERN stairs, 9:30pm-close ing menu till 9pm • Visit GREEN LANTERN
Brunch with $15 9 1/2 pitchersbardc.com Happy Hour, 4-9pm •
NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR Bottomless Mimosas, Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR $3 rail cocktails and
Drag Brunch, hosted 10am-3pm • Happy Hour, drink, 2-9pm • $5 Absolut Drag Brunch, hosted SHAW’S TAVERN domestic beers all night
by Chanel Devereaux, 5-7pm • $3 Miller Lite, and $5 Bulleit Bourbon, by Chanel Devereaux, Brunch with Bottomless long • Singing with the
10:30am-12:30pm and $4 Blue Moon, $5 House 9pm-close • Multiple TVs 10:30am-12:30pm and Mimosas, 10am-3pm • Sisters: Open Mic Karaoke
1-3pm • Tickets on sale Wines, $5 Rail Drinks • showing movies, shows, 1-3pm • Tickets on sale Happy Hour, 5-7pm • $3 Night with the Sisters
at nelliessportsbar.com Half-Priced Pizzas and sports • Expanded craft at nelliessportsbar.com Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon, of Perpetual Indulgence,
• House Rail Drinks, Zing Select Appetizers • beer selection • No Cover • House Rail Drinks, Zing $5 House Wines, $5 Rail 9:30pm-close
Zang Bloody Marys, Nellie Zang Bloody Marys, Nellie Drinks • Half-Priced Pizzas

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 41

 NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR
Beat the Clock Happy Hour
— $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
$4 (7-8pm) • Buckets of
Beer, $15 • Half-Priced
Burgers • Paint Nite, 7pm
• PokerFace Poker, 8pm •
Dart Boards • Ping Pong
Madness, featuring 2 Ping-
Pong Tables
NUMBER NINE
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm • No Cover
SHAW’S TAVERN
Happy Hour, 4-7pm • $3
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
$5 House Wines, $5 Rail
Drinks • Half-Priced Pizzas
and Select Appetizers •
Shaw ’Nuff Trivia, with
Jeremy, 7:30pm
TRADE
Doors open 5pm • Huge
Happy Hour: Any drink
normally served in a cock-
tail glass served in a huge
42 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY
glass for the same price, NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR
5-10pm • Beer and wine Beat the Clock Happy Hour
only $4 — $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
$4 (7-8pm) • Buckets of
Beer $15 • Drag Bingo
with Sasha Adams and
Tuesday, Brooklyn Heights, 7-9pm •
Karaoke, 9pm-close
October 2
NUMBER NINE
A LEAGUE OF HER OWN Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
Open 5pm-12am • Happy drink, 5-9pm • No Cover
Hour: $2 off everything
until 9pm • Video Games PITCHERS
• Live televised sports Open 5pm-12am • Happy
Hour: $2 off everything
FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm • Taco
until 9pm • Video Games
• Foosball • Live televised
Tuesday • Poker Night — sports • Full dining menu
7pm and 9pm games • till 9pm • Special Late
Karaoke, 9pm Night menu till 11pm •
Visit pitchersbardc.com
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4pm-9pm SHAW’S TAVERN
• $3 rail cocktails and Happy Hour, 4-7pm • $3
domestic beers all night Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
long $5 House Wines, $5 Rail
Drinks • Half-Priced Pizzas
and Select Appetizers •
Half-Priced Burgers and
Pizzas all night with $5
House Wines and $5 Sam
Adams
TRADE
Doors open 5pm • Huge
Happy Hour: Any drink
normally served in a cock-
tail glass served in a huge
glass for the same price,
5-10pm • Beer and wine
only $4 •
Wednesday,
October 3
A LEAGUE OF HER OWN
Open 5pm-12am • Happy
Hour: $2 off everything
until 9pm • Video Games
• Live televised sports
FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR
Crazy Hour, 4-8pm • $6
Burgers • Beach Blanket
Drag Bingo Night, hosted
by Ms. Regina Jozet
Adams, 8pm • Bingo prizes
• Karaoke, 10pm-1am
GREEN LANTERN
Happy Hour, 4pm-9pm •
Bear Yoga with Greg Leo,
6:30-7:30pm • $10 per
class • $3 rail cocktails
and domestic beers all
night long
NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR
SmartAss Trivia Night,
8-10pm • Prizes include
bar tabs and tickets to
shows at the 9:30 Club •
$15 Buckets of Beer for
SmartAss Teams only •
Absolutely Snatched Drag
Show, hosted by Brooklyn
Heights, 9pm • Tickets
available at nelliessports-
bar.com
NUMBER NINE
Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
drink, 5-9pm • No Cover
PITCHERS
Open 5pm-12am • Happy
Hour: $2 off everything
until 9pm • Video Games
• Foosball • Live televised
sports • Full dining menu
till 9pm • Special Late
Night menu till 11pm •
Visit pitchersbardc.com
SHAW’S TAVERN
Happy Hour, 4-7pm • $3
Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
$5 House Wines, $5 Rail
Drinks • Half-Priced Pizzas
and Select Appetizers •
Pasta Making Class with
Cocu Social, Second Floor,
6:30pm • Piano Bar and
Karaoke with Jill, 8pm
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY 43
 NIGHTLIFE HIGHLIGHTS
UPROAR: CELEBRATING OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN
To celebrate Olivia Newton-John’s 70th birthday, DJ Travis Island leads
a special Saturday Night Videos party on Uproar’s rooftop. The evening
opens with “a lovely Livvy montage,” followed by random clips during
the first hour, then some ONJ video remixes, ending with classic Olivia
tunes — from her mid-’70s pop hits “I Honestly Love You” and “Don’t
Stop Believin’” to those from her starring turn in 1978’s Grease, includ-
ing “You’re The One That I Want” and “Summer Nights.” Also expect
to hear “Magic,” “Xanadu,” and her biggest U.S. hit, 1981’s “Physical.”
Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Uproar, 639 Florida Ave TRADE NUMBER NINE
Doors open 5pm • Huge Happy Hour: 2 for 1 on any
NW. Visit facebook.com /uproarloungedc. Happy Hour: Any drink drink, 5-9pm • No Cover
normally served in a cock-
PITCHERS: FLASHBACK tail glass served in a huge PITCHERS
glass for the same price, Open 5pm-2am • Happy
Originally launched in the mid-’90s at Cobalt as a retro-themed party 5-10pm • Beer and wine Hour: $2 off everything
on Tuesdays, DJ Jason Royce has revived Flashback at Pitchers. The only $4 until 9pm • Video Games
• Foosball • Live televised
move to Adams Morgan also comes with other changes, including a sports • Full dining menu
switch to Thursdays and covering a wider time frame, with hits going till 9pm • Special Late
well past the disco of 1975, all the way up to the dance-pop of 2005. Thursday, Night menu till 11pm •
Visit pitchersbardc.com
Royce is joined in the “Party Like It’s 1999” cause by fellow veteran October 4
Darryl Strickland. Thursdays starting at 10 p.m. 2317 18th St. NW. Call SHAW’S TAVERN
202-733-2568 or visit pitchersdc.com. A LEAGUE OF HER OWN Happy Hour, 4-7pm • $3
Open 5pm-2am • Happy Miller Lite, $4 Blue Moon,
Hour: $2 off everything $5 House Wines, $5 Rail
NELLIE’S: LEDERHOSEN REALNESS until 9pm • Video Games Drinks • Half-Priced Pizzas
• Live televised sports and Select Appetizers • All
There are many excuses to celebrate Oktoberfest and German beer You Can Eat Ribs, 5-10pm,
this time of year, and you’d surely be welcome to wear traditional FREDDIE’S BEACH BAR $24.95 • $4 Corona and
lederhosen wherever you go. But next weekend, Nellie’s offers an Crazy Hour, 4-8pm • Heineken all night • Paint
Karaoke, 9pm Nite, Second Floor, 7pm
“Octoberfest Extravaganza” presented by DJ Chord Bezerra at which
patrons donning lederhosen are promised “unreal deals” on giant steins GREEN LANTERN ZIEGFELD’S/SECRETS
Happy Hour, 4-9pm All male, nude dancers •
of craft beer. Saturday, Oct. 6, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar, Open Dancers Audition
• Shirtless Thursday,
900 U St. NW. Free. Call 202-332-NELL or visit nelliessportsbar.com. 10-11pm • Men in • Urban House Music by
Underwear Drink Free, DJ Tim-e • 9pm • Cover
12-12:30am • DJs 21+ l
GREEN LANTERN : REWIND - REQUEST LINE BacK2bACk
Darryl Strickland was one of the most prolific DJs in gay D.C. in the
’90s, which makes him eminently qualified to serve as VJ for a party NELLIE’S SPORTS BAR
Beat the Clock Happy Hour
focused on the best video hits of the ’80s and ’90s. There are drink — $2 (5-6pm), $3 (6-7pm),
specials on offer and even the ability to make requests all night long — $4 (7-8pm) • $15 Buckets
of Beer all night • Sports
obviously this isn’t quite a regular night out. Saturday, Oct. 6, starting at Leagues Night
9 p.m. Green Lantern, 1335 Green Ct. NW. No cover. Call 202-347- 4533
or visit greenlanterndc.com. —Doug Rule

44 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY

 LastWord.
People say the queerest things

“The United Nations stands up for the rights of the LGBTI community, and will never give up the fight until
everyone can live free and equal in dignity and rights.”
— ANTONIO GUTERRES, United Nations Secretary-General, speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York. Guterres praised India’s
“landmark” decriminalization of same-sex sexual relations earlier in September, but said there was still much to do to end LGBTQ
persection. “So long as people face criminalization, bias, and violence based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex char-
acteristics, we must redouble our efforts to end these violations,” he added.

“I thought I could bring the church into the 21st century and be
a rainbow-flag waving Scientologist.
They were not having it.
”
— MICHELLE LECLAIR, a member of Scientology for over 20 years and author of new expose Perfectly Clear: Escaping Scientology and
Fighting for the Woman I Love, speaking to Daily Beast about the church’s attempts to “cure” her sexuality. LeClair was told that she
would lose everything if she continued dating a woman, with one counselor saying, “Homosexuals get sick easily. They get AIDS.
They cannot procreate..... Is that the group you want to be part of?”

“As a white gay of a certain age I realize

I grew up in a society that taught me to be racist.”
— RuPaul’s Drag Race star COURTNEY ACT — real name Shane Jenek — in a Twitter thread admitting to previously only dating white
men because she believed she wasn’t attracted to people of color. “Growing up in Australia I was never provided with examples of
people of colour being sexual desirable (let alone queer POC),” she tweeted. “It makes sense that I have socialised racisms when it
comes to my sexual preference which is why I have had to consciously unpack those over the years.... The truth is, once examined,
I’m attracted to people irrespective of their skin colour, and my dating and sex life has never been...more fulfilled.”

“I hope they ask me about my support for gay rights,

and the fact that I’m pro-choice. I’m happy to have that conversation.
”
— Actor DEAN CAIN, famous for playing Superman on Lois & Clark, responding to questions from GLAAD on Twitter about why he
was appearing at the anti-LGBTQ Values Voter Summit (VVS) to promote his new film. However, while at the summit, Cain was
asked whether he’d “taken pressure” on social media for appearing, to which he responded by slamming LGBTQ people who had
complained about VVS. “Just the fact that I’m here, people were blowing me up all day long with the most ridiculous things that you
could ever hear,” he said. “Talk about intolerance. It’s ridiculous.”

“I straight up asked Sandra,

‘Do you think that because I’m bisexual, I’m going to hell?’
and she looked me dead in the eyes and said yes.
”
— YouTuber and actor ANDREA RUSSETT, in a Twitter post coming out as bisexual to her 7.5 million followers. Russett felt the need to
go public with her sexuality after learning that her best friend, Sandra Poenar, believed that being gay was a “choice” and that LGBTQ
people go to hell. “She sat with me while I cried about the thought of coming out to my parents. She knew me better than anyone in
my life. She was family to me,” Russett wrote, adding that she could “never find the words to properly describe [the] hurt I felt”
after Poenar confirmed her beliefs.

46 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 • METROWEEKLY