Metro Weekly - 07-16-15 - Aisha Moodie Mills

8/20/2019 Metro Weekly - 07-16-15 - Aisha Moodie Mills

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EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFRandy Shulman

ART DIRECTORTodd Franson

NEWS & BUSINESS EDITOR

John Riley

ASSISTANT EDITORRhuaridh Marr

CONTRIBUTING EDITORDoug Rule

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERSWard Morrison, Julian Vankim

CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORScott G. Brooks

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSSean Bugg, Christian Gerard, Connor J. Hogan,

Troy Petenbrink, Kate Wingfield

WEBMASTERDavid Uy

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTJulian Vankim

SALES & MARKETING

PUBLISHERRandy Shulman

BRAND STRATEGY & MARKETINGChristopher Cunetto

Cunetto Creative

NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVERivendell Media Co.

212-242-6863

DISTRIBUTION MANAGERDennis Havrilla

PATRON SAINTRobbie Mills

COVER PHOTOGRAPHYJulian Vankim

METRO WEEKLY1425 K St. NW, Suite 350Washington, DC 20005

202-638-6830MetroWeekly.com

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July 16, 2015Volume 22 / Issue 11

NEWS 6 LAST R ESISTANCE

by John Riley

9 GENDER WARFARE

by Rhuaridh Marr

10 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

SCENE 13 DUPLEX DINER

photography by Ward Morrison

FEATURE 16 V ICTORY THROUGH V ISIBILITY

Interview by

John Riley Photography by Julian Vankim

OUT ON THE TOWN 22 A BETTER LIFE

by Rhuaridh Marr

24 O VERNIGHT SUCCESS

by Randy Shulman

26 BOSS LADY

by Connor Hogan

FILM 29 SMALL FRY by Chris Heller

STAGE 31 UNDERSTATED

by Doug Rule

MUSIC 33 GOLDEN BLUES

by Doug Rule

GEARS 35 COSMETIC ENHANCEMENT

by Rhuaridh Marr

NIGHTLIFE 41 BEAR HAPPY HOUR AT TOWN

photography by

Ward Morrison

46 LAST WORD


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Last Resistance A handful of counties across the nation are still throwing

up roadblocks to try and halt same-sex marriages

Governor of Kentucky Steve Beshear speaking at the 130th annual Fancy Farm picnic in Fancy Farm, Kentucky.

IT’S THE VIDEO THAT’S BEEN CIRCULATING THE

Internet in recent days.“I’d like you to put your phone away, please,” says

Rowan County (Ky.) Clerk Kim Davis, holding up her hand

in front of a cell phone camera. The videographer, a friend ofDavid Moore and his partner, David Ermhold, refuses to stop

filming, insisting it’s to protect her friends’ rights.“We’ll talk right here, and you can put that away,” Davis says

calmly, before the friend hands over the phone and Moore shuts

off the video recorder.The resulting 11-and-a-half-minute YouTube video of Moore

and Ermhold’s failed attempt to obtain a marriage license, hasalready received more than 1.7 million views. But Kim Davis

G A G E S K I D M O R E

has a lot more to worry about than a video. She’s being sued for

refusing to issue marriage licenses to any couple, gay or straight.Davis previously told The Courier-Journal after the SupremeCourt legalized marriage equality that her “deep religious con-

victions” and belief in traditional marriage prevented her fromissuing licenses to same-sex couples, so she decided not to issue

licenses to any couples. Two weeks ago, the American Civil

Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky filed a lawsuit on behalf offour pairs of partners, two same-sex couples and two opposite-

sex couples.On Monday, U.S. District Court Judge David Bunning heard

testimony from the plaintiffs’ lawyers, but Davis was not incourt and has not yet signed paperwork acknowledging that she

L G B T

News Now online at MetroWeekly.comBoy Scouts move to lift ban on gay leadersHUD guidance protects LGBT seniors from discrimination

by John Riley


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LGBTNews

8

has been sued. Bunning continued the hearing to a date within

48 hours of when Davis is served in person and signs the appro-

priate paperwork, according to Amber Duke, a spokeswomanfor the ACLU of Kentucky.

Duke also noted that two other counties — Casey andWhitley — are also refusing to issue marriage licenses to any

couples.Casey Davis, the clerk in Casey County, has also refused to

issue marriage licenses. He met with Gov. Steve Beshear (D)to discuss his concerns, and said the governor told him to issuemarriage licenses or to resign. Davis said he will do neither,

citing his personal beliefs, instead proposing to The AssociatedPress that Kentucky should allow the automatic issue of mar-

riages online so that clerks would not have to be involved in any

aspect of same-sex nuptials.In either case, neither Kim Davis’s or Casey Davis’s argu-

ment holds weight with the ACLU.“The vast majority of Kentucky county clerk’s offices, and

municipalities across the United States for that matter, are open

to everyone on the same terms, including to people who are gayand lesbian,” says Michael Aldridge, the legal director of the

ACLU of Kentucky. “Government officials, who have sworn an

oath to uphold the law shouldn’t be able to pick and choose whothey’re going to serve, or which duties they will perform, basedon their religious beliefs.”

The issue has already become politicized in Kentucky, as

Republican gubernatorial candidate Matt Bevin is now seizingon the clerks’ refusals as a campaign issue for this November’s

upcoming election. Bevin’s opponent, Democratic AttorneyGeneral Jack Conway, previously declined to appeal a ruling

finding Kentucky’s ban on same-sex marriage to be unconsti-

tutional.But the larger issue of refusing to participate in any aspect

of same-sex marriages has found traction beyond the BluegrassState in recent weeks, even though the majority of the nation’s

counties are complying with the Supreme Court’s ruling. In

Tennessee, the entire staff of the Decatur County Clerk’s Officeresigned rather than issue same-sex marriage licenses. Clerks

in Cleburne County, Ark., and Grenada County, Miss., alsoresigned their posts after citing religious objections to same-

sex marriage. In Yazoo County, Miss., two justices of the peaceannounced that they will no longer officiate any weddings,

though other options for same-sex couples looking to wed still

exist. In Stark County, N.D., county commissioners voted toauthorize the county’s deputy recorder to share the responsibil-

ity of issuing marriage licenses so that the chief county recorderwould not be forced to violate her “personal, deep-seated

beliefs” by issuing licenses to same-sex couples.

Lindsey Simerly, campaign manager for the Campaign forSouthern Equality, said they have been tracking and calling

county clerks in various states to see if those counties arecomplying with the Supreme Court’s ruling. While most states

had some pockets of resistance, most counties have fallen into

compliance as of Monday, with all parishes in Louisiana, andall counties in Mississippi and Tennessee issuing marriage

licenses, according to their running tally.The most egregious example of resistance right now is

Alabama, where 13 counties are refusing to issue marriage

licenses altogether, and three others are dallying due to under-staffing or technical delays involved with changing the lan-

guage on the marriage license application to be gender neutral,Simerly said. The situation was further complicated when

Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore made statements suggesting

that probate judges in the state did not have to issue same-sexmarriage licenses for 25 days, creating some confusion among

county-level officials.

In Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) issued an opinionthat said county clerks can opt out of issuing same-sex mar-

riage licenses by citing religious convictions, but could facefines or lawsuits if they do. The ACLU of Texas reiterated that

point in a letter sent to clerks who were reportedly reticent toissue same-sex licenses. Because many of Texas’s counties had

been waiting for guidance from Paxton’s office, they did notbegin issuing licenses for same-sex couples immediately after

the Supreme Court’s decision. But Amanda Snipes, campaign

manager of Southerners for the Freedom to Marry, said that asof Monday evening, 241 of Texas’s 254 counties were issuing

licenses to same-sex couples, and another nine are planning toissue licenses once they can make software changes and update

their marriage certificates.

According to Snipes, two counties were refusing to abide bythe Supreme Court decision, and officials in two more counties

could not be reached for comment.While the majority of counties now appear to be in compli-

ance with the Supreme Court’s ruling, the issue will likely be

revisited. North Carolina, where same-sex marriage was legalprior to the Supreme Court decision, recently passed — and

overrode a gubernatorial veto of — a bill that allows some stateand county officials to exempt themselves from issuing licenses

to any marriage that violates their personal, “sincerely held”beliefs.

Simerly said the Campaign for Southern Equality has

received reports that 14 magistrates and five register of deedsemployees in North Carolina have refused to perform same-

sex marriages since the law’s passage. However, the law alsosays that county offices are supposed to, at least in theory, have

another employee immediately available who is willing to per-

form or issue licenses for same-sex weddings. It remains to beseen whether that will work in reality.

Legislators in other states have suggested either allowinggovernment officials to exempt themselves from same-sex

weddings, or potentially passing a law similar to the type of

Religious Freedom Restoration Acts (RFRAs) that passed inIndiana and Arkansas earlier this year. One of the states where

such a possibility has been floated, though no concrete piece oflegislation has yet been proposed, is Virginia.

Sarah McBride, a research associate for LGBT progress atthe Center for American Progress, expects to see many attempts

to pass such laws this winter, when state legislatures reconvene.“One of the things that happened in Indiana was it took thewind out of the sails of what we call the ‘super-RFRAs’ this

year,” McBride says, noting the backlash that occurred in thewake of the Indiana law’s passage. “But it remains to be seen

whether the opposition to marriage equality, the opposition

to LGBT rights, will come back in full force next winter, orwhether the marriage decision, coupled with Indiana, really

was their last stand.” l

JULY 16, 2015 METROWEEKLY.COM


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LGBTNews


THE PENTAGON WILL EXPLORE LIFTING THE BANon open transgender military service, Defense Secretary

Ash Carter has announced.

Calling current regulations “outdated” and a source of“uncertainty that distracts commanders from our core mis-

sions,” Carter stated that the Department of Defense will “cre-ate a working group to study over the next six months the policy

and readiness implications of welcoming transgender persons

to serve openly.”“Our troops have learned from experience that the most

important qualification for service members should be whetherthey’re able and willing to do their job,” Carter said in a state-

ment. “Our officers and enlisted personnel are faced withcertain rules that tell them the opposite. Moreover, we have

transgender soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines — real, patri-

otic Americans — who I know are being hurt by an outdated,confusing, inconsistent approach that’s contrary to our value of

service and individual merit.”Carter is issuing two directives to cover the Pentagon’s

approach to exploring removing the ban on transgender ser-

vice. The first covers the aforementioned study, which will be

led by Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and ReadinessBrad Carson. It will comprise military and civilian personneland “start with the presumption that transgender persons can

serve openly without adverse impact on military effectiveness

and readiness.”The second — and perhaps most important for the interim

— directive will transfer the power to discharge a transgenderservicemember to Carson. He will “make determinations on

all potential separations” in cases where servicemembers arediagnosed with gender dysphoria or openly declare themselves

to be transgender.

Carter’s announcement comes in the wake of growing sup-port for openly transgender service. Last year, the White House

signaled their support for ending the ban, while last month the

American Medical Association said there was “no medicallyvalid reason to exclude transgender individuals from service.”

Last month, an out transgender man attended an LGBT pridereception at the White House, at President Obama’s invitation

— despite the army’s ban on open service.“I know that I am allowed to serve openly, and I know that

the policy will be changed very soon,” Senior Airman Logan

Ireland told BuzzFeed News. “People at the Pentagon wantthis changed. They are losing valuable people and prohibiting

people from enlisting.”Carter himself expressed support for examining open trans-

gender service when he assumed his role as Secretary of Defense

earlier this year. “It’s not something I’ve studied a lot since Ibecame secretary of defense,” he said in February. “But I come

at this kind of question from a fundamental starting point.... Are

they going to be excellent service members? And I don’t thinkanything but their suitability for service should preclude them.”

Chad Griffin, president of HRC, welcomed Carter’sannouncement.

“We welcome and applaud the announcement by Secretary

Carter that the military will at last conduct a comprehensivereview of the outdated ban that has for far too long discrimi-

nated against qualified transgender Americans who simply wantto serve their country,” he said in a statement. “The time for

ending the military’s ban on transgender service is long over-due, and we are confident that the Pentagon’s review of this

discriminatory policy will find what many have come to know

is true: Transgender Americans have every right to serve theircountry openly and honestly, and their sense of patriotism and

duty is no less than any other service member’s.”“Obviously this isn’t finished, but Secretary Carter’s clear

statement of intent means that transgender service members

should and will be treated with the same dignity as other service

members,” Allyson Robinson, Army veteran and policy direc-tor for Service members, Partners, and Allies for Respect andTolerance for All (SPARTA), told the Associated Press.

Of course, news of Carter’s directives weren’t received well

by all. Conservatives complained that the study would divertattention from current operations and impact the military’s

effectiveness.“Considering the abysmal condition of our military and a

decline in readiness, why is this a top priority for the Obamaadministration?” said Jerry Boykin, retired Lt. Gen. and execu-

tive vice president of the anti-LGBT Family Research Council.

“The Pentagon must answer whether this proposed policymakes our military more capable of performing its mission. The

answer is a very clear and resounding no.”

While there’s no certainty that the military will open itsdoors to transgender service, given any predicted backlash to

ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell failed to materialize, it seems alikelihood.

“As I’ve said before, we must ensure that everyone who’sable and willing to serve has the full and equal opportunity to

do so,” Carter added in his statement. “And we must treat all

our people with the dignity and respect they deserve. Goingforward, the Department of Defense must and will continue

to improve how we do both. Our military’s future strengthdepends on it.” l

Gender Warfare

by Rhuaridh Marr

Four years after the fall of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the militarywill finally review its ban on transgender servicemembers


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cent.org.

THE DC CENTER hosts its monthlyASYLUM SEEKERS/ASYLEESFORUM for refugees and aslyees inthe D.C. area and their supporters.7-9 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105.For more information, visit thedc-center.org.

THE SPOTLIGHT PROJECT, aneducational nonprofits for LGBTQpeople and allies, offers a series ofclasses focusing on Life Skills and Art at The DC Center. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.2000 14th St. NW, Suite 105. Formore information, email spotlightpro- [email protected] or visit spotlight-project.us.

WEEKLY EVENTS

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURALHEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-ment). 202-291-4707 or andromeda-

transculturalhealth.org.

BET MISHPACHAH, founded bymembers of the LGBT community,holds Saturday morning Shabbatservices, 10 a.m., followed by Kiddushluncheon. Services in DCJCCCommunity Room, 1529 16th St. NW. betmish.org.

BRAZILIAN GLBT GROUP, includ-ing others interested in Brazilian cul-ture, meets. For location/time, email [email protected].

DC FRONT RUNNERS running/ walking/social club welcomes alllevels for exercise in a fun and sup-

portive environment, socializingafterward. Meet 9:30 a.m., 23rd & PStreets NW, for a walk; or 10 a.m. forfun run. dcfrontrunners.org.

DIGNITYUSA sponsors Mass forLGBT community, family and friends.6:30 p.m., Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria. All welcome. For moreinfo, visit dignitynova.org.

GAY LANGUAGE CLUB discussescritical languages and foreign lan-guages. 7 p.m. Nellie’s, 900 U St.

Gaithersburg, Md. For more informa-tion, visit thedccenter.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURALHEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-ment). 202-291-4707, andromeda-

transculturalhealth.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) prac-tice session at Hains Point, 927 OhioDr. SW. 6:30-8 p.m. Visit swimdcac.org.

HIV TESTING at Whitman-WalkerHealth. At the Elizabeth TaylorMedical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max RobinsonCenter, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointmentcall 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.

SMYAL’S REC NIGHT provides

a social atmosphere for GLBT andquestioning youth, featuring danceparties, vogue nights, movies andgames. More info, [email protected].

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-6p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger. Youth Center,410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155, [email protected].

SATURDAY, JULY 18ADVENTURING outdoors grouphikes a moderately strenuous 8.4-mileloop with 1370 feet of elevation gain

on Catoctin Mountain near CampDavid, Md. Bring plenty of bever-ages, lunch, bug spray, sunscreen, andabout $12 for fees. Optional dinner inGermantown at an authentic Chineserestaurant afterwards. Carpool at9 a.m. from Grosvenor-StrathmoreMetro Station. Jeff, 301-775-9660.adventuring.org.

BURGUNDY CRESCENT, a gay volunteer organization, volunteerstoday for Lost Dog & Cat RescueFoundation at Falls Church PetSmart.To participate, visit burgundycres-

THURSDAY, JULY 16

WEEKLY EVENTS

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURALHEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-

ment). Call 202-291-4707, or visitandromedatransculturalhealth.org.

DC LAMBDA SQUARES gay and lesbian square-dancing group featuresmainstream through advanced squaredancing at the National City ChristianChurch, 5 Thomas Circle NW, 7-9:30p.m. Casual dress. 301-257-0517,dclambdasquares.org.

IDENTITY offers free and confiden-tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg,414 East Diamond Ave., and inTakoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411. Walk-ins 2-6 p.m.For appointments other hours, callGaithersburg, 301-300-9978, or

Takoma Park, 301-422-2398.

METROHEALTH CENTER offersfree, rapid HIV testing. Appointmentneeded. 1012 14th St. NW, Suite 700.202-638-0750.

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger. 202-567-3155or [email protected].

US HELPING US hosts a Narcotics Anonymous Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m.,3636 Georgia Ave. NW. The group isindependent of UHU. 202-446-1100.

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP

INSTITUTE for young LBTQ women,13-21, interested in leadership devel-opment. 5-6:30 p.m. SMYAL YouthCenter, 410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3163,[email protected].

FRIDAY, JULY 17LGB PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP foradults in Montgomery County offersa safe space to explore coming outand issues of identity. 10-11:30 a.m.16220 S. Frederick Rd., Suite 512,

Metro Weekly’s Community Calendar highlights important events in the D.C.-area

LGBT community, from alternative social events to volunteer opportunities.

Event information should be sent by email to [email protected].

Deadline for inclusion is noon of the Friday before Thursday’s publication.

Questions about the calendar may be directed to the

Metro Weekly office at 202-638-6830 or

the calendar email address.

LGBTCommunityCalendarNW. RVSP preferred. [email protected].

IDENTITY offers free and confidentialHIV testing in Takoma Park, 7676New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411. Walk-ins 12-3 p.m. For appointments otherhours, call 301-422-2398.

SUNDAY, JULY 19

WEEKLY EVENTS

LGBT-inclusive ALL SOULSMEMORIAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH celebrates Low Mass at 8:30 a.m.,High Mass at 11 a.m. 2300 Cathedral Ave. NW. 202-232-4244, allsoulsdc.org.

BETHEL CHURCH-DC progressiveand radically inclusive church holdsservices at 11:30 a.m. 2217 Minnesota Ave. SE. 202-248-1895, betheldc.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) prac-tice session at Hains Point, 972 OhioDr., SW. 9:30-11 a.m. Visit swimdcac.org.

DIGNITYUSA offers Roman CatholicMass for the LGBT community. 6p.m., St. Margaret’s Church, 1820Connecticut Ave. NW. All welcome.Sign interpreted. For more info, visitdignitynova.org.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITEDCHURCH OF CHRIST welcomes allto 10:30 a.m. service, 945 G St. NW.firstuccdc.org or 202-628-4317.

HOPE UNITED CHURCH OFCHRIST welcomes GLBT communityfor worship. 10:30 a.m., 6130 OldTelegraph Road, Alexandria. hopeucc.org.

INSTITUTE FOR SPIRITUALDEVELOPMENT, God-centered newage church & learning center. SundayServices and Workshops event. 5419Sherier Place NW. isd-dc.org.

Join LINCOLN CONGREGATIONALTEMPLE – UNITED CHURCH OFCHRIST for an inclusive, loving andprogressive faith community everySunday. 11 a.m. 1701 11th Street NW,near R in Shaw/Logan neighborhood.lincolntemple.org.

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITYCHURCH OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA services at 11 a.m., led by Rev. OnettaBrooks. Children’s Sunday School, 11a.m. 10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax.703-691-0930, mccnova.com.

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITYCHURCH OF WASHINGTON, D.C. services at 9 a.m. (ASL interpreted) and 11a.m. Children’s Sunday School at 11 a.m. 474Ridge St. NW. 202-638-7373, mccdc.com.


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NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIANCHURCH, inclusive church withGLBT fellowship, offers gospel wor-ship, 8:30 a.m., and traditional wor-ship, 11 a.m. 5 Thomas Circle NW.202-232-0323, nationalcitycc.org.

ST. STEPHEN AND THEINCARNATION, an “interracial,multi-ethnic Christian Community”offers services in English, 8 a.m. and10:30 a.m., and in Spanish at 5:15 p.m.1525 Newton St. NW. 202-232-0900,saintstephensdc.org.

UNITARIAN CHURCH OFARLINGTON, an LGBTQ welcoming-and-affirming congregation, offersservices at 10 a.m. Virginia RainbowUU Ministry. 4444 Arlington Blvd.uucava.org.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTCHURCH OF SILVER SPRING invites LGBTQ families and individu-als of all creeds and cultures to join

the church. Services 9:15 and 11:15a.m. 10309 New Hampshire Ave.uucss.org.

UNIVERSALIST NATIONALMEMORIAL CHURCH, a welcom-ing and inclusive church. GLBTInterweave social/service groupmeets monthly. Services at 11 a.m.,Romanesque sanctuary. 1810 16th St.NW. 202-387-3411, universalist.org.

MONDAY, JULY 20

WEEKLY EVENTS

DC SCANDALS RUGBY holdspractice, 6:30-8:30 p.m. GarrisonElementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscan-

dals.wordpress.com.

HIV Testing at WHITMAN-WALKERHEALTH. At the Elizabeth TaylorMedical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max RobinsonCenter, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointmentcall 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.

KARING WITH INDIVIDUALITY(K.I.) Services, 3333 Duke St., Alexandria, offers free “rapid” HIV

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

METROHEALTH CENTER offersfree, rapid HIV testing. No appoint-ment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012 14thSt. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.

NOVASALUD offers free HIV testing.5-7 p.m. 2049 N. 15th St., Suite 200, Arlington. Appointments: 703-789-

4467.

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger. Youth Center,410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155 or [email protected].

THE DC CENTER hosts Coffee Drop-In for the Senior LGBT Community.10 a.m.-noon. 2000 14th St. NW. 202-682-2245, thedccenter.org.

US HELPING US hosts a black gaymen’s evening affinity group. 3636Georgia Ave. NW. 202-446-1100.

WASHINGTON WETSKINS WaterPolo Team practices 7-9 p.m. Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van Buren St.NW. Newcomers with at least basicswimming ability always welcome.Tom, 703-299-0504, [email protected], wetskins.org.

Whitman-Walker Health HIV/AIDS SUPPORT GROUP for newlydiagnosed individuals, meets 7 p.m.Registration required. 202-939-7671,[email protected].

TUESDAY, JULY 21CENTER BI, a group of The DCCenter, hosts a roundtable discussionsession. 7-8 p.m. 2000 14th St. NW,Suite 105. For more information, visitthedccenter.org.

Whitman-Walker Health hosts a

HEALTHCARE PLANNING CLINIC that will assist people in planningfinal wishes, healthcare directives andwhich people are able to make medi-cal decisions for you in the case of anaccident or emergency. 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, 170114th St. NW. For more informationand to RSVP, contact Lee Brubaker,202-939-7627.

WEEKLY EVENTS

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURALHEALTH offers free HIV testing, 9-5p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-ment). 202-291-4707, andromeda-transculturalhealth.org.

ASIANS AND FRIENDS weekly din-ner in Dupont/Logan Circle area, 6:30p.m. [email protected], afwashington.net.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC)practice session at Takoma AquaticCenter, 300 Van Buren St. NW. 7:30-9p.m. swimdcac.org.

THE GAY MEN’S HEALTHCOLLABORATIVE offers free HIVtesting and STI screening and treat-ment every Tuesday. 5-6:30 p.m.Rainbow Tuesday LGBT Clinic, Alexandria Health Department, 4480King St. 703-746-4986 or text 571-214-9617. [email protected].


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HIV TESTING at Whitman-WalkerHealth. At the Elizabeth TaylorMedical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max RobinsonCenter, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointmentcall 202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.

THE HIV WORKING GROUP of THE

DC CENTER hosts “Packing Party,”where volunteers assemble safe-sexkits of condoms and lube. 7 p.m.,Green Lantern, 1335 Green CourtNW. thedccenter.org.

IDENTITY offers free and confiden-tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg,414 East Diamond Ave., and inTakoma Park, 7676 New Hampshire Ave., Suite 411. Walk-ins 2-6 p.m.For appointments other hours, callGaithersburg at 301-300-9978 or

Takoma Park at 301-422-2398.

METROHEALTH CENTER offersfree, rapid HIV testing. Appointment

needed. 1012 14th St. NW, Suite 700.202-638-0750.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS—LGBT focused meeting everyTuesday, 7 p.m. St. George’sEpiscopal Church, 915 Oakland Ave., Arlington, just steps from VirginiaSquare Metro. For more info. callDick, 703-521-1999. Handicappedaccessible. Newcomers [email protected].

SMYAL offers free HIV Testing, 3-5p.m., by appointment and walk-in, for youth 21 and younger. Youth Center,410 7th St. SE. 202-567-3155, [email protected].

SUPPORT GROUP FOR LGBTQ YOUTH ages 13-21 meets at SMYAL,410 7th St. SE, 5-6:30 p.m. CathyChu, 202-567-3163, [email protected].

US HELPING US hosts a supportgroup for black gay men 40 andolder. 7-9 p.m., 3636 Georgia Ave.NW. 202-446-1100.

Whitman-Walker Health’s GAYMEN’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS/STD CLINIC opens at 6 p.m., 170114th St. NW. Patients are seen onwalk-in basis. No-cost screening forHIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chla-mydia. Hepatitis and herpes testingavailable for fee. whitman-walker.org.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22Join ¡Empoderate! and the Latino

LGBT Task Force for a “KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WORKSHOP” byThe Network for Victim Recovery ofD.C. The presentation will deal withthe rights of victims of criminal, civiland Title IX violations and services

available to them. 5-6 p.m. 3055 Mt.Pleasant St. NW. For more informa-tion, contact Eric Perez, 202-682-2245or [email protected].

THE HIV PREVENTION WORKINGGROUP of The DC Center meets for amonthly meeting. 6-7 p.m. 2000 14thSt. NW, Suite 105. For more informa-tion, visit thedccenter.org.

THE LAMBDA BRIDGE CLUB meetsfor Duplicate Bridge. 7:30 p.m. DignityCenter, 721 8th St. SE, across fromthe Marine Barracks. No reservationneeded. 703-407-6540 if you need apartner.

WEEKLY EVENTS

AD LIB, a group for freestyle con- versation, meets about 6:30-6 p.m.,Steam, 17th and R NW. All welcome.For more information, call FaustoFernandez, 703-732-5174.

ANDROMEDA TRANSCULTURALHEALTH

offers free HIV testing, 9-5p.m., and HIV services (by appoint-ment). 202-291-4707, andromeda-transculturalhealth.org.

DC AQUATICS CLUB (DCAC) prac-tice session at Hains Point, 927 OhioDr. SW. 7-8:30 p.m. Visit swimdcac.org.

DC SCANDALS RUGBY holdspractice, 6:30-8:30 p.m. GarrisonElementary, 1200 S St. NW. dcscan-dals.wordpress.com.

HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH offers Wednesday worship 7:15 a.m.and 12:05 p.m. All welcome. 118 N.

Washington St., Alexandria. 703-549-1450, historicchristchurch.org.

HIV TESTING at Whitman-WalkerHealth. At the Elizabeth TaylorMedical Center, 1701 14th St. NW,9 a.m.-5 p.m. At the Max RobinsonCenter, 2301 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For an appointment call202-745-7000. Visit whitman-walker.org.

IDENTITY offers free and confiden-tial HIV testing in Gaithersburg, 414East Diamond Ave. Walk-ins 2-7 p.m.For appointments other hours, call

Gaithersburg at 301-300-9978.

JOB CLUB, a weekly support pro-gram for job entrants and seekers,meets at The DC Center. 2000 14th St.NW, Suite 105. 6-7:30 p.m. More info,www.centercareers.org.

METROHEALTH CENTER offersfree, rapid HIV testing. No appoint-ment needed. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 1012 14thSt. NW, Suite 700. 202-638-0750.l


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13SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE

scene

scan this tag

with your

smartphone

for bonus scene

pics online!

Duplex Diner

Thursday,

July 9

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

WARD MORRISON


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14 SEE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT AT WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM/SCENE


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ICAN REME MBER GROWI NG U P AN D MY grand-

father listening to Rush Limbaugh on the radio,” says Aisha

Moodie-Mills. “And this is before he became such a batshit-crazy lunatic, right? This must have been in the early ’80s or

so. But my grandparents were not political people. They voted.I know, on Election Day, they voted. But we did not have

debates around our table about elected officials and those kindof things.”

That’s why it came as a surprise when the 17-year-old

Moodie-Mills was bitten by the political bug. The high school junior was selected by her civics teacher to participate in two

different programs aimed at giving teenagers hands-on experi-ence with government. She was hooked.

“I wanted to be a part of those systems that really were

touching and were coloring the way our society worked,” shesays.

Born in San Diego but raised in Burlington County, NewJersey by her grandparents, Moodie-Mills came from a middle-

class family. She was starkly aware of the racial and social

dynamics that existed in the society around her. Racial tensionwas a constant issue. One of her closest friends experienced

violence first hand. “She and her family were attacked in theirhome in the middle of the night by skinheads,” Moodie-Mills

remembers. Unfortunately, the threat of violence was some-thing that followed from home to school. “I actually went to

junior high school with a kid who was one of the skinhead lead-

ers in our area.”Even more striking — and influential in the course of her life

— than her comprehension of racism was Moodie-Mills’ under-standing of economic inequality, which fueled her sense of

social justice, and the role government can play as an equalizer.

“As I looked around, there were people living in poverty,”she says. “People who were doing everything they could to try

to make it, but didn’t necessarily have all the tools and the accessand opportunity to.” She deduced that it was government’s role

to be helping those people — and it was failing in its duties. “At

the very least, we should have some sense of an equal playing

field, an equal opportunity to compete in the world. And I didn’tsee that happening.”

After graduating college, Moodie-Mills went to work for

an educational policy organization before eventually enteringpartisan politics. She first cut her teeth in that field by working

for former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk’s 2002 campaign to represent

Texas in the U.S. Senate. For someone still closeted in their pro-fessional life, it was an eye-opening experience.

“There were at least five gay people on the campaign,” shesays. “And we had a trans woman who was Ron’s right-hand

person and scheduler. And these aren’t just staff, these are

the deputy campaign manager and his assistant, all key seniorpeople.”

It was a time when Texas was “really the lone lost cause”

for progressives. That Moodie-Mills found herself surroundedby like-minded, politically active LGBT people was a surprise

— but also an affirmation of her beliefs in the political system.“That gave me hope,” she says. “It gave me this sense, that even

though we may not have power politically, what I know to betrue is that ultimately people are power.”

Even though the campaign ended in loss, it’s that hopefor something better, and in people power, that has kept

Moodie-Mills in the political arena. She’s since worked for the

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the CongressionalBlack Caucus and the Center for American Progress. But the

personal life lesson that has most resonated with her is the


importance of living one’s life openly and authentically. It’s

something Moodie-Mills stresses and lives by, whether in

her current role as president and CEO of the Victory Fund &Institute or in her Politini radio show and podcast, marketed as

“politics and pop culture served up with a twist,” which she co-hosts with her wife, Danielle.

“Representation is power,” says Moodie-Mills of her workwith Victory. “We are creating leaders in communities that

perhaps haven’t otherwise had an LGBT person in leadership,

where they’re visible, and they can see them and feel them andtouch them as a neighbor, as simply a human being, not as an

‘other.’”

METRO WEEKLY: Tell me about your childhood.

AISHA MOODIE-MILLS: I’m the most Southern Jersey girl you’ll

probably ever meet. I was born in San Diego, but I came to NewJersey when I was about four months old. And I was raised by

my grandparents, who are black people from South Carolina.Southern Christian folks from South Carolina. They had three

biological children, and raised six of us. My grandmother’s sisterpassed away, they took her two kids, and then they ultimately

ended up raising me as well. And so even though I’m a Jersey

girl, very Northern in my aggression, I’m very Southern in mymannerisms.

I grew up in a wonderful middle-class suburb calledWillingboro, that was an African-American suburb of

Philadelphia, in South Jersey. And it reminds me of what we’d

think of Prince George’s County today. That’s what my townwas like. I was a pretty astute kid. I was the kid who got great

grades, and was the most likely to succeed, and all those otherthings. And beyond that, was always very socially conscious and

socially-minded, and political. So I would always run for office

in my school. I was the head of the student body government,and I was the head of the Key Club, and the head of this and the

head of that.MW: What sparked your interest in politics?

MOODIE-MILLS: I had this teacher, Mrs. Nancy Cunningham. Sheand I are still Facebook friends today. Mrs. Cunningham was

our government and politics teacher. And she was the advisor

for a program called Youth and County Government. It tookhigh school students and placed us with county officials as a way

for us to understand how government worked.I was one of the people that Mrs. Cunningham selected to

be part of the program, which was very prestigious for me,

because there were five of us. That was my first glimpse intogovernment, and also politics, but more so government, what it

looked like to govern. In New Jersey, we have a very interestinggoverning system. Our counties are run by what we call a board

of chosen freeholders. It’s not the typical county government, in

terms of language. And so it was very interesting for me, in 11thgrade, to get a really close insight into how county government

worked.

I also was placed with one of the county judges, because Ithought I wanted to go to law school at one point. And to beable to sit with the judge and to understand two things: the

way that the county government worked, for the people or not

for the people; and to also see the judicial process at play. Andthat experience really struck, for the first time, my passion and

excitement about government politics.MW: What helped shape your passion for activism?

MOODIE-MILLS: Later that year, I was selected by Mrs.

Cunningham to represent my school at Girls State. Girls Stateand Boys State are these amazing programs that bring represen-

tatives from high schools all over the state together, and we go


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necessarily that I had different attractions, but I was a different

kind of girl.I was a tomboy my whole life, from knee-high. I was always

very anti-gender norms. Like, “No, I’m not wearing the frilly

dress and the little stupid shoes. I’m actually going to wear mybaseball cap and I’m going to go out like that, and I don’t even

care.” From a personality standpoint, I’ve always been veryanti-gender norms. I was always the more assertive girl, the girl

who spoke out of turn, the girl who was the leader, the girl who

was very independent. The girl who spoke truth to power, theperson who pushed back against common assumptions about

things. I always knew that I was different in that way, that Iwas not the stereotypical, gender-normed type of female. And

the idea of anyone trying to make me that used to piss me off, so

I would revolt against it in really big ways.By the time I was an adolescent, I had obsessions with

famous women, which, in hindsight, were probably attractions.Whitney Houston, I lived and died for. To this day. Whitney

Houston always struck something in my soul. I had this major,epic scrapbook that I kept of every single article and picture

of Whitney Houston from 1987 through 1993. But I never was

attracted to friends. It wasn’t like, oh, the girl at school, and Ikind of like her. I didn’t really have much of that until I got to

college. And then, in college, it became, “Oh, a-ha, that’s what’shappening here. OK, we’re going to explore this.”MW: When did you first come out to somebody in your professional

life?

MOODIE-MILLS: Well, I mean, [the Kirk] campaign was a thing. So

I left the campaign and came back to work for the DemocraticSenatorial Campaign Committee, and came out there to a couple

of my colleagues. And then I went to work for the Congressional

Black Caucus, and I wasn’t out at all. I ran their political actioncommittee. I wasn’t out at all.MW: Why?

MOODIE-MILLS: In hindsight, because I placed assumptions on

them that I wouldn’t be welcomed in the black community,or I wouldn’t fit in, if I was a lesbian and people knew. And I

moved through my experiences in the black community — andthis is not an indictment of them, but really a reflection onmyself — allowing them to make up their own assumptions of

me, because I was afraid, inmany ways, to not fit in, to be

different.

And when I came out,when everybody found

out in my professional net-work, Danielle and I came

out on the front page of The

Washington Post during mar-riage equality in D.C. It was

the first page of the Style

section or something. Theydid this article, “Waiting toWed Where it Matters.” And

Danielle and I are on this whole thing, and doing marriage

equality. And that’s how all of my professional network foundout, because they saw The Washington Post.

That following September, I went to the Congressional BlackCaucus’ annual dinner at their annual Legislative Conference.

All these members are coming up to me, members who had

known me and worked with me for years. And they were like,“Oh, my god. I had no idea. Where is she? And how come you

never told me? And how come you never introduced her?”


and camp out on a college or university and form a mock state

government. For me, that experience was the most invigorat-ing thing I’d ever done. It completely transformed my idea of

myself, in the world and the impact I could have — in my com-

munity and in my country, more broadly.Girls State was extremely successful for my party. I became

the State Party chairwoman, and got our governor elected.So she and I were an amazing duo. And it was also really poi-

gnant because we elected, at my Girls State, the first African-

American Girls State governor that New Jersey had seen. Thatwas a really big deal for me, too.

When I went onto college I got very involved in my BlackStudent Union, Social justice work and doing nonprofit work,

working particularly with young people, and really helping. By

that point, I thought I wanted to be a psychologist. I wanted togo into adolescent psychology and I wanted to save all these

young people, who did not have the structures around themto be successful. And then by the time I got towards the end of

college, it occurred to me that no matter what we do as indi-viduals — and I know we have this idea of liberty and freedom

and individualism and all these other things that supposedly

shape and frame America — but, at the end of the day, if we donot have the structures and the systems in place for individuals

to be able to climb the rungs of the economic ladder, or be ableto succeed, then people, as individuals, can’t succeed. We don’t

do this by ourselves.

The truth is that our government matters. And it mattersthat we as a society band together to create the conditions that

are equalizing. So I knew then that I was going to go into some-thing that would be more policy-oriented, as opposed to more

individual-oriented. And then I realized that I was going to go

into something broader than that. And so, when I graduated,my first job was at an education policy organization, because I

wanted to be the person who was creating the rules, essentially.And then I ended up going and working in politics, because I

wanted to elect the people who created the rules that we all playby, and who create the opportunity for us, in our society. And

that’s really been the driving force behind everything I’ve done.Obviously, I care about racial justice issues, I care about LGBTequality and gender equity, and those are because the politics

are very personal for me. I very much see politics and govern-

ment as a conduit to change. And I think that’s something I gotearly, early on.MW: When did you first suspect that you were different from other

girls, in terms of who were attracted to?

MOODIE-MILLS: You know, hindsight is always twenty-twenty. I

had my first lesbian relationship my freshman year in college.So cliche, right? In hindsight, though, I probably knew by the

time I was a little girl that I was very different, and that I — not


19/48

And I’m like, “I don’t know. It just didn’t...” And they’re like,

“Congratulations. And we are very proud of you.” I received lotsof love and warmth through my peer network and my profes-

sional network.

Now, let’s be fair. There are a lot of haters, and there were alot of people who were completely turned off and uncomfort-

able. “Oh, wow, she’s a lesbian.I don’t really know what to

do with that.” Those people

really weren’t my friends, any-way. But for the most part,

I received so much love andsupport, more than I could

have ever imagined. And what

occurred to me is the powerof coming out. And the criti-

cal importance of us show-ing up, and being visible, and

being fabulous as Danielle andI would say. Because it’s only

through coming out and being

visible that we allow people to know us authentically for whowe are. And I never allowed people to know me for who I was.

So I would never say that the Congressional Black Caucus wasin any way unwelcoming, because I never let them know me.

The lesson I learned is that it’s not enough to be standoffish

and to make assumptions about how communities may or maynot receive you. Because generally that’s all false, reflexive inse-

curities that are bubbling up in your own head. And the powerfor me was realizing that when I come out, when I live authenti-

cally, when I allow people to know me and know my family, and

my wife, and to really be a part of who we are, that’s what bringsus together. And so ever since then, we’ve been, “living, loving

and laboring out loud.” And in color. In a very vivid way.MW: How else did coming out publicly impact your lives?

MOODIE-MILLS: After we got married, Essence magazine ran ourwedding pictures. And we were the first lesbian wedding to be

featured in Essence’s online wedding column — that’s their mostpopular thing, called “Bridal Bliss.” We were the first lesbiancouple in Bridal Bliss. That was a huge deal in the African-

American community. Five thousand people commented on thisthing. It was being shared all over the place. And 99 percent of

the comments were affirming and warm and supportive. It was

just another reminder to us that, surely the African-Americancommunity is not more homophobic than any other commu-

nity. Because I know a whole lot of white people who are in thecloset, too. The Asian community, Latino community. There is

not a hierarchy of homophobia that for some reason, one com-

munity has more than the other.What I learned from that is that there’s so much power in

visibility. Danielle and I set about really being intentional that

our careers, moving forward, would be visible. They would beabout us allowing people to know us more intimately, perhaps,than others may. About creating a public brand and presence

and image where there isn’t one.

When we were planning our wedding, we looked throughmagazines and everywhere for black lesbian couples. Models

of black lesbian couples. Black lesbian professionals, for thatmatter. There aren’t any. There are none in Hollywood, except

Wanda Sykes, who we can’t keep calling upon. And so through

those experiences coming out, we realized that we have abso-lutely got to be the models. And we have to be the image. And

we have to do the work, and we’ve got to be visible. Because


we don’t have visibility in our community. And that’s what’s

transformative. Images matter. And so, really, moving forward,much of what you see developing in my career, through my

media and my advocacy, and just the way I do the work, has

been about surely representing LGBT people, people of color,and our interests and our ideals, at every level of government,

as well as in the public sector, in the public debate. And doingthat in a very visible way.

At least twice a week, I get Facebook messages from strang-ers, like, “Keep doing what you’re doing, because that makes

us proud.” And the world needs to see positive images of black

lesbians doing amazing things. Or, quite frankly, just doingnothing. Just out there.MW: Is that what Victory Fund is about, the idea that if you canelect the gay councilman or councilwoman, then it’s not such

a stretch to be more tolerant of gay marriage or gay adoption,

because I know somebody. Is that the purpose?

MOODIE-MILLS: Absolutely. That’s it. You just said it. Here at

Victory, we invest in people. We are cultivating the pipelineof leadership for the future. Not just the future of the LGBT

movement, but the future of America’s politics — and of globalpolitics, for that matter, with our global program. And that vis-

ibility matters. With every single election that we win, we aretransforming communities. We are transforming the politicallandscape. What it looks like, who’s a part of it, who has a voice,

who’s sitting at the table? And that’s exactly what excites meabout Victory, and why I was thrilled to come and do this work.

Because it is the next progression for me of this idea of visibility

really mattering, and representation being power.Representation is power. And we have to stand up and we

have to represent for ourselves and our communities. We’vegot to elect people who are out there representing for us as

well. And what we do here is we provide LGBT leaders with

the tools, with the training, with the support that they need togo off and become really awesome, visible leaders in their com-

munities, at every level of government, at every level of public

service. So while the people that we train, most of them go offand run for office, in the short term, everyone else who comesto our trainings is going and leading nonprofit organizations, or

sitting on boards and commissions, or they’re doing really great

work in their communities, in their companies, at a visible level.And that’s what leadership is about. It’s about inspiring other

people through the work that you do.MW: How many out LGBT elected officials do we have?

MOODIE-MILLS: Just under 500 are serving at every level of

government in this country. And that’s the people who havebeen elected. Thousands more are serving in appointed posi-

tions. And what’s really awesome is that President Obama has


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20

appointed more LGBT people to work in federal governmentthan every other administration combined in history. Now, you

have Amanda Simpson, who is the first transgender appointee,who is now leading as the chief of staff for the Army. She’s

executive director, actually, for the Army’s Office of Energy

Initiatives, working over at the Pentagon. You also have EricFanning, the undersecretary of the Army. That was last week, so

we were very excited about that. But we have some really amaz-ing and visible people who are serving and making decisions at

the highest realm of government, and now even the military.Which is huge, and can’t be underscored. And these are peoplewho, Victory, through our Presidential Appointments Project,

has helped place.MW: Explain a little bit more about that project.

MOODIE-MILLS: Victory’s Presidential Appointments Projectsought and recruited hundreds of very experienced and quali-

fied LGBT professionals to work in various areas of the federal

government. We collected their resumes, we helped them tounderstand how to get opportunities. Then we went to the

White House and developed relationships with their person-nel placement office. And were able to bring them resumes

for positions that were open, to say, “Hey, we know awesome

LGBT people who can work at NASA. We know awesome LGBT

people who can work at the Department of Justice, these greatlawyers, and ethics professionals.” And on and on and on. Andso, as a result of that, we have really been the feeder pipeline for

the administration to be able to access key talent in the LGBT

community. And that’s one of my favorite things that we do thata lot of people don’t necessarily know about, that we’re able to

be that source.MW: What do you see as the next step, now that marriage equality

has gone by the wayside? Should it be housing, employment, transgender issues? What do you think needs to be done?

MOODIE-MILLS: All of the above. I think that issues are mile-

stones. There is always going to be an issue that we’re lookingto win. And to drive. And these issues like marriage equality are

milestones on the greater path towards equality. If history has

taught us anything, it’s that nobody’s rights are one and donewith a Supreme Court ruling or a piece of legislation that’s

passed. You have to stay vigilant as a community to ensure thatwe’re able to maintain the gains that we have over time. And

that we’re resisting and pushing back against attempts to rollthose back.

If you look at the African-American Civil Rights movement

and community, 50 years after we got the Voting Rights Act,it was gutted by the Supreme Court. We have to stay vigilant,

we’re not all going home, black people are not free, right? Welook at Charleston. Black people are still being modern-day

lynched. Essentially, that’s a modern day lynching that we see.And we see black boys being killed by the State in the street. If

you look at women’s rights, Roe v. Wade, in fact, may have liber-

ated women for a few minutes, but what we’ve seen, over time,is that since that ruling, so many states are attempting to push

back and to roll back women’s ability to choose.MW: TRAP laws.

MOODIE-MILLS: Exactly. And so, if the LGBT community — which

always likes to take its inspiration from the Civil Rights andEqual Rights movements of other communities — is to learn

anything, it is that we have to remain vigilant. And just becausewe get one ruling, just because we work on all of those issues,

and we have wins on all of those issues — there’s a lot that

we have to do. Comprehensive nondiscrimination, absolutely.We’ve seen gains with bullying policy... I think we’re going to

continue to have these milestones.

But the thing that is consistent, the thing that will alwaysmatter, is who our leaders are. And that we are cultivating the

next generation of leadership that is going to not only drivethese issues, but continue to have a place at the table, and to

help us grow our voices and our power in the public sphere, in

political office, at every level of government. And that meanswe’re going to need to elect more and more LGBT people.

That we’re going to have to help our current LGBT electeds

constantly grow in their careers and move onto higher office.Because that’s how we have power, that’s how we continue togrow our power. That’s how we ensure that we always have

somebody who is sitting at the table, bringing our interests with

them, and bringing our lens with them. And it doesn’t matterwhat the issue of the day is. Leadership is always required. And

leadership is constant.The exciting thing about Victory is that our work, in my

view, will never be done. Because there’s always going to be a

need to have key leaders at the table. And we are the only orga-nization that is invested specifically in training, developing and

electing LGBT people to public office. We’re the only peoplewho are doing this.MW: In terms of your own personal development, who’s been a

mentor to you?MOODIE-MILLS: Well, I can tell you that my grandmother and her

spirit have always been the driving force. She was my ultimatementor and role model. And her energy stays with me. She

passed away back in 2001. She was the early influence in mylife that is absolutely responsible for be being the determined

woman that I’ve grown to be, of lots of conviction and courage,

and very value-centric. That’s all my grandmother.I never could have imagined that I would be a nationally-

recognized expert on LGBT issues and be leading an LGBTrights organization. I would have had no idea that this would

have been my life.

But what I think really helped my path along LGBT equal-ity — and seeing that this is where I needed to have an impact,

and that I needed to own the personal politics of this, and reallydo something with it — was a woman named Wanda Alston,

who also passed away several years ago. Wanda was the first

appointee in D.C. of the mayor to be the liaison to the LGBTcommunity. And Wanda was part of that original program that

sent me off to work on the Ron Kirk campaign.Wanda pulled me aside and gave me a good talking-to. She

said, “Look I know you’re doing all this federal political work,and you have a really great voice, and a really great vision. And

I think that you’re going to be such a force, and someone who

does great things in politics. We need you to do that for our com-munity. Really go home and think about, ‘Who are you serving?’

Who is your work serving at the end of the day? And what doyou want your legacy to be?”

And she would give me really good talkings-to all the time,and take me to lunch at the Dem Club, and be like, “So...I knowyou’re not really out...” because I wasn’t particularly out. Wanda

used to pull on me.I think she’d be really proud that I followed her advice, and

I’ve been really conscious about who I want to serve in my

career, and what that legacy looks like. I always think to myselfthat she’d be really proud. She’d probably think, “Holy shit, I

cannot believe that Aisha is doing all that.”

For more information on the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and itscurrent initiatives and campaigns, visit victoryfund.org. l



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22/48


JULY 16 - JULY 22, 2015Compiled by Doug Rule

A Better LifeTangerine is an intimate, engrossing comedy-drama that

unashamedly puts transgender women center stage

T angerine ( HHHHH ) is an important film. It’s important for several reasons,but only one of them is perhaps its most discussed feature: this 90-minute,

Sundance-screened film was shot almost entirely on an iPhone.Well, technically three iPhones. The 5S at that. Of course, they were aided

by an app that allowed director/writer/producer/cameraman Sean Baker to setfocus, exposure and a variety of other factors, as well as custom lenses to ensurethat a smartphone’s digital video looked as though it belonged on a cinema screen.

However, after a few minutes of “Oh wow, this is a smartphone?”, you’ll completelyforget that what you’re watching is a polished, controlled, edited version of the same

videos you capture on a daily basis.Instead, the intimacy, the immediacy, the mobility of using smartphones lends

the film a near-documentary quality, drawing you into the lives of its central characters in a way that traditional film might not.

Rather than keep viewer at arm’s length, Tangerine puts everything — limitations included — on-screen for audiences to absorb.Tangerine is particularly important for its casting, with two African-American, transgender sex workers as protagonists. Sin-

Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) is fresh from a month-long stay in prison. After convening with her best friend Alexandra (MyaTaylor), she learns that Chester (James Ransone), her boyfriend-cum-pimp-cum-dealer, has cheated on her with “white fish”

Dinah. Sin-Dee proceeds to stomp her way through West Hollywood intent on finding Chester and Dinah (Mickey O’Hagan).

Intertwined into the main story is a subplot about taxi driver Razmik, who in between passengers searches for transgender sex

workers to satisfy his lust, while harboring a deep crush for Sin-Dee.It’s utterly engrossing, aided immeasurably by the film’s strong, saturated colors (the main theme is orange, hence the film’s

title) and the slightly surreal nature of the iPhone’s digital video. The script was developed with the cast, lending dialogue a

natural feel. The acting is only occasionally overdramatic, and there’s moments of quiet pathos mixed with genuine laugh-

out-loud exchanges. Everything bursts with life and depth — from the other sex workers encountered on street corners, to therandom passengers we’re introduced to in Razmik’s cab, to the sleazy customers we see glimpses of at Dinah’s motel brothel.

It’s a world that feels simultaneously repulsive and inviting. What’s more, it’s stories we rarely see on-screen — despite thehumorous nature in which Sin-Dee and Alexandra’s stories are conveyed, the moments where they fight for money, or struggle

with drug addiction, or, in Alexandra’s case, seem desperate for a life better than what they have, are powerful. Only the film’sslightly overblown ending — in which almost the entire cast, including Razmik’s family, are thrown into one tense confronta-

tion — reminds you that this is a scripted film.Tangerine is far from perfect, but with a powerful, dynamic cast, a seldom utilized setting, and the wondrous use of technol-

ogy in its creation, it’s an incredibly accomplished indie film. — Rhuaridh Marr

Tangerine opens July 17 at Landmark’s E Street Cinema. Visit landmarktheatres.com. l

wave pool, slides, cocktails and more.Saturday, July 18, from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.,with Pride Splash party starting at 8p.m. Admission is $41. Six Flags America,13710 Central Ave. Upper Marlboro, Md.For more information and special dis-counts, visit thedccenter.org.

11TH ANNUAL BREW AT THE ZOOMore than 70 craft beers will be ontap for this beer tasting extravaganzanext week, hosted as a benefit for

the Friends of the National Zoo, orFONZ. Port City Brewing Company, Atlas Brew Works, DC Brau BrewingCompany, Flying Dog Brewery andBadWolf Brewing Company will all berepresented at the event, which willalso feature food from popular foodtrucks and other local favorites. TheBachelor Boys Band will provide livemusic to accompany the mingling andlawn games. Thursday, July 23, from6 p.m. to 9 p.m. National Zoo, 3001

Connecticut Ave. NW. Tickets, includ-ing a commemorative mug, are $50 forFONZ members or $65 for non-members, or $85 and $100 for VIP ticketsallowing early access to the event, aprivate VIP area with complimentaryfood tastings and special animal dem-onstrations. Call 202-633-4800 or visitfonz.org/brew.

SPOTLIGHT

3RD ANNUAL PRIDESPLASH & RIDEThis Saturday, July 18, the DC Center andCapital Pride present the third annualPride Splash & Ride event at Maryland’sSix Flags America. The theme park will beopen regular hours that day, but will offeran “exclusive private waterpark party”that evening featuring DJs, dancing,

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34TH ANNUAL ARTSCAPEBilled as the nation’s largest free artsfestival, Artscape attracts more than400,000 people to Baltimore’s BoltonHill and Station North neighborhoodsto take in fine/textile art in everymedium — from visual to fashion tosculpture. There are also four stagesoffering performances of live musicfrom regional and nationally knownacts. And neighborhood restaurants

and bars also participate in Artscape,co-produced by the Baltimore Officeof Promotion and the Arts and theBaltimore Festival of the Arts. This year’s festival is built around the themeof water, reflected in the visual andperforming arts programming. Friday,July 17, through Sunday, July 19.Mount Royal Avenue and CathedralStreet, Baltimore. Free. Call 410-752-8632 or visit artscape.org.

BRANDI CARLILEThe twins Phil and Tim Hanserothwrite, sing and play with lesbian front-woman Brandi Carlile, whose music isan intriguing country-rock blend, withadditional influence from gospel and

folk — think Indigo Girls blended withJohnny Cash. And all the while there’sCarlile’s eminently captivating voice,supple and expressive, not too dissimi-lar from Sia’s. Carlile and co. return forwhat’s become an annual stop at WolfTrap, this time with special guestsFirst Aid Kid, a folk Swedish sistersact, and Gill Landry, a member of the Americana-steeped band Old CrowMedicine Show. Wednesday, June 22,at 8 p.m. Filene Center at Wolf Trap,1551 Trap Road, Vienna. Tickets are$30 to $55. Call 703-255-1900 or visitwolftrap.org.

JANET JACKSOND.C. and Baltimore are stops on the

second North American leg of theUnbreakable World Tour, the first in years from this superstar. The tourlaunches in August, in advance ofa new album set for this fall — butJackson won’t get to our area until2016. Fans who pre-order Jackson’s as- yet untitled new set at JanetJackson.com receive presale access to premiumseating. Otherwise, tickets go on saleto the general public Monday, July 20,at 10 a.m. for concerts Monday, Feb.29, at Royal Farms Arena, 201 WestBaltimore St., Baltimore. Call 410-727-7811 or visit royalfarmsarena.com. AlsoTuesday, March 1, at Verizon Center,601 F St. NW. Call 202-628-3200 or visit verizoncenter.com.

NEON TREES“I don’t think I’ve lost a single friend,honestly…. And my family has beenreally supportive,” Tyler Glenn told Metro Weekly last year, about comingout to his Mormon family and his bandmates in the all-Mormon synth-pop band Neon Trees. Only the first single“Sleeping With a Friend” referencesGlenn’s homosexuality on the band’senergetic 2014 album Pop Psychology.Instead, the lyrics are more universal,often touching on the hurdles to findlove in today’s modern age. As for

A D A M S C O T T A N D T A Y L O R S C H I L L I N G


Overnight SuccessWhen marriage became legal for all, The Overnight’s Adam Scott

took to Twitter with a message for Scalia

It’s unlikely Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia would enjoy — or even approve of —Adam Scott’s latest film, The Overnight, a playfully loose-limbed comedy of of sexual moresand erotic discovery. The movie finds L.A. newcomers Alex and Emily (Scott and Taylor

Schilling), a mundane, fully-cocooned couple, crossing paths with the free-spirited Kurt andCharlotte (Jason Schwartzman and Judith Godrèche), who may want a bit more than friend-ship. A resulting dinner party — wine-drenched, pot-infused, clothing optional — becomes alife-altering experience for the wide-eyed Alex and Emily.

“These two characters are due for a big change,” says Scott. “They innocuously go over tothis dinner party and their lives are turned upside down in a matter of hours. Their relation-ship is completely redefined.”

The movie has several memorable highlights, chief among them an uproarious strip-tease byScott and Schwartzman that reveals all. “Jason and I were nervous about that night of shoot-ing,” says Scott. “And then we glue these silly [prosthetic penises] on and it ended up being farmore fun than we thought. Everyone around us was uncomfortable because we looked like twonaked dudes. But technically we weren’t naked. We just sauntered around with these things on.It was really funny.”

Scott’s star rose with his pitch-perfect portrayal of Ben, Amy Poehler’s sweet, supportive,frequently exasperated husband on Parks and Recreation. The 43-year-old actor had beenworking in the industry for 20 years, but Parks shoved his celebrity to the fore. “When I wasout in public I started feeling like I had a disease on my face,” he says. “All of the sudden Icould feel people looking at me.”

Scott is an ardent supporter of LGBT rights, calling the recent decision by the Supreme

Court to legalize gay marriage “incredible.” And yet, unlike others who, on June 26, wereTweeting out words like “Proud” and “Love Wins,” the actor took a different Twitter tack. Heset his sights on Justice Scalia.

“His opinion was just disgusting,” says Scott. “The only think I could think to Tweet was‘Fuck you, Scalia!’” Scott deleted the Tweet after a day because “Why turn a joyful moment intosomething hateful like that?” Still, he intended his message to Scalia to be one of triumph overadversity. “It was meant as a joyful thing, like ‘Fuck you, you asshole, you lost! This is done nowand your kind is fading away. This is a sure sign that all your bullshit is on the way out.’”

— Randy Shulman

The Overnight ( HHHHH ) is playing at Landmark’s E Street Cinema.

Visit landmarktheatres.com. l


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personal effects of coming out, Glennsays: “I think my overall performancehas [become] a lot more carefree. Ithink there was always an element ofholding back before.” After shooting a video during last year’s show, the bandreturns to the 9:30 Club. Monday, July20. Doors at 7 p.m. 9:30 Club, 815 V St.NW. Tickets are $25. Call 202-265-0930 or visit 930.com.

MARYLAND LYRIC OPERAOnly a year old, the Maryland LyricOpera returns to the Clarice at theUniversity of Maryland with a produc-tion of Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette,the most popular of the operatic set-tings of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy.Merideth Marano, Anamer Castrello,Nemeh Azzam, Alex Alburqueque andPatrick Cook perform in this semi-stage production meant to shine thespotlight on their singing rather thanon the staging. Opens Saturday, July18, at 7:30 p.m. Runs to July 26. TheKay Theatre in the Clarice at theUniversity of Maryland, UniversityBoulevard and Stadium Drive. CollegePark. Tickets are $35 to $100. Call 301-

405-ARTS or visit theclarice.umd.edu.

SALT-N-PEPAThe pioneering female hip-hop crewreturns to the Howard Theatre stage.They’ll likely talk about sex, shoop-a-doop and a mighty, mighty goodman. And no doubt the crowd will be talking about all that too, rightin time. Saturday, July 18, at 8 p.m.The Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW.Tickets are $39.50 to $75. Call 202-588-5595 or visit thehowardtheatre.com.

SIGNATURE THEATRE’S CABARETSERIESSignature Theatre’s popular annu-

al cabaret series runs through nextweekend. Remaining highlightsinclude: Helen Hayes Award win-ner Natascia Diaz, performing withguitarist David Cole an eclectic setof covers of songs by Nat King Cole,Stevie Wonder, Sting and more, onFriday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18,at 7 p.m.; Sherri Edelen, Signature’sstarriest performer in recent years,performing “The Men I Love,” onWednesday, July 22, and Thursday,July 23, at 8 p.m.; and Will Gartshoreand Stephanie Waters performing“Isn’t It Romantic?” accompanied byChristopher Wingert, on Friday, July24, at 9 p.m. and Saturday, July 25, at 7p.m. Signature Theatre’s ARK Theatre,

4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington.Tickets are $25 for each show, or $150for a special All-Access Pass. Call 703-820-9771 or visit signature-theatre.orgfor a complete schedule.

TRAINWRECKOne critic called today’s “it” comedian Amy Schumer too “chubby” to starin her first film Trainwreck, about acommitment-phobic workaholic whomeets a man she wants to date, played by Bill Hader. Initial reviews suggestthat Schumer’s film serves as a giant“F**k you” to that critic. And coming


from the hands of Judd Apatow, andfeaturing a supporting cast includingDaniel Radcliffe, Marisa Tomei andTilda Swinton, no doubt it does. OpensFriday, July 17. Area theaters. Visitfandango.com.

FILM

SCREEN ON THE GREEN: NORTHBY NORTHWESTThe 17th annual film screeningseries on the National Mall kicks offnext Monday, July 20, with AlfredHitchcock’s 1959 classic North By Northwest, in which Cary Grant andEva Marie Saint tangle with murder-ous spies and end up dangling from Mt.Rushmore. Monday, July 20, at sun-set (around 8:30 p.m.). National Mall, between 4th and 7th Streets NW. Free. Visit hbo.com/screenonthegreen.

STAGE

DEAR EVAN HANSEN

Arena Stage has recruited some all-startalent for its world premiere musical Dear Evan Hansen, featuring a book by Steven Levenson ( Masters of Sex )and a score by Tony nominees BenjPasek and Justin Paul (Broadway’s AChristmas Story, TV’s Smash ). MichaelGreif ( Rent, Next to Normal ) directsthis modern tale about a boy prepar-ing for a bright future — so long as hissecret past doesn’t come back to haunthim. Ben Platt from Pitch Perfect stars.Now in previews. Runs to Aug. 23.Mead Center for American Theater,1101 6th St. SW. Tickets are $51 to $66.Call 202-488-3300 or visit arenastage.org.

DOUBLE TROUBLE(AKA THE PARENT TRAP)Bethesda’s youth-oriented theatercompany Imagination Stage offers aworld-premiere musical based on ErichKastner’s novel Lottie & Lisa as adapted by David S. Craig, with music by MarcSchubring. The focus is on 10-year-oldtwins who are being raised separately,unknowingly, by their divorced par-ents. To Aug. 14. Imagination Stage,4908 Auburn Ave. Bethesda. Ticketsare $10 to $25. Call 301-280-1660 or visit imaginationstage.org.

GARFIELD, THE MUSICALWITH CATITUDE Adventure Theatre MTC presents this

musical for all ages based on the adven-tures of the sarcastic, tubby cat, witha book co-written by creator and car-toonist Jim Davis and Aventure’s ownMichael J. Bobbitt. John L. CorneliusII wrote the music and lyrics. To Aug.23. Adventure Theatre MTC, 7300MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Ticketsare $19.50. Call 301-634-2270 or visitadventuretheatre-mtc.org.


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P H O T O C O U R T E S Y

H I G H R I S E P R


ONCESummer has become the time when you can see not one, but two acclaimedBroadway musicals at the KennedyCenter. While the decade’s biggestmusical to date ( The Book of Mormon )has returned to the Opera House, aquieter show that also nearly swept theTony Awards debuts next week in theEisenhower as part of its first nation-al tour. Glen Hansard and Marketa

Irglova’s eight-time Tony-winningOnce, with a book by Enda Walsh,features an ensemble of actor/musi-cians who play their own instrumentsonstage. They tell an enchanting tale ofa Dublin street musician who’s aboutto give up when a beautiful youngwoman takes a sudden interest inhis haunting love songs. To Aug. 16.Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater.Tickets are $65 to $160. Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.

Boss Lady Little Boots’ new album explores the intricaciesof being the boss, and she’s loving every minute

V ICTORIA HESKETH, BETTER KNOWN BY HER STAGE NAMELittle Boots, can’t wait to eat ribs from Freddy’s Famous Barbecue.“Freddy’s is definitely real, right?” she says. “I can’t wait to be in D.C. I

just love House of Cards.”Clearly, Hesketh isn’t familiar with the District. A native of Lancashire,

England, she’s made quite a name for herself across the pond. However, she is

fairly unknown in the States. “It’s quite a different story when I’m over there,”she admits. “The people who come to my shows get me for who I am.”

Hesketh’s style is definitely unique. With traditional pop lyrics mixed overelectric synth instrumentals, Little Boots’ sound makes you want to keep listen-

ing. Her latest album, Working Girl, was recently released, and continues in a

similar vein, but with a distinctly ’80s girl power sound.“But Working Girl was really influenced by the 1980s,” she says. “It’s very

synth heavy, and fused with dance and house. It’s the most thematic of myalbums.” Produced through her own record label, On Repeat Records, Hesketh

knows what it means to be her own kind of working girl.

“Having to become my own boss, call my own shots, that really was the inspi-ration behind Working Girl,” she says. This seems most evident on the track “Get

Things Done,” whose lyrics reflect a woman with a mission, behind a guitar riffthat could be right out of a Cyndi Lauper song. The single “Business Pleasure”

explores the challenges of balancing a personal life and a passion for creation. But Hesketh has no problem making executivedecisions. “I love being in control,” she says. “Being involved in all the elements: from the creation of the song, to what you’re

going to wear in the video. It’s definitely hard work, but you kind of learn as you go.”

So what’s next for Little Boots? “A lot of British artists never come to America, so it’s great that I can come there,” she says.“I’d really love to do a support tour. Sell out big stadiums, maybe with someone like Robyn. That would be brilliant.” Lofty goals,

but for Hesketh, the impossible is never out of the question. The most important thing? Play the part.“When we first started the label, we kind of had this fake it ’til you make it attitude,” she says. “We dressed up like bosses.

We spoke like bosses. And eventually people just believed us. If you pretend you can, you can. It’s kind of crazy what you can

do when you push yourself.” — Connor J. Hogan

Little Boots appears Saturday, July 25th, at U Street Music Hall, 1115 U St NW.Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at ustreetmusichall.com. l

PETER PAN 360Inspired — to put it mildly — by Cirquedu Soleil, Herrick Entertainment andThreesixty Theatre brings to life J.M.Barrie’s famous family tale under a100-foot-high tent with projection,puppets and acrobatic sequences.Thom Southerland directs the produc-tion featuring a set designed by WilliamDudlety, choreography by GypsySnider and original music by Benjamin

Wallfisch and Howard Herrick. To Aug. 16. Threesixty Theatre in TysonsCorner Center, 8200 Watson St.,McLean. Tickets are $25 to $125. Call202-397-7328 or visit peterpan360.com.

PSYCHO BEACH PARTYThe Richmond Triangle Playersoffer the perfect summer stage show,Charles Busch’s campy ode to theoriginal surfer flicks — imagine Gidget crossed with Mommie Dearest. Penny

Ayn Maas directs. Opening Thursday,July 23, at 8 p.m. Weekends to Aug.15. Richmond Triangle Players, 1300 Altamont Ave. Richmond. Call 804-346-8113 or visit rtriangle.org.

ROMEO AND JULIET:LOVE KNOWS NO AGEMaryland’s Unexpected Stage theatercompany presents a contemporaryinterpretation of Shakespeare’s classic

tragedy, in which Romeo and Julietare played by older actors, septuage-narians in an adult living community,with the Montagues and Capulets astheir adult children. This marks thefirst Shakespearean production for thecompany known for its thought-pro- voking works. Opens in a Pay-What- You-Can Preview Thursday, July 16, at7:30 p.m. To Aug. 10. Randolph RoadTheatre, 4010 Randolph Road. SilverSpring. Tickets are $10 to $25. Call800-838-3006 or visit unexpected-stage.org.

NEIGHBORHOOD 3:REQUISITION OF DOOMFocused on Grand Guignol-inspiredhorror theater, the Molotov TheatreGroup is also a favorite of the CapitalFringe Festival, and its latest produc-tion is pegged to Fringe. The focus is onJennifer Haley’s play about a psychologi-cally addictive video game that emulatesplayers’ actual neighborhoods as theon-screen environment. Moving from

one level to the next means destroyingarmies of zombies, but what does it meanfor the neighbors who aren’t playingthe game? David Dieudonne directs acast including Jen Bevan, Yoni Gray,Brian Kraemer, Annette Mooney Wasnoand Alex Zavistovich. Weekends to Aug. 2. District of Columbia Arts Center(DCAC), 2438 18th St. NW. Tickets are$17 plus cost of a $7 Fringe button. Call202-462-7833 or visit molotovtheatre.org.

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SILENCE THE MUSICAL A musical spoof based on the 1991Oscar-winning thriller, The Silence ofthe Lambs, Studio Theatre stages thisOff-Broadway hit cabaret-style witha full-service bar. Alan Paul directsthis production by writer Hunter Belland composer/lyricists Jon Kaplanand Al Kaplan, featuring a cast includ-ing Tally Sessions as Hannibal Lecter,

Laura Jordan as Clarice Sterling andTom Story as Buffalo Bill. Now in previews. Runs to Aug. 9. Studio Theatre,14th & P Streets NW. Call 202-332-3300 or visit studiotheatre.org.

SWEENEY TODD-PROGMETAL VERSION Yes, Stephen Sondheim really didgive the quirky and risqué LandlessTheatre Company permission last year to adapt his most commerciallysuccessful musical as a “prog-metal”piece, while leaving the lyrics andHugh Wheeler’s book intact. “Prog-metal is actually a very complex, a very precise, almost classically basedmetal,” director Melissa Baughman

explains. “It’s not just, ‘Let me rock your face off.’” Landless’s AndrewBaughman, who devised the prog-metal concept, plays the title charac-ter. During its debut run last summer,Landless repeatedly sold out perfor-mances — and it also garnered thecompany its first three Helen Hayes Awards nominations, including forOutstanding Musical and OutstandingDirector. For this year’s remount,Landless stages the show at the Atlas’s260-seat Lang Theatre, which is morethan twice the size of last year’s venueWarehouse Theater. To Aug. 2. AtlasPerforming Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE.Tickets are $29. Call 202-399-7993 or visit atlasarts.org.

THE BOOK OF MORMON Yes indeed, the biggest show onBroadway in the last decade returnsto the Kennedy Center after 2013’sinitial sold out run. Tickets are thank-fully easier to come by the secondtime around, particularly since itnow runs for two months. Written by South Park’s Trey Parker and MattStone, the riotously funny, audaciousmusical, which won a whopping nineTony Awards, is both cutting edge inshocking substance yet traditional instyle. The Book of Mormon may weavein unexpected and provocative plottwists and scenes as well as conveyextremely modern sensibilities about

life, culture and organized religion. Yet it still hews to the standard musi-cal mold, from repeated musical linesand lyrics, to boisterous sing-alonggroup anthems, to sharp group chore-ography and a tap number. To Aug. 16.Kennedy Center Opera House. Ticketsare $43 to $250. Call 202-467-4600 or visit kennedy-center.org.

THE PRODUCERSMark Waldrop directs an OlneyTheatre production of the zany MelBrooks musical, based on the zany,nearly 50-year-old Mel Brooks film,


following the adventures of washed-up Broadway producer Max Bialystockand his mousy accountant Leo Bloomwho scheme to get ric

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Metro Weekly - 07-16-15 - Aisha Moodie Mills