Living
Trans rights bill likely dead in Md.
‘Mike Miller wants it dead, it’s that simple’
The chief sponsor of a transgender non-discrimination bill in the Maryland Legislature took the unusual step of publicly criticizing the president of the State Senate on Wednesday, saying he was being disrespectful to her and those who would benefit from the bill by seeking to kill it in committee.
Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D-Prince Georgeās & Anne Arundel Counties) said she was dismayed that Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Prince Georgeās & Calvert Counties) diverted the Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Act to the Senate Rules Committee, where it will likely die without a vote or hearing.
āMike Miller wants it dead, itās that simple,ā Pena-Melnyk told the Blade in an interview Wednesday. āOut of 94 bills that the House passed and sent to the Senate in a timely fashion, this was the only bill that went to the Rules Committee ā the only bill,ā she said.
The Rules Committee has long been viewed as a āgraveyardā for bills in the State Senate that are unpopular with the Senate leadership, especially the president, during the closing days of the legislative session.
Neither Miller nor a spokesperson for his office immediately returned calls from the Blade seeking comment.
The Maryland Legislature adjourns for the year on April 11. Bills like the gender identity measure that are sent to the Rules Committee at such a late date are deemed ādead on arrivalā unless Miller were to have a change of heart and agree to send it to a standing committee for a required hearing and vote.
Pena-Melnyk and LGBT supporters of the gender identity bill expected Miller to follow normal Senate procedures for bills passed by the House of Delegates by sending it to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. The bill has died in that committee for the past four years, but supporters were hopeful it would clear the panel this year.
They were optimistic because the House of Delegates passed the bill by a vote of 86-52 on March 25, representing the first time a transgender non-discrimination measure has passed in either body of the Maryland Legislature.
The bill calls for prohibiting discrimination against transgender Marylanders in the area of employment, housing, and credit.
Pena-Melnyk said she sought to meet with Miller on Tuesday with the intent of urging him to release the bill from the Rules Committee and to send it to the Judicial Proceedings panel.
āI waited an entire hour for him, a whole hour in his office, and he refused to see me,ā she said.
She called Millerās action disrespectful to her and to the transgender community and their allies who have worked hard to secure passage of the bill for more than four years.
āWhat message does that send? How does that speak of us that we can treat people like that in the State of Maryland?ā she said. āItās so disrespectful.ā
Miller and Sen. Brian Frosh (D-Montgomery County), chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee, have denied reports from some Annapolis insiders that Frosh initiated the effort to derail the bill by asking Miller to divert it to the Rules Committee rather than sending it to Froshās committee.
One source familiar with the legislature said Miller appeared to confirm that Frosh asked him to send the bill to the Rules panel when he told Sen. Richard Madaleno (D-Montgomery County) during a caucus meeting of Senate Democrats on Tuesday that he acted on Froshās suggestion.
Madaleno, who is gay and is a lead supporter of the gender identity bill, told the Blade Wednesday that Miller did, indeed, tell him at the caucus meeting that Frosh favored sending the bill to the Rules Committee. But Madaleno said Miller approached him privately about 10 minutes later to say he misspoke at the caucus meeting and that Frosh did not ask him to divert the bill to the Rules panel.
āHe said it was his decision,ā said Madaleno.
According to Madaleno, Millerās explanation to him on why he diverted the gender identity bill was similar to Millerās explanation to the Baltimore Sun on Tuesday.
The Sun reported that Miller expressed concern that the Senate had attempted to advance the gender identity bill several times in the past four years and it has died due to lack of support in that chamber.
āThere are not the votes to move it in committee,ā he told the Sun, referring to the Judicial Proceedings Committee. āAt this point in time Iād say the chances of passage of that bill are next to none,ā the Sun quoted him as saying.
Morgan Meneses-Sheets, executive director of the statewide LGBT group Equality Maryland, issued an alert to the groupās supporters and allies Wednesday urging them to make phone calls and send e-mail messages to their senators demanding that the gender identity bill be released from the Rules Committee. She said the group remains hopeful that the bill has a chance of passing if it reaches the Senate floor for a vote.
Equality Maryland joined LGBT activists last week in hailing the billās passage in the House of Delegates by a wide margin.
But the group Trans Maryland, which is opposing the bill because a public accommodations clause was stripped from the legislation this year, has sent out its own alert asking members and allies to contact the Rules Committee to urge that the bill be killed unless the public accommodations provision is restored.
Pena-Melnyk said she removed the public accommodations provision because doing so was the only way the bill could clear a House of Delegates Committee and reach the House floor. She said the bill could never pass this year, even in the Senate, if the public accommodations provision is added to the bill.
Real Estate
Down payment strategies: Financing your home purchaseĀ
Understanding the options key to unlocking the door to a dream home
Navigating the path to homeownership can be a complex journey, especially when it comes to accumulating the necessary down payment. For members of our LGBTQ community, understanding the available options for saving and financing this crucial aspect of home buying is key to unlocking the door to their dream home. Let’s explore effective methods and resources specifically designed to support LGBTQ individuals on their path to homeownership.
Traditional Savings Strategies
Saving for a down payment often begins with traditional methods such as setting aside a portion of your income into a dedicated savings account. High-yield savings accounts and automated savings plans, some offering up to 5% interest in today’s market, can expedite the process, providing a disciplined approach to accumulate funds over time. Additionally, exploring investment opportunities that match your risk tolerance can offer potential growth for your down payment savings.
Down Payment Assistance Programs
A variety of down payment assistance programs exist to help homebuyers with their initial costs. These programs often offer grants or low-interest loans to first-time homebuyers or those who haven’t owned a home in the past three years.
It’s essential to speak with a GayRealEstate.com agent to determine what programs may be available, plus online research into local and state assistance programs, as many are designed to support individuals in specific communities, including the LGBTQ+ community.
For medical professionals, police, teachers, firefighters, and other community heroes, there are several special loan and assistance programs designed to help with home purchases, often offering benefits like down payment assistance, reduced closing costs, and more favorable loan terms.
The Hero Home Loan Program provides first responders, including police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, with benefits such as lower interest rates and reduced closing costs. This program aims to make homeownership more accessible by offering more flexible credit score requirements and down payment assistance .
For educators, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and medical professionals, the Everyday Hero Housing Assistance Fund (EHHAF) offers closing cost assistance through gift funds. This program is designed to support those who serve their communities by making homeownership more affordable, with no repayment required for the grant fundsāā.
The HUD Good Neighbor Next Door Program offers up to 50% off the list price of homes for law enforcement officers, pre-Kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians. This initiative aims to encourage community revitalization by assisting these professionals in homeownership within the communities they serveāā.
Homes for Heroes provides assistance specifically to first responders and offers significant savings through Hero Rewards when buying, selling, or refinancing a home. On average, participants save $3,000, with the program offering real estate and mortgage specialist connections tailored to the needs of first respondersāā.
LGBTQ-Friendly Lending Options
Finding a lender that understands and supports the unique needs of our LGBTQ community can make a significant difference. Some lenders and organizations specialize in offering inclusive financial products and resources to assist LGBTQ+ homebuyers. These may include specialized mortgage products, financial planning services, and guidance through the home buying process.
The journey to homeownership is a milestone that requires careful planning and support. Remember, every step taken towards saving and financing your home purchase brings you closer to the dream of homeownership.
(GayRealEstate.com offers valuable resources and advice tailored to meet the unique needs of our LGBTQ+ community in their journey towards homeownership. For more comprehensive guidance and support in navigating the home buying process, visit GayRealEstate.com choose an agent and start a no-obligation conversation today.)
Jeff Hammerberg is founding CEO of Hammerberg & Associates, Inc. Reach him at [email protected].
Autos
Glam rides: BMW X6 and Range Rover Velar
Impressive standard features elevate these lower-priced options
Many sport-utes with ho-hum styling still impress me by offering scads of standard features and a low MSRP. But sometimes itās hard not to be seduced by what I call glam ridesāpricier vehicles with plenty of attitude. You know, like something Cassandro might drive.
BMW X6
$75,000
MPG: 23 city/26 highway
0 to 60 mph: 5.2 seconds
Maximum cargo room: 59.6 cu. ft.
PROS: OutrƩ styling, posh cabin, raw power
CONS: Less rear visibility, limited storage, costly options
IN A NUTSHELL: Trust me, itās hard not to fall in love with a BMW X6. This recently updated crossover, with its coupe-like profile, swept-back grille and breathtaking acceleration, had me at hello. High ground clearance and oodles of high-tech features turn this high-end hauler into one helluva wild ride.
Sure, the sharply sloped roof hampers rear-seat headroom and cargo capacity. But up front thereās more room than expected, along with a dramatically curved digital dashboard. And the ginormous panoramic moonroof helps make the interior feel quite spacious.
How good is this BMW? Zipping up to Baltimore last month during a day of downpours and clueless commuters, my husband and I started rethinking our promise to never buy a budget-busting vehicle. For us, bad weather and heavy traffic usually result in clenched teeth, heavy sighs and my swearing like a sailor. Yet the hushed cabin, 16-way power front seats and ability to control the stereo and other functions simply by waving my hand were all very Zen. Ditto the finely tuned suspension, steering and braking, which anticipated my every move. Instead of shying away from rush hour on our return home, I leaned in.
Myriad safety features ā from forward-collision alerts and blind-spot monitors to lane-departure warnings and a 360-degree camera ā batted away any concerns about fender benders. Same for the option packages that allow you to park the X6 automatically, store familiar maneuvers and drive hands-free at up to 85 mph.
Power in the base-model ā which is what I test drove ā comes from a lively 375-hp turbo, with a 48-volt hybrid system to improve gas mileage. Thereās also a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive for sure handling on slippery roads. Pricing begins at $75,000, but options on my test car brought it up toāwhoa!ā88,000.
For more grit and growl, thereās the xDrive60i, with a 523-hp twin turbo that helps this Bimmer sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. And the top-of-the-line X6 M Competition with a 617-hp V8 is even faster at a blistering 3.7 seconds. But I am much too afraid to drive this gnarly high-test modelāit starts at $128,000.
RANGE ROVER VELAR
$63,000
MPG: 19 city/25 highway
0 to 60 mph: 5.2 seconds
Maximum cargo room: 70.1 cu. ft.
PROS: Refined design, chic interior, lotsa storage
CONS: Tepid base engine, more sedate handling, pricey
IN A NUTSHELL: While Range Rovers are known for being oh-so-classy, the Velar is much sassier than the rest of the lineup.
The sweeping front fascia would make Ariana Grande proud: Svelte grille, sporty wraparound headlights and stretched, corset-like air ducts in the bumper.
Inside, the look is spartan but elegant. All knobs and other switchgear are mostly hidden or activated by an 11.4-inch infotainment touchscreen that seems to hover in front of the dash. Even the ubiquitous cruise control and stereo buttons on the steering wheel seem to have vanished, though look closer and they are tastefully integrated into the design.
While the Velar may be classified as a compact vehicle, it looks and feels much larger. Compared with the midsize BMW X6, both have ample seating for five people. Front-seat dimensions are practically the same, but the supposedly smaller Range Rover has better back-seat headroom and legroom. It also holds almost 20% more cargo.
Built on the same platform as the popular Jaguar F-Pace, the Velar has a relaxed ride compared to the more athletic BMW X6. Power is less aggressive on the Range Rover, with choice of two competent but hardly rip-roaring engines.
Build quality is impressive, including the optional leather-free interior that uses an upscale composite of wool and polyurethane. And while even the base-model comes with interior ambient lighting and a premium Meridian stereo, you can opt for the 17-speaker 3D system for an even more āMaestroā-like experience.
Overall, the Velar may be less of a rabble rouser than the BMW X6, but thereās still plenty here to dazzle the senses.
Dining
New D.C. restaurants opening just in time for spring
Mexican fare, burgers, fancy cocktails, and more on tap
Shaking off winter slumber, the D.C. dining scene this spring is gathering steam. Just a taste of the openings and happenings are below:
Already Open
Pascual (732 Maryland Ave., N.E.): This modern Mexican restaurant is helmed by chefs Isabel Coss and Matt Conroy of LutĆØce, and run by The Popal Group (which also owns Lapop and Lapis). Pascual gets its name from the patron saint of cooks and kitchens. The menu, which rests on fire-grilled dishes, is inspired by Cossās Mexico City roots, and both chefsā past work at top Mexican restaurants. Pascual plans to add a daytime bakery and coffee shop called VolcĆ”n.
Moon Rabbit (927 F St., N.W.): Chef Kevin Tien abruptly closed his Moon Rabbit restaurant on the Wharf a year ago during union negotiations by staff of the Intercontinental Hotel, where the restaurant was located. This reopening represents a welcome comeback of this fine-dining Vietnamese restaurant. The restaurant concept will be the same, but will have new dishes for the new space.
Joia Burger (3213 Mt. Pleasant St., N.W.): Itās smash patties and French fries that make up the entire menu of this fun-filled carryout spot. Run by Purple Patch chef/owner Patrice Cleary, she brings burgers (including veggie burgers) in a family-friendly and homey atmosphere, as well as vibrant ube soft serve as a nod to her Filipino heritage.
Coming soon
Press Club (1506 19th St., N.W.) is an intriguing new spot from industry old-timers including Will Patton (from Bresca and JĆ“nt). Located in Dupont Circle, it will be a new bar and cocktail lounge based on the format of records (i.e. sides A and B). The a la carte āTrack Listā menu is a cocktail menu that rotates biannually featuring the teamās favorite spirits and techniques. The curated āPlay Listā menu is a bi-monthly rotating cocktail flights highlighting more seasonal ingredients, presented tableside with supplemental bites. The cocktails will draw inspiration from songs loved by the founders and are arranged to resemble the flow of a record.
Immigrant Food (4245 N. Fairfax Dr.): The restaurant group combining global dishes and advocacy is set to open a new spot in Ballston. Immigrant Food has three locations already: the Planet Word Museum, by the White House and in Union Market. The restaurant will feature both indoor and outdoor dining areas by the Ballston Metro.
Bar Japonais (1520 14th St., N.W.): This restaurant is still forthcoming in the former Estadio space, set for later this spring. It will be a take on its sister restaurant Bar Chinois in Mount Vernon Square. Bar Japonais will bring together French and Japanese influences. Developed in the izakaya style, the restaurant will have Japanese-leaning food and French-leaning cocktails, and has weekly events in the works.
Dogon, at Salamander Hotel (1330 Maryland Ave., S.W.), is a highly anticipated opening from celebrity chef Kwame Onwauchi. The opening represents his return to D.C. with a concept inspired by D.C. Surveyor Benjamin Banneker and Onwauchiās heritage to the West African Dogon tribe. Pronounced āDoh-gon,ā the restaurant will serve vibrant cuisine through an Afro-Caribbean lens and draw from Onwuachiās unique Nigerian, Jamaican, Trinidadian, and Creole background.
Alfreda (2016 P St., N.W.): A pizzeria in Dupont Circle, named for the chefās grandmother. The pizzas – made on a sourdough crust and including gluten-free options – are based on more traditional techniques, but using global flavors. The menu also includes salads, small plates, and a long wine list.
Beresovsky’s Deli: Gay-owned KNEAD Hospitality + Design is teasing a deli later this year. It will be located inside the preexisting Mah-Ze-Dahr Navy Yard location.
Events
The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), is expanding from its winter and summer Restaurant Weeks to give diners another opportunity to celebrate the change of seasons with Spring Wine Fling. Spring Wine Fling is a platform for local eateries to highlight their wine programs with creative pairings. Participating locations will showcase their wine programs through curated wines paired with two-course prefix $55 menu offered during dinner service.
National Cherry Blossom Festival: RAMW is also working with the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The National Park Service has anticipated peak bloom dates for 2024 between March 23ā26. The festival has developed a full list (called ācherry picksā) of where to eat as part of the celebration. Many restaurants, bars, and hotels have also set up activations and events across the city.