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Best of Gay D.C. 2016: COMMUNITY

Blade readers voted for their community favorites

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community, gay news, Washington Blade

Best Art Gallery

Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum

1661 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.

renwick.americanart.si.edu

Runner-up: The Phillips Collection

Renwick Gallery (Photo public domain)

Renwick Gallery (Photo public domain)

Best Adult Store

Bite the Fruit

1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.

bitethefruit.com

Runner-up: Trick Box

Bite the Fruit

Bite the Fruit

Best Car Dealership

BMW of Fairfax

8427 Lee Highway, Fairfax

Runner-up: Audi of Tysons

BMW of Fairfax (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

BMW of Fairfax (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Best Apartment/Condo Building

Atlantic Plumbing

2112 8th St., N.W.

Runner-up: The Shay

Atlantic Plumbing (Photo courtesy Atlantic Plumbing)

Atlantic Plumbing (Photo courtesy Atlantic Plumbing)

Best Doctor/Medical Provider

Ray Martins, Whitman-Walker Health

Runner-up: Dr. Robyn Zeiger

Best of Gay D.C.

Ray Martins (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Best Fitness or Workout Spot

VIDA Fitness

1517 15th St., N.W.

1612 U St., N.W.

999 9th St., N.W.

vidafitness.com

(A perennial favorite in this category)

Runner-up: YMCA

VIDA Fitness (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

VIDA Fitness (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Best Gayborhood

Shaw

Runner-up: Logan Circle

Shaw (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Shaw (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Best Hardware Store

Logan Hardware

Logan Hardware

1734 14th St., N.W.

acehardwaredc.com

Runner-up: Annieā€™s Ace Hardware

MidCity Dog Days, gay news, Washington Blade

Logan Hardware (Washington Blade photo by Antwan J. Thompson)

Best Home Furnishings

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

1526 14th St., N.W.

mgbwhome.com

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams is featured on the 2016 Best of Gay DC cover.

Runner-up: Room & Board

Mitchell Gold, Bob Williams, furniture, design, home, gay news, Washington Blade

Mitchell Gold, on left, and business partner Bob Williams at their Washington store for an event in 2013. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Best Home Improvement Service

The Organizing Agency

811 4th St., N.W., Suite1013

theorganizingagency.com

(Winner of last yearā€™s Best LGBT-owned Business award)

Runner-up: Hourly Husbands

Organizing Agency founder Scott Roewer (Photo courtesy of the Organizing Agency)

Organizing Agency founder Scott Roewer (Photo courtesy of the Organizing Agency)

Best Hotel

The W

515 15th St., N.W.

wwashingtondc.com

(Second consecutive win in this category)

Runner-up: Donovan House

The W Hotel (Photo courtesy of the W)

The W Hotel (Photo courtesy of the W)

Best House of Worship

Empowerment Liberation Cathedral

633 Sligo Ave., Silver Spring

240-720-7605

empowermentliberationcathedral.org

(Second consecutive win in this category)

Runner-up: All Souls Unitarian

Bishop Allyson Abrams of the Empowerment Liberation Cathedral (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Bishop Allyson Abrams of the Empowerment Liberation Cathedral (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Best Lawyer

Peter Glazer

The Glazer Law Firm

Business attorney

glazerlawfirm.com

Runner-up: Amy Nelson

Peter Glazier (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Peter Glazier (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Best LGBT Social Group

Gay Menā€™s Chorus of Washington

Runner-up: D.C. Rawhides

The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Best LGBT Support Group

SMYAL

Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders

410 7th St., S.E.

smyal.org

(Second consecutive win in this category)

Runner-up: HIPS

SMYAL (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

SMYAL (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

BestĀ LGBT Sports League

D.C. Rollergirls

Runner-up: Stonewall Kickball

Teammates on D.C. Rollergirls say the league feels like family.

Founded in 2006, D.C. Rollergirls is centered around the groupā€™s love for roller derby. In addition to games, the team also prides itself on contributing to community service with organizations that promote female empowerment, physical fitness and awareness of issues women, children and families face in the D.C. area.

League president Dawn Sherman, also known by her team nickname Aurora Borey All-Ass, says what makes the team stand out is the diversity of its members.

ā€œWe have women from all different walks of life,ā€ Sherman says. ā€œWe are an inclusive environment so we have cis-gender women and we are very open to LGBT women. The fact that we all come together for this crazy common sport that we love just makes it amazing.ā€

Women of all skill levels are welcome on the team especially beginners. JaeLee Waldschmidt, nicknamed Switch Please, says she stepped into the world of roller derby after a friend invited her to a match.

Waldschmidt admits she was clueless and outside her comfort zone.

ā€œMy friend was like, ā€˜You should come watch my team play.ā€™ I was like, ā€˜Play what?ā€™ ā€˜Roller derby,ā€™ā€ Waldschmidt says. ā€œI was like, ā€˜Whatā€™s that?ā€™ I watched one of their games and showed up to D.C. Armory like, ā€˜Where do I get in?ā€™ and my friend was like, ā€˜The door. You go in through the door.ā€™ā€

After attending roller derby boot camp Waldschmidt found herself competing on the team.

She encourages other women interested in trying something new to do the same. Try out sessions are open to anyone regardless of experience level. Each Sunday the team has a roller derby boot camp where anybody, with the appropriate safety gear, can learn the fundamentals of roller derby. The next try out date is Sunday, Oct. 23 at the DCRG Warehouse (5706 LaFayette Pl., Hyattsville, Md.) from 12:30-3:30 p.m. The team consists of about 40 players, including dozens of volunteers, beginner boot campers and retired derby members who still like to stay connected.

Another big part of being a D.C. Rollergirls team member is picking a nickname that suits you.

For Sherman the name was all about who she was as a person.

ā€œI wanted to find something that kind of gave people a little glimpse into my life,ā€ Sherman says. ā€œMy quirky sci-fi side. Kind of just being a general science geek and my physique. So my name is Aurora Borey All-Ass and that kind of encompasses all those things.ā€

Waldschmidt chose her name Switch Please, from the character Switch from ā€œThe Matrix.ā€

Feeling comfortable to share parts of themselves with their team is the best part about the league, Waldschmidt says.

ā€œBeing a trans woman, itā€™s kind of hard in this world trying to find a place that accepts you for who you are,ā€ Waldschmidt says. ā€œI mean there are pockets here and there but roller derby was like ā€˜Alright, cool.ā€™ It was a really empowering opportunity to be authentic and not have to try to conform to peopleā€™s expectations of what a man or woman is, to be myself.ā€ (Mariah Cooper)

DC Rollergirls (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

D.C. Rollergirls (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Best LGBT-Owned Business

Capital Center for Psychotherapy and Wellness

1330 U St., N.W.

capitalpsychotherapy.com

Runner-up: Town, Number Nine and Trade

Gregory Jones of Capital Center for Psychotherapy and Wellness (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Gregory Jones of Capital Area (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Most LGBT-Friendly Workplace

Human Rights Campaign

1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.

hrc.org

Runner-up: Whitman-Walker Health

Human Rights Campaign (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Human Rights Campaign (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Best Non-Profit

Whitman-Walker Health

whitman-walker.org

Runner-up: Capital Pride

Whitman Walker Health at the Walk to End HIV (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Whitman Walker Health at the Walk to End HIV (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Best Pet Business

Metro Mutts

508 H St., N.E.

metromuttsdc.com

Runner-up: City Dogs

dog_insert_by_bigstockBest Place to Buy Second-Hand Stuff

Miss Pixieā€™s Furnishings and Whatnot

1626 14th St., N.W.

misspixies.com

Runner-up: Buffalo Exchange

Miss Pixie's (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Miss Pixie’s (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Best Place to Take the Kids

Smithsonianā€™s National Zoo

3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.

nationalzoo.si.edu

(Second consecutive win in this category)

Runner-up: Smithsonianā€™s National Air and Space Museum

panda bear, National Zoo, Last-minute gifts, holiday gift guide, Christmas, gay news, Washington Blade

(Photo courtesy of the National Zoo)

Best Rehoboth Business

Blue Moon

35 Baltimore Ave.

Rehoboth Beach, Del.

bluemoonrehoboth.com

(Also won Best Rehoboth Bar)

Runner-up: Purple Parrot

Blue Moon (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Blue Moon (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Best Salon/Spa

Logan 14 Aveda Salon & Spa

1314 14th St., N.W.

logan14salonspa.com

(Second consecutive win in this category)

Runner-up: Salon Quency

Michael Hodges of Logan 14 Aveda (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Michael Hodges of Logan 14 Aveda (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Best Reason to Go to Baltimore

National Aquarium

501 E. Pratt St., Baltimore

aqua.org

(Second consecutive win in this category)

National Aquarium in Baltimore (Photo public domain)

National Aquarium in Baltimore (Photo public domain)

Best Theater

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

2700 F St., N.W.

kennedy-center.org

(Second consecutive win in this category)

Runner-up: Arena Stage

Kennedy Center, culture, gay news, Washington Blade

The Kennedy Center (Photo by Steve via Wikimedia Commons)

Best Theater Production

ā€œKinky Bootsā€ (Kennedy Center)

Runner-up: ā€œLa Cage Aux Follesā€ (Signature Theatre)

Kinky Boots, gay news, Washington Blade

(Photo courtesy Kennedy Center)

Best Vet

CityPaws Animal Hospital

1823 14th St., N.W.

citypawsanimalhospital.com

(Second consecutive win in this category)

Runner-up: Union Veterinary Clinic

City Paws (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

City Paws (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

To see winners in other categories in the Washington Blade’s Best of Gay D.C. 2016 Awards, click here.

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Movies

Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells want to adopt baby in ‘I Don’t Understand You’

Film premiered at SXSW in Austin

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(Courtesy photo)

Editor’s note: Jack Morningstar attended SXSW in Austin, Texas.

“I Don’t Understand You” focuses on a couple whose romantic Italian getaway devolves into bloody chaos while they prepare to adopt their first child.Ā 

The film, while veering into hilariously gruesome hijinks, tells the story of a gay couple who is willing to kill for a chance at fatherhood. It sheds light on the hurdles that same-sex couples often go through in the adoption process: Financial burdens, time constraints, fraud, and in this case, a rural Italian family.

The film premiered last weekend at SXSW in Austin and stars Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells along with Nunzia Schiano, Morgan Spector and Eleonora Romandini. It was written and directed by Brian Crano and David Craig, who are married. They sourced inspiration from their own adoption struggles and an Italian vacay gone wrong. 

ā€œWe were about to leave for Italy when we found out that we had matched with a birth mother and our son would be born in about six weeks,ā€ said Crano. 

According to Craig, the trip was tense and it culminated in their car getting stuck in a ditch on their way to an anniversary dinner.

ā€œWe ended up at an old ladyā€™s house after she rescued us in her Fiat. Her family cooked us a meal and we stayed up drinking with them until 3 a.m., not understanding a word they were saying,ā€ he said.

Without spoiling anything, the couple in the movie go to absurd lengths to ensure that their adoption goes through. Craig explained that the theme of the movie was “what would you do for your kid.”Ā 

“We were three years into our own journey at the time and realized we would literally do anything to make that dream a reality. Itā€™s really a love letter to our son,ā€ he said.

The film is hard to relegate to a single genre. 

ā€œWhen conceiving the story, we saw it as different parts ā€” romantic comedy, horror movie, murder play ā€” but I think by bringing in Nick and Andrew that blend actually became much more of an organic mix where the comedy sustained throughout. They elevated it in a more elegant fashion,ā€ said Craig. 

“I Donā€™t Understand You”was produced by Pinky Promise, a women-led production company with the mission to elevate diverse voices in their storytelling. Kara Durrett, Pinky Promiseā€™s current president was a champion of this script from the beginning. Founder Jessamine Burgum recounts that when Durrett was onboarding, she said ā€œIf you donā€™t get [“I Donā€™t Understand You”] I donā€™t know if this is going to work.ā€ 

It ultimately became one of the first projects Burgum and Durrett collaborated on.Ā 

Kroll and Rannellsā€™ chemistry carried the film. 

ā€œThere was a desire to work with each of them because they had both separately been in such amazing comedian teams ā€” like Andrew with Josh Gad and Nick with John Mulaney. Nick and Andrewā€™s characters are in almost every scene of the movie together, so they needed to be adept to basically doing a shared performance. There was no one more well-positioned to do this as naturally as possible,ā€ said Crano. 

Their characters are easy to root for, yet also deeply flawed. 

ā€œA big thing we wanted to do with this movie, and with all of our work in telling stories, is avoid telling a cliched gay trauma film. Weā€™ve never ascribed to the idea that there is a subcategory to film that is LGBTQ, rather ā€” movies are for everyone. We want to make a movie where gay characters are flawed, not for being gay, but because of who they are. They can be villains, but they are our protagonists,ā€ said Craig. 

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Out & About

Celebrate spring with these D.C.-area events

Galas, Cherry Weekend, Pride, and more on tap

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The annual Pride on the Pier with fireworks show is set for Saturday, June. 8 at the Wharf. (Photo courtesy of The Wharf DC)

Temperatures outside are starting to rise and the sun is shining again. Hereā€™s a list of upcoming D.C. events that can make enjoying the good weather even that much more thrilling.

Cherry Weekend Washington begins on Thursday, April 4. The Cherry weekend is a spectacular and joyous event held over four days featuring 16 world renowned DJs, nine different events and four fun daytime parties.

3rd Friday Night Open Mic will take place on Thursday, March 15 at 9 p.m. at the Bus Boys and Poets location in Brookland. This event will be hosted by Mariah Barber (they/she), a queer storyteller, consultant, spoken word artist, and activist who has been creating social justice-oriented art for the last 15 years. Tickets start at $5 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.Ā 

RuPaulā€™s Drag Race Season 15 winner Sasha Colby will bring her Sasha Colby: Stripped Tour to the Howard Theatre on Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased on the Howard Theatreā€™s website.Ā 

Decades DC returns with Throwback Thursdays on Thursday, March 14 at 10 p.m. This event will have an open air rooftop and the first drink is on the house. Entry is free until midnight and more details are available on Eventbrite.Ā 

Skin and Wellness Center will host Equinox Celebration on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at 929 W. Broad St. This event will involve movement, breath work, meditation and community connection to celebrate the spring equinox and embrace energies of rebirth, fertility, creativity, balance, and expansive growth for mind, body, and spirit. Tickets cost $28.52 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.Ā 

Models Inc. will host The Front Row! Fashion Show on Saturday, March 30 at 7 p.m. at the Silver Spring Black Box Theatre. This is the ultimate destination for designers seeking to showcase their talent and brand. This exclusive event provides a platform to promote artistry and visions, featuring various artists, creatives, fashion enthusiasts, models, stylists, and visionaries. Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.Ā 

Spring Bling Adult Prom will be on Friday, April 26 at 8 p.m. at Graces Event Center. Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite spring colors and show up for a night of dancing, food and fun.Tickets cost $92.55 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

TSR Productions will host Spring Salsa Bash on Saturday, March 23 at 8 p.m. at The Salsa Room Tysons. This event will feature Hermanos Galvan and Orquesta live in concert playing the best salsa, bachata, and merengue. There will also be top DJs playing the best in Latin trap, urbana, reggaetton. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.Ā 

We Will Survive Cancer will host Spring Fling Cocktail & Dance Party on Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Whino. This event will be hosted by DJ Steve. Tickets cost $25 and all proceeds are donated to cancer patients. More details are on Eventbrite.

Chase Brexton Health Care hosts its 2024 Gala at the Baltimore Museum of Art, with the theme centered around the NEW Roaring ā€˜20s on Saturday, March 30. Details at chasebrexton.org.Ā 

CAMP Rehobothā€™s annual Womenā€™s FEST is scheduled for April 25-28. Lea DeLaria will headline with Crys Matthews opening. Visit camprehoboth.org for details.

Trans Pride Washington, D.C. is scheduled for Saturday, May 18. The full day of conference activities will take place at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. Visit transpridewashingtondc.org for details.

The Bladeā€™s 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach is scheduled for Friday, May 17; details to be announced soon.

D.C.ā€™s 49th annual Pride celebration kicks off May 31-June 9, culminating with the parade and festival. Visit capitalpride.org for details. The annual Pride on the Pier with fireworks celebration is slated for Saturday, June 8, 2-9 p.m. at the Wharf. Visit prideonthepierdc.com for details.

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Travel

Gay hotel company brings luxury to Puerto Vallarta

Tryst Puerto Vallarta to open this spring

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Tryst Puerto Vallarta (Photo courtesy of Tristan Schukraft)

The Tryst Puerto Vallarta begins welcoming discerning gay guests this spring, just in time for the Mexican resort city’s Pride celebrations. 

The 55-room resort includes a penthouse suite featuring two terraces, three large suites with expansive living areas and terraces and several junior suites with unique features. A highly anticipated rooftop pool with a bar area and restaurant offering fine Mexican cuisine are just some of the highlights. 

ā€œYou can stay here and never leave the resort,ā€ said Tristan Schukraft, the driving force behind Tryst Hotels, and self-described CEO of “everything gay.”

While he started out in his career working in the early days of electronic ticketing, Schukraft may be more known for his work with MISTR, a popular online source for PrEP. He also recently entered into an agreement to purchase the Abbey in West Hollywood, Calif.

With Tryst he promises “itā€™s a fun, exciting atmosphere.” 

“The idea is not just the guests are coming to the resort, but locals,” said Schukraft. “So, when you stay here itā€™s the way to mingle with the local gay community.ā€

To welcome and include both guests and locals, the resort will host drag brunches in the hotel restaurant. Weekend parties featuring DJs on the eighth floor pool and bar area also seeks to make this not just a place to stay, but one to celebrate with the community.

Schukraft hopes visitors will get to know guests or locals poolside, or in the restaurant, and make lifelong friendships. 

Or perhaps find a bit of romance: After all the hotel is set in the famed Zona RomĆ”ntica.  

ā€œTryst Hotels are not merely luxury destinations; they are a celebration of gay culture, where every guest is embraced,” said Schukraft. “Our mission is to create spaces where luxury and identity flourish without compromise.ā€

Tryst Hotels CEO Tristan Schukraft. (Photo courtesy of Tristan Schukraft)

The D.C. Travel and Adventure Show took place last month in D.C., and LGBTQ-specific travel was among the topics the convention highlighted. The Washington Blade in its preview of the expo noted LGBTQ travelers may book a resort or vacation that promises “everyone is welcome,” but upon arrival feel uncomfortable by reactions of staff or other guests due to expressing their identity as queer people. 

Schukraft has experienced this. 

ā€œI was at a hetero-friendly hotel Miami, but it was also marketed to gay men,” he explained. “So, you have two guys kissing at the pool and you have a straight couple looking over and wondering are they staying at a gay hotel. Itā€™s sort of an awkward occurrence.ā€ 

Everyone, therefore, is welcome at Tryst resorts, but it is not being marketed outside of the community. 

ā€œMy boyfriends and I have even experienced side-eye glances for our choice of swimwear,” Schukraft said. “You wonā€™t find that at Tryst Hotels.ā€

Speaking of attire: Many luxury guesthouses, inns and hotels catering to gay men offer clothing-optional zones for guests. Itā€™s an allure for some travelers. 

But, not at Tryst.

ā€œDonā€™t get me wrong, clothing optional resorts are fun, but thatā€™s not our concept. Our concept is a luxurious, inclusive resort,ā€ Schukraft said with a touch of elan apropos for the “CEO of everything gay.” ā€œOf course wear your thongs [and] Speedos.ā€

Tryst Puerto Vallarta and Tryst San Juan in Puerto Rico, which is slated to open in 2025, are being marketed as gay-owned, gay-focused resorts with luxurious offerings and amenities. Many resorts known to epitomize luxury may be seen as slightly conservative or ā€œstuffy.ā€ 

Luxury promises not to come only in the form of superior bedding, bathrobes, slippers and skincare products, but also in the stunning interiors. 

The Puerto Vallarta property engaged the same studio known for their acclaimed work at the Four Seasons Tamarindo. Designers from Estudio Esterlina bring a refined mix of minimalism, modernism and Mexican.Ā 

ā€œWhy canā€™t you have fun and luxury in the same space? Here, you let your hair down by the pool, enjoy a pool party, a fine Mexican meal in our full-service restaurant, a drag brunch on weekends and socialize with new friends all while feeling safe,” Schukraft said. “Our goal is to show luxury doesnā€™t have to mean stuffy.ā€

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