Living
Queery: Jane Hoffman
The Not What You Think singer answers 20 gay questions
Jane Hoffman was snatched for fill-in duty by Not What You Think, a local LGBT a cappella singing outfit, out of necessity. She’d joined the now-defunct Lesbian and Gay Chorus of Washington shortly before. Think was a subsidiary group of the larger Chorus and needed an alto to sub for someone who couldn’t go on a San Francisco tour in 1996. She’s been in the group ever since.
“I’d just moved back to the states and was kind of new to the city and new to coming out,” the 48-year-old South Dakota native says. “I had been missing music in my life and just thought, ‘Oh gosh, you can be out and in a gay and lesbian singing group. This sounds perfect for me.'”
The all-volunteer group performs at Hillwood Museum and Gardens Sunday at 2 p.m. and at Intersections: a New American Arts Festival on March 13 at 3:30 p.m. To attend the former, an admission fee to Hillwood is required. Visit hillwoodmuseum.org for details. The Intersections show is free but reservations are required. Visit nwyt.org for information. The group’s latest release, “Never Give Up” features songs by Lennon/McCartney, James Taylor, Holly Near, Don McLean and several traditional South African songs.
Members will often trade harmony lines so that parts, especially for tenors and altos, don’t always fall along traditional gender lines, a concept reflected in their name.
“It’s very sweet and it’s really special because you really have to listen to each other to pull it off,” Hoffman says. “We don’t really take ourselves that seriously but it really is kind of a metaphor for life. And the whole idea of the group in a way is to provide gay men and women a chance to talk together and listen in a different way.”
Hoffman met her partner, Jill Strachan, in the Chorus. They’re both in Not What You Think (Strachan sings soprano) and live together on Capitol Hill.
She spent three years working as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi, went to grad school in New Haven, Conn., then lived three years in the early ’90s in Prague in the Czech Republic doing finance work for companies that wanted to expand to Eastern Europe.
In D.C. since 1995, Hoffman now works as a finance director for a network of public charter schools. She enjoys singing, walking her two dogs, reading and traveling. She and Strachan visited Greece last November. (Blade photo by Michael Key)
How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?
I was a bit of a late bloomer and came out in the early 1990s. The hardest person to come out to was myself. My experiences in coming out to others have been positive.
Who’s your LGBT hero?
Harvey Milk and Jane Addams
What is Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?
I rarely go out to nightspots, but I always enjoy going to The Phase (Phase 1), and I am a big fan of Mr. Henry’s.
Describe your dream wedding.
I have never given this a moment’s thought. I’ve never understood the energy and resources poured into weddings. If my partner and I were to marry, it would be to gain access to specific federal benefits (currently unavailable) and I think our ceremony would be as simple as possible.
What non-gay issue are you most passionate about?
Education and women’s issues.
What historical outcome would you change?
The fact that our country was built, in large part, on slave labor.
What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?
Watching Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video on MTV in 1983. Also, the Ellen DeGeneres coming out show in 1997.
On what do you insist?
Honesty, integrity, passion and a sense of humor. I also love a good beer.
What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?
I like to share links to people or causes I think my friends will find interesting. Recent links include Andy Borowitz (he makes me smile every day) and Stand by Planned Parenthood (I am appalled at the recent attacks on this important organization). My next post will be about Not What You Think’s upcoming performances at Hillwood and Intersections.
If your life were a book, what would the title be?
“Imagine My Surprise!”
If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?
I’d change nothing for myself. I’m afraid we would have to be on guard, though, against those who would try to use this science to change people to fit their narrow idea of normal.
What do you believe in beyond the physical world?
That we are all connected.
What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?
We are a diverse community and no one has all the answers. We all have a lot to learn from each other, and we should all listen more.
What would you walk across hot coals for?
Ending violence against women in this country and around the world. And, closer to home, my partner and our wonderful dogs.
What gay stereotype annoys you most?
That all lesbians and gay men like drag.
What’s your favorite gay movie?
“Tipping the Velvet” and “Philadelphia”
What’s the most overrated social custom?
Dressing up.
What trophy or prize do you most covet?
The love of family and friends.
What do you wish you’d known at 18?
That it’s OK to simply be myself.
Why Washington?
It’s a lovely city full of interesting people. Also, the arts scene is so strong. Theater, music, visual arts and dance all contribute to D.C.’s vibrancy.
Real Estate
No Rose, your interest rate has nothing to do with how many likes you got on Hinge
Many factors help determine rates these days

Picture it, you’re sitting in the lunchroom at work, and your coworker just bought a house. Another coworker bought one a few months ago and you hear that she got a totally different interest rate than the other one did, even though they both bought houses not that far from each other. Homebuyers everywhere have been wondering what interest rates they are going to get, lately. It’s easy to read an article online or see an ad on social media stating specific numbers, but there may be more than meets the eye going into a particular buyer’s interest rate.
What are the factors that can affect the interest rate a buyer eventually “locks in”?
- Property details – certain properties may be in neighborhoods with higher rates of foreclosure, or there may be specific census tracts that allow a buyer to participate in the “Fannie Mae Home Ready” and “Freddie Mac Home Possible” programs, which carry more flexible requirements such as various income limits and lower interest rates, to help people begin homeownership.
- Type of loan / loan amount– a conventional, conforming loan or a jumbo loan can have differing interest rates, as well as FHA loans.
- Credit score – most people are aware that this affects what interest rate is quoted, just like on a credit card. Some lenders will work with you on ways to improve a credit score if the goal is to buy six, nine, or 12 months from now.
- Lock period – do you want to lock in the rate for 30 days? 45? Market volatility can cause the rates to change so it will cost more money to hold onto a particular interest rate.
- Loan to value ratio – one can still buy a home with less than 20% down, but the rate that is quoted may be higher.
- Occupancy type – is this the primary residence or an investment property?
- Points bought or credits taken – A buyer can pay the lender a fee to buy down the interest rate, or the seller can sometimes offer a credit. This has become more popular in recent years.
- Market conditions – keep an eye on the news – as we are all aware, change is the only constant!
Lender Tina del Casale with Atlantic Union Bank says, “With jumbo fixed rates in the low 6’s, and first-time buyer down payment assistance loans such as DC Open Doors, rates are in the mid 7’s. With the added factors of your income, the address you are purchasing and your credit score factoring into the equation, interest rates are different from buyer to buyer these days. So, skip the online tools and make a few calls because that’s the only way to get an accurate quote these days!”
It might feel like an overwhelming amount of information to take on, but remember, there are people that help others take these big steps every day. A trusted lender and Realtor can guide their clients from start to finish when it comes to purchasing a home. And for that, you’ll be saying, “thank you for being a friend!”
Joseph Hudson is a referral agent with Metro Referrals. Reach him at 703-587-0597 or [email protected].
Advice
Stop haranguing your husband about how you think he should behave
Make your point and then move on from the argument

Michael,
My husband is great, but he’s a pushover. It happens at work a lot. For example: His colleague, who came back from maternity leave about four months ago, is always leaving early. And Jeremy is always staying late to finish the jobs that they should be doing together.
But the most galling to me is that he doesn’t speak up for himself in his family. His parents (in my opinion) overtly favor his brother (who is straight) and his brother’s family. I could give a lot of examples. The latest: They’re treating the brother and the family to a cruise.
We’ve been together for 15 years, married for 12, and never get any such treatment.
Jeremy says his brother is strapped for cash (four kids, one income) and the family needs a break, whereas Jeremy doesn’t need his parents to pay for his (or our) vacation. I don’t really want to go on a cruise but it’s the principle of the thing.
Again, this is just one example. I feel bad for Jeremy being walked on, over and over, and I want him to start standing up for himself. Despite my repeated entreaties, he won’t.
When I push him on this, he tells me I’m not seeing the whole picture, or he sees it differently, or it’s not a big deal, or he’s fine with things as they are.
I can’t see how he could be fine with being taken advantage of, or not being appreciated. I think he’d have a much better life if he actually set some boundaries with people.
How do I persuade Jeremy to listen to me and be more assertive?
Michael replies:
Do you see the irony in complaining that you can’t get your husband to listen to you about being more assertive and setting a boundary?
You’ve made your point to Jeremy, repeatedly, and Jeremy is telling you to back off. In other words, he’s assertively setting a boundary with you.
You can’t get someone else to behave in the way you want, even when you’re certain that your way is best. Jeremy gets to decide how he wants to conduct himself.
Here’s a pattern I have noticed over and over again through my years of working with couples: When you try to do something for someone that is their own job to do, both you and the person you are trying to “help” wind up being resentful. You get annoyed that the other person won’t listen to your wonderful advice, and the other person gets annoyed because they don’t want someone else telling them what to do or how to live their life.
In this case, you’re trying to get Jeremy to stand up for himself more than he does, and he’s not interested in changing how he operates.
A great rule for relationships: You can advocate for what you want, but you have to let go of the result. (And advocate sparingly, or you risk being a nag).
You are continuing to argue the same point to Jeremy, and Jeremy isn’t interested in listening to you. As you asked for my advice, here it is: Cut it out before he gets into the resentment stage, if he’s not already there, as you apparently are.
Also, please consider that your repeatedly criticizing Jeremy’s parents where Jeremy sees no problem could damage not only your relationship with Jeremy, but also his and your relationship with his family.
We get to marry the person we marry. We don’t get to insist that they upgrade to a better (at least in our opinion) version. Trying to do so is not just disrespectful and a waste of time, it poisons the relationship.
So find a way to live with Jeremy as he is, or — if you find his acquiescent nature unbearable — leave. But don’t spend the rest of your marriage, or even another day, haranguing him about how you think he should behave.
Michael Radkowsky, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist who works with couples and individuals in D.C. He can be found online at michaelradkowsky.com. All identifying information has been changed for reasons of confidentiality. Have a question? Send it to [email protected].
Real Estate
The best U.S. cities for LGBTQ homebuyers in 2025
Where strong equality scores, vibrant culture, attainable prices converge

Buying a home has always been a landmark of security and self-expression. For LGBTQ+ people, it can also be a powerful act of claiming space in a country where housing equality is still a work in progress. The good news? This year offers more options—and more protections—than ever. A record-breaking 130 U.S. cities now score a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI), meaning their local laws, services, and political leadership actively protect queer residents, reports.hrc.org. Meanwhile, national housing analysts at Zillow expect only modest price growth this year (about 2.6 percent), giving buyers a little breathing room to shop around.
Below are eight standout markets where strong equality scores, vibrant LGBTQ+ culture, and relatively attainable prices converge. Median sale prices are from March 2025 Zillow data.
1. Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN
Median sale price: $317,500
Twin Cities residents benefit from statewide nondiscrimination laws that explicitly cover sexual orientation and gender identity, a thriving queer arts scene, and dozens of neighborhood Pride celebrations beyond the mega-festival each June. Buyers also appreciate Minnesota’s down-payment assistance programs for first-time and BIPOC purchasers—many LGBTQ+ households qualify.
2. Philadelphia
Median sale price: $227,667
Philly combines East Coast culture with Mid-Atlantic affordability. “Gayborhood” anchors like Giovanni’s Room bookstore mingle with new LGBTQ-owned cafés in Fishtown and South Philly. Pennsylvania added statewide housing protections in 2024, closing the legal gaps that once worried trans and nonbinary buyers.
3. Pittsburgh
Median sale price: $221,667
Don’t let the steel-town stereotype fool you—Pittsburgh’s MEI score is 100, and its real-estate dollar stretches further than in comparable metros. Lawrenceville and Bloomfield have become hubs for queer-owned eateries and co-working spaces, while regional employers in tech and healthcare boast top Corporate Equality Index ratings.
4. Tucson, Ariz.
Median sale price: $328,333
This desert city punches above its weight in LGBTQ+ visibility thanks to the University of Arizona, a nationally ranked Pride parade, and some of the country’s most picturesque outdoor recreation. Arizona’s statewide fair-housing statute now explicitly lists gender identity, giving buyers added recourse if discrimination occurs.
5. Madison, Wisc.
Median sale price: $413,867
Madison blends progressive politics with a top-five public university and a booming tech corridor. Local lenders routinely promote inclusive marketing, and Dane County offers one of the few county-level LGBTQ+ home-ownership programs in the nation, providing up to $10,000 in forgivable assistance for low-to-moderate-income couples.
6. Atlanta
Median sale price: $359,967
The cultural capital of the Southeast delivers queer nightlife, Fortune 500 jobs, and a web of supportive nonprofits such as Lost-n-Found Youth. While Georgia lacks statewide protections, Atlanta’s 100-point MEI score covers public accommodations, contracting, and employer requirements—shielding homebuyers who choose in-town neighborhoods like Midtown or East Point.
7. St. Petersburg, Fla.
Median sale price: $354,667 Yes, Florida’s statewide politics are turbulent, but St. Pete has long held firm on LGBTQ+ equality. The city’s Pride festival draws nearly a million visitors, and local ordinances bar discrimination in housing and public services. Waterfront bungalows in Kenwood and more affordable condos near Uptown give first-time buyers options.
8. Denver
Median sale price: $563,500
Colorado passed some of the nation’s strongest gender identity housing protections in 2024, and Denver’s queer community remains one of the most visible in the Mountain West. Although prices run higher, buyers gain exceptional job growth and one of the country’s largest Gay & Lesbian Chambers of Commerce.
Smart Strategies for LGBTQ+ Buyers & Sellers
1. Build Your Dream Team Early
- Work with an equality-focused real-estate pro. The easiest way is to start at GayRealEstate.com, which has screened gay, lesbian, and allied agents in every U.S. market for more than 30 years.
- Choose inclusive lenders and inspectors. Ask whether each vendor follows HUD’s 2021 guidance interpreting the Fair Housing Act to cover sexual orientation and gender identity.
2. Know Your Rights—And Limitations
- Federal law bars housing bias, but enforcement can lag. Document everything and report issues to HUD, your state civil-rights agency, or Lambda Legal.
- In states without full protections, rely on city ordinances (check the MEI) and add explicit nondiscrimination language to your purchase contract.
3. Evaluate Neighborhood Fit
- Use local data: crime stats, school ratings, transit, and MEI scores of nearby suburbs.
- Spend time in queer-owned cafés, bars, and community centers to gauge true inclusivity.
4. For Sellers: Market With Pride—And Professionalism
- Highlight proximity to LGBTQ+ resources (community centers, Pride festivals) in your listing remarks.
- Stage neutrally but inclusively—rainbow art is great, but removing personal photos can protect privacy during showings.
The landscape for LGBTQ+ homeowners is evolving fast. By coupling inclusive laws, supportive culture, and attainable prices, cities like Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and Tucson stand out for 2025. No matter where you land, surround yourself with professionals who value every part of your identity. Start your journey at GayRealEstate.com, lean on the resources above, and claim your corner of the American dream—on your own terms, and with pride.
Scott Helms is president and owner of Gayrealestate.com.
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