Living
Queery: Daniel Phoenix Singh
The gay dancer/choreographer answers 20 gay questions

Dancing for Daniel Phoenix Singh is a passion, a notion with which many artists can relate. So much so, in fact, that he essentially works two full-time jobs to make it happen.
He works in information technology by day (“To pay the bills,” he says) and spends four or five days a week dancing with his eponymous group, the Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company, a seven-year-old outfit of 14 dancers that specializes in modern American, classical and traditional Indian dance. Their next performances are next weekend (April 2-3) at Dance Place in Washington where they’ll perform “By the Light,” a dance the late D.C. choreographer Eric Hampton created while suffering the latter stages of the Lou Gehrig’s disease to which he eventually succumbed.
“It’s really about what dance meant to him,” Singh says. Go to danceplace.org for information.
Singh grew up in India but moved to the U.S. when he was 17 in 1990. He chose “Phoenix” as a translation of his middle name because his Indian name was too long to fit on his passport and green card. Dakshina means offering in Sanscrit, a name he chose to honor his company’s Indian roots. Four of its male members, including Singh, are gay. He says queer sensibilities inform his work in several ways.
“I never think of gender in terms of casting,” he says. “I might cast two men for a dance, two women or a man and a woman. It’s whoever does the work the best. It’s very freeing for me. I have a strong interest in social justice that comes from my LGBT sensibilities, and also an awareness of how the arts can be used to speak to something larger. It’s not just something that’s pretty, it’s a way to address something that’s relevant to our lives.”
Singh is single and lives in Petworth. He enjoys reading, napping, chocolate, movies, cooking, working out and biking in his spare time.
How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?
I’ve been out for close to 15 years now. The hardest person to tell was my mother, she didn’t know what gay meant. So it was a bit difficult/humorous to try to explain and come out at the same time — perhaps more humorous in hindsight. When I first came out, it made me reel that someone who loved me so much — that she gave up a comfortable life in India to work 80-90 hours a week so I could have a good education and life — could hate a part of me so unquestioningly because of what her church told her. But she has had a pretty incredible change of heart. Props to my mom, even though she doesn’t understand it completely and is still a pretty conservative Christian, she grew to accept me and love me again.
Who’s your LGBT hero?
Audre Lorde, she lived a composite, nuanced, self-analytical, socially conscious/active, artistic life that I covet.
What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?
Chaos! I loved Chaos and miss the space where people from diverse backgrounds and age groups gathered to dance the night away. My favorite memory of Chaos is when a young guy brought his grandmother to the drag show that happened before the Salsa nights.
Describe your dream wedding.
Intellectually, I’m not sure I believe in the institution of marriage — it’s too hetero-normative for me. But my heart strings still tug when I see a traditional Indian wedding, and I’m always the first person to start crying when a couple begin saying their vows.
What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about?
I’m very passionate about the arts. I’m concerned that we as a community don’t realize the long-term effects of this steady decline in engaging with the arts whether it is in the K-12, general public, senior citizens or immigrant communities. To me it is inconceivable to define a progressive developed society without the arts having a central role. There is a lot of talk about the loss of nuance, abstraction and engagement in our conversations (both social and political). People often take the most polarized views, everything comes down to a yes/no check box and then they wonder why we can’t get along or move forward. To me, the arts is about the subtleties of life, about finding the gray areas and looking at life from various angles. Most importantly art is about self-reflection and awareness — something critical for us to grow as a society.
What historical outcome would you change?
There are several things I’d like to change. I don’t know where to start.
What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?
When Dana Fuchs, one of the heroines in “Across the Universe” locked lips with me (among several others) at her concert.
On what do you insist?
Kindness.
What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?
Mornings = Bad.
If your life were a book, what would the title be?
“Artful Mischief.”
If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?
Make everyone poly-sexual? If everyone loved everyone, maybe some of our problems will go away.
What do you believe in beyond the physical world?
I don’t believe in an afterlife — learning to let go of the ego of permanence was a hard lesson for me. But I do believe integrity in our lived lives survives us.
What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?
To find a community-based, grassroots solution to our host of issues, instead of trying to create a top-down abstract model. Have stakeholders present in very early planning stages, don’t just invite them as “community sponsors” after the main conversation has finished. And to try to frame issues as more than the hetero-homo binaries.
What would you walk across hot coals for?
My dance company and my friends.
What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?
That we’re here to recruit.
What’s your favorite LGBT movie?
“Milk”
What’s the most overrated social custom?
Clubbing (different from dancing).
What trophy or prize do you most covet?
The MacArthur Fellowship
What do you wish you’d known at 18?
That I should have started dancing earlier.
Why Washington?
Like Goldilocks, it’s just the right size — not too big, not too small.

Did you melt like the Wicked Witch of the West this week?
As summer temperatures rise, keeping your home or apartment cool during a heat wave can become both a comfort issue and a financial challenge. One of the most effective ways to keep a home cool is to prevent heat from entering in the first place. Sunlight streaming through windows can significantly raise indoor temperatures. Consider the following solutions:
• Close blinds or curtains during the hottest parts of the day. Blackout curtains or thermal drapes can reduce heat gain by up to 30%.
• Install reflective window films to block UV rays and reduce solar heat without sacrificing natural light.
• Use outdoor shading solutions such as awnings (yes, the ones you removed because they were “dated”) and shutters to limit direct sunlight.
Fans are a cost-effective way to circulate air and create a wind-chill effect that makes rooms feel cooler.
• Ceiling fans should rotate counterclockwise in the summer to push cool air down.
• Box fans or oscillating fans can be placed near windows to pull in cooler evening air or push hot air out.
• Create a cross-breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of your home and positioning fans to direct airflow through the space.
• For an extra cooling effect, place a bowl of ice or a frozen water bottle in front of a fan to circulate chilled air.
To optimize natural ventilation, open windows early in the morning or late in the evening when outdoor temperatures drop. This allows cooler air to flow in and helps ventilate heat that built up during the day.
Appliances and electronics generate a surprising amount of heat. To reduce indoor temperatures:
• Avoid using the oven or stove during the day; opt for no-cook meals, microwave cooking, or grilling outside.
• Run heat-producing appliances like dishwashers and clothes dryers in the early morning or late evening.
• Unplug electronics when not in use, as even standby power can add heat to your space.
• Switching to energy-efficient LED lightbulbs can also reduce ambient heat compared to incandescent lighting.
If you do use an air conditioner, maximize its effectiveness by:
• Setting it to a reasonable temperature—around 76–78°F when you’re home and higher when you’re away.
• Cleaning or replacing filters regularly to maintain airflow and efficiency.
• Sealing gaps around doors and windows to prevent cool air from escaping. (Didn’t we all have a parent who said, “Close the door. You’re letting all the cool out?”)
• Using a programmable thermostat to optimize cooling schedules and reduce energy use.
If it is not cost-prohibitive, adding insulation in attics and walls can greatly reduce heat transfer. Solar panels that reflect heat can also help, as well as offset the cost of their installation. Adding weatherstripping around doors and windows, sealing cracks, and using door sweeps can make a significant difference in keeping heat out and cool air in.
Natural and eco-conscious methods can also help cool your home.
• Snake plants, ferns, or rubber trees can improve air quality and slightly cool the air through transpiration.
• White or reflective roof paint can reduce roof temperatures significantly.
• Cooling mats or bedding can make sleeping more comfortable without cranking up the A/C.
For renters or those who can’t make permanent modifications, there are still plenty of ways to keep cool.
• Use portable fans and A/C units instead of built-in systems, making sure they are the correct size for your space.
• Removable window film or static cling tinting can reflect heat without violating your lease.
• Install tension rod curtains or temporary blackout panels instead of hardware-mounted window coverings.
• Add draft blockers and weatherstripping tape that can be applied and removed without damage.
• Cover floors with light-colored rugs to reflect heat rather than absorb it.
• If allowed, use temporary adhesive hooks to hang reflective materials or light-filtering fabrics over windows.
Even if your space is warm, you can still take steps to help your body stay cool.
• Wear light, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen.
• Stay hydrated and avoid caffeine or alcohol during peak heat hours.
• Take cool showers or use damp cloths on your neck and wrists to bring your body temperature down.
Keeping your home or apartment cool in the summer doesn’t have to be expensive or energy-intensive. With a few adjustments such as blocking sunlight, optimizing airflow, using fans effectively, and making renter-friendly upgrades, you can create a more comfortable indoor environment while keeping energy bills in check.
Valerie M. Blake is a licensed Associate Broker in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia with RLAH @properties. Call or text her at 202-246-8602, email her at DCHomeQuest.com, or follow her on Facebook at TheRealst8ofAffairs.
Real Estate
The world’s on fire and D.C. is on sale (sort of)
Prices are up, but then again, nothing makes sense anymore

ICE is disappearing people, revered government agencies are shuttering, and who knows if we’ll be in World War III next week? But can you believe prices in D.C. are actually still up 6.3% since last year? It doesn’t make sense, and perhaps that does make sense, because nothing seems to make any sense any more.
That said, there are some parts of our market that are truly suffering. The interest rates, which have been up, up, up for about four years now, are the ongoing rain on our market’s military parade. Combine that with 75,000 federal employees taking a buyout nationwide, and DOGE cuts eliminating around 40,000 federal jobs in the District (per estimates by the D.C. CFO), not to mention thousands of other job losses in non-governmental organizations due to funding and program cuts, and you’ve got a case of uncertainty, and downright unaffordability in the pool of otherwise would-be buyers.
This has had a marked impact on properties that starter-home buyers and low- to mid-level employees would otherwise buy, most notably condominium and cooperative apartment units. These properties have already slowed in our market thanks to the profound impact that higher interest rates have had on their monthly carrying costs—pair that with job insecurity, and a lot of condos are proving to be very difficult to sell indeed.
So how is the average sale price up in our market?
The increase is almost entirely due to the resounding strength of the single-family home market, especially in upper Northwest D.C., where it is still quite common to see bidding wars, even on properties pushing past the $3M mark. It seems that buyers in that echelon are less impacted by a few percentage points in the interest rate, and less concerned about their job security. Notably, those buyers are often married with children and have an absolute need for more space, must stay in the area due to one spouse’s job, or the kid’s friend group, regardless of whether the cost of owning is thousands of dollars more per month than it would have been in 2020 or 2021. The continued appreciation in these neighborhoods defies imagination.
So, what to do if you are not one of those lucky enough to be shopping for a $3M home? The short answer: wait. If you want more space, rent your current place out and learn the joys of being a landlord while someone else pays your mortgage. Need the equity from your current home to buy your next place? Get a home equity line of credit, or loan, and pull the equity out of your current place to buy the next one. Or—and I have never recommended this before in 21 years of being a Realtor—rent for a few years. Sure, I’d love to list and sell your condo so you can climb the real estate ladder, but it might just be a waste of time, money or both if you could just ride out this storm and sell in a DOGE-less future.
All this said, there are some condos that seem to be immune from this recent negative news. Anecdotally, it feels like it’s the truly special ones that do just fine no matter the market. Our recent listing in Capitol Hill had a view from every one of its 15 windows of the Supreme Court. Sold in five days with six offers. Another condo was on the top two floors of a townhouse and had the coolest black wood floors that gleamed like a grand piano. Sold in four days at full price.
So, all is not for naught if you have a condo or home in an area that people want to be in, with nice space, light, amenities and a certain je ne sais quois. And, as long as we have a democracy in a few years, my experience says our market will be back, stronger than ever, really soon.
David Bediz is a Realtor and mortgage loan broker for the Bediz Group LLC and Home Starts Here, LLC. Reach him at [email protected].

In this corner, there’s the Genesis QV70, newly updated and full of glitzy gizmos. And in the opposing corner, there’s the Lexus NX, a fan fave known for comfort and reliability.
Both are strong contenders. Both have proven to be equally adept at bobbing and weaving through traffic. And both can go toe to toe with pricier competitors.
And yet, what would happen when they sparred against each other? Here’s your ringside seat to find out.
GENESIS QV70

$50,000
MPG: 22 city/28 highway
0 to 60 mph: 5.9 seconds
Cargo space: 28.9 cu. ft.
PROS: Stylish. Good value. Lots of standard amenities.
CONS: So-so fuel economy. Quirky dash controls.
IN A NUTSHELL: When it comes to speed, the Genesis QV70 is faster on its feet than the Lexus NX. Neither of these crossover SUVs is a lightweight, but the QV70 offers more potent powerplants—including an all-electric version that zips from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. In other words, Porsche Macan S territory.
The two gas-powered options—a four-cylinder turbo and twin-turbo V6—also got my blood pumping. So did the velvetlike suspension mixed with deft handling and stop-on-a-dime braking. But this adrenaline rush comes at a cost: sacrificing fuel economy.
As for the automaker’s design philosophy—“athletic elegance”—it’s on full display here: an oversized grille inspired by the Genesis emblem, the dramatically arcing silhouette, and those distinct quad headlights and taillights. It’s not easy to stand out when 25% of all vehicles sold in the U.S. are compact crossovers, so kudos to the QV70 for being such a head-turner.
The mod-yet-minimalist styling carries over to the cabin, with its high-quality materials: real-wood accents, soft-touch plastics and a tasteful glass shift knob. New this year is a sweeping 27-inch dashboard monitor, which houses the gauge cluster and infotainment touchscreen. Alas, this display is positioned a bit far from the driver (though I must admit reaching for it did help stretch a few tight back muscles).
Instead of being a costly extra, this gigantic monitor comes standard. So do synthetic leathers seats, nine-speaker stereo, smartphone/wireless connectivity, hands-free liftgate, tons of safety gear and more. Options include a panoramic sunroof, three-zone climate control, 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio, synthetic suede headliner, sound-reducing rear windows, automated parking and other goodies.
What’s the score so far? Despite some minor quibbles, the Genesis QV70 is a worthy challenger that pulls no punches.
LEXUS NX

$43,000
MPG: 26 city/33 highway
0 to 60 mph: 8.2 seconds
Cargo space: 22.7 cu. ft.
PROS: Fuel efficient. Comfy seats. Rock-solid reliability.
CONS: Pokey base model. Limited rear storage.
IN A NUTSHELL: Sure, the Lexus NX isn’t as speedy as the Genesis QV70. But, as with the tortoise and the hare, sometimes slow and steady wins the race. And really, it’s only the entry-level NX that feels sluggish, such as when trying to quickly merge into freeway traffic.
Other trim levels, including two hybrid options, are just fine. And no matter the engine choice, the counterpunch here is that these vehicles get better gas mileage: 20% higher fuel economy than in either the four-cylinder or V6 in the Genesis. The two NX hybrids are even more green, with the high-end plug-in version able to travel up to 37 miles on electric power alone. One downside: There is no all-electric NX—well, at least not yet.
As with parent-company Toyota, Lexus offers stellar vehicle reliability—often ranked No. 1 in dependability and crash-test surveys year after year. Lexus vehicles generally hold their value better than Genesis, because this newer brand has a shorter history. Lexus also has a larger dealer network, though the number of Genesis dealerships is growing.
But when it comes to cargo space, the NX is about two inches shorter and narrower than the QV70, which has more stowage area. And Genesis handling is sportier, though the Lexus feels sure and well-grounded.
Luxe interior amenities are basically the same in both vehicles. But interior styling in the QV70 is trendy, while the NX is more understated. In other words, a choice between sassy and classy.
This is a very competitive vehicle segment, with Euro models like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC also duking it out in what seems like a clash of the titans.
But as for the Genesis QX70 or Lexus NX, which is the winner? For me, both are real knockouts—so I’d call it a draw.
-
U.S. Supreme Court3 days ago
Supreme Court upholds ACA rule that makes PrEP, other preventative care free
-
U.S. Supreme Court3 days ago
Supreme Court rules parents must have option to opt children out of LGBTQ-specific lessons
-
National5 days ago
Evan Wolfson on the 10-year legacy of marriage equality
-
Congress4 days ago
Senate parliamentarian orders removal of gender-affirming care ban from GOP reconciliation bill