Arts & Entertainment
Queery: Brian Crane
The ‘Country Girl’ actor answers 20 gay questions

Brian Crane did some acting in high school and college but largely set it aside for several years while he pursued career and academia.
Since 2004 he’s been acting on a semi-pro level in various productions with American Century Theater, Washington Shakespeare Company and other local outfits. He opens tonight in a production of Clifford Odets’ “The Country Girl,” the play that was adapted into the film version that won Grace Kelly an Oscar in the title role, at American (meeting at the Gunston Arts Center Theater II, 2700 South Lang St. in Arlington) — visit americancentury.org for details).
Crane says his role, Frank, is an artistic challenge.
“It’s a very emotional part,” he says. “Frank goes through these really big swings and it’s got some interesting challenges. It’s harsh and there’s plenty not to like about Frank but you have to make him lovable or the play doesn’t work. There’s something lovable and vulnerable about this man I could identify with. He lies, he manipulates but at the same time he has this disarming charm, like a grown-up kid.”
Crane, a 47-year-old Pittsburgh native, came to Washington in 1992 to do a pre-doctoral fellowship in anthropology at the Smithsonian. He’d been in Philadelphia for college (grad and undergrad) for 10 years before that. By day, he’s director of Cultural Resources Division at Versar, a global project management company based in Springfield, Va.
Crane and his partner, Murray Scheel, an attorney, live together in Foggy Bottom and have been together for 16 years. Crane enjoys theater, backpacking and photography in his free time. He also loves to squeeze in Saturday afternoon naps when he can.
How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?
I’ve been out since graduate school, about 25 years. My mom was the hardest to tell because she and my dad took my brother’s coming out so hard.
Who’s your LGBT hero?
I’m not sure, maybe Walt Whitman, or Oscar Wilde for being so wonderfully flamboyant in their art. Among the living, maybe Stephen Fry; he has such a charming and gentle wit, and he had the guts to give Shakespeare in Klingon a try.
What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?
I still have fond memories of Tracks: that was the first place I ever went dancing in D.C.
Describe your dream wedding.
I’m not sure Murray is the marrying type, but if we did, I would want it in our home church, St. Thomas Parish, with all our friends and family with us.
What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about?
The environment
What historical outcome would you change?
That’s hard. There are so many awful things, how could I choose? But in my own lifetime, the election of 2000 was such a rotten turning point for this country, and it left us so divided.
What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?
I guess the advent of social media. It’s brought me back in touch with so many people that I had lost contact with.
On what do you insist?
Not nearly enough, I’m not very assertive. But I always make sure I get breakfast, a meal before shows and rehearsals, and a nap when I can get away with it. I get really grumpy if I don’t eat right. Just ask Murray.
What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?
“Roosevelt was right when he said, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” We have paid dearly for our paranoia.” It was about an article on slate.com about the true costs of 9-11.
If your life were a book, what would the title be?
“The Trials and Tribulations of Living Small in a Big World”
If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?
Not a thing. “I was born this way” (thank you Lady Gaga)
What do you believe in beyond the physical world?
That death does not have the last word, and that at the end of things, there will be wonderful surprises.
What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?
I miss ACT-UP.
What would you walk across hot coals for?
To see my father again.
What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?
Can’t think of one.
What’s your favorite LGBT movie?
“Parting Glances” made a big impression on me coming out. So did “Torch Song Trilogy,” but that was because I had a big crush on Matthew Broderick.
What’s the most overrated social custom?
Valentines
What trophy or prize do you most covet?
I really admire the work of those actors I know who have won the Helen Hayes award.
What do you wish you’d known at 18?
That it gets better.
Why Washington?
I came here to work at the Smithsonian as a pre-doctoral fellow, and just stayed. And I love the theater scene here.

You’ve done your share of marching.
You’re determined to wring every rainbow-hued thing out of this month. The last of the parties hasn’t arrived yet, neither have the biggest celebrations and you’re primed but – OK, you need a minute. So pull up a chair, take a deep breath, and read these great books on gay history, movies, and more.
You probably don’t need to be told that harassment and discrimination was a daily occurrence for gay people in the past (as now!), but “American Scare: Florida’s Hidden Cold War on Black and Queer Lives” by Robert W. Fieseler (Dutton, $34) tells a story that runs deeper than you may know. Here, you’ll read a historical expose with documented, newly released evidence of a systemic effort to ruin the lives of two groups of people that were perceived as a threat to a legislature full of white men.
Prepared to be shocked, that’s all you need to know.
You’ll also want to read the story inside “The Many Passions of Michael Hardwick: Sex and the Supreme Court in the Age of AIDS” by Martin Padgett (W.W. Norton & Company, $31.99), which sounds like a novel, but it’s not. It’s the story of one man’s fight for a basic right as the AIDS crisis swirls in and out of American gay life and law. Hint: this book isn’t just old history, and it’s not just for gay men.
Maybe you’re ready for some fun and who doesn’t like a movie? You know you do, so you’ll want “Sick and Dirty: Hollywood’s Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness” by Michael Koresky (Bloomsbury, $29.99). It’s a great look at the Hays Code and what it allowed audiences to see, but it’s also about the classics that sneaked beneath the code. There are actors, of course, in here, but also directors, writers, and other Hollywood characters you may recognize. Grab the popcorn and settle in.
If you have kids in your life, they’ll want to know more about Pride and you’ll want to look for “Pride: Celebrations & Festivals” by Eric Huang, illustrated by Amy Phelps (Quarto, $14.99), a story of inclusion that ends in a nice fat section of history and explanation, great for kids ages seven-to-fourteen. Also find “Are You a Friend of Dorothy? The True Story of an Imaginary Woman and the Real People She Helped Shape” by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Levi Hastings (Simon & Schuster, $19.99), a lively book about a not-often-told secret for kids ages six-to-ten; and “Papa’s Coming Home” by Chasten Buttigieg, illustrated by Dan Taylor (Philomel, $19.99), a sweet family tale for kids ages three-to-five.
Finally, here’s a tween book that you can enjoy, too: “Queer Heroes” by Arabelle Sicardi, illustrated by Sarah Tanat-Jones (Wide Eyed, $14.99), a series of quick-to-read biographies of people you should know about.
Want more Pride books? Then ask your favorite bookseller or librarian for more, because there are so many more things to read. Really, the possibilities are almost endless, so march on in.
Music & Concerts
Indigo Girls coming to Capital One Hall
Stars take center stage alongside Fairfax Symphony

Capital One Center will host “The Indigo Girls with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra” on Thursday, June 19 and Friday, June 20 at 8 p.m. at Capital One Hall.
The Grammy Award-winning folk and pop stars will take center stage alongside the Fairfax Symphony, conducted by Jason Seber. The concerts feature orchestrations of iconic hits such as “Power of Two,” “Get Out The Map,” “Least Complicated,” “Ghost,” “Kid Fears,” “Galileo,” “Closer to Fine,” and many more.
Tickets are available on Ticketmaster or in person at Capital One Hall the nights of the concerts.

Friday, June 13
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Women in Their Twenties and Thirties will be at 8 p.m. at Wundergarten. An update will be posted the night of the event on where to find WiTT’s table. There’ll be a Pride flag to help people find the group. For more details, join WiTT’s closed Facebook group.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach bar and Restaurant. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, June 14
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including Allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Rainbow History Project will host “Behind the Scenes With the Senior Curator of ‘Pickets, Protests and Parades’” at 7:30p.m. at Freedom Plaza. This behind-the-scenes experience offers a rare glimpse into the creative process behind this groundbreaking showcase of DC’s LGBTQ+ history. Learn about the bold design decisions that shaped the Quote Wall and Hero Cubes and the powerful stories that almost made the cut. Tickets cost $82 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, June 16
“Center Aging Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary. Whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more information, visit their website at www.genderqueerdc.org or check us out on Facebook.
Tuesday, June 17
Bi+ Roundtable and Discussion will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting. Check out Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Wednesday, June 18
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
“Legends Live Loud: A Queer Karaoke Experience” will be at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This will be a dynamic, Center-wide karaoke event celebrating the brilliance and cultural impact of some of our most colorful queer icons. The Center will honor legends through music, pop culture, dance, and inextinguishable liberation. For more details and to sign up, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, June 19
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Book Club” at 7:30 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. This book club is co-hosted by EQUALITY NoVa and is another opportunity to engage in a fun and rewarding activity. The group doesn’t discriminate when it comes to genres it reads – from classic literature to best selling novels to biographies to histories to gay fiction. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Cultivating Change Foundation will host “Cultivating Pride Happy Hour” at 5:30 p.m. at Dacha Beer Garden. This Pride month, the organization is inviting LGBTQ+ people and allies in food and agriculture to come together in communities nationwide. These informal gatherings are a chance to connect, celebrate, and build community, whether it’s over coffee, a cocktail, or a conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
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