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Queery: Joshua Bennett

The gay singer/actor answers 20 gay questions

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Joshua Bennett (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Joshua Bennett did the whole New York/professional actor/singer/dancer thing for long enough that although he still loves performing, he says he’s perfectly content doing it in a volunteer capacity.

“For some reason when … it becomes my job or my obligation, it’s no longer something I enjoy,” the 36-year-old Kalispell, Mont., native says. “I think of my talent as a gift so when I’m getting paid it becomes a chore.”

Bennett gets plenty of chance to put his talent voluntarily to use with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, which he joined shortly after moving to D.C. in January, 2010. It started innocuously — he was just looking for a way to make friends. Since then he’s had starring roles in several major productions. Look for him as Frank N Furter in the Chorus’s all-male production of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” next weekend (three performances at the G.W. Lisner Auditorium; go to gmcw.org for details).

“I just joined to be a singer,” Bennett says. “I never expected all these other opportunities. I just figured I’d be in the risers singing.”

And for some shows he is. But Chorus brass obviously enjoys making use of Bennett’s professional training. He has an Actor’s Equity card and was in touring companies of “The Producers” and “Oklahoma” during the six years he spent in New York.

Bennett works by day as resident concierge team leader at Archstone, an apartment building in Crystal City, Va., where he lives. He says eventually he’d like to go back to school but is professionally content for now.

And no, he doesn’t have any issue with many of the barely there sartorial selections the Chorus has for him. “As a dancer, you lose a lot of your inhibitions,” he says. “And I know sometimes the crowd likes to see a little skin.”

Bennett is single and enjoys music, dancing, reading and TV in his free time. (Blade photo by Michael Key; character photo courtesy GMCW)

How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell? 

I started the coming out process when I was 22, shortly after I got divorced from my ex-wife.  She was the hardest person to tell and I waited until she discovered it on her own via Facebook 11 years later.

Who’s your LGBT hero?

I would have to say Ellen DeGeneres. Watching her come out publicly as a young (closeted and married) gay man was very inspiring. It gave me hope that one day I could live freely and openly without fear.

What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present? 

I don’t go out often, but when I do the best nightspot is wherever my friends happen to be.

Describe your dream wedding. 

I don’t really believe in the institution of marriage anymore, but I do believe in equality. I also claim the right to change my mind for the right guy.

Bennett in costume for 'Rocky Horror' (Photo courtesy GMCW)

What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about? 

I am very concerned with environmental issues.  I think we need to be more responsible with how we treat our home.

What historical outcome would you change? 

There are too many instances of social injustice in the history of humanity to choose just one.  Trial and error and sometimes downright stupidity have led humanity to where we are now, and it is futile to wish things had happened differently. Without those historical moments, we would not be where we are today.  It is heartening to live in a time when there is so much progression on the equality front.

What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime? 

Whitney Houston’s comeback concert in Central Park in 2009. It was the most memorable for me because I was there.

On what do you insist? 

Honesty

What was your last Facebook post or Tweet? 

“Bill Maher is my hero!” This was after watching his live show on Yahoo!

If your life were a book, what would the title be? 

“Love in the Time of Joshua”

If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?

Um … No, thanks! Why would I want to change who I am? A friend of mine from college recently committed suicide, and he struggled with his homosexuality. I know this conflict all too well. I grew up in a strictly religious household and was told that homosexuality was wrong and a sin. Luckily, I was able to overcome the brainwashing, but some people can never reconcile who they are with who they are told to be.  We need to continue to work hard to erase this idea that homosexuality is wrong.  We are who we are.

What do you believe in beyond the physical world? 

Nada. Live for today. Live for each other.

What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders? 

Keep up the good fight! I am so grateful to all of the people who work tirelessly to ensure a better future for all of us.

What would you walk across hot coals for? 

Love

What LGBT stereotype annoys you most? 

The bitchy gay

What’s your favorite LGBT movie? 

“Beautiful Thing” —  it’s such a great story of young, brave love.

What’s the most overrated social custom? 

Religion

What trophy or prize do you most covet? 

Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony…

What do you wish you’d known at 18? 

There is nothing to fear.

Why Washington? 

I moved here with an ex.  I love D.C. because it has all the comforts of a big city, but is cleaner and quieter than others that shall not be named. It also boasts the biggest and best chorus in the country, The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, of which I am a proud family member.

 

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Arts & Entertainment

Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71

Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’

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(Photo courtesy of Pop TV)

Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.

O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.

In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.

In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”

Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.

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Calendar

Calendar: January 30-February 5

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, January 30

Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).

Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, January 31

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community 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.

Sunday, February 1

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, February 2

“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 information, contact Adam (adamheller@thedccenter.org).

Tuesday, February 3

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected]

Wednesday, February 4

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. 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.

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Thursday, February 5

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245. 

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.  

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D.C. LGBTQ sports bar Pitchers listed for sale

Move follows months of challenges for local businesses in wake of Trump actions

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Pitchers is for sale at an undisclosed price. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

A Santa Monica, Calif.-based commercial real estate company called Zacuto Group has released a 20-page online brochure announcing the sale of the D.C. LGBTQ sports bar Pitchers and its adjoining lesbian bar A League of Her Own.

 The brochure does not disclose the sale price, and Pitchers owner David Perruzza told the Washington Blade he prefers to hold off on talking about his plans to sell the business at this time.

He said the sale price will be disclosed to “those who are interested.” 

“Matthew Luchs and Matt Ambrose of the Zacuto Group have been selected to exclusively market for sale Pitchers D.C., located at 2317 18th Street, NW in Washington, D.C located in the vibrant and nightlife Adams Morgan neighborhood,” the sales brochure states.

 “Since opening its doors in 2018, Pitchers has quickly become the largest and most prominent LGBTQ+ bar in Washington, D.C., serving as a cornerstone of D.C.’s modern queer nightlife scene,” it says, adding, “The 10,000+ SF building designed as a large-scale inclusive LGBTQ+ sports bar and social hub, offering a welcoming environment for the entire community.”

It points out that the Pitchers building, which has two years remaining on its lease and has a five-year renewal option, is a multi-level venue that features five bar areas, “indoor and outdoor seating, and multiple patios, creating a dynamic and flexible layout that supports a wide range of events and high customer volume.”

“Pitchers D.C. is also home to A League of Her Own, the only dedicated lesbian bar in Washington, D.C., further strengthening its role as a vital and inclusive community space at a time when such venues are increasingly rare nationwide,” the brochure says. 

Zacuto Group sales agent Luchs, who serves as the company’s senior vice president, did not immediately respond to a phone message left by the Blade seeking further information, including the sale price. 

News of Perruzza’s decision to sell Pitchers and A League of Her Own follows his Facebook postings last fall saying Pitchers, like other bars in D.C., was adversely impacted by the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard soldiers on D.C. streets   

In an Oct. 10 Facebook post, Perruzza said he was facing, “probably the worst economy I have seen in a while and everyone in D.C. is dealing with the Trump drama.” He told the Blade in a Nov. 10 interview that Pitchers continued to draw a large customer base, but patrons were not spending as much on drinks.

The Zacuto Group sales brochure says Pitchers currently provides a “rare combination of scale, multiple bars, inclusivity, and established reputation that provides a unique investment opportunity for any buyer seeking a long-term asset with a loyal and consistent customer base,” suggesting that, similar to other D.C. LGBTQ bars, business has returned to normal with less impact from the Trump related issues.

The sales brochure can be accessed here.

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