Arts & Entertainment
Queery: Trevor Ankeny
The Baltimore Pride co-chair answers 20 gay questions
Trevor Ankeny (Photo courtesy Ankeny)
Trevor Ankeny is in the midst of his busiest time of year — for the third consecutive year, he’s co-chairing Baltimore Pride. It’s a volunteer job. He takes several days off from his day job in property management to make sure the bevy of events goes off smoothly.
“I think this has been a very good year so far,” he says during a late night break Tuesday. “We have a lot of fresh, new entertainment ideas, so with adding those new components, I feel we’re in a good place and have covered all our bases. Hopefully we haven’t forgotten anything.”
Baltimore Pride (baltimorepride.org) is ramping up to its main events this weekend (details on page 24). It’s a production of the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore and serves as a fundraiser for that nonprofit. Ankeny co-chairs with Samantha Flottesmesch.
Ankeny grew up in Baltimore in a conservative Jehovah’s Witness family. He tried to go the straight and narrow way (“I did what I thought was right”) for years, getting married to a woman and starting a family, but after five years of that, he knew it wasn’t the right fit.
Now out and single with a 14-year-old daughter, Rhiannon, Ankeny lives in Bel Air, Md., and enjoys volunteering for Pride.
“I’ve always been a big proponent of the LGBT community working together,” he says. “We have so many resources, it’s really the time we all come together and see each other and you realize, wow, there’s this huge and vast sea of resources right here in our own ranks … it’s the one time of year we can really see our numbers and how important we are as citizens.”
Ankeny enjoys theme parks, skiing, swimming and going to the beach in his free time. (Photos courtesy Ankeny)
How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?
Since 2001. My wife at the time.
Who’s your LGBT hero?
I have to say I am very proud of Ellen DeGeneres. Especially in how she handled the JC Penney issue.
What’s Baltimore’s best nightspot, past or present?
Wednesday night gay bingo at the Hippo. The host, Roger Dimick, is hilarious.
Describe your dream wedding.
I am not marrying again.
What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about?
Caring for our environment.
What historical outcome would you change?
9-11
What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?
Death of each of the deceased “Golden Girls.” Wait? Is that pop culture?
On what do you insist?
Follow through
What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?
“Pre-pride party at Mixers”
If your life were a book, what would the title be?
“Slow Down Boy!”
If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?
Still be gay. It’s more fun than being straight.
What do you believe in beyond the physical world?
Space
What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?
In our quest for rights we should not forget those that suffer every day with the least amount of rights. They are so often left to fend for themselves.
What would you walk across hot coals for?
A good man
What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?
All of them. I really dislike stereotypes.
What’s your favorite LGBT movie?
“Girls Will Be Girls.” I laugh out loud every time.
What’s the most overrated social custom?
Christmas
What trophy or prize do you most covet?
Mega Millions
What do you wish you’d known at 18?
That I was gay.
Why Baltimore?
As quirky as it is, it’s home.
The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.
Friday, May 2
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.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].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. 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, May 3
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.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 4
“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 5
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” 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].
Tuesday, May 6
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 details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 7
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.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 8
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. 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 with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].
PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch
Executive director of LGBTQ Catholic group to travel to Rome for conclave
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Calendar: May 2-8
Cozy Night In Ideas And Inspiration
Chronicling disastrous effects of ‘conversion therapy’
Second federal lawsuit filed against White House passport policy
We must show up to WorldPride 2025 in D.C.
Ruby Corado sentencing postponed for third time
A room with Pride: D.C.’s LGBTQ history finds a new home at the Eaton
-
Books5 days agoChronicling disastrous effects of ‘conversion therapy’
-
U.S. Federal Courts4 days agoSecond federal lawsuit filed against White House passport policy
-
Opinions4 days agoWe must show up to WorldPride 2025 in D.C.
-
District of Columbia4 days agoRuby Corado sentencing postponed for third time