Arts & Entertainment
Queery: Bryce Romero
HRC consumer marketing specialist answers our 20 gay questions
Romero is single and lives in Columbia Heights. He enjoys reading, music, travel, food and shopping in his free time. (Blade photo by Michael Key)
Bryce Romero has an interesting spin on the merchandise that his employer — the Human Rights Campaign — hawks at its three shops (in Washington, Provincetown and San Francisco, the latter in Harvey Milk’s old Castro-based camera shop). In gay hubs, the T-shirts and stickers are a way to show LGBT support but elsewhere, the yellow-and-navy equal logos are sometimes a way for gays to be out to each other without necessarily being out to anyone else.
“In some cases, it’s like the secret handshake,” the 28-year-old Scottsdale, Ariz., native says. “Some people don’t have the liberty of being in a place like D.C. where it’s OK to be openly gay. In a number of places in the Midwest and in the South, wearing your HRC merchandise is a way of identifying yourself without being identifiable.”
Romero is HRC’s consumer marketing assistant and works at the agency’s main office in Washington where he’s lived for just more than a year. He guesses the group takes in about a million dollars each year in merchandise, the profits of which go back to the organization. In addition to the usual sweatshirts and key chains, the company sometimes makes collectible items such as Christopher Radko Christmas tree ornaments and Kenneth Cole-designed shirts.
His work with HRC — a bit different than what he studied getting an undergraduate degree in PR/advertising and a master’s in international communications — is a way to help the organization continue its work.
“I have an underlying passion for global change and effecting change and moving momentum forward,” he says.
How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?
I’ve never been unofficially out of the closet. At the age of 5-6, I was already sporting Billy Idol hair and wearing the child equivalent of sorts. Officially, I’ve been out since about the age of 14. The most difficult person to tell was probably my college roommates in Texas. There’s always a bit of fear telling that to someone with whom you’re going to be sharing close quarters particularly at a Christian university in Texas.
Who’s your LGBT hero?
Do I have to pick just one? Truthfully, I’m inspired each and every day by our interns and those LGBT folk younger than me who wholeheartedly live their lives openly and honestly. Also, Sylvester because he worked those sequined dresses like a true DIVA!
What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?
Cobalt? Anywhere on 17th Street to be honest as I always know I’ll run into a friend.
Describe your dream wedding.
It’d be an elegant sunset wedding surrounded by friends, family and loved ones in one of my absolute favorite places in the world— the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. There’s something uniquely special and incredibly magical about the game reserve — I couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else.
What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about?
Well I’m pretty much a professional homosexual so there’s not much time for much else, however I’ve got a huge soft spot for animals.
What historical outcome would you change?
Having just finished a book about James Garfield, I started thinking about this yesterday! Truthfully, history happens and changing it seems inauthentic to our progress as people.
What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?
Ellen DeGeneres’ coming out. It’s terribly cliché but, to me, it put America on its current trajectory toward greater acceptance of LGBT Americans as well as starting a conversation about equality. That’s pretty damn cool.
On what do you insist?
Laughter, smiles and congeniality.
What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?
FB: “Bryce Romero would marry the night but there’s no morning-after pill.”
Twitter: “Link to the BuzzFeed picture of Hillary Clinton … and turn and work and serve hunnny”
If your life were a book, what would the title be?
“What Color Should I Wear To Bed?”
If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?
Heck no, I wouldn’t change. Somebody has to bring the glitter to the party.
What do you believe in beyond the physical world?
Oh I’m totally a firm believer in the paranormal and spirits.
What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?
Don’t compromise but compromise. This isn’t a you-or-me issue but rather a you and me issue.
What would you walk across hot coals for?
A half-full glass of water. Or for the ability to keep my mother alive for as long as I live.
What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?
We’re liberal in all facets of our life.
What’s your favorite LGBT movie?
“Paris Is Burning” with “Prayers for Bobby” coming a very close second.
What’s the most overrated social custom?
Beating around the bush — just get to the point. Patience is not a virtue I’ve been known to possess — ever.
What trophy or prize do you most covet?
If I have to go to a black-tie reception to collect the trophy or prize, I wouldn’t want it. So maybe a “World’s Best Friend” award?
What do you wish you’d known at 18?
How to drive, how to love and how to shake off the past.
Why Washington?
Certainly not the weather, that’s for sure! There’s nowhere else quite like the swamp and I would be hard pressed to trade the passionate people, vibrant nightlife, cultural amenities and cheap booze for anywhere else. All kidding aside, Washington really embodies that notion of a cosmopolitan city — it’s everything!
Crimsyn and Tatianna hosted the new weekly drag show Clash at Trade (1410 14th Street, N.W.) on Feb. 14, 2026. Performers included Aave, Crimsyn, Desiree Dik, and Tatianna.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Theater
Magic is happening for Round House’s out stage manager
Carrie Edick talks long hours, intricacies of ‘Nothing Up My Sleeve’
‘Nothing Up My Sleeve’
Through March 15
Round House Theatre
4545 East-West Highway
Bethesda, Md. 20814
Tickets start at $50
Roundhousetheatre.org
Magic is happening for out stage manager Carrie Edick.
Working on Round House Theatre’s production of “Nothing Up My Sleeve,” Edick quickly learned the ways of magicians, their tricks, and all about the code of honor among those who are privy to their secrets.
The trick-filled, one-man show starring master illusionist Dendy and staged by celebrated director Aaron Posner, is part exciting magic act and part deeply personal journey. The new work promises “captivating storytelling, audience interaction, jaw-dropping tricks, and mind-bending surprises.”
Early in rehearsals, there was talk of signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for production assistants. It didn’t happen, and it wasn’t necessary, explains Edick, 26. “By not having an NDA, Dendy shows a lot of trust in us, and that makes me want to keep the secrets even more.
“Magic is Dendy’s livelihood. He’s sharing a lot and trusting a lot; in return we do the best we can to support him and a large part of that includes keeping his secrets.”
As a production assistant (think assistant stage manager), Edick strives to make things move as smoothly as possible. While she acknowledges perfection is impossible and theater is about storytelling, her pursuit of exactness involves countless checklists and triple checks, again and again. Six day weeks and long hours are common. Stage managers are the first to arrive and last to leave.
This season has been a lot about learning, adds Edick. With “The Inheritance” at Round House (a 22-week long contract), she learned how to do a show in rep which meant changing from Part One to Part Two very quickly; “In Clay” at Signature Theatre introduced her to pottery; and now with “Nothing Up My Sleeve,” she’s undergoing a crash course in magic.
She compares her career to a never-ending education: “Stage managers possess a broad skillset and that makes us that much more malleable and ready to attack the next project. With some productions it hurts my heart a little bit to let it go, but usually I’m ready for something new.”
For Edick, theater is community. (Growing up in Maryland, she was a shy kid whose parents signed her up for theater classes.) Now that community is the DMV theater scene and she considers Round House her artistic home. It’s where she works in different capacities, and it’s the venue in which she and actor/playwright Olivia Luzquinos chose to be married in 2024.
Edick came out in middle school around the time of her bat mitzvah. It’s also around the same time she began stage managing. Throughout high school she was the resident stage manager for student productions, and also successfully participated in county and statewide stage management competitions which led to a scholarship at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) where she focused on technical theater studies.
Edick has always been clear about what she wants. At an early age she mapped out a theater trajectory. Her first professional gig was “Tuesdays with Morrie” at Theatre J in 2021. She’s worked consistently ever since.
Stage managing pays the bills but her resume also includes directing and intimacy choreography (a creative and technical process for creating physical and emotional intimacy on stage). She names Pulitzer Prize winning lesbian playwright Paula Vogel among her favorite artists, and places intimacy choreographing Vogel’s “How I learned to Drive” high on the artistic bucket list.
“To me that play is heightened art that has to do with a lot of triggering content that can be made very beautiful while being built to make you feel uncomfortable; it’s what I love about theater.”
For now, “Nothing Up My Sleeve” keeps Edick more than busy: “For one magic trick, we have to set up 100 needles.”
Ultimately, she says “For stage managers, the show should stay the same each night. What changes are audiences and the energy they bring.”
Friday, February 13
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at noon at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour Meetup” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the D.C. area. For more details, visit the group on Facebook.
Saturday, February 14
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.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host a screening of “Love and Pride” at 1:30 p.m. This event is a joy-filled global streaming celebration honoring queer courage, Pride, and the power of love. It’s a bold celebration of courage and community — a fearless reminder of what we’ve overcome, how love is what makes us unstoppable, and how we have always turned fear into fierce. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Sunday, February 15
LGBTQ+ Community Coffee and Conversation will be at 12 p.m. at As You Are. This event is for people looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ community. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 16
Queer Book Club will be at 7:00p.m. on Zoom. This month’s read is “Faebound” by Saara El-Arifi. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
“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 ([email protected]).
Tuesday, February 17
Center Bi+ Roundtable 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.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Wednesday, February 18
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.
Thursday, February 19
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 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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