Arts & Entertainment
Queery: Len Hirsch
The Rainbow History Project honoree and Federal GLOBE founder answers 20 gay questions
Len Hirsch (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
When Len Hirsch started at the Smithsonian in 1988 — he’s now a senior policy adviser working on environmental policy issues — he was fine being out but soon realized that although the agency was one of the more welcoming in the federal government, there were still many dealing with issues of discrimination and harassment and a lot who were not comfortable being out.
He’s being honored Thursday by the Rainbow History Project for his work founding Federal GLOBE: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Employees of the Federal Government (fedglobe.org), a group that has worked since the late ‘80s to eliminate LGBT-based prejudice and discrimination in the federal government. Hirsch says it was one of several affinity groups that was formed about the same time or slightly before to address concerns of women and minorities.
One of their biggest victories was a 1997 executive order that removed sexual orientation as an issue of consideration in security clearances.
The Rainbow History Project’s Pioneers Reception is Thursday at the Thurgood Marshall Center (1816 12th St., N.W.) in Washington. Hirsch is one of 10 being honored this year (rainbowhistory.org).
He says it’s great to be recognized but notes there’s a lot of work left to do.
“I’m extremely honored and thrilled,” he says. “As a social scientist who studies social movements, there are always lots of good people doing lots of great things and only a few ever get any public acclaim. I was in a good place and a good time and did a lot of work but a lot of others did as well. My husband did so much too. He stuffed more envelopes than he’ll ever get credit for.”
Hirsch, a 57-year-old New York City native, spent time in California, Illinois and Florida before settling in Washington in 1985. He and husband Kristian Fauchald, a marine biologist, have been together nearly 30 years and live in D.C.
Hirsch enjoys politics, cooking, stained glass and dinner parties in his free time.
How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?
Define out. On my 18th birthday, my girlfriend (later wife) and I went to Marie’s Crisis in New York. But when we split, the hardest to tell was myself. But I was quite convincing when I got around to it.
Who’s your LGBT hero?
Frank Kameny
What is Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?
Friends
Describe your dream wedding.
My husband smiling. We had it — small, intimate, good friends, some colleagues, some family. Openly gay federal judge presiding. All legal. My dream honeymoon will happen when we can get full benefits.
What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about?
Environmentalism — loss of biodiversity and global change.
What historical outcome would you change?
The crucifixion.
What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?
Does the LGBT ball at Clinton’s first inauguration count? If not, the 1987 LGBT March on Washington. Fourteen people crashed at our house (15 were there in the a.m.).
On what do you insist?
Equality, honesty, humor.
What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?
Congratulating my cousin for his participation in the U.S. Olympians visit to the White House (he was coxswain of the eight-man team).
If your life were a book, what would the title be?
“Without Boundaries”
If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?
Give it to Kinsey 0 heterosexuals.
What do you believe in beyond the physical world?
Nothing
What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?
Listen well (and have a cocktail).
What would you walk across hot coals for?
My husband. Peace.
What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?
Trendiness. Like all stereotypes, there are enough trendoids around to give it some credence, but I hope more of us are interested in quality. Not that size doesn’t matter, but that is for another time.
What’s your favorite LGBT movie?
“My Beautiful Laundrette”
What’s the most overrated social custom?
Reciprocity
What trophy or prize do you most covet?
Nobel Prize
What do you wish you’d known at 18?
That I didn’t need to act straight.
Why Washington?
Love, relationship and I am a policy wonk.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
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