Connect with us

Arts & Entertainment

Queery: Walker Chaffin

The tennis coach and Team D.C. honoree answers 20 gay questions

Published

on

Walker Chaffin, Queery, Washington Blade, gay news
Walker Chaffin, Queery, Washington Blade, gay news

Walker Chaffin (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Walker Chaffin isn’t quite sure how he got into tennis as a kid. Nobody in his family played but somewhere along the way, he picked it up and it’s become a big part of his life.

As a member of the Capital Tennis Association — a gay D.C.-area league of about 300 players — for about 22 years, he just finished organizing his fifth charity tournament, the “Capital Classic,” for the group last month. This year’s recipients are the Washington AIDS Partnership and the Team D.C. scholarships. In past years, proceeds have gone to Food & Friends, Whitman-Walker, the Mautner Project and others. Over the years, Chaffin says the tournaments have raised about $100,000 for these groups.

For his efforts, he’s being honored Saturday night at the Team D.C. Champion Awards at the HRC building (teamdc.org).

“Well, you know, it’s a surprise and quite an honor,” Chaffin says. “My first thought was, ‘Who nominated me?’ but they’re very secretive about that. I’m happy we’ve been able to raise so much money. That’s why I wanted to do it, so it’s just a very nice surprise.”

The 46-year-old Alexandria, Va., native works as a law librarian by day but is active in the Association and also teaches tennis on the side. He’s been in the area his entire life except for two years of college in Minneapolis.

He and partner Brian Peteritas met last year at the Capital Classic.

Chaffin lives in Columbia Heights and enjoys, besides tennis of course, movies, TV and hanging out with friends in his free time.

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

I have been out since 1989. I am extremely lucky because my mother made it clear early on that I was loved no matter what so coming out was not difficult for me as it was for others. Thanks Mom!

Who’s your LGBT hero? 

Martina Navratilova — she is a great role model and one of the greatest players of all time. She was brave enough to come out well before others were doing it.

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

Present  – Nellie’s. Past – Tracks. Where else could you dance and/or play volleyball at 2 in the morning?

Describe your dream wedding.  

Saying “I do” when it’s legal for all to marry.

What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about? 

The environment

What historical outcome would you change? 

Martin Luther King’s assassination and 9-11.

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

I would say seeing Madonna in concert for the first time. I waited in line overnight in 20 below temperatures in Minnesota to get those tickets and it was so worth it.

On what do you insist?  

Respect, a great sense of humor and two DVRs.

What was your last Facebook post or Tweet? 

I don’t post very often. My last post was “Paris was amazing, on my way to Barcelona” back in May.

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

“Game Set Match”

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

Nothing for myself but it would be fun to give it to Rick Santorum and the owner of Chick-Fil-A.

What do you believe in beyond the physical world? 

Those we have loved and lost are still with us.

What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?  

I don’t think I’m qualified to give them advice. I would, however, like to thank them for all their hard work.

What would you walk across hot coals for?  

The people I love, a winning lottery ticket or a chance to hit with Roger Federer.

What LGBT stereotype annoys you most? 

That we’re not interested in or good at sports.

What’s your favorite LGBT movie? 

“Big Eden,” “A Single Man” and “Brokeback Mountain.”

What’s the most overrated social custom? 

Political correctness

What trophy or prize do you most covet? 

I can’t say I’d mind winning an Oscar or the U.S. Open.

What do you wish you’d known at 18? 

To buy up all of the Microsoft stock.

Why Washington? 

I was born here and have always loved it. I’ve almost relocated a few times but the life I have here and the friends I’ve made make it impossible to leave.

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Out & About

This queer comedy show will warm you up

Catfish Comedy to feature LGBTQ lineup

Published

on

(Promotional image via Eventbrite)

Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.

Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

Continue Reading

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’

Published

on

(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.

Continue Reading

Calendar

Calendar: January 30-February 5

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

on

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.  

Continue Reading

Popular