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GIFT GUIDE 5: Last-minute gems
You can still find dazzling and memorable gifts at the 11th hour

We get it — you procrastinated. You want something fast, memorable and fun but don’t want to make it look like you just swung by the Hickory Farms stand at the local mall. We got you covered.
Furry friends deserve a special gift just like everyone else. Eco-friendly pet store the Big Bad Woof (117 Carroll St., N.W.) has toys and essentials with a socially conscious twist. Keep things festive with a box of Holiday Buddy Biscuits, treats shaped like gingerbread men with gingerbread flavor, for $6.45.
A spot that’s easy to miss or might be more extensive than you realized is the delightful (and gay friendly!) Beadazzled (1507 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) just steps from the Dupont Circle North Metro stop. Hand-made necklaces from Guatemala are shockingly reasonable for the quality and everything from baby booties to scarves to colorful change purses are available. You can select beads to make something yourself, buy a kit that has everything your recipient will need to make his or her own project or choose from a wide array of hand-made items.

(Washington Blade photo by Mariah Cooper)
When you don’t know what to get but want something quirky and fun, try Franklin’s General Store (5123 Baltimore Ave., Bladensburg, Md.). Franklin’s has something for anyone on your list from toys and candy to random knick-knacks. They also sell beer and wine like its Mommy’s Time Out wine that comes in moscasto, pink and pinot grigio for $8.79 each.

(Washington Blade photo by Joey DiGuglielmo)
If you really want something quick and easy, pick up a few gifts at Whole Foods while doing your Christmas meal shopping at the same time. They have a surprisingly large collection of soaps, candles, bath salts and more.
Ulta Beauty has variety perfume gift packs for fragrance brands like Coach and Marc Jacobs. Pick up a Daisy by Marc Jacobs rollerball perfume set that includes Daisy and Daisy Dream for $44. For a location near you visit, ulta.com.
Last-minute can still be a big gift that will keep giving all year long. Belmont TV (4723 King Street, Arlington, Va.) offers competitive pricing on the best upscale electronic brands and offers free home theater consultation to give your home the full-theater HiFi experience. Your recipient may never leave his or her couch again! Call Jeff at 703-671-8500 or e-mail [email protected].

(Photo courtesy Belmont)
Lush Cosmetics has Christmas-themed gift sets available. Themes include Secret Santa and the Night Before Christmas with prices varying. The sets are already wrapped and have “to/from” tags. One gift set includes soap, shower gel and a snowman shower jelly for $29.45.

(Washington Blade photo by Mariah Cooper)
Moleskine (3029 M St., N.W.) has a pop-up shop in Georgetown until January when its owners will look for a more permanent location. The Italian company sells planners, journals, writing utensils and much more. In addition to the entire Moleskine collection in one place, the Georgetown store features the (MOLESKINE)RED #OneREDDay Special Edition Collection, which includes a large hard cover notebook, a pen, a luggage tag and planner. Moleskine sends 5 percent of the retail price of the items directly to the Global Fund to fight AIDS.
Barnes & Noble (many D.C.-area locations) isn’t just for books and these reproductions of vintage toys aren’t just for kids. With several possibilities in the $10-20 range, these delights from Ridley’s will help you learn to juggle, perform magic tricks, make animals out of balloons and much more.
Another spot brimming with ideas for the young or young at heart is Sullivan’s Toys & Art Supplies in Tenleytown (4200 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) which has everything from educational toys, games, arts and craft projects and whimsical novelties like these puppets, available in every kind of beast or fowl (almost!) that you can imagine. Prices vary. Parking is tricky there but the Tenleytown Metro is within walking distance. It’s worth the effort.
Second Story Books (12160 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, Md.) has the perfect selection of out-of-the-ordinary gifts. The store has numerous shelves of used, rare and out-of-print books as well as a vintage record collection and a selection of antiques. Located in Rockville and Dupont Circle (2000 P St., N.W.), the Rockville location is having a 40 percent off sale everything in the store. While the Dupont location is charming and well-stocked, if you want to spend hours looking for just the right find, the cavernous Rockville location is worth a visit.

(Washington Blade photo by Mariah Cooper)
Another easy, fast, no-brainer option — treat your recipient to dinner at one of the trendy new-ish spots in Washington like Le Diplomate (1601 14th St., N.W.) or Pearl Dive Oyster Palace (1612 14th St., N.W.) with gift certificates. Le Dip is pricey but lives up to the hype. Pearl Dive is every bit as good as Hank’s and has a mouth-watering array of imports and a decent entree menu as well.

(Washington Blade photo by Joey DiGuglielmo)
Cakelove (1506 U St., N.W.) is great for grabbing a last-minute sweet treat. Flavors like toffee crunch and red velvet are available as well as vegan options. Pick up a large cake for $49.50, a small cake for $29.50 or get as many cupcakes as you want for $3 each.

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
OK, we can’t guarantee that these exact items will still be there, but if you want to induce some pop culture nostalgia, you’re sure to find something vintage and fun at Mount Vernon Antique Center (8101 Richmond Highway, Alexandria). It’s easy to find and has plenty of parking.
Men’s clothing store Universal Gear (1919 14th St., N.W.) has clothing, shoes, underwear, accessories, swimwear and more. Don’t worry about what exactly to get and buy a gift card. The store’s gift cards can have an unlimited amount of money put on the card so your recipient can choose what they like best.

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Give an Amazon Prime membership for a wide selection of movies and television shows to stream. Enjoy popular shows like “American Horror Story,” “Sopranos” and the Golden Globe-nominated “Transparent” (seen above). Membership also includes free two-day shipping, free e-books and unlimited music streaming. Get a free trial membership for 30 days and afterwards, membership is $99 a year.

A scene from ‘Transparent’ (Photo courtesy Amazon Prime)
For the sports fanatic, give the Nationals Baseball Racing President Tom’s Holiday Gift Pack. Each pack includes three games and a free racing president Tom ornament. See popular teams like the Cardinals, Phillies, the Mets and more play the Nationals. Gift packs start at $50 depending on specific games and seats.

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
And finally, for the person who truly has everything, consider giving a donation to the D.C. Public Library in his or her honor. Details at dcplfoundation.org.
a&e features
James Baldwin bio shows how much of his life is revealed in his work
‘A Love Story’ is first major book on acclaimed author’s life in 30 years

‘Baldwin: A Love Story’
By Nicholas Boggs
c.2025, FSG
$35/704 pages
“Baldwin: A Love Story” is a sympathetic biography, the first major one in 30 years, of acclaimed Black gay writer James Baldwin. Drawing on Baldwin’s fiction, essays, and letters, Nicolas Boggs, a white writer who rediscovered and co-edited a new edition of a long-lost Baldwin book, explores Baldwin’s life and work through focusing on his lovers, mentors, and inspirations.
The book begins with a quick look at Baldwin’s childhood in Harlem, and his difficult relationship with his religious, angry stepfather. Baldwin’s experience with Orilla Miller, a white teacher who encouraged the boy’s writing and took him to plays and movies, even against his father’s wishes, helped shape his life and tempered his feelings toward white people. When Baldwin later joined a church and became a child preacher, though, he felt conflicted between academic success and religious demands, even denouncing Miller at one point. In a fascinating late essay, Baldwin also described his teenage sexual relationship with a mobster, who showed him off in public.
Baldwin’s romantic life was complicated, as he preferred men who were not outwardly gay. Indeed, many would marry women and have children while also involved with Baldwin. Still, they would often remain friends and enabled Baldwin’s work. Lucien Happersberger, who met Baldwin while both were living in Paris, sent him to a Swiss village, where he wrote his first novel, “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” as well as an essay, “Stranger in the Village,” about the oddness of being the first Black person many villagers had ever seen. Baldwin met Turkish actor Engin Cezzar in New York at the Actors’ Studio; Baldwin later spent time in Istanbul with Cezzar and his wife, finishing “Another Country” and directing a controversial play about Turkish prisoners that depicted sexuality and gender.
Baldwin collaborated with French artist Yoran Cazac on a children’s book, which later vanished. Boggs writes of his excitement about coming across this book while a student at Yale and how he later interviewed Cazac and his wife while also republishing the book. Baldwin also had many tumultuous sexual relationships with young men whom he tried to mentor and shape, most of which led to drama and despair.
The book carefully examines Baldwin’s development as a writer. “Go Tell It on the Mountain” draws heavily on his early life, giving subtle signs of the main character John’s sexuality, while “Giovanni’s Room” bravely and openly shows a homosexual relationship, highly controversial at the time. “If Beale Street Could Talk” features a woman as its main character and narrator, the first time Baldwin wrote fully through a woman’s perspective. His essays feel deeply personal, even if they do not reveal everything; Lucian is the unnamed visiting friend in one who the police briefly detained along with Baldwin. He found New York too distracting to write, spending his time there with friends and family or on business. He was close friends with modernist painter Beauford Delaney, also gay, who helped Baldwin see that a Black man could thrive as an artist. Delaney would later move to France, staying near Baldwin’s home.
An epilogue has Boggs writing about encountering Baldwin’s work as one of the few white students in a majority-Black school. It helpfully reminds us that Baldwin connects to all who feel different, no matter their race, sexuality, gender, or class. A well-written, easy-flowing biography, with many excerpts from Baldwin’s writing, it shows how much of his life is revealed in his work. Let’s hope it encourages reading the work, either again or for the first time.
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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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In stressful times, escape to Rehoboth Beach
Here’s what’s new in D.C.’s favorite beach town for 2025

At last, after an uncharacteristically cold and snowy winter, another Rehoboth Beach season is upon us. I have been going to Rehoboth Beach since 1984, and it was the first place I went where people only knew me as a gay man. It was the year I came out. It was a summer community back then. Today it really is an exciting year-round community. But it’s still the summer season when Rehoboth shines, and when the businesses make most of their money.
The summer brings out tens of thousands of tourists, from day-trippers, to those with second homes at the beach. Everyone comes to the beach for the sun and sand, food, and drink. Some like to relax, others to party, and you can do both in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Stop by CAMP Rehoboth, the LGBTQ community center on Baltimore Avenue, to get the latest updates on what is happening. CAMP sponsors Sunfestival each Labor Day weekend, and a huge block party on Baltimore Avenue in October. They train the Rehoboth Beach police on how to work with the LGBTQ community, and have all kinds of special and regularly scheduled events. Pick up a copy of their publication, Letters, which is distributed around town.
I asked Kim Leisey, CAMP’s executive director, for her thoughts, and she said, “CAMP Rehoboth looks forward to welcoming our friends and visitors to Rehoboth Beach. We are a safe space for our community and will be sponsoring social opportunities, art receptions, concerts, and art exhibits, throughout the summer. If you are planning a wedding, shower, reception, or business meeting, our beautiful atrium is available for rental. We look forward to a summer of solidarity and fun.” While at CAMP stop in the courtyard at a favorite place of mine, Lori’s Oy Vey! Café, and tryher famous chicken salad.
There’s something for everyone at the beach, from walking the boardwalk and eating Thrasher’s fries, to visiting Funland, or playing a game of miniature golf. Or head to some of the world-class restaurants like Drift, Eden, Blue Moon, or Back Porch.
Some random bits on the summer 2025 season. Prices are going up like everywhere else. Your parking meter will cost you $4 an hour. Meters are in effect May 15-Sept. 15. Parking permits for all the non-metered spaces in town are also expensive. Transferable permits are $365,non-transferable $295, or after Aug. 1 if you only come for the end of summer, it’s $165. Detailed information is available on the town’s website.
Rehoboth lost one of its best restaurant this off-season, JAM, but Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant is open for its fourth season. Owner Freddie Lutz told the Blade, “We are looking forward to a fabulous season. Freddie’s has a dance floor and is the only music video bar in town.” There is also live entertainment, karaoke, and Freddie’s Follies drag show Friday nights.

My favorite happy hour bar is Aqua Grill, which has reopened for the season. I recommend taking advantage of their great Tuesday Taco night, and Thursday burger night. Then there is The Pines and Top of the Pines. Bob Suppies of Second Block Hospitality told me, “Come, relax, and play. We are ready! I have been spending summers here since the mid-90’s, and Rehoboth Beach seems to age like a fine wine. Between the new, and favorite restaurants opening back up, the shops bursting with incredible finds, and all the great LGBTQ+ bars to entertain everyone, nowhere beats the Delaware beaches this summer.”
Head down the block on Baltimore Avenue and you get to La Fable restaurant. Go all the way to the beach and you will see the new lifeguard station, which is slated to open later this month. Also, demolition of the old hotel and north boardwalk Grotto Pizza has happened. The site will become a new four-story, 60-room hotel, with ground level retail space.
Then join me at my favorite morning place at the beach, The Coffee Mill, in the mews between Rehoboth and Baltimore Avenues, open every morning at 7 a.m. Owners Mel and Bob also have the Mill Creamery, the ice cream parlor in the mews, and Brashhh! on 1st street, where Mel sells his own clothing line, called FEARLESS! Then there is the ever-popular Purple Parrot, celebrating its 26th year, now with new owners Tyler Townsend and Drew Mitchell, who welcome you to their iconic place. It has only gotten better. If you head farther down Rehoboth Avenue you will find the Summer House with its upscale Libation Room, and a nice garden looking out on Rehoboth Avenue. Also on Rehoboth Avenue is Gidget’s Gadgets owned by the fabulous Steve Fallon. With the renewed interest in vinyl records you may want to stop in at Extended Play.
Then there is the always busy and fun, Diego’s Bar and Nightclub. Joe Zuber of Diego’s told the Blade, “Get ready for a great gay ole time in Rehoboth Beach. Plenty of entertainment, dancing and fun as we seem to be the next Stonewall generation with this newest administration. Each election brings its concerns about how our gay community will be affected. Come to Rehoboth Beach to escape this summer season!”
If you are in town for Sunday happy hour, make sure to stop there to hear the talented Pamala Stanley who is celebrating her 20th season entertaining in Rehoboth.And on Mondays, Stanley plays Broadway and other classics on the piano at Diego’s.
If you are looking for culture Rehoboth has some of that as well. There is the Clear Space Theatre on Baltimore Avenue. Rumors abound that Clear Space will move out of town. But I can’t believe the commissioners and mayor would be dumb enough to let that happen. This year’s shows include “Spring Awakening,” “Buyer + Cellar,” “Hairspray,” “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” and “RENT.”Tickets sell fast so I suggest you book early and they are available online. Then mark your calendars for Saturday, July 19 for Rehoboth Beach Pride 2025 at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the other fine restaurants and clubs in town. Just a reminder, during season you often need dinner reservations. Come to the beach often enough, and you can try them all: Café Azafran, Dos Locos, Goolee’s Grille, Rigby’s, Frank and Louie’s, Above the Dunes, Mariachi, and Henlopen City Oyster House, and Red, White & Basil. And take a short drive to Dewey for breakfast or lunch at the Starboard; popular bartender Doug Moore (winner of the Blade’s Best Rehoboth-Area Bartender 2024 award) holds court at one of the inside bars, which has become a de facto gay bar on Saturdays.
One major development in the local dining scene last summer was the purchase of the Big Fish Restaurant Group by Baltimore-based Atlas Restaurant Group. Nearly a year later, not much has changed at the many Big Fish restaurants, although many locals are hoping for a renovation of Obie’s along with a gay night at the ocean-front bar/restaurant.
These are only a few of the fantastic places to eat and drink at the beach. Remember, book your reservations for hotels and restaurants, early. Rehoboth is a happening place and gets very busy.
We are living in stressful times. A visit to Rehoboth is a nice way to escape them for a while. Take the time to destress, enjoy the sun and sand. Take a stroll on the boardwalk and listen to the sound of the ocean, and people having fun. Enjoy good times, good food, good friends, and remember that life can still be good. Recharge your batteries for the rest of the year, by enjoying some summer fun in Rehoboth Beach.
