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Baldwin pledges ‘no’ vote on bill barring Syrian refugees

Lesbian senator calls on NGOs to step up efforts for LGBT asylum-seekers

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Tammy Baldwin, women, gay news, Washington Blade
Tammy Baldwin, women, gay news, Washington Blade

Sen. Tammy Baldwin said she would vote “no” on legislation barring Syrian refugees. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Following anger in the LGBT community over gay and bisexual members of the U.S. House voting for legislation seen to bar Syrian refugees from entering the United States, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) said Thursday she’d vote “no” if the same bill came to the floor of the U.S. Senate.

Baldwin made the remarks during a panel of the Atlantic LGBT Summit titled “Unfinished Business” in D.C. in response to a question from the Washington Blade, saying, “I would vote ‘no’ on that legislation if it were to come before the Senate.”

The only out lesbian in the Senate emphasized the rigorous nature of the system for screening refugees before they enter the United States, saying it contrasts with the visa program President Obama has placed under review following the San Bernardino shootings.

“Our refugee process is the most rigorous of all the ways to get into the United States, often taking between 18 and 24 months,” Baldwin said. “Visa waiver? Another thing altogether. And so, we need to be rational and certainly not just playing the politics of the moment, or tacking it to people’s fearfulness, but we need to be informed and educated, and I can use my position in the Senate, hopefully, to educate my constituency and my colleagues to some degree.”

Baldwin also expressed confidence the need for her to vote against the legislation would never arise, saying, “I think you’ve seen what we thought was going to be an immediate reaction in the Senate to take up the House-passed bill to a real pivot in the conservation, and sort of let’s look where we need to be looking.”

The U.S. House passed the legislation, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act, by a vote of 289-137 last month. The bill would expand background checks on Iraqi and Syrian refugees hoping to enter the United States, but critics say the legislation would have the effect of barring them entirely.

Among those joining Republicans in voting in favor of the legislation were 47 Democrats, including Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), who’s gay; Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.), who’s gay; and Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), who’s bisexual. The support of these three lawmakers for the legislation has invoked the ire of some LGBT advocates who argue members of the LGBT community should support another community facing persecution.

Anti-LGBT persecution is among the hardships refugees are fleeing from the areas controlled by ISIS. Reports have shown men perceived as gay being thrown to their death from rooftops.

Asked by the Blade after the panel whether she sees any imperative as an LGBT advocate to support Syrian refugees because they face anti-LGBT discrimination, Baldwin said “we saw this also during the Iraq war” and talked about the importance of efforts from non-governmental organizations.

“It is important to me that the international institutions that help refugees, especially with their passage through various places before there’s an ultimate determination of where they get final refugee status, that there’s a sensitivity in those NGOs as well as government-sponsored organizations to the struggles and the victimization of LGBT refugees,” Baldwin said. “Often times, that is not a priority, that’s not even on folks’ radar screens, and yet they’re a particularly vulnerable population.”

Baldwin added, “Often times, in the interim as a final refugee determination is being made, they’re in countries or locations with hostile laws, hostile customs, etc. And so, I think our international efforts have to focus on greater security, safety and protection, and frankly, knowledge and competence about LGBT issues.”

Amid calls for the Obama administration to set aside 500 slots for LGBT people among the additional 10,000 refugees anticipated from Syria, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said this week the administration doesn’t institute quotas for certain types of refugees, but those facing persecution like the anti-LGBT violence perpetuated by ISIS would be considered a priority for asylum cases.

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District of Columbia

Drag queens protest Trump at the Kennedy Center

President attended ‘Les Misérables’ opening night on Wednesday

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The Kennedy Center (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

On Wednesday night, four local drag performers attended the first night of the Kennedy Center’s season in full drag — while President Donald Trump, an outspoken critic of drag, sat mere feet away. 

Three queens — Tara Hoot, Vagenesis, and Mari Con Carne — joined drag king Ricky Rosé to represent Qommittee, a volunteer network uniting drag artists to support and defend each other amid growing conservative attacks. They all sat down with the Washington Blade to discuss the event.

The drag performers were there to see the opening performance of “Les Misérables” since Trump’s takeover of the historically non-partisan Kennedy Center. The story shows the power of love, compassion, and redemption in the face of social injustice, poverty, and oppression, set in late 19th century France. 

Dressed in full drag, the group walked into the theater together, fully aware they could be punished for doing so.

“It was a little scary walking in because we don’t know what we’re going to walk into, but it was really helpful to be able to walk in with friends,” said drag queen Vagenesis. “The strongest response we received was from the staff who worked there. They were so excited and grateful to see us there. Over and over and over again, we heard ‘Thank you so much for being here,’ ‘Thank you for coming,’ from the Kennedy Center staff.”

The staff weren’t the only ones who seemed happy at the act of defiance. 

“We walked in together so we would have an opportunity to get a response,” said Tara Hoot, who has performed at the Kennedy Center in full drag before. “It was all applause, cheers, and whistles, and remarkably it was half empty. I think that was season ticket holders kind of making their message in a different way.”

Despite the love from the audience and staff, Mari Con Carne said she couldn’t help feeling unsettled when Trump walked in.

“I felt two things — disgust and frustration,” Carne said. “Obviously, I don’t align with anything the man has to say or has to do. And the frustration came because I wanted to do more than just sit there. I wanted to walk up to him and speak my truth  — and speak for the voices that were being hurt by his actions right now.”

They weren’t the only ones who felt this way according to Vagenesis:

“Somebody shouted ‘Fuck Trump’ from the rafters. I’d like to think that our being there encouraged people to want to express themselves.”

The group showing up in drag and expressing themselves was, they all agreed, an act of defiance. 

“Drag has always been a protest, and it always will be a sort of resistance,” Carne said, after pointing out her intersectional identity as “queer, brown, Mexican immigrant” makes her existence that much more powerful as a statement. “My identity, my art, my existence — to be a protest.”

Hoot, who is known for her drag story times, explained that protesting can look different than the traditional holding up signs and marching for some. 

“Sometimes protesting is just us taking up space as drag artists,” Hoot added. “I felt like being true to who you are —  it was an opportunity to live the message.”

And that message, Ricky Rosé pointed out, was ingrained with the institution of the Kennedy Center and art itself — it couldn’t be taken away, regardless of executive orders and drag bans

“The Kennedy Center was founded more than 50 years ago as a place meant to celebrate the arts in its truest, extraordinary form,” said Ricky Rosé. “President Kennedy himself even argued that culture has a great practical value in an age of conflict. He was quoted saying, ‘the encouragement of art is political in the most profound sense, not as a weapon in the struggle, but as an instrument of understanding the futility of struggle’ and I believe that is the basis of what the Kennedy Center was founded on, and should continue. And drag fits perfectly within it.”

All four drag performers told the Washington Blade — independently of one another — that they don’t think Trump truly understood the musical he was watching.

“I don’t think the president understands any kind of plot that’s laid out in front of him,” Vagenesis said. “I’m interested to see what he thinks about “Les Mis,” a play about revolution against an oppressive regime. I get the feeling that he identifies with the the rebellion side of it, instead of the oppressor. I just feel like he doesn’t get it. I feel it goes right over his head.”

“Les Misérables” is running at the Kennedy Center until July 13.

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Padilla forcibly removed from federal building for questioning DHS secretary

Prominent Democrats rushed to defend senator

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U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Democratic U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla of California was forcibly removed from a federal building in Los Angeles after attempting to ask questions of U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a press conference on immigration Thursday

The city has been rattled in recent days as protestors objecting to the Trump-Vance administration’s immigration crackdowns clashed with law enforcement and then the president deployed National Guard troops and U.S. Marines, which was seen as a dramatic escalation.

According to a video shared by his office, the senator, who serves as ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, introduced himself and said, I have questions for the secretary.” After he was pushed out of the room, officers with FBI-identifying vests told Padilla to put his hands behind his back and handcuffed him.

“Senator Padilla is currently in Los Angeles exercising his duty to perform Congressional oversight of the federal government’s operations in Los Angeles and across California,” reads a statement from his office.

“He was in the federal building to receive a briefing with General Guillot and was listening to Secretary Noem’s press conference,” the statement continued. “He tried to ask the secretary a question, and was forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed. He is not currently detained, and we are working to get additional information.”

Democrats were furious, with many releasing strong statements online condemning the actions of law enforcement officers, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D), and the state’s other U.S. senator, Adam Schiff (D).

Human Rights Campaign Chief of Staff Jay Brown also issued a statement: “A sitting U.S. senator should be allowed to ask a Cabinet secretary a question at a press conference — in his own state, on an issue affecting his constituents — without being violently thrown to the floor and handcuffed. Everyone who cares about our country must condemn this undemocratic act. Full stop.”



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Comings & Goings

Kefalas, Czapary to open Yala Greek Ice Cream Shop in Georgetown

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Chrys Kefalas and Salah Czapary

The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected]

Congratulations to Chrys Kefalas and Salah Czapary on their new venture, the Yala Greek Ice Cream Shop, which will open in Georgetown, at 3143 N St. N.W., around July 4.

Kefalas is the CEO and founder, Czapary is the co-founder/director of experience and operations. The third co-founder is Steve Shyn, COO. From what I hear Chrys and Salah will at times both be doing the scooping to the lucky people who stop by their shop. The word “Yala” is a play on the Greek word for “milk,” and fittingly, Yala Greek Ice Cream is made using hand-crafted techniques passed down through three generations of Greek ice cream makers. 

Kefalas told the Blade, “This is not frozen yogurt, just inspired by Greek flavors or a trendy twist on gelato. This is true Greek ice cream, finally making its American debut. It is crafted with farm-fresh milk from Maryland, Greek yogurt and honey, fruit preserves from the Mediterranean, and ingredients sourced directly from Greece, Italy, and the Middle East, including premium pistachios and sustainably harvested vanilla.” 

The two come from different backgrounds. Kefalas has a family in the restaurant business but is currently the head of the brand division at the National Association of Manufacturers. He is a former Justice Department attorney; worked as Attorney General Eric Holder’s speech writer; Gov. Bob Erlich’s counsel in Maryland; and ran for U.S. Senate in Maryland (endorsed by the Baltimore Sun). Born and raised in Baltimore, he’s a Washingtonian of nine years. He told the Blade, “Yala Ice Cream is a tribute, a legacy, and a love letter across generations.” He spent his early years working in his grandfather’s restaurant in Baltimore, Illona’s. Kefalas hopes, “Just like Greek yogurt changed everything, Greek ice cream is going to set the new standard for ice cream. But, for us, it isn’t just about ice cream; it’s about making my Papou, my grandfather, proud.” 

Many people in D.C. know Czapary. He is the son of a Palestinian refugee, and Hungarian immigrant, and a longtime Washington, D.C. resident. Czapary served as a police officer and community engagement leader with the MPD. He then ran for D.C. Council, and although didn’t win, was endorsed by the Washington Post. After that race, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser realized how accomplished he is and asked him to join her administration, where he served as director of the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife and Culture. 

Czapary told the Blade, “We’re bringing the first authentic Greek ice cream shop to the U.S., and we’re doing it with heart. We’re building a space where kindness, community, and a scoop of something extraordinary come together. Our Georgetown scoop shop is designed to be a welcoming haven where every guest feels a sense of belonging.”

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