a&e features

Hope amid the holidays

Locals talk about escaping homelessness, overcoming family estrangement and surviving a major health scare

Published

11 years ago

December 23, 2015

Reevs O’Neal says he was skeptical upon arriving at Casa Ruby but he now credits the center with helping him become self-sufficient. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

As the streets get darker and colder, there is a ray of warmth and light nestled in D.C. in the form of Casa Ruby, a local shelter and transitional housing center for LGBT youth.

Washington Blade staff was invited into Casa Ruby’s transitional housing center and ushered off the dimly lit street into the bright, warm entrance. In mid-December, the home was still waiting to receive its Christmas tree. But even without a tree, the cozy feeling of holiday cheer was present in the jokes and laughter echoing in the hallway between staff and residents and the comforting smiles passed along to one another. Holiday dinners are planned this year with help from the community including those who offer to cook meals and even those who offer to pay for catering.

The center feels like home and that’s because it is one. The staff’s warm and welcoming attitude has created a safe haven for its residents proving that traditional family roles aren’t the only way to create a family.

Casa Ruby, founded in 2012 by Ruby Corado, provides services for LGBT-identifying youth ages 18-24. Their services include a hypothermia center with 16 beds, an emergency shelter with 10 beds and transitional housing with 10 beds. More than 95 percent of the staff identify as transgender or gender non-conforming people of color. They work to provide housing and comfort to those in need with the goal of transitioning them back into jobs and apartments of their own.

Reevs O’Neal, 26, was kicked out of his home in North Carolina. The lack of resources for trans people in his area and his connection to friends in D.C. led him to the District where he connected with Casa Ruby. At first, O’Neal had reservations about the shelter.

“I was very skeptical of it because the continuing theme in my story has been finding somewhere that I thought was safe and it not actually being safe,” O’Neal says. “I sat down with Ruby and we had a really good one on one and it was the first time I had even met her. I was reassured instantly.”

After staying at Casa Ruby for six months, Corado was able to connect O’Neal with low-cost housing. O’Neal was also able to get a job as a house monitor in the emergency shelter. O’Neal says he loves his job because of the family atmosphere.

“We’re a very tight-knit, but open group,” O’Neal says. “I can come into work and it’s like I’m surrounded by people who I love and who I know love me like all the clients. We’re just all very accepting of each other. It’s just like the family aspect of it; it’s amazing.”

Interim Director Lourdes Ashely Hunter has a similar success story. Hunter arrived to D.C. homeless and unemployed with a master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers University. Despite her education, Hunter says her identity prevented her from succeeding.

“As a black, trans, indigenous woman, gender non-conforming person, it’s so challenging to find gainful employment that also affirms my identities and allows me to show up to work whole,” Hunter says. “What’s so magical about this place is that it’s run by the people that it serves. Everyone here has experienced something that our communities are living right now.”

Last Thanksgiving, Hunter joined the dinner as a client of Casa Ruby. This year, Hunter was present at the dinner as the interim director (Corado is taking extended leave in 2016 for health reasons). Hunter says she felt inspired by Corado’s position and understands the power her own leadership can have.

“So for me to now be in this role is so powerful … When I was homeless and didn’t have a job it took for me to see someone in a leadership role like Ruby Corado to say it’s possible,” Hunter says.

Current resident Chris, 22, has high hopes for his own success story. Chris arrived in D.C. seven months ago from Lincoln, Neb., after being kicked out of his home. He worked with the governor of Nebraska as a teenager and is interested in politics, particularly issues surrounding homelessness.

“Since living here, homelessness and youth homelessness is a big issue for me because without Casa Ruby, I wouldn’t be here and I’d probably be who knows where right now,” Chris says.

Chris is currently working on his GED. In his free time he enjoys hanging out with friends and lobbying on Capitol Hill. In the future, he hopes to run for elected office in D.C. The passion he has for his work is supported by Casa Ruby, something other housing programs may not be able to say.

“It takes a lot of compassion and understanding and passion. A lot of times for the shelters that are city run that’s not a requirement of the staff. That’s just the narrative that we’re trying to shift,” Hunter says.

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Chris (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

An uphill journey

By Joey DiGuglielmo

Much has been written about the employment challenges facing trans people, income inequality, the exorbitant cost of living in an increasingly gentrified Washington, strained family relations for out folks and more. Benny Rodriguez has lived it all.
Rodriguez, a 24-year-old Virginia native who “hopped around a lot” between New York and Virginia, is 24 and has been out as a trans man for about two years.

He’s down to three part-time jobs now — a few days a week at an art store, part-time at an Indian restaurant and an on-call bartender at Phase 1. At one point he had four jobs and also worked at Busboys and Poets but gave it up because he says it wasn’t financially worthwhile. Combined he makes about $1,600 a month — enough to rent a room in a house with a family with two small children in Columbia Heights.

“There’s been no issue with me being trans and I preface that with the fact that I am two years now on hormones so I pass almost all the time,” Rodriguez says. “That makes it easier … and I can be more stealth than I used to be. When I first started (transitioning), I had to sort of convince people that I was really trans. I had to conceal a lot.”

Rodriguez formerly performed with the D.C. Kings but since that group folded earlier this year, he now does occasional shows with the D.C. Gurly Show “pretty regularly.”

In many ways, Rodriguez says, 2015 was a tough year.

“It’s definitely been up and down,” he says. “Certainly not the worst year I’ve ever had, but it was a year of growing.”

Family life is tough. He’s “definitely grateful my Mom still talks to me.” Other relatives are “kind of estranged.”

“I had to cut ties with them,” he says. “They were toxic and it was to the point where it was more harmful than helpful to be with them so I don’t really say much to many of them, my father especially. I want to say that my situation is unique, but I really don’t think it is. I think it’s pretty common for trans people in general to lose touch with their families. … It’s so hard for many people to wrap their head around.”

Rodriguez will spend Christmas with a friend’s mother whom he says is “kind of like a second mother who helped raise me.” He’s not a big Christmas or holidays person in general but does say he “quite enjoys” this time of year.

He’s excited about the top surgery he’s having in late February. Through decent D.C. health insurance and the services of Whitman-Walker, he won’t have to pay for it. He wishes his mom could be there with him but says he has a good network of friends who will help him recover.
Despite depression and constant reminders of life’s challenges, Rodriguez says he senses he’s been dealt this hand for a reason.

“Things get very hard to get through sometime but I feel very strongly that I have some sense of purpose,” he says. “Whether it’s just to talk to people or change lives or achieve some sort of human greatness, I’m not sure but I feel like I have a job to do and that job is not fulfilled. Knowing that kind of keeps me going.”

Benson Rodriguez say the holidays are tough when family relations are strained. (Photo courtesy Rodriguez)

A second chance

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Robby Dean (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

By Joey DiGuglielmo

Robby Dean collapsed in the cafeteria at his job as a department specialist for Safeway in Lanham, Md., on Aug. 7.

It was a scary episode in which he recalls not being able to see, hear or breathe, yet still being conscious. His blood pressure plummeted and he was taken to Prince George’s Hospital Center where it was discovered that he had a “very large” saddlebag pulmonary embolism — essentially a blood clot of the lungs that was “saddle bagged” on both sides of his pulmonary artery.

It was difficult finding a place to have the clot removed but it was quickly deemed an emergency case. A doctor who’d seen his chart and tests said the life-threatening condition could not be delayed even a few hours.

His boyfriend of three years met him at the hospital. Doctors were able to go in through his neck, remove part of the clot and dissolve the rest through blood thinners.

“I had no idea what a pulmonary embolism was until after the surgery when I looked it up,” says the 48-year-old Gainesville, Ga., native. “The first statement said these are usually found during an autopsy.”

The only warning signs had been a few episodes of dizziness in the weeks prior. Except for some weight issues following a car accident a few years ago, Dean was in good health. Despite only being in the hospital for the weekend, it took him a month to recover sufficiently to return to work full time.

Singing the Sondheim song “Being Alive” in “The S Show” — he sings tenor in the Gay Men’s Chorus — took on added poignancy at their recent Home Cooked Cabaret events.

“It’s very emotional and hard to get through without crying,” Dean says. “It taught me to listen to my body more and not avoid the doctor and take better care of myself.”

He’s spending Christmas at home with his family in Georgia for the first time since he came to the Washington area six years ago. He says his health scare made him look at life differently.

“You have to cherish every moment you have with the ones you love,” he says. “You never know when it might be your last time seeing them. Going through something like this really reminds you how short life can be.”

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Rainbows in Revolt on a mission to make LGBTQ artists’ voices heard

Published

2 days ago

July 29, 2026

Kyle Rood

Lily Erin, one of Rainbows in Revolt’s signature artists, performed at Capital Pride in June. (Photo courtesy of Rainbows in Revolt)

Last month’s Pride celebration in D.C. was so fun. Walking around my first Capital Pride with a $15 lemonade I was loving the madness and the color. Artists and small businesses battling banks you’ve never heard of collecting your personal information so you can spin a wheel to snag free merch. Great music blaring, people actually smiling and enjoying themselves, the “Great” American State Fair could never!

The Monument Stage was on Pennsylvania Avenue, directly in front of the National Gallery of Art and I can’t think of a better venue to see live music. How does someone get on the lineup for Pride? How do we accelerate the visibility of the most talented voices in our community to perform in places like this?

There is certainly not a talent gap, but there is a visibility gap. Chappell Roan went from playing for two people in a parking lot to owning the main stage at Coachella in one year. Whether it is shadowbanning or bias in AI, algorithms have been shown to suppress queer artists. In a digital age, how can queer people break through and show the world how talented they are?

Allison and Matt of Rainbows in Revolt are on a mission to make openly LGBTQ+ artists’ voices heard. Their goal is to find “musicians whose queerness is central to their identity as an artist,” and accelerate them to a place where they can actually reach fans.

The only time queer events seem to be in the spotlight is June, but this should be year round, according to Allison and Matt. Rainbows in Revolt wants to act as a “nucleus” for different sub-communities, finding common ground in the universal language of music.

Matt and Allison founded Rainbows as a way to make cheaper, higher quality merchandise for queer artists. While Rainbows has already pledged 20% of their profits to the LGBTQ+ community, with 10% to Whitman-Walker Health and 10% to LGBTQ+ organizations in need, this is just the beginning of the work that they do.

Rainbows “does the dirty work” that artists normally struggle to do on their own with limited resources. Interviews, artist profiles, social promotion, playlist discovery, radio outreach, and merch-funded support. This work is normally expensive, time consuming, and requires lots of different skills. Musicians don’t want to be editing clips to post online. Standup comedians don’t want to make graphics for their tour dates. They want to write more. They want to focus on their craft.

In addition to helping artists find their audience, Rainbows has built other digital tools to help queer people connect, including an interactive Safe Space Map for most major cities. It is hard to know which places are truly safe and supportive just from a simple Google search. Attitudes and actions change, and there should be a simple way for queer people to find other places that align with them. The Safe Spaces Maps are all up to date, and are tagged and filterable. Instead of relying on forums and word of mouth, Rainbows has created a centralized way to find authentic community quickly.

I had a chance to talk with Allison and Matt at Pride where Lily Erin, one of their signature artists, was performing on the Monument stage. Lily Erin is a folk singer who is familiar and forging her own path. Her bittersweet sound echoes through Acadia, and her garb mirrors the New England athletes I grew up with. Gorp Core meets streetwear. A graphic tee, hiking shorts, and creamsicle Jordans.

Her debut single, “Bus Stop,” tells a sad story about unconditional love, and the conditions that still seem to come with it. Graduating into lockdown, Erin needed a new way to connect with herself and others. Lily made “Bus Stop” without an intention to share it, but doing so was a liberation. People have been responding to her honesty around queer-ness, family, and the “ghosts which haunt us” even in the daytime.

Rainbows in Revolt has helped Lily Erin go from bars and backyards to The Monument Stage at Pride. This is a meteoric rise, and a testament to both Erin’s talent and the work of Rainbows to promote her. “A little encouragement goes a long way with early artists,” and by “planting a seed” Rainbows is already seeing their artist garden grow. Community is power, and Erin is a perfect example of how effective simple modern techniques of promotion can be.

A next step for Rainbows is putting on shows themselves. On Oct. 3, Rainbows in Revolt will host an Evening with Ray Boltz at the National City Christian Church. Boltz grew up in the Catholic Church and for many years was the soundtrack to many services, youth camps, and church groups. He was celebrated by millions until he came out in 2008. Allison remembers her community “never playing his music again.”

Rainbows in Revolt is helping him to return to the church, and proving that identity does not need to be exclusive. We live in a complicated world with complicated lines being drawn. Boltz proves that these lines don’t exist, and will be breaking down barriers to bring together communities. To Allison, “a trans woman standing next to a straight white man in church is a powerful teacher.”

The Safe Space maps bridge all types of spaces, and one of the unlikely ones is, perhaps, churches. Matt said that “BYU has only nine safe spaces around their campus and seven of them are churches.” Not all churches are anti-gay, and many times they are the only place for people to find community.

Rainbows in Revolt is just getting started bridging gaps and building community.

a&e features

Summer in the City: Free exhibits, movies, more fill D.C.’s calendar

America 250 celebrations continue

Published

4 days ago

July 26, 2026

Emma LaPointe

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star in ‘Wicked,’ screening Sept. 12 at Union Market. (Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)

From late-night museum visits and outdoor jazz concerts to free movie screenings and America250 exhibitions, Washington’s summer calendar is packed with events that don’t charge admission. Here’s a look at some of the free activities happening across the District through September and beyond.

Museum exhibitions

The Renwick Gallery is presenting State Fairs: Growing American Craft, an exhibition that looks at unique and unconventional crafts from the 19th century to the present. It will run until Sept. 7, and admission is free.

The Arts and Industries Building, located next to the Smithsonian Castle, is presenting the exhibition Voices and Votes: Exploring Democracy Across America. The exhibition features the development of American independence and what that has meant over time, beginning with the Revolutionary War. Admission to the museum is free, and the exhibition runs until Sept. 7.

The National Gallery of Art presents Dear America, an exhibit featuring more than 100 pieces of work, including letters, photographs, and drawings that depict American landscapes and depictions of freedom. The exhibition will run until Sept. 20.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts is exhibiting Burnished: Pueblo Pottery until Sept. 27. The exhibit features pottery from the Southwest, and while most of the pottery belongs to women artists, a few also reflect those who have advocated for women.

Extending past this summer, the exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa will be at the National Museum of the American Latino until July 2028. The exhibition shows how Afro-Cuban music has become a staple in the U.S. Admission is free.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will feature the exhibition District Vibes / American Pride: How DC Changed American Culture, which will highlight all of the ways D.C. has impacted American life. The exhibit will run until Sept. 27.

At the Folger Shakespeare Library, the exhibit Imagining Shakespeare: Mythmaking and Storytelling in the Regency Era will be on view through Aug. 2. All the portraits on display come from the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery in London.

The United States Botanic Garden will be open until 8 p.m. on Aug. 20 and Sept. 17, as part of America’s State Flowers: An America250 Celebration. The evenings will include live music, mocktails, ice cream, and snacks.

The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden will have extended hours, staying open until 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday until Sept. 3.

Live performances

On Aug. 7, the postgame Nationals concert series will continue with Jordan Davis performing. To see the concert, guests just need to buy tickets to the Nationals game.

Jazz in the Garden will run each Friday until Aug. 14. The event has free admission, but those interested have to enter a lottery due to the high demand for the event.

From May to October, Capital Harvest Market occurs every Wednesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The market features fresh foods, crafts, and recipes for unique dishes. A full list of vendors is available on Capital Harvest’s website.

Live! Concert Series on the Plaza will feature live performances at Woodrow Wilson Plaza until Sept. 25. The performances run Monday to Friday from 12-1 p.m. Admission is free to the performances.

DowntownDC Live! at Anthem Row is running until July 30, with free performances every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The final performance will feature HUE and a vintage flea market hosted by Get Flee Marketplace.

Located in Adams Morgan, AdMo Vibe will present live performances every Thursday at 6 p.m. in Kalorama Park. Guests are encouraged to check out Adams Morgan before and after shows, and it is an event for all ages.

Other events

Union Market is hosting drive-in movies on Aug. 8, featuring “Monsters, Inc.”, and Sept. 12, featuring “Wicked.” On Aug. 8, the parking lot will open at 7:30 p.m., with the movie starting at 8:25 p.m. On Sept. 12, the parking lot will open at 6:35 p.m., and the movie will start at 7:30 p.m.

Sunset Cinema at the Wharf will also be available one day a month. On Aug. 12, “10 Things I Hate About You” will premiere, and on Aug. 26, “Project Hail Mary.” No tickets are necessary.

The Library of Congress will also show movies. On Aug. 6, guests are invited to watch “Apollo 13.” The movie will be shown at 8 p.m., with additional live performances beginning at 7 p.m.

For fans of Asian media, the Okaton convention will be at Walter E. Washington Convention Center from July 31-Aug. 2. Festivities will include cosplay contests, skits, live music, and panel discussions.

Washington Spirit’s season also begins in August. The Spirit is Washington’s National Women’s League, with matchups occurring between the San Diego Wave, the North Carolina Courage, the Orlando Pride, and the Bay FC.

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Summer in D.C. brings sports, Restaurant Week, festivals, and more

Published

1 week ago

July 23, 2026

Evan Caplan

Washington Spirit CEO Kim Stone hosts Pride Night OUT on Sunday, Aug. 23. (Photo courtesy of Washington Spirit)

Summer in D.C. just hits different. Congress is out, school is out, the sun is out, thighs are out. With the skies clearing from Canadian smoke, here are a few ways to stay entertained.

Dining

Summer restaurant week: The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is once again hosting Summer Restaurant Week, Aug. 18-24. This weeklong dining experience showcases the dynamic dining scene of the DMV, including 2026 RAMMY Award-winning favorites (the annual D.C. food awards show that took place June 29). Participating restaurants will offer three-course brunch and lunch selections for $25 or $35 per person, and three-course dinners for $40, $55 and $65 per person.

New Restaurants: A handful of new spots have opened, so the summer is a great time to check them out:

Oribu: A new Mediterranean-Japanese restaurant in the Grand Hyatt hotel, which just underwent a remodeling effort. The sleek restaurant brings upscale charm, with dishes like Wagyu beef tartare with potato pavé and caviar.
The Oak Room: A snazzy old-school American grill has just opened in Georgetown, alongside its sister upstairs supper club (Bernadette’s) restaurant, in the old El Centro space.
Uchi: This showy Japanese sushi-forward chain has landed in Dupont with a chef’s tasting menu of favorites like fatty tuna.
Kathmandu: Recalling the capital of Nepal, this warm, buzzy subterranean restaurant right in the heart of U Street brings spice, flair, and rare ingredients to its dishes (see: buffalo burgers) and drinks.

Sports

Washington Spirit Pride Night OUT: On Sunday, Aug. 23, head to Audi Field for a massive, high-energy game following the exciting month of World Cup. The designated Pride Night OUT game promises boisterous crowds plus pre- and post-game community engagements.
Washington Tennis Open – Now called the Mubadala DC Open, this annual tournament is only combined mens’ and womens’ 500-level tennis tournament in the world. The open is one of D.C.’s longest-standing sports traditions, and will take place at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center July 25-Aug. 2. Naomi Osaka, Venus Williams, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and others are expected to play.

Festivals

Afro Plus Fest: This huge, three-day Afro-Caribbean Hip-Hop Festival brings together headliners Davido, Alkaline, and Wizkid, plus Tems and Ayra Starr. The event moves from RFK to the Northwest Stadium Complex for three days, Sept. 4-6.
Capital Fringe Festival: Running from July 11-21, this massive celebration features dozens of live theater, comedy, dance, and boundary-pushing nighttime performances across multiple DC neighborhoods.
The National Book Festival returns, with headliners like Cynthia Erivo, and Martin Scorsese. The one-day festival, Saturday, Aug. 22, brings together bookworms and word nerds under the theme “America 250: It’s Your Story.” There are talks, workshops, musical sessions and more.
All Things Go: A three-day festival Sept. 25-27 at Merriweather Post Pavilion featuring Mitski, Hayley Williams, Brandi Carlile, MUNA, Zara Larsson, Ethel Cain, and many, many more artists. There are single-day and three-day tickets. Featuring and highlighting female artists, the festival has turned into a must-see for many LGBTQ audience members.
Fuchsia Fest: The inaugural Fuchsia Fest is a new multi-day celebration created to celebrate LGBTQ community and expression, bringing together a mix of community gatherings, entertainment, and nightlife. The event takes place Sept. 18-20 and is hosted by Capital Pride.

Art and Music

United We Dance: A high-energy rave with house, techno, bass, and festival music, on Aug. 1 at the 9:30 Club.
The Fray. On Aug. 14, this American rock band famous for How To Save A Life is at Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Kesha: Kesha’s high-energy The Freedom Tour comes to the D.C. area on Aug. 14 at Jiffy Lube Live.
ALOK: On Sept. 3 at Lincoln Theater, ALOK (they/them) performs. The poet, comedian, and actor is putting on a new comedy show.
2charm, the emerging Australian electronic club-pop duo popular with the queer community, which blends hyperpop and dance music, comes to the Atlantis.
Sapphic Dance Party: a vibrant, inclusive nightlife and social event designed specifically for queer women, lesbians, bisexuals, trans individuals, and nonbinary folks, at Atlantis on Aug. 21.
Jazz in the Garden: The most quintessential of D.C. activities returns Friday evenings through Aug. 14. This season’s theme, “American Sounds,” is a nod to the nation’s 250th anniversary. Tunes themes range from Appalachian and Americana to Creole jazz, Hill Country blues, contemporary jazz, and more. Tickets are available through a lottery system a week before each event.