Arts & Entertainment
Alexis Arquette dies at age 47
actress starred in ‘Pulp Fiction,’ ‘The Wedding Singer,’ among others
(Photo by Glenn Francis via WikiMedia Commons.)
Actress and advocate Alexis Arquette, the sibling of actors David, Rosanna and Patricia Arquette, died early Sunday morning. She was 47. A cause of death has not been reported.
Her brother, Richmond Arquette, announced the news on Facebook in a statement written by Patricia.
“Despite the fact that there are few parts for trans actors, she refused to play roles that were demeaning or stereotypical,” the statement reads. “She was a vanguard in the fight for understanding and acceptance for all trans people. She fiercely lived her reality in a world where it is dangerous to be a trans person – a world largely unready to accept differences among human beings, and where there is still the ugliness of violence and hostility towards people that we may not understand.”
“We are all heartbroken that she is no longer with us, but we are grateful for the grace and kindness we were all shown during this difficult time,” the statement continued. “We are comforted by the fact that Alexis came into our family and was our brother and then our sister, and that she gave us so much love. We will love you always, Alexis. We know we were the lucky ones.”
According to Patricia, Alexis died while listening to “Starman” by David Bowie. The statement also mentions Alexis said “where she was going, there was only one gender.”
Alexis appeared in films such as “Pulp Fiction,” “The Bride of Chucky” and “The Wedding Singer.” She also was a cabaret performer under the name Eva Destruction.
In an episode of “Kocktails with Khloe”earlier this year, David revealed to host Khloe Kardashian that Alexis, who came out as transgender in 2006, no longer identified as transgender. Instead, Alexis identified as “gender suspicious.”
“I said, ‘You’re my sister and brother?'” David told Kardashian. “[Alexis] said, ‘It depends on how I’m dressed.'”
The Arquette family have asked for donations to LGBT organizations in honor of Alexis.
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Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
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(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
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