Arts & Entertainment
Ellen DeGeneres surprises local gay dads with generous gift
the couple have launched Comfort Cases to aid foster kids
(Screenshot via YouTube.)
Ellen DeGeneres shocked two gay dads with a generous gift on Monday’s episode of “The Ellen DeGenres Show.”
Rob and Reece Scheer from Darnestown, Md. shared their story of how they went from a family of two to welcoming four kids into their home.
The couple explained they had only wanted to adopt one child from the foster system but received a call for a brother and sister. Not wanting to separate the kids, they decided to adopt both.
Three months later, the Scheers received a call for a six-month-old and a two-year-old and the youngest kids became the new additions to the family.
The Scheers were honest that it wasn’t always easy raising kids from foster care.
“When the kids arrived, we knew that they came with baggage, from homes that just lacked love in general,” the couple told DeGeneres. “We had a child who was hoarding food in her bedroom because she was scared she wasn’t going to eat, a son who couldn’t talk or walk, another child that didn’t know what it was to hug.”
Despite the challenges, Rob says their children are their greatest joy.
“That’s what family’s about, you just make it work,” Rob says. “They don’t care that we’re white and we’re gay, they care that we love them. People say all the time that our kids won the lottery but we won the lottery.”
Rob says he was also a foster child and remembered having to put his belongings into a trash bag. Years later when his kids arrived at his home, Rob noticed they also carried trash bags filled with their belongings.
The Scheers decided to launch Comfort Cases, an initiative to provide luggage for foster kids. Inside, there would be a brand new pair of pajamas, a book, a blanket and a toothbrush. A GoFundMe has been launched to raise funds.
DeGeneres gifted the couple $10,000 and $40,000 worth of Samsonite luggage to aid their venture.
Comfort Cases is available in D.C., Maryland and Virginia but the Scheers aspire to reach the entire United States.
Watch below.
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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)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Photos
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The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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