Arts & Entertainment
Actor DJ Qualls comes out
DJ Qualls, known for his role in “The Man in the High Castle” and appearances in several other popular television shows and movies, has become the latest Hollywood actor to come out as gay.
The 41-year-old actor was appearing in San Diego at a taping of “The Jim Jeffries Show,” which airs on Comedy Central, when he made the announcement. Afterwards, he took to Twitter to talk about it.
“It is 11:20pm,” he tweeted. “I just came out on stage at a @jimjefferiesshow in San Diego. Yep, I’m gay. Been gay this whole time. Tired of worrying about what people would think of me. Tired of worrying about what it would do to my career.”
Qualls, a cancer survivor who was diagnosed with Hodgkins’ lymphoma at age 14, began his career as a community theatre actor in his native Nashville, before landing a few parts in front of the camera and working as a model for Prada and photographers like David LaChapelle and Steve Klein. He became a familiar face for his frequent roles as a geeky virgin in such movies as “Road Trip” and “Cherry Falls.” Other big screen roles have included parts in “Big Trouble,” “Hustle & Flow,” and “The New Guy.” On TV, he’s turned up on numerous popular shows, such as “Scrubs,” “Lost,” “My Name is Earl,” “Breaking Bad,” and a particularly memorable guest appearance on “The Big Bang Theory.” In recent years, he has gained a growing fan following for his role (as a gay character) on Amazon’s “The Man in the High Castle,” along with Syfy’s “Z Nation” and CW’s “Supernatural,” where he plays fan-favorite recurring character Garth Fitzgerald IV.
Following his announcement, Qualls’ fans and followers were quick to offer their congratulations and support. One, Twisted Resister (@CryptoMcVape), commented “Good on you. Every person brave enough to live their truth gives courage to others that aren’t quite there yet. Much love brother.” Another, itsalwayssues (@smesues), said, “Hey, cheers and congratulations for being the you that you are! It’s the way it ought to be, damn the torpedoes and full steam ahead. You are perfect just being the you that you are! Don’t hide your light under a bushel as my Nan used to say.” Sebastian Roche, who co-stars with Quall on “High Castle,” commented simply, “Well done my friend, very proud of you.”
Qualls has been friends with Jeffries for several years, according to The Independent. He has appeared on Jeffries’ comedy show before, in 2018, and worked with the Australian-born comedian’s series “Legit” in 2013.
This is the first time he has spoken publicly about his sexuality.
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The Washington Blade held its 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer spoke along with State Sen. Russ Huxtable, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey, Blade Editor Kevin Naff, and Clear Space Theatre Managing Director Joe Gfaller. The event raises funds for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which was awarded to AU student Abigail Hatting.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
In some fowl fiction foreshadowing, a gay-owned chicken joint has come home to roost on U Street, taking a page from the chicken window subplot on the HBO show “Looking.”
Last Friday, Lucky Pollo – much more than just a takeout window – stretched its wings atop the busy nightlife corner of 14th and U Streets NW.
Behind the poultry production place is Zach Renovátes, a D.C.-based nightlife operator and managing partner of LGBTQ venues Bunker and District Eagle, as well as the LGBTQ event production company KINETIC Presents.
Renovátes opened Bunker in February 2023 and District Eagle in January of this year. Lucky Pollo is the third in his growing gay empire, though this time there are noshes.
“Lucky Pollo was meant to be fun and a little provocative,” Renovátes said.
Based around its Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, Lucky Pollo is a quick-service restaurant boasting a small menu of poultry and sides. Renovátes says that the dishes are deeply rooted in Peruvian culinary tradition, “a playful experience alongside seriously good food.”
Lucky Pollo’s signature chicken is steeped in a dozen-plus-spice marinade for 24 hours. The meat is then slow-roasted, rotisserie-style, over oak-wood charcoal. Chicken options include quarter, half, and whole.
Helming the kitchen at Lucky Pollo is Chef Luis Herrera, who brings Peruvian recipes passed down through three generations, including his grandmother Laura’s original creations.
Beyond the full bird, the menu features Peruvian-inspired sides like yuca fries (“I personally love these,” says Renovátes) and fried plantains, as well as comfort classics such as mac and cheese and mashed potatoes, and bowls, wraps, and salads. Herrera oversees development of the multiple sauces (including staff favorite, the “secret green sauce”), crafted in-house using traditional Peruvian ingredients.
Lucky Pollo, in its streetside perch, is an independent concept from District Eagle, open to the public and staying open late (3 a.m. on weekends) to serve both nightlife guests and the wider U Street crowd hungry for late-night bites. However, just beyond the kitchen, tucked in the back lies a vintage 1950s candy machine—labeled “Out of Order,” which serves as the door leading to subterranean District Eagle.
Renovátes notes that when District Eagle is open, security staff will maintain a strict two-line policy, ensuring that those seeking meat to eat will not get entwined with those looking to gain access to District Eagle.
Lucky Pollo unites the need for sustenance with the idea of a bit of fortune, given its motto, “Get Lucky” and the whimsical brand mascot: a leather-booted chicken perched on a horseshoe. Renovátes and his District Eagle business partner had always been interested in opening a restaurant, and the Lucky Pollo space was indeed lucky: It already came with a functional kitchen. Plus, he says, the nearby fast-casual places around 14th and U streets “don’t offer a lot of quality options,” so opening the chicken spot “was a no-brainer.”
The space, designed by NYC creative Jasin Cadic, blends theatrical street-art-style vibes with Keith Haring-inspired wall prints, neon signs, and ceiling-hung chicken figurines —”some edgy, some sweet,” says Renovátes —creating an immersive, playful atmosphere. Lucky Pollo and District Eagle maintain separate amenities for their respective customers.
Lucky Pollo opened last week with a competition to devour a whole rotisserie chicken in the fastest time, with the winner earning $1,000 and a framed spot on the restaurant’s “Wall of Fame.” The opening also featured other games and prizes, and a full crowd spilling out the door.
“We want it to be a great place to eat, but also serve as a playful front for something completely unexpected.” Renovátes says.
On weekends especially, he jokes, the motto will be, ‘Come for the chicken, stay for the cock.’”
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Calendar: May 16-22
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