Arts & Entertainment
Oscars 2020 surprises with diversity, a queer opening
From Monae and Porter, Judy and Elton
The 92nd annual Academy Awards started off with a bang, with gender fluid, pansexual singer/actress Janelle Monae and the illustrious gay actor/singer Billy Porter killing it in their opening duet. Amid performers dressed as characters from snubbed films, she sang: “It’s time to come alive, because the Oscars is so white!”
Watching the extraordinary Monae perform, the influence of Prince on her music is evident. “I’m so proud to stand here as a black, queer artist, telling stories,” she noted.
Another highlight during the evening was the eloquent Joaquin Phoenix, accepting his award for Best Actor in “The Joker.”
“I’ve been thinking a lot about some of the distressing issues that we are facing, collectively, and I think at times we feel or are made the feel that we champion different causes,” he asserted. “But for me, I see commonality,”
Phoenix continued: “I think whether we’re talking about gender inequality, or racism or queer rights or indigenous rights or animal rights, we’re talking about the fight against injustice. We’re talking about the fight against the belief that one nation, one people, one race, one gender or one species has the right to dominate, control and use and exploit another with impunity.”
Renee Zellweger, who won Best Actress for her portrayal of Judy Garland in the film Judy, was circumspect in her acceptance about Judy’s iconic stature in the gay community, mentioning only that Judy was accepting of people. It was evident though she had intended a more full inclusion.
“Judy Garland did not receive this honor in her time,” the actress continued. “I am certain that this moment is an extension of the celebration of her legacy that began on our film set and is also representative of the fact that her legacy of unique exceptionalism and inclusivity and generosity of spirit, it transcends any one artistic achievement. Ms. Garland, you are certainly among the heroes who unite and define us and this is certainly for you. I am so grateful.”
GLAAD live-tweeted the awards
“@TaikaWaititi, who won adapted screenplay tonight at #Oscars, is next going into an adaptation of the documentary “Next Goal Wins” about the Samoan soccer team who made history. And then into “Thor: Love and Thunder” where Valkyrie will “find her queen.”
Elton John Wins!
Elton John was excited to win Best Song for “Rocketman,” the film that’s based on his life.
“This is for my partner of 53 years,” he said in the pressroom. “Without him, I wouldn’t be here. He starts the process. He gives me the lyrics, and then I go ahead. Without the lyrics, I’m nobody. This is the man who started the journey, and we are still together after 53 years. I have one of these already, but I so wanted to get one for everybody involved in the film.”
He added: This film has taken 12 years together. David, my husband, has been on and on about 12 years trying to get this made. In the end, we got it made the right way, the way we wanted to. I’m so thrilled for him, because I love him so much. And Taron Egerton especially — he should have been in the the nominated category, as one of the best actors. For me, his was the best performance this year.”
At Elton John’s annual AIDS fundraiser for his foundation, celebrity chef Wayne Elias, one-half of the team behind Crumble Catering and Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz, was hard at work creating amazing, unique dishes for party attendees.
“We keep the menu current to healthy trends; I like to include Asian and French Cuisines and consider them classic meals that will also exist,” Chef Elias told Los Angeles Blade.
“In order to create a menu that encompasses every guest, I do not use any nuts in any of the dishes, in case of an allergy and source the best ingredients and produce from local farmers in California,” Elias said.
There were some fun items for the party menu, like zucchini fritters with tahini yogurt and espellette oil for starters, following with a parsnip and Granny Smith apple soup, a vegan option.
“We served a soup that is topped off with kale chips and lemon zest oil,”said Elias. “Guests could choose between a roasted branzino with cauliflower puree and watercress emulsion entree or short rib with caramelized yams, celery root mash, beech mushrooms and dijon shallot sauce.”
An arugula salad served with manchego cheese and citrus vinaigrette, while a pear raspberry tart with pear mousse, raspberry cream and matcha ice cream finishes off the dinner.
Elias knows he must serve Elton John’s very favorite dishes . “Top of the list is the beloved Grilled Cheese, a favorite throughout the years. It’s what I call an Adult Grilled Cheese, as it’s prepared on raisin bread and served with mascarpone cheese, crumble blue cheese and Asian pears. Simply rich and delicious!”
On The Carpet
Gay celebrity stylist Michael O’Connor talked with Los Angeles Blade about all the Oscar red carpet excitement. “I am loving the richness of color; the jewel tones are always the most flattering to skin tones and striking to see. Examples of this are in Sigourney Weaver wearing emerald green, America Ferrera in garnet and Idina Menzel in fuchsia. Christy Metz also looked incredible in ruby red.”
O’Connor loved how glamorous the red carpet was. “I loved Salma Hayek with her Grecian Goddess inspired look, complete with a bejeweled laurel hair ornament. Rebel Wilson looked SO exquisite. I really enjoyed her swept over hair with jeweled clip. Jason Woo gown and Vintage Pomellato jewelry.”
Many of the male celebrities at the Oscars were a fantastic sight to see too. “I thought Spike Lee looked great wearing his amethyst and golden tux. We are starting to see more jewelry on men, lapel pins being a very popular trend on the red carpet. Antonio Banderas is wearing a really nice ‘man brooch,’ O’Connor enthused.
The veteran stylist is thrilled that Hollywood in embracing more jewelry. “I love the bling; it adds so much glamor and completes a look. We are also seeing a lot more necklaces, which I really like. Julia Louis Dreyfus is wearing a lovely statement necklace. And Janelle Monae was so amazingly sparkly with her bejeweled dress and choker necklace. I LOVED the look!”
Still, O’Connor did see a few fashion faux pas. “I have to say, that as a gay man, Billy Porter’s outfit is so over the top that it makes me nervous. I realize that the pendulum sometimes needs to be pushed hard to get it into a right place, but I feel that his golden bird feather top and patterned skirt is just too contrived and over the top.
“I know that men’s fashion needs a push, but don’t push it off the cliff!” O’Connor quipped.
Gift Bags
Distinctive Assets indulged the major Oscar® nominees with the annual “Everyone Wins” Nominee Gift Bags, which have become the most buzzed about swag in history. This year’s gift bonanza features Soma’s Sensuous Silk Kimono Robes along with SOMAINNOFIT™ smart-fit bra; a one-of-a-kind private in-home cannabis-infused chocolate culinary experience by Coda Signature; gold and silver signature Moon bead bracelets from Officina Bernardi; health, nutrition and longevity programs from ProLon; and a discovery voyage aboard the ultra-luxury Scenic Eclipse expedition yacht.
“One of the greatest joys in life is to do something you love,” said Lash Fary, the company’s gay owner. “I have been so fortunate to do just that for 21 years now. In recent years, I have been able to use my access to talent and brand relationships to help organizations doing good in the world to amplify their messages.”
Fary loves to have gifts for celebrities that give back in meaningful ways. “I am able to publicize PETA’s incredible efforts to increase awareness about the connection between animal agriculture and climate change, through partnerships with DIFF Charitable Eyewear and Veestro Plant-Based Meals.”
So much detail goes into creating these gift bags, Fary said. “I often feel like a kid in my own candy store, as i go through the gift bags my team creates. I genuinely use and love so many of the items I share …like the ProLon fasting mimicking meal program, Instytutum Result Driven Skincare, Flora Farms field to table restaurant in Cabo, and Soma’s Sensuous Silk Kimono Robe.”
One of the exciting items in Fary’s gift bag is Origin Stretch Spa, which is owned by a gay couple, and are gifting a day of pampering.
“I’m excited to participate in the ‘Everyone Wins” Nominee Gift Bags because it gives me the opportunity to educate even more people about the benefits of IV Therapy,” said owner Garrett BellRios.
“Actors – much like athletes and performers – are always on the go and their systems get run down, BellRios noted. “They’re not getting enough sleep, working too much, always on airplanes and breathing recycled air. Through IV Therapy and vitamin injections, I can customize their protocol using European homeopathic remedies and treat their specific symptoms. So many of my clients now tell me, ‘I haven’t been sick in ages.’ And my treatment is mobile, can be done anywhere and they often feel better immediately.”
Oscar Gifting Lounges
Doris Bergman’s 12th Annual Valentine Oscar Luxury Lounge & Party was held at Weho hotspot, Fig & Olive. There were lots of great gifts to choose from BeautyStat Cosmetics, Precious Vodka, BuyWine.com, Pachamama, My Saint My Hero, Twisted Silver and Appletinis.
In the spirit of giving back, guests and sponsors made monetary donations and/or donated unwrapped gifts for young adults (ages 13-18) for a Gift Drive benefiting ‘Wednesday’s Child’ — a weekly segment airing on KTTV FOX 11 News with anchor Christine Devine. Bergman always invites beloved foster children to join in on the festivities and experience what it feels like to be treated as a VIP.
Shann Christen, celebrity stylist and owner of a hair loss clinic and full service salon and ColorBar on Westwood Blvd, gifted his biology based, dual shampoo system, BioMethod.
“It was exciting to meet all the celebrities at this years event. Any day is a good day when you get your photo taken with Richard Grieco! Miles Tagtmeyer never fails to be charming and it was fun to do ‘boomerangs with the Social Media Guru.”
Business and lifestyle influencer and ambassador in the LGBTQ space, Chad Brittian, was happy to meet all the vendors attending. “I was quite impressed with the diversity and overall inclusion of brands. There were quite a few companies that I could see myself aligning with on an influencer branding basis.”
True Gold Honey’s line of all/natural honey was delicious and packaged in a beautifully designed and well-branded wooden box, Brittian noted. “No attention to detail was missed which I can really appreciate from a branding and marketing perspective. I also received a warm welcome from Bio Method and can appreciate the time, energy and passion Shann has for his products. I am thoroughly looking forward to a collaboration with his brand in the future.”
At GBK Productions, Brittian met Dapper & Dashing custom clothing for men and women. “They had a beautifully designed area that was welcoming and really showcased their brand. I am hopeful to partner with them for future events and I definitely can see a lot if potential and look forward to seeing how this brand grows.”
Owned by a gay couple, John Kelly Chocolates also had a great time at the GBK gifting suite. “We have a fairly large celebrity clientele, being located in Hollywood, and it was nice to see some people who already know about us as well as make some new friends,” Kelly said.
At the suite, they gifted the 8-pc assortment box filled with their most popular flavors, inviting celebs to come visit them at their chocolate factory. “Our chocolate really is unique and has something special, and it was fun seeing celebrities have that visceral reaction when they tasted it.”
She Phillips, who owns Scenterprises, gifted numerous celebrities her unique perfumes. “Marcus Gay Harden chose a Woodsy and Spicy perfume and was excited by the combination of these lovely scents. I love this one as it has a hint of exotic spices.. soft…alluring and proactive”!
The Miss Gay Old Bay pageant was held at The Lodge in Boonsboro, Md. on Friday, Aug. 29. Vanya Varushka was crowned the winner. Glitter Douglas was named first runner-up. Both Varushka and Douglas qualify to compete in the Miss Gay Maryland pageant in October.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Theater
Immersive ‘Nation-State’ imagines a society free of authoritarianism
Queer duo brings unique theater experience to Dupont Underground
‘Nation-State: A Live Experiment’
Sept. 2-13
La Pluma Theatre
Dupont Underground
19 Dupont Circle, N.W.
$25-40
Dupontunderground.org
Industry Night: September 7. Free for all theater makers
A relevant piece replete with borders and passports, La Pluma Theatre’s “Nation-State: A Live Experiment”is immersive, site-specific, and testimonial.
With the production, the company’s queer co-founders Victor Salinas and Gabriel de la Cruz pose unique situations and experiences. In lieu of tickets, audience members get passports. What follows are questions and tests, and whether they gain entrance into a nation built to protect its citizens from authoritarianism, resource theft, and colonization remains to be seen.
Originally from Mexico and Peru, respectively, Salinas and de la Cruz met at a birthday party in D.C. and instantly clicked as theater makers, sharing outlook and ambition. Reluctant to go it alone, both had been searching for artistic and producing collaboration. That all changed.
And while their enterprise is primarily Latino and queer, these professional partners refused to be confined to a box, choosing rather to amplify the voices of all of D.C.’s diverse communities. In line with their plans, “Nation-State” is open to serving many points of view.
As director of “Nation-State,” de la Cruz mostly guides the questioning. He’s the right man for the job. Since arriving in the U.S. six years ago, he has been consistently curious about certain things. Who belongs here? How do you make this your home? And who is creating the rules?
“But the writing process is shared,” de la Cruz corrects. “I come up with questions. I provide Victor the topic and he goes from there. We’re both writing what happens next.”
He adds, “the most exciting moment for people is when they share something unique. As a questioner, you need to find the confidence and the right moment to ask the question. If you provide the space for that, the actor or audience member will give you something singular.”
Since before La Pluma opened in November 2025, its creators have agreed that “the most beautiful thing is when you use theater to fashion something innovative. Theater is the place where you can create new frameworks and rehearse new ways to live.”
At just an hour, “Nation-State” is performed in English at Dupont Underground – the company’s historic residence, a once subterranean street car barn located beneath Dupont Circle. For the production, the tunnels serve as boundaries, and its different curved spaces make up a micro nation and welcome different guest actors who will come to share their stories.
At certain times, Salinas plays Officer Salinas, Director of N.I.C.E. (Non-Discriminatory, Inclusive Customs Enforcement), a humorous social critic of the system and border patrol. Other times, it’s Salinas as himself telling his real-life stories. He says, “it’s a level of vulnerability that I’ve never experienced. The script is my personal life with zero censorship. But I think, if not now in a play that we are pouring our souls into, then when?
“As a kid I dreamed of being TV show host and now I am. I will sing and tell my stories. I feel comfortable and ready to do it.”
In Spanish, “pluma” means both pen and feather. For the company, it’s the latter, and comes with lively associations. Salinas explains. In mysticism, feathers serve as a portal between the real and spiritual worlds, like that between fact and fiction. And in Spanish and Latin American slang “showing feathers” (in other words, showing queerness). La Pluma encourages a good display of authenticity.
And specifically for Salinas, there’s a personal story involving his beloved grandmother with whom he was extremely close. After she died, he has regularly found feathers as if she’s making contact. “A bit romantic, I know. But I think if you’re open you can see these things,” he says.
“Nation-State” is challenging but fun. It’s unmistakably La Pluma. In the end, the company wants to build a world where everyone feels safe to tell their own stories, as individuals and performers.
Books
New book examines Trump cuts to LGBTQ healthcare
‘Aftershocks’ details impact of policy shifts on HIV response, broader public health
As LGBTQ and HIV advocates continue to grapple with the Trump administration’s attacks on healthcare, a new book offers a timely look at what happens when public health systems — and the democratic institutions that sustain them — are pushed to their limits.
The book, “Aftershocks: Trump 2.0, Public Health, and Our Better Angels,” was written by Dr. José M. Zuniga, president/CEO of Fast-Track Health. Zuniga is a globally recognized public health leader with more than three decades of experience advancing responses to HIV, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and the health impacts of climate change. He is also editor-in-chief of the Journal of Fast-Track Health.
The book covers the first year of the second Trump administration. It chronicles the impact of federal policy shifts and budget cuts on the HIV response and public health more broadly, including for LGBTQ communities. Drawing from policy analysis, frontline insight, and lived experience, the author reveal how decades of hard-won progress became vulnerable through Project 2025 and DOGE, but also a paralysis in the HIV and public health communities following the outcome of the 2024 elections.
“In other words, we were caught flat-footed when our opposition had a detailed plan to create chaos and disruption,” Zuniga says. “Thus, the book also offers Horizons 2028 as an antidote to Project 2025 as a starting point for a wide-ranging conversation about how we will build back better given the baseline pre-Trump 2.0 was already imperfect.”
Below is an excerpt from the book.
What Could Not Be Left Unsaid
Let me begin with a simple truth: I did not set out to write this book. Like many in the public health community, I set out daily to do the work of scaling prevention, expanding access to care, strengthening health systems, and ensuring that dignity, equity, and justice are operational realities. Writing, for me, has always been in service of action: policy briefs to shape decisions, editorials to provoke accountability, reports to document progress or failure, and books to synthesize experience into insight that can guide public health action. But Aftershocks is something different; it is not merely an analysis. Instead, it is a record of rupture, of response, and of what it means to continue when the ground beneath your work begins to shift.
This book was written because something changed, and that change came into sharp relief during the beginning days of the second Trump administration, including the erosion of norms, the weaponization of rhetoric, and the recalibration of governance itself. The change was not limited to policy reversals or budget cuts, though there were many. Moreover, it was not confined to rhetoric, though language played a central role. The change was structural and moral: a redefinition of how power understood its obligations to people, to evidence, and to truth itself. And for those of us working in public health, the effects were immediate and personal. We experienced a purposeful disruption of the public health ecosystem and a direct repudiation of the “health for all” principle that guides our work….
Writing this book was, unexpectedly, an act of catharsis. Not because it resolved anything, but because it created space to process what would otherwise have been overwhelming… Amid what many in the public health community experienced as both individual and collective trauma, documenting itself was stabilizing, allowing reflection without detachment and critique without disengagement. But catharsis alone is insufficient. This book is not an exercise in lament; it is also a response. If the period it chronicles is defined by disruption, then its purpose is to offer direction. Where Project 2025 represented a blueprint for ideological capture of institutions, language, and governance, this book offers a counterpoint: Horizons 2028…
Horizons 2028 is grounded in a simple premise: that the future of public health – and of democratic governance more broadly – depends on rebuilding systems that are resilient to political volatility. That means strengthening not only federal capacity, but subnational leadership. It means embedding community-led accountability into data systems. It means aligning health outcomes with social determinants and recognizing that equity is not an endpoint but a continuous process of adjustment and correction. It means treating global engagement not as optional, but as essential to national well-being. In other words, it is a roadmap not for returning to what was, but for building what is required…
I write as an Independent. Not in the sense of detachment, but in the sense of accountability to evidence, to outcomes, and to the people whose lives depend on both… Independence does not mean neutrality in the face of harm; it means refusing to filter reality through partisan allegiance. Importantly, it also means being guided by a consistent commitment to equity, dignity, and justice. These are not abstract values… They are tested in moments of crisis, when the gap between principle and practice becomes most apparent. They demand accountability not only for what is said, but for what is done – and for what is allowed to persist unchallenged. And they require the courage to name harm clearly, even when doing so is inconvenient or politically unwelcome.
That commitment shapes the analysis that follows, but it is also what makes the writing difficult. Because to document harm is to confront it. To trace its origins is to name decisions and their consequences. And to do so honestly is to risk being read as partisan in a landscape where truth itself has become politicized. But the alternative – silence, or false equivalence – is not acceptable. Not when the stakes are as high as they are. There is, however, a thread that runs through this book that resists cynicism, is not optimism, at least not in the conventional sense, but is something quieter and more durable: a belief that even in moments of rupture, there remains a capacity – within institutions, within communities, within individuals – to reorient toward something better.
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