Written by DCist contributor Christopher Durocher Never mind that D.C.’s delegate doesn’t actually have a vote in either house of Congress. Never mind that D.C. residents get a “shadow” representative and senator that are so influential that most members of Congress wouldn’t know our delegation if they tripped over them. Never mind that legislators, federal courts and pretty much the rest of the nation couldn’t care less that we in the nation’s capital are subject…

Written by DCist Contributor Christopher Durocher. If the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community has a month to call their own, it’s October. The month begins with National Coming Out Day and ends with Halloween — the gay equivalent to Christmas. It’s fitting, then, that the Mayor’s LGBT Advisory Committee used this month to present to Mayor Anthony Williams its Committee Report and Recommendations, a nine page document highlighting issues of concern to the…

FRIDAY: The DAM! Festival doesn’t start until next weekend, but the organizers rightfully want you to be psyched for it to start already. They’re hosting a Kickoff Party tonight at the Rock and Roll Hotel, with Exit Clov, The Dance Party, Dirty on Purpose (pictured), and DJ Geologist (who we interviewed earlier this week). $9 gets you in the door. >> Reel Affirmations, the D.C. area’s Annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered film festival, wraps…

Written by DCist contributor Christopher Durocher Opponents to Virginia’s proposed constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage, including Virginia Delegate Adam Ebbin and D.C. Council-member David Catania (I-At Large), will host a benefit tonight at the Human Rights Campaign’s D.C. headquarters. The event is designed to bring together both members of the Virginia community who oppose the marriage ban, as well as District and Maryland residents who support their efforts. The benefit will raise money for…

Written by DCist contributor Christopher Durocher. Last month the brave city councilors of Manassas, Virginia refused to vote against gay massage therapist Howard Daniel’s application to operate a business from his home, despite protests by members of a local church. Instead, the Council refused to vote at all, leaving Daniel’s with no answer, but many questions about whether homophobia in his community had limited his business opportunities. As the Post reports: Daniel’s application hadn’t actually…

Written by DCist Contributor Christopher Durocher In commemoration of National Coming Out Day it’s time to set the record, er, straight. It’s time to admit what every gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered person already knows – mainstream, gay-themed cinema is, at best, a mixed bag. But don’t despair. Beginning October 12, the Reel Affirmations International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, is going to show D.C. that there is more to queer cinema than gay…

By DCist contributor Christopher Durocher. This weekend, the Library of Congress, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) each honored the contributions of Franklin E. Kameny, an 81-year-old D.C. resident who has served as a civil rights icon for the past half a century. Kameny’s activism began in 1957, when he appealed his dismissal from the Army Map Service of being gay. He has continued to live an out, proud life…

Written by DCist contributor Christopher Durocher Fresh from his underwhelming appearance on Oprah, former New Jersey governor and “proud, gay American” James McGreevey will speak and sign copies of his new memoir, The Confession, at Books-a-Million in Dupont Circle tonight. The Confession chronicles McGreevey’s rise to national prominence as one of the country’s most powerful governors and his dramatic fall after admitting to an extra-marital affair and attempts to make his lover (or object of…

Written by DCist contributor Christopher Durocher Where’s a boy (or girl or girly boy or mannish woman or transgendered person, or anyone else for that matter) suppose to get a drink these days? It seems that organizations are coming out of the woodwork to keep D.C. residents and visitors from enjoying the beverages so crucial to the success and enjoyment of any social interaction. High profile clashes over liquor licenses have been common between local…

Written by DCist contributor Christopher Durocher BeBar, the newest gay bar in D.C., opened its doors to the public last week. Though there may be nothing remarkable about another gay bar in the city (especially for the heterosexual set), Be Bar’s story is part of a larger story of ongoing gentrification in the city and the conflict it’s creating in a number of neighborhoods. For over six months, BeBar’s owners have faced vocal opposition from…