Washington Blade - June 24, 2005
Lou Chibbaro Jr., lchibbaro@washblade.com.

Sixty of the most sought after chefs in and around the nation's capital helped the D.C. AIDS charitable group Food & Friends net at least $656,000 on June 13 as part of the group's 15th annual Chef's Best Dinner & Auction. The fund-raising event, held at the Washington Hilton Hotel near Dupont Circle, pulled in more than $758,000 in donations, a substantial increase from the 2004 Chef's Best event, according to Lisa Butenhoff, a spokesperson for Food & Friends. Butenhoff said expenses would come to no more than $102,000, slightly more than 13 percent of the gross income. District Mayor Anthony Williams, U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), and D.C. Councilmembers David Catania, Carol Schwartz, Jim Graham, and Adrian Fenty were among the elected officials who attended the event. Food & Friends provides meals and nutritional services to homebound people with HIV and AIDS as well as other life-threatening illnesses.

Schwartz chastises gay groups for backing smoking ban

D.C. Councilmember Carol Schwartz (R-At-Large) included gay organizations among a litany of groups she criticized at the Council's June 21 meeting for backing legislation to ban smoking in bars and restaurants. In a statement she said was intended to make a point, Schwartz introduced a bill calling for banning the sale of all alcoholic beverages in D.C. bars and restaurants. Citing the arguments used by proponents of smoke-free bars, Schwartz said she was "certain" that smoking ban supporters would back a ban on liquor in restaurants and bars for public heath reasons. She cited statistics showing how alcohol-related car accidents, crime, and illnesses cause the death of thousands of Americans each year. She was "sure," she said, that health organizations and unions would sign up to support her bill, just as they have for smoking ban legislation. "And the gay and lesbian activist groups - who, I learned from the smoking ban, actually want government in their business - will be there in full force" to support her drinking ban bill, she said in jest. Several local gay groups announced support for smoke-free legislation while a number of gay bar owners and gay bartenders came out against the legislation. Schwartz withdrew her bill on the day she introduced it, saying it was intended to show what she considers the hypocrisy of many backers of smoking ban legislation, which she strongly opposes. Donald Hitchcock, executive director of the Coalition of LGBT Health, which supports smoke-free legislation pending before the Council, criticized Schwartz for "trivializing" the health concerns of groups favoring smoke-free restaurants and bars. "She is taking this to the level of mocking and belittling people with serious health concerns, including people with HIV," Hitchcock said.

Fire triggers probe of 'men's parties' building

A June 11 fire at a 14th Street, NW, townhouse used for gay male "Men's Parties" and the "Jack Off Enthusiasts of Washington and Baltimore" has prompted a D.C. Fire Department investigator to ask city inspectors to determine whether the two events operate as a business without the required permits and licenses. Rodney Taylor, a Fire Department investigator, said fire fighters extinguished a second floor fire in the two-story townhouse at 1618 14th St., NW, about 9 p.m. on June 11, shortly after the city's Capital Pride Parade ended nearby. Taylor, who was at the scene, said the fire was caused by a candle falling onto a mattress, and was listed as an accident. Taylor said that while the building is registered with the city as a private residence, he and other Fire Department officials noticed the presence of exit signs, a reception desk, a row of gym lockers, and signs stating the hours the place was open - all of which appeared to be indications the establishment was operating as a business. He said he also discovered two fire code violations - exposed electrical wiring and a large pile of trash that blocked the use of a rear door. Taylor said the 12 occupants of the home escaped through the front door, and no one was injured from the fire. But because of the finding of a possible business operation, Taylor said he referred the matter to the D.C. Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs for an investigation to determine whether organizers of the two groups should obtain a certificate of occupancy and the appropriate business licenses. The organizer of the Men's Parties organization, which has operated in D.C. for more than 20 years, asked that his name be withheld because he is not openly gay at his regular place of work. He said city officials in the past have advised him he did not need an occupancy permit or a business license. However, he said he now plans to obtain an occupancy permit and will look into obtaining a business license, even though he said the "Men's Parties" and the "J.O. Enthusiasts" are private, non-profit social groups. He said he immediately corrected the fire code violations, which he attributed to a delay in a trash pickup and "minor" electrical work.

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