Miscellaneous
Queery: Patrick Vanas
The caterer/chef answers 20 gay questions
![](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2011/08/Patrick_Vanas_thumb_cMichael_Key.jpg)
Patrick Vanas is one of the lucky ones who gets to make a career out of his hobby and passion. After culinary school, cooking at various companies and country clubs ā even a stint at JR.’s ā he’s run his own eponymous catering company (patrickvanasevents.com) for about 10 years.
“You get to see the reactions right then and there,” he says. “It’s instant gratification and it’s just what I’ve always done. I started in junior high and was like, ‘OK, I really love this.’ I was winning medals and competitions and thinking, ‘Wow, this is really great.’ People are happy when they eat and you have to eat, so it just works.”
The 40-year-old Rosebush, Mich., native, lived in Charleston, S.C. for about five years before coming to Washington nearly 16 years ago.
Despite the rocky economy, Vanas says business is good. He purposefully keeps it modest so he can do all the work himself. Most jobs come by word of mouth. He’s planning to unveil a new component to his business next month at an event at Madame Tussauds.
Vanas has been in Shaw for a while but just moved into a new condo a couple weeks ago. He’s single and enjoys reading, movies, wine, cooking, travel and golf in his free time.
How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?
Sixteen years. It was hard to tell my parents. I grew up on a dairy farm in rural America where it was just not really accepted, and telling them was scary and stressful.
Who’s your LGBT hero?
I would have to say Greg Louganis because of what he has gone through and I can kind of relate. Plus he is sexy hot!
What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?
As someone in the hospitality business for 20 plus years I have been to many cool places, but as an all around fun place with service and no attitude I would have to say ā my place when I throw a party. There are many places that I enjoy ā Black Fox Lounge, La Tomate, JR.ās, Circa, Badlands/Apex, Nation and Cobalt but it’s really about being with your good friends and enjoying people that makes a place fun.
Describe your dream wedding.
I always thought the National Zooās Outside Bird Flight Cage was really beautiful (early fall leaves are just barely changing) with as many people it will hold. Then we all move to a venue that has outdoor space for dancing and drinking and great food made by my chef friends. Or I would have it at a faraway place (tropical/snow?) for those that want/care to join.
What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about?
Equality
What historical outcome would you change?
Itās hard to choose, there are so many that were wrong to happen, but I guess they were needed for human evaluation and growth.
What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?
My first concert. I was the chef/manager at JR.ās andĀ another manager and I got a limo and our dates and went to see Cher at Nissan Pavilion. I loaded the car with all kinds of food and we stopped and loaded the car with alcohol. The owner and a few others got a limo also and off we went. What an awesome night, I can remember jumping up and down like I was a teenager.
On what do you insist?
Respect, kindness and forgiveness
What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?
Going to dinner at Chef Todd Grayās new restaurant āWatershedā with best friends Jonathan and Keith. Or maybe a birthday posting to a friend. Maybe something about my new condo. I do not post often because I do not want everyone to know all my business. Some people post something every few minutes telling everyone all.
If your life were a book, what would the title be?
“Life of a Chef and I’m Not Done Yet”
If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?
Nothing
What do you believe in beyond the physical world?
Vampires, aliens and some other higher power- whatever you care to call him/her.
What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?
It is great that we are moving forward on so many causes and fronts, but too often these organizations/leaders forget about many people, not everyone can afford the pricey events tickets. More events should be planned around the entire LGBT community and be a part of the community. If we are going to be strong as a group make it more financially accessible. Power is in numbers.
What would you walk across hot coals for?
Good food, wine, family, friends, love, sex and shoes. (No order and yeah, my feet are burning!)
What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?
None really. I am a very laid back guy when it comes to life and social things, I was not comfortable earlier in life with myself but 15-plus years ago I decided that I would not let anyone walk all over me nor worry about what others thought of me.
What’s your favorite LGBT movie?
I have three: “The Birdcage,” “Short Bus” and “Big Eden.”
What’s the most overrated social custom?
I think the question should be what is the most underrated. The customs we have in this country for the most part have been adapted from other cultures and we need to embrace and use them more strictly.
What trophy or prize do you most covet?
I have many cool trophies and awards, but a prize? My hands are my prize they give me the touch and molding capabilities to cook, which allows me to make people smile, when they take that first bite.
What do you wish you’d known at 18?
Life moves faster than you think.
Why Washington?
My first partner/BF decided to move here after taking a vacation and fell in love with the area. My friends have changed and grown as I have, but Washington is still beautiful and has so much to offer. People including myself, get caught up in the day to day and forget what is around them and the diversity on all levels that this city has to show and teach us.
![](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2024/07/nikki_hiltz_Olympics.jpg)
They ran like the wind, broke the tape at the finish line, and clutched their chest with the broadest smile on their face. Then Nikki Hiltz collapsed to the track, having set a new record in the 1,500-meter race at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials and earned a spot on Team USA.Ā
As the realization sank in that they would be representing the U.S. in Paris as an out transgender nonbinary athlete, what the Paris-bound Olympian did next was to scribble a message of LGBTQ representation on the last day of Pride Month, writing with a red marker upon the glass of the camera that records each athleteās signature on a whiteboard:
āI ā¤ļø the gays,ā they wrote, and above it, they signed their first name.
Hiltz, 29, finished the race on Sunday at the University of Oregonās Hayward Field in first-place with a final time of 3:55:33, breaking third-place finisher Elle St. Pierreās 2021 record of 3:58:03.
Hiltz credited St. Pierre, the top-finishing American and third-place finisher in the womenās 1,500 at the Tokyo Olympics, with motivated them and the other competitors to race faster. With a first lap time of 61 seconds, St. Pierre led the race for the majority of its duration. St. Pierre and Emily Mackay, who placed second, also both earned spots in the Paris Olympics.
āIf someone would have told me this morning that 3:56 doesnāt make the team, I donāt want to know that. Iām just in the race to run it and race it and thatās what I did,ā Hiltz said after the race. The Santa Cruz native who came out in 2021 as trans nonbinary told NBC Sports that the accomplishment is ābigger than just me.ā
āI wanted to run this for my community,ā Hiltz said, āAll of the LGBT folks, yeah, you guys brought me home that last hundred. I could just feel the love and support.ā
On Monday, Hiltz reflected on the race and how they became an Olympian in a post on Instagram.
āWoke up an Olympian. š„¹ Yesterday afternoon in Eugene Oregon a childhood dream of mine came true. Iām not sure when this will fully sink in ā¦ All I know is today Iām waking up just so grateful for my people, overwhelmed by all the love and support, and filled with joy that I get to race people I deeply love and respect around a track for a living. šā
Hiltz also shared a photo with their girlfriend, runner Emma Gee, and captioned it: āRemember in Inside Out 2 when Joy says āmaybe this is what happens when you grow up ā¦ you feel less joyā? Yeah I actually have no idea what sheās talking about. ššš¤ š¦ š„š«š·ā
They shared photos in their new Team USA garb, too.
While they will be the first out trans nonbinary member of the U.S. track and field team, Hiltz will not be the first nonbinary Olympian. That honor goes to Quinn, who played soccer for Canada in Tokyo and holds the record as the only nonbinary athlete to have won a gold medal. So far.
Many of the posts by Hiltz, Team USA and others have been trolled by bigots and ignoramuses who have mistaken them for a trans woman who was presumed to be male at birth and transitioned genders. Right-wing outlets and anti-trans activist Riley Gaines have commented on their victory and questioned their gender identity and decision to compete against cisgender women.
A female who identifies as trans earned a spot on the U.S. women’s Olympic team.
I wonder why she didn’t try out for the men’s team. It’s almost as if she understands she would never be able to compete or succeed at same level against the men.
Tellinghttps://t.co/M5Lj9G0aEi
ā Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) July 2, 2024
But in the spirit of the late Marsha P. Johnson, who famously said the āPā stood for āpay no mindā to the haters, Hiltz shared a photo of a handwritten motivational note to themself, which ends: āI saw a quote online the other week that said, ārespect everybody, fear nobody,ā and thatās exactly how Iām going to approach this final. I can do this.āĀ
And they did.Ā
Miscellaneous
What it means to be an active ally to your LGBTQ+ co-workers TEST
Five easy tips to help you avoid common risks
![](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2023/11/JPMC2-scaled-e1699650614173.jpg)
Your home is more than just a place to eat and sleep; it’s your safe haven. As much as you might cherish your home, you should probably also recognize the potential hazards within its familiar walls. Accidents can happen in an instant, yet with a little foresight and some simple adjustments, you can transform your house into a safer haven.
Accidents can happen anywhere, and with a few simple tweaks, you can lower risks in your space. Below youāll find five tips for each room in your home to help prevent injuries, falls, and other mishaps. In short, home safety.
This article was inspired by a shower in a rental we managed that began leaking through the kitchen ceiling below. If only the landlord had installed grab bars, right!? Below, we’ll guide you through the steps to fortify your bathroom, making it a place of relaxation without the fear of slips and falls. Then, we’ll venture into the room where the magic happens, where proper planning can ensure great nights and peaceful mornings. We’ll show you how to prevent accidents while you experiment becoming the next Gordon Ramsey. And weāll include a few surprising solutions for those other rooms that hold their own unique hazards, offering solutions to safeguard against unexpected mishaps.
Bathroom Safety
Install Grab Bars: Adding grab bars near the shower and toilet can provide essential support for family members of all ages. Not only can they help with getting in and out, but they can help provide stability when washing. Make sure they are securely anchored to the wall.
Non-Slip Mats: Place non-slip mats inside the shower and bathtub to prevent slips. They’re a small investment that can save you from falls and head injuries.
Adjust Water Temperature: Ensure your hot water is set to a safe temperature to avoid scalding. The hot water heater should be set to around 120Ā°F (49Ā°C)l, the middle setting on many water heater settings.
Medicine Cabinet Locks: If you have young children, use childproof locks on your medicine cabinet to keep harmful substances out of reach.
Proper Lighting: Ensure there’s adequate lighting in the bathroom to avoid trips and falls during nighttime visits. Nightlights can be a simple and effective solution.
Bedroom Safety
Clear Pathways: Keep pathways in the bedroom clutter free to prevent tripping. Ensure there’s enough space to move around comfortably, particularly getting around the bed. Be aware where all furniture is when walking around to avoid stubbed toes, particularly at night.
Secure Rugs: If you have throw rugs, use rug grippers or double-sided tape to keep them from slipping. Loose rugs are a common trip hazard.
Bed Rails: For anyone at risk of falling out of bed, consider installing bed rails to provide extra support and prevent falls.
Nightstands with Drawers: Opt for nightstands with drawers to keep essential items. This reduces the need to get out of bed at night, minimizing the risk of falls, as you race to grab what you need and not lose a momentās rest.
Fire Safety: Install battery-operated smoke detectors in the bedrooms if there are none. Make sure to install them 36 inches away from an air vent or the edge of a ceiling fan. Also six inches away from the joint between the wall and ceiling. And test smoke detectors regularly.
Kitchen Safety
Non-Slip Flooring: Choose slip-resistant rugs in the kitchen, especially in areas where spills are common. Mats near the sink and stove can also help and you can often buy them fairly cheaply at Costco.
Childproof Cabinets: If you have little ones, use childproof latches on cabinets and drawers to prevent them from accessing potentially hazardous items.
Anti-tip brackets: Install an anti-tip bracket behind the range. These are often used when children are in the home. Although they are less likely to open the oven door and use it as a step stool to get to the stove-top, adults can also benefit from installing these.
Adequate Lighting: Proper lighting is crucial in the kitchen to avoid accidents. Under-cabinet lighting can illuminate work areas effectively.
Secure Heavy Items: Ensure heavy pots and pans are stored at waist level to prevent straining or dropping them from high shelves.
Sharp Object Storage: Keep knives and other sharp objects in a secure drawer or block. And handle all sharp items with extreme care, even when washing and drying. These steps reduce the risk of accidental cuts.
Other Safety Tips
Furniture Anchors: Secure heavy furniture, like bookshelves and dressers, to the wall to prevent tip-overs, especially if you have young children.
Adequate Outlets: Check for damaged outlets and replace them promptly. Avoid overloading circuits with too many devices. Install placeholder plugs in outlets to prevent young curious fingers (or tongues?) from going inside an electrical outlet.
Stair Gates: If your home has stairs, install safety gates at the top and bottom to prevent falls, especially if you have toddlers or pets to keep them off of the stairs when you cannot monitor them.
Emergency Escape Plan: Develop and practice an emergency escape plan with your family, including a designated meeting place outside.
Carbon Monoxide Detector: If your home burns any fossil fuels for heating or appliances, install carbon monoxide detectors in common areas of your home to detect this odorless gas. The D.C. building codes require this if you use a fireplace or if you have an attached garage. In essence, if there is any potential source of carbon monoxide in the home, be sure to install these detectors.
Remember, a safer home not only prevents accidents but also provides peace of mind for you and your family. Implement these simple tips to create a secure environment in every room of your house.
With these practical tips and a few adjustments, you can significantly reduce the risk of injuries and falls in your home. Enjoy peace of mind in your now much safer haven.
Scott Bloom is owner and senior property manager of Columbia Property Management.
![](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2023/06/Lizzo-About-Damn-Time.jpg)
When Lizzo sings “If I’m shinin,’ everybody gonna shine,ā in her hit song, “Juice,” she means it. Proof of that came this week on Instagram when the LGBTQ ally announced the first winner of her annual Juneteenth Giveback Campaign is the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, a national nonprofit based in Richmond, Calif., dedicated to the protection and defense of Black transgender people.
And she did so in song: āOn the first day of Juneteenth, Lizzo gave to me,ā she sang in her video, posted Tuesday, as she revealed her $50,000 gift to MPJI.
āThatās right, we know who Marsha P. Johnson is. We know what Marsha P. Johnson has done for the LGBTQ, emphasis on that āT,ā Q community,ā said Lizzo to her 13.5 million followers. āThank you so much to the people at the Marsha P. Johnson Institute. You deserve this, and I hope this helps you so much as you help protect our Black trans family.ā
āWhat the Marsha P. Johnson Institute does is protects and defends the rights of Black transgender people. They do this by organizing community, advocating for the people, and creating an intentional healing community, developing transformative leadership and promoting collective power,ā she said.
āWe are overjoyed for the shoutout from Lizzo today, the generosity of her sharing her platform and the recognition of MPJI and its work,ā said Elle Moxley, MPJIās executive director. āThe resources from this campaign will ensure the protection and defense of Black transgender people continue at a time where it is so vitally needed. We are so grateful for the support of Lizzo and her fans.ā
As one of Time Magazineās Persons of the Year for 2019 and a 2023 Grammy winner, Lizzo is more than a pop star but an inspiration to millions of fans for her body-positive attitude, her self-confidence on stage and in her videos, her empowering music and her activism. Sheās also the founder of her own clothing line, Yitty. In 2021, she made headlines when she publicly corrected a paparazzo for using āshe/herā pronouns and misgendering Demi Levato.
As part of her campaign, now in its 4th year, Lizzo recognizes Black-led grassroots organizations and businesses and encourages her fans to join her in supporting each of the five organizations she highlights this week. Fans who take action by donating are entered into a drawing for an all-expenses paid trip to see her perform at Fuji Rock in Japan later this year.
This weekās other nonprofits receiving gifts are: Black Girls Smile, Sphinx Music, the University of Houston and Save Our Sisters United.
Find out more about Lizzoās 4th annual Juneteenth Giveback Campaign by clicking here.
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