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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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QUEERY |
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Queery
Gay
20 gay questions for ...
Friday, September 14, 2007
Washington Blade
Cindy Scharf
While many gays and lesbians rock out at a bar to the latest techno or Gossip
tune, Cindy Scharf is proof that there’s another kind of dance craze among gay
people: square dancing. Scharf is part of D.C. Lambda Squares, the capital’s
square dancing group, and she joined 10 years ago. The D.C. metro area native
met her partner of seven years, Olivia Pickett, during one of the dance events,
and the two now live in Silver Spring, Md. After starting college at Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., and finishing up with an accounting degree
from Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, N.H., she’s now a senior operating
accountant with the Library of Congress, where she’s worked for seven years. Scharf will perform with the D.C. Lambda Squares as part of the entertainment
for the Hillwood Estate’s Gay Day on Saturday, Sept. 15.
How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?
I have come out twice in my life. First in 1981, when I was living in Troy,
N.Y., I came out to my parents, who were the hardest people to tell. I had to
get really drunk to make the phone call. Soon after, they drove up to see me and
took me to see the local priest. Later, I spent the latter part of the ’80s
trying to conform to the Church of Christ teachings in regards to sexuality, and
I tried not to be gay. I was unsuccessful. Eventually I landed in a relationship
with a woman and tried, for a brief period, to hide it from my family members. I
was outed to my parents (again) by my sister. Subsequently, the hardest person
to come out to at that time was my former boss, during a job interview. I had
vowed to only take a job where I could be out, so I needed to tell her.
Who’s your gay hero?
Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings.
What is Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?
D.C. Lambda Squares for social square dancing on Thursday nights, at National
City Christian Church, Thomas Circle, and Monday night’s new beginner square
dance classes at the same location, starting Sept. 17. It's a blast!
If gay marriage were legal, would you tie the knot?
Yes. My partner and I were married in a civil ceremony, in Portland, Ore., in
2004, and our marriage was eventually invalidated by the Oregon Supreme Court.
(While there, we danced with a great GLBT square dancing group in Portland!) We
also were married in a religious ceremony at our church, Unitarian Universalist
Church of Silver Spring, on October 11, 2003. We await and hope for a positive
decision in the marriage case that has already been heard by the Maryland Court
of Appeals.
What non-gay issue are you most passionate about?
Other civil injustices. I have lately been reading books related to
discrimination against African-American farmers in the South after the Civil
War, lynchings of African Americans on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in the
1930s, and I have done some reading about transgender civil rights issues and
try to keep up with the transgender employment discrimination case that is in
the courts between the Library of Congress and Diane Schroer.
What historical outcome would you change?
The (non) election of George W. Bush to the presidency in 2000. And his election
in 2004.
What has been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?
1997 when Ellen DeGeneres came out on Oprah, when her sitcom character Ellen
Morgan came out in primetime, and when Ellen was featured on the cover of Time
magazine, “Yep, I'm Gay.”
On what reality TV show would you fare best?
“GLBT Square Dancing with the Stars.”
What item of clothing has been in your closet since high school?
None.
If your life were a book, what would the title be?
“Love me as I am.”
If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?
Spend time with groups and individuals who don't care what the cause of sexual
orientation is and don't want me to change who I am.
What do you believe in beyond the physical world?
I don't have any idea what is beyond the physical world. I have no evidence
that tells me either way. To me, it is unknowable. And I hate having other
folks' faith used to support civil government policies and discrimination
against me.
What would you order for your last meal?
Three to five good, strong, sweet, alcoholic drinks.
What would you walk across hot coals for?
Nothing. I hate pain.
What gay stereotype annoys you most?
Some straight folks like to portray a stereotype that gays (as opposed to
heterosexual men) are a danger to children. That stereotype does not fit widely
accepted scientific studies. It is really annoying.
What is the best gay film ever made?
One of the best lesbian films was “Bound.” I hated the violence, but the sex
scenes were very hot.
What is the most overrated social custom?
Greeting people in the morning before the first or second cup of coffee!
What trophy or prize do you most covet?
The 10- and 20-year medallions given for attending the international GLBT square
dancing conventions. I've traveled to many of them, but I'm not quite to 10
years yet. Washington, D.C., and D.C. Lambda squares will host the international
GLBT square dancing convention in April 2009.
What’s your advice for gay teens?
I would advise any young person to be yourself, speak your mind, ask questions
and be safe.
Why Washington?
I grew up in the metro D.C. (Maryland) area and have lived here most of my life,
except for a period in the early to mid-'80s. I grew up in Camp Springs, lived
for a couple of years in Annapolis, about 15 years in Hyattsville, and now live
in Silver Spring. Plus, D.C. Lambda Squares is in Washington (the only
Washington area square dance club located in the city!).
For More Information Contact:
Partners Metro DC
PO Box 57233 Washington, DC 20036-0233
Internet:
info@partnersdc.com
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