GayRealEstate USA: Washington

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May 06, 2008

Around the Nation -- Residential Real Estate Update - Washington

By Jeff Adolph

State-by-state

Situated in the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S.A, this state is ranked as the 18th largest by land mass and the 13th largest by population with 6,468,424 people residing in this region.

This states economy relies heavily on electronics, manufacturing of Boeing jets, computer software (Microsoft, Amazon.com, and Nintendo of America), biotechnology, aluminum production and lumber products.

There is no income tax in this state on wages or salaries, however this state does have a 6.5% sales tax. Residential property is assessed at 100% of fair and true market value and tax is collected at a state level.

Capitol Hill

Homes are typically sitting on the market for 60-90 days in this region with the median home price hovering around $650,000. The market trend in this area is said to be up by 0-5% with repeat buyers and population growth attributing to sales levels, and buyers are getting 95-100% of their asking price.

LGBT Real Estate Facts: There are approximately 15,900 same-sex couples residing in Washington making this region the 12th gayest state in America. The gayest zip codes in this locality are 98122 First Hill/ Capitol Hill/ Madrona, Seattle; 98102 Volunteer Park, Seattle; 98103 Meridian/ Green Lake/ Greenwood, Seattle; 98112 Broadmoor/ Montlake, Seattle; 98115 Hawthorne Hills/ Wedgewood, Seattle. -- gaydemographics.com

Main Story Source: House Hunt (2008) Real Estate Market Trends; available online at http://www.househunt.com

Picture Source: wikipedia.org

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May 06, 2008 in Washington | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

January 18, 2008

Whitman-Walker Changes in 2008

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Health

Whitman-Walker Clinic has announced several changes in 2008.

The Clinic situated in several locations throughout Washington and in Arlington, VA, provides culturally sensitive, compassionate health care and services to the LGBT community.

The first change is the hiring of a new chief medical officer, a vacancy that has taken 12 months to fill. Dr. Raymond Martins who has a strong background in caring and treating HIV/AIDS patients and working with gays and lesbians has been appointed.

CEO of Whitman-Walker, Don Blanchon said the facility was known as the 'City's largest provider of treatment and support for people with HIV and AIDS, and as such, Dr. Martins has an extensive background in gay health care and treating HIV/AIDS patients.

The second change entails the use of a new highly sophisticated electronic record keeping system that will allow patient records to be accessed with ease.

The clinic, which announced financial hardship three years ago, is slowly recovering thanks to the management of Blanchon, who has been credited with the facilities slow but steady recovery.

Among other changes is the laying-off of an 'unspecified number of employees, with the clinic electing to outsource some of its financial functions', and the fact that redevelopment plans for several of the Whitman-Walker clinic's has been put on hold in light of the current sub-prime mortgage scenario.

Source: Chibbaro, Lou Jr. (2008) Becker's First Step: Domestic Partners; available online at www.sltrib.com

Image Source: www.sltrib.com and www.commons.wikipedia.org

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January 18, 2008 in Washington | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

January 15, 2008

Capital Pride Incurs $32,000 Deficit

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Pride Events

In a recent statement released by Capital Pride organizers it was revealed that the 2007 event had incurred a deficit of $32,795US.

The event which generated $167,103US in revenue incurred $199,898US in expenses, including a $50,000US liability insurance cover policy.

The statement shows that major financial backers such as Whitman-Walker who contributed $100,000 and '12 other local gay groups' -- one of which was a real estate agency -- who paid a combined $28,000 in upfront Pride-related expenses were reimbursed after the event.

Whitman-Walker has since issued a request to be replaced as the events 'lead organizer and sponsor.'

Don Blanchon, Whitman-Walker's CEO said the clinic will always play some role in Capital Pride, but he said that the board has decided that the clinic's main mission should be limited to providing gay health services and that another community group would be better suited to organize Capital Pride in the future.

Since the requests issue there have been three groups who have expressed interest in taking over Whitman-Walker's role and the clinic has announced a January 25th deadline for proposals.

Source: Chibbaro, Lou Jr. (2008) More Changes Planned for Whitman-Walker; available online at www.sovo.com

Image Source: www.dcist.com and www.picasaweb.google.com

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January 15, 2008 in Washington | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

November 19, 2007

LGBT Divided Over New Church's Satellite Operation

By Jeff Adolph

Religious Development

Cleveland Park residents in Washington are undecided whether they approve of a Virginian anti-gay mega-church starting a 'satellite' campus in their area on January the 20th 2008.

McLean Bible plans to use the Uptown Movie Theater (pictured below) as its base, located on Connecticut Avenue and Northwest.

However, this action will contravene the City Council's use legislation and the church will have to apply for a zoning variance.

The Church's 'senior pastor, Lon Solomon, a Jewish convert to Christianity has attributed this hurdle to the devil.'

'I should have known that Satan wasn't going to take this lying down,' Solomon said in a recent sermon.

Objections to the church organization go much deeper than the council though with many concerned locals voicing their opinions on the neighborhood Yahoo message board.

Cristina Marciano, a local resident wrote, 'I do not welcome any anti-gay or anti-lesbian group to the neighborhood. I will not tolerate this group.'

While Bill Lendering, another resident recently attended the church and found their message disturbing.

'They regard Washington as a bastion of secularism,' he said. They're nice to talk to but they tolerate no view but their own.

Solomon has renounced homosexuality in previous sermons, calling it a 'bridge to despair, confusion, loneliness, depression, promiscuity, guilt, self-hate, loathing and self destruction, but Jesus Christ can set you free.'

There are many gay residents who feel that if the church gains its permit then they are not bothered by its use of the theater.

Bill Sawicki, local gay resident said, 'We may not agree with their teaching, but I believe in the Constitution and free speech so it [the church] should be allowed if they secure a zoning permit.'

Source: DiGuglielmo, J (2007) Anti-gay Church Eyes D.C Theater for Campus; available online at http://www.washblade.com

Image Source: www.washblade.com

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November 19, 2007 in Washington | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

November 09, 2007

House Votes to Outlaw Bias Against Gays in Workplace

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Politics

The House approved a bill that protects LGBT within the workplace against discrimination, on Wednesday the 7th of November.

Supporters of the bill said, 'The bill is the most recent Civil Rights legislation to pass since the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.'

The bill, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, is one that Democrats have pursued for more than 30 years.

'On this proud day of the 10th Congress, we will chart a new direction for Civil Rights,' said Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla, a gay-rights advocate, in a speech before the vote.

'Senate Republicans said, 'That if worded carefully, the bill would have agood chance of passing before Senate, early next year.'

'The House bill would make it illegal for an employer to fail to hire or discharge any individual, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to the compensation, terms , conditions or privileges of employment of the individuals actual or perceived orientation.'

Source: Herszenhorn, David (2007); available online at http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/11/08/america/congress.php

Image Source: www.vetrans.house.gov and www.thegully.com

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November 09, 2007 in Washington | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

September 13, 2007

Gay Life and Home Show

By Jeff Adolph

Special Interest

This Saturday, September the 15th marks the opening of the third annual Gay Life and Home Show, which will present 150 gay and gay-friendly exhibitors.

The show held at the Washington convention center is the brain-child of Bill Harrison of Alexandria and his partner.

As Harrison said, the main focus, the reason why we started this, was just for gays and lesbians to have companies they can go to that are not going to discriminate against them.'

The Gay Life and Home Show offers gays and singles of between 35 and 50 presentations on estate planning, the ABC's of adoption, and even Feng Shui, not to mention live entertainment like the D.C Cowboys and the Screaming Queens.

'There's everything from things that you need for your home, whether it's furniture, home improvements, handy-man services... and then you have the 'life' part, which encompasses finances, real estate, fitness and salon exhibitions, said Harrison.

The Gay Life and Home Show is open between 11 am and 6 pm on Saturday, September 15th, at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW.

For more information please visit www.gaylifeandhome.com

Source: Najafi, Y (2007) Under One Roof; available online at http://www.metroweekly.com

Images: www.sgn.org and www.geocities.com

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September 13, 2007 in *National*, Washington | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)

July 20, 2007

Have Your Say On the LGBT Political Front - August 19th 2007

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Politics

In a national first, the Democrats are challenging the Republicans by staging a debate that is dedicated to the LGBT community and will answer many of the issues facing Lesbians, Gays, Bi-sexual's and the Transgendered across the nation.

The leading candidates for the Democratic nomination for presidency will actively involve themselves in this debate on August the 9th, which is being telecast by LOGO, a gay cable network. Alternatively, you may view proceedings on http://www.logoonline.com/ if you are unable to access the network.

Participants in the debate will include Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards (pictured above), with the moderators being singer Melissa Etheridge and Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign's president.

If you would like to actively participate by lodging questions for the candidates to answer you may do so by logging on to LOGOonline.com as well as on HRC.org.

Source: Demorcrats to Hold Gay Debate (2007) available online at www.wweek.com

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July 20, 2007 in 'Ask a Realtor', *National*, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mexico, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C, Weblogs, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

May 31, 2007

Washington Gay Club Displacement Update

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Clubs and Bars

Several months ago I reported on a handful of gay bars and clubs that were forced to close in Washington due to the new Washington Nationals Baseball Stadium's construction.

The clubs fought to retain their premises but lost their battle and were forced to move on, with many knowing that they would be hard pressed to find suitable venues elsewhere. In fact, many of those displaced still have not found places to call home because of restrictions and licensing laws.

This challenge it seems has now been placed upon the shoulders of Council-member Jim Graham who is playing the role of real estate agent.

However, Graham's measures seem a little unorthodox to others, especially Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. who will be responsible for his newest constituents if the clubs are given licenses under the controversial Bill that Graham is proposing.

The clubs will be situated in the warehouse district near Ward 5's Ivy City and Trinidad Neighborhood.

As Thomas said, 'I'm going to take up the fight. You can not look at any other Ward Council-member... and say that they're being asked to accept the total relocation of clubs... due to the stadium. There is no fairness in this.'

However as Barrett Brick, President of the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance (GLAA) said, 'The city, having caused the clubs dislocation, is honor bound to facilitate their relocation.'

Furthermore, Brick sees the Ward 5 sites as suitably zoned areas!

Source: Jones, J (2007) Doubting Thomas; available online at http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com

Images: Microsoft Clipart Online

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May 31, 2007 in Washington | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

March 01, 2007

Farewell Commodore

By Jeff Adolph

New Development and Special Interest

The Commodore Hotel, with its tiny rooms and seedy reputation has been reduced to rubble. Demolition permits were handed-out in December of last year and the building was leveled on the 24th and 25th of February leaving a vacant allotment barren and desolate in the buildings absence.

Over the last years of its existence the building became home to performance arts events staged by the Seattle Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and will be missed.

The building was originally built in 1908 by W.P White was not deemed by the city as a landmark worthy of preservation, even though tourist guides proclaimed it as a family-owned, European styled hotel. Due to the site's lack of classification especially in a housing light, it was deemed ineligible for restoration funding.

The owners of the Commodore will now consider putting together a proposal for a new high-rise complex and it will be interesting to see how they deem the historical block is best used.

Source and Images: Humphrey, C (2007) Commodore Sinks available online at http://www.belltownmessenger.com/032007-dark.html

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March 01, 2007 in Washington | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

January 18, 2007

Waterfront and Scenic Mountain View Summer Homes for $250,000: Is this a Possibility?

By Jeff Adolph

Summer Homes

The holiday getaway, the weekender, and a summer home that takes you away from your daily routine and allows you to escape from reality, for $250,000, surely this is a pipe dream, right?

Hang on...

You are forgetting the waterfront and mountains here, with boating and skiing and those magnificent sunsets, surely this comes at a much hefty price?

Haven't we heard that most waterfront in the states is selling for big dollars these days, and that you should expect to pay a small fortune for even a peek at those waves.

Well it is and it isn't...

You just have to know where to look, and here are several places, within the United States that may just be the location that you and your loved ones holiday home resides in, and all for the investment of $250,000.

For The Water Fanatic

The Eastern shores of Maryland may be the place for you if you crave a water-view. For $250,000 you can purchase a 1950's 1,500 sq foot cottage, in St. Michaels and find that the trek from Washington takes only 90 minutes.

Dawn Lendnum, a local Realtor said, 'most buyers of second homes in St. Michaels arrive from Washington, North Virginia, Pennsylvania or New Jersey. We have 600 miles of waterfront and 60-70 restaurants. There is not the beach crowd. There's not even a traffic light in town.'

For the Scenic Mountain Devotee

If you are a mountain lover then Staughton in Virginia may be just what your looking for. Laying in central Shenandoah Valley and just 30 minutes away from Shenandoah National Park, the township and people are acclaimed to be super friendly and outdoor orientated, and within easy reach of Washington. Plus for $250,000 you can buy a beautiful historical property.

As Bob Barron, publisher of Prevention Magazine said of the area, 'the people cherish their architecture and that creates a sense of identity. Feeling welcomed as a gay couple was essential to the decision to buy property. People could not have been nicer.'

For the Rural and Outdoor Fanatic

For Chicago buyers, Cass County, Michigan has lake-front 1940's and 50's lake-front houses for around $250,000 and is extremely welcoming.
Then 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles, on the west-coast is Victorville, California, a rural environment with ranch-styled homes for $250,000. Lake Arrowhead is nearby for boating and Big Bear is 30 minutes away for skiing. Apple Valley a short distance away is also just as popular and in the same price bracket.

So, that dream of owning a summer home or romantic getaway may not be as elusive as you first thought, and if you are considering the possibility the slow housing market may just create the perfect opportunity for you.

Source: Kelly, C (2007) Where Can you Buy a Second Home for $250,000: available online at http://www.azcentral.com

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January 18, 2007 in *National*, California, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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May 06, 2008

Around the Nation -- Residential Real Estate Update - Washington

January 18, 2008

Whitman-Walker Changes in 2008

January 15, 2008

Capital Pride Incurs $32,000 Deficit

November 19, 2007

LGBT Divided Over New Church's Satellite Operation

November 09, 2007

House Votes to Outlaw Bias Against Gays in Workplace

September 13, 2007

Gay Life and Home Show

July 20, 2007

Have Your Say On the LGBT Political Front - August 19th 2007

May 31, 2007

Washington Gay Club Displacement Update

March 01, 2007

Farewell Commodore

January 18, 2007

Waterfront and Scenic Mountain View Summer Homes for $250,000: Is this a Possibility?

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