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Word on the Hill: LGBT History Month

Restaurant opening and movie premiere this week

James Buchanan was the 15th president. (Courtesy WhiteHouse.gov)
James Buchanan was the 15th president. (Courtesy WhiteHouse.gov)

Happy October! It’s recess, Breast Cancer Awareness and LGBT History Month.

The Equality Forum which coordinates LGBT History Month releases an annual list of 31 LGBT icons, one for each day of October. This year they’ve added a former president.

The only president to remain a lifelong bachelor, James Buchanan is listed alongside activists such as Chaz Bono and James Obergefell (the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage across the United States last year). In 1819, Buchanan was engaged to Anne Caroline Coleman, but she soon broke off the engagement — and died shortly thereafter. It is believed Buchanan never entered another relationship with a woman again.

Rumors abound about his sexuality. Biographers have argued that he was either asexual, homosexual or bisexual. His niece acted as first lady during his presidency.

Happening this week …

The new restaurant Ocean Prime has its grand opening on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Located at 1341 G St. NW, the restaurant’s specialties are seafood, steaks and cocktails.

The world premiere of National Geographic’s “Killing Reagan” takes place Thursday at the Newseum (555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW). The red carpet starts at 6:15 p.m. — look for stars Tim Matheson from “The West Wing” and Cynthia Nixon from “Sex and the City” — with the screening to follow.

Staffer shuffle

Lauren Gaydos has left the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee has joined the office of Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky.

Sen. Thad Cochran’s, R-Miss., constituent service representative Janice Mitchell has retired.

Happy birthday to …

Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., 63.

Rep. Sean P. Duffy, R-Wisc., 45.

What’s going on?

Have any tips, announcements or Hill happenings? Send them to AlexGangitano@cqrollcall.com.

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