Washington Blade's Local News

G'town students rally after attacks

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST

G'town students rally after attacks
Two assaults listed as anti-gay hate crimes
By Lou Chibbaro Jr.
Friday, November 06, 2009
More than 150 students participated in a candlelight vigil Monday at Georgetown University to draw attention to three anti-gay incidents, including assaults against two students and the posting of an anti-gay message on the door of the campus gay resource center.

The university's Department of Public Safety reported that two unidentified males struck a female student with her book bag and knocked her to the ground on Canal Road near the entrance to the campus at about 9:10 p.m. Oct. 27. The DPS reported in a statement that the assault took place after the two suspects noticed the woman was wearing a shirt “with a logo indicating support for gay rights.”

Acco ...

D.C. same-sex marriage supporters press case

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST

D.C. same-sex marriage supporters press case
Bill testimony includes man's proposal to partner
By Lou Chibbaro Jr.
Friday, November 06, 2009
For the second week in a row, witnesses supporting a same-sex marriage bill far outnumbered opponents at a D.C. City Council hearing that heard testimony from more than 120 people.

Similar to the first hearing on the bill held Oct. 26, many witnesses for and against the Religious Freedom & Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009 gave emotional accounts of how the proposed bill would have a profound impact on their lives and their religious faith.

Andrew Hertzberg, a gay D.C. man who sat at the witness table next to Andy Rollman, his domestic partner, startled some in the audience when he stood up and then kneeled before Rollman and asked for his hand in marria ...

Larry Stansbury, longtime D.C. activist, dies at 61

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST

Larry Stansbury, longtime D.C. activist, dies at 61
Co-founded Brother Help Thyself, supported Capital Pride and D.C. Center
By Rebecca Armendariz
Friday, November 06, 2009
Larry Stansbury, the first executive director of Brother Help Thyself and a Capital Pride Alliance founding board member, died Saturday in D.C. of complications stemming from a broken hip, according to Steve Blum, Stansbury's roommate of 29 years. Stansbury was 61.

He first came to the District from Richmond, Va., in the 1970s after a four-year stint in the U.S. Navy ending in 1973. He worked at the D.C. Eagle, where he eventually became manager, and became involved in local LGBT activities largely through his memberships to the Centaur and Spartan gay motorcycle clubs, the latter of which he served in several roles, including president.

Stansbury had a kidney transplan ...

Stein Club honors local activists

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST

Stein Club honors local activists
Six receive leadership honors
By Lou Chibbaro Jr.
Friday, November 06, 2009
The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, the city's largest local LGBT political organization, presented its annual leadership awards Oct. 29 to six people it named as community champions.

One of the awards was given posthumously to Desi Deschaine, a club member and local activist who died earlier this year in a boating accident. The club designated another of the awards in Deschaine's name for special recognition for service and leadership.

Among those attending the awards reception, held at the National Women's Democratic Club in Dupont Circle, were D.C. City Council members Kwame Brown (D-At Large), David Catania (I-At Large), Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) a ...

D.C. Council honors Desi Deschaine

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST

D.C. Council honors Desi Deschaine
Council votes unanimously to adopt resolution
By Lou Chibbaro Jr.
Friday, November 06, 2009
The D.C. City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to adopt a resolution honoring the late Desi Deschaine, a gay rights advocate and former communications director for Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2).

The resolution recognizes Deschaine in connection with a memorial service celebrating his life set for Nov. 21, beginning at 1 p.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 619 10th St., N.W.

Deschaine, 29, died in an accident at the Baltimore Harbor earlier this year. Friends and co-workers, including Council member Evans, have said his dedication and skills as both a mayoral and later City Council staff member and his advocacy for LGBT rights causes for nearly 10 years lef ...

Agency says D.C. officer should be prosecuted

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST

Agency says D.C. officer should be prosecuted
Office of Police Complaints suggests U.S. Attorney's office file charges
By Lou Chibbaro Jr.
Friday, November 06, 2009
The U.S. Attorney's office should consider filing criminal charges against a D.C. police officer who allegedly assaulted a gay attorney in July before arresting him on a disorderly conduct charge, says the Office of Police Complaints.

An independent D.C. agency, the Office of Police Complaints asked the U.S. Attorney's office to consider prosecuting Officer J. Culp after it processed a complaint against Culp filed by Pepin Tuma, a 33-year-old D.C. attorney. Tuma filed the complaint in August after reporting that Culp shoved him July 17 into an electrical transformer box near 17th and U streets, N.W., before arresting him.

In his complaint and a letter to D.C. Po ...

Capital Pride says 'You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet'

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST

Capital Pride says 'You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet'
2010 celebration marks event's 35th anniversary
By Rebecca Armendariz
Friday, November 06, 2009
Capital Pride has announced the theme for 2010's festivities: “You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet.”

The theme was nominated and voted on by close to 400 supporters in an online poll. Next year's celebration marks the 35th anniversary of Capital Pride, which consists of 10 days of events organized by a planning committee.

“With workshops, dances and parties, health fairs and theater and music events, along with the traditional parade and festival capping off the week, Capital Pride is really organized by and for the Washington, D.C., community,” said Capital Pride Executive Director Dyana Mason.

“We are preparing once again to welco ...

Republican sweep in Virginia troubles gays

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST

Republican sweep in Virginia troubles gays
'Tougher to get our issues forward'
By Chris Johnson
Friday, November 06, 2009
Election Day results brought heartbreaking news to many gay rights supporters in Virginia as Republicans surged to victory in several key races.

Charley Conrad, president of the Virginia Partisans, an LGBT Democratic group, said the GOP victories would mean “four very tough years for our community.”

“It's going to mean we're going to have to continue to fight for our rights, to have our voices heard, because in their administration, we will not have a seat at the table,” he said.

Sarah Gustafson, president of Equality Fairfax, said she was “disappointed” in the results particularly because Republicans claimed the seats held ...

Montgomery County considers expanded rights bill

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST

Montgomery County considers expanded rights bill
Measure would obligate contractors to offer DP benefits
By Amy Cavanaugh
Friday, November 06, 2009
Montgomery County Council member Nancy Navarro is introducing a bill that would obligate county contractors to make domestic partner benefits available to employees in same-sex relationships.

Navarro, a Democrat representing the eastern part of the county, unveiled the Equal Benefits Bill on Tuesday.

“There have been conversations in my office about my long interest in issues of equity and disparities and things of that nature, so it seemed to be a logical step to introduce this bill,” she said. “This is already what the county is doing for employees, and we should require contractors to do the same.”

Navarro's bill would make benefits ...

Va. att'y gen'l candidate denounces 'homosexual acts'

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EST

Va. att'y gen'l candidate denounces 'homosexual acts'
Cuccinelli draws ire after anti-gay remarks
By Chris Johnson
Friday, October 30, 2009
As the campaign season in Virginia enters its final days, one conservative candidate is drawing the ire from LGBT people for recent remarks against “homosexual acts.”

State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R-Fairfax), the GOP contender seeking to become Virginia's next attorney general, made the comments to the editorial board of the Virginian-Pilot. The paper published the remarks on Monday in an endorsement of his opponent, Democrat Steve Shannon. The election is set for Tuesday.

Cuccinelli, who has often voted against gay issues during his time in the General Assembly, reportedly declined to commit to a non-discrimination policy in his office against gays as attorney ...

Emotions run high as Council hears marriage testimony

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EST

Emotions run high as Council hears marriage testimony
Tearful gay couples, Bible-quoting opponents face off at lengthy hearing
By Lou Chibbaro Jr.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Supporters of same-sex marriage far outnumbered opponents Monday at a sometimes-contentious D.C. City Council hearing that lasted more than seven hours. Eighty-one witnesses testified in favor of the bill to allow same-sex marriages to be performed in the District of Columbia, compared to 14 people who testified against it.

Council member Phil Mendelson, who chaired the hearing, pounded his gavel repeatedly as some of the witnesses who opposed same-sex marriage shouted biblical passages at the committee members and refused to end their testimony within the allotted time period.

In other cases, Mendelson consoled same-sex couples who began crying as they testified about ...

Marriage referendum supporters pack hearing

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EST

Marriage referendum supporters pack hearing

By Lou Chibbaro Jr.
Friday, October 30, 2009
The D.C. Board of Election & Ethics heard a flood of support Monday for a proposed voter initiative to ban same-sex marriage in the city, with far more people speaking for than against the idea.

Those who signed up to ask officials to approve the voter initiative outnumbered — more than 80 to 10 — those slated to speak against placing such an initiative on the ballot.

The board called the hearing to help it decide whether a ballot measure proposed in September by same-sex marriage opponents, titled the Marriage Initiative of 2009, is allowed under the city's election law.

Nearly 100 witnesses signed up to testify at the hearing, which was call ...

Looking back: Dozens of gay murders remain unsolved

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EST

Looking back: Dozens of gay murders remain unsolved
1994 Blade investigation examined local killings
By Lou Chibbaro Jr.
Friday, October 30, 2009
President Obama made history this week when he signed into law legislation authorizing the federal government to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of violent hate crimes that target victims because of their sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability.

The legislation bears the name of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, whose 1998 murder became one of the nation's most widely reported hate crimes.

A 1994 Washington Blade investigation into the murders of 25 gay men in the D.C. metro area over a five-year period found, in retrospect, that many of the slayings had similarities to the Shepard case, although none were officially listed as h ...

Ministers rally against same-sex marriage bill

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EST

Ministers rally against same-sex marriage bill
Crowd asks D.C. officials to 'let the people vote'
By Lou Chibbaro Jr.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Scores of people cheered and waved signs as ministers and religious activists delivered speeches Sunday during a Freedom Plaza rally against same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia.

Chanting “let the people vote,” Bishop Harry Jackson, pastor of a church in Beltsville, Md., and Rev. Walter Fauntroy, Washington's former congressional delegate, were among a series of speakers to call on the D.C. City Council to allow a voter initiative that seeks to ban same-sex marriage in the city.

Jackson, who is leading the fight against a same-sex marriage bill introduced by gay Council member David Catania, announced at the rally that he would begin Monday a 21-day ...

Black Marylanders back LGBT rights in film

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EST

Black Marylanders back LGBT rights in film
Pastors, politicians speak out for same-sex marriage
By Amy Cavanaugh
Friday, October 30, 2009
Elbridge James, director of the Maryland Black Family Alliance, has one of the most memorable lines in “Maryland Voices of Equality.”

“Civil unions don't get us to a place we need to be,” he says. “We need civil marriage.”

James joins pastors, politicians and students in the film to voice support for same-sex marriage and fairness toward gay Marylanders. The movie premiered last week at Coppin State University in Baltimore.

Produced by the MBFA and directed by Kalima Young of Kubla Khan Productions, the film considers the role of gay blacks in the civil rights movement and why LGBT rights should be a legislative priority.

D.C. court closes Men's Parties following death

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EST

D.C. court closes Men's Parties following death
Attorney general says gatherings occurred without business license
By Lou Chibbaro Jr.
Friday, October 23, 2009
A D.C. Superior Court judge has approved a temporary restraining order requiring a 20-day shutdown of the so-called gay Men's Parties operating out of a townhouse at 1618 14th St., N.W.

Judge Susan Winfield acted Wednesday at the request of D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles, who filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to close the gathering on grounds that it operated as a business without the required license.

Nickles filed his suit Oct. 14, days after a man participating in the gathering was found dead on the premises from an apparent accidental fall.

It also follows news reports that the Men's Parties operated as a gay male sex club and that the Logan Circ ...

Countdown to marriage in D.C.

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EST

Countdown to marriage in D.C.
Some oppose phasing out city's DP law as Council prepares for days of packed hearings
By
Friday, October 23, 2009
At least three prominent LGBT activists are planning to ask a D.C. City Council committee to remove from gay Council member David Catania's same-sex marriage bill a provision that would end city recognition of new domestic partnerships after January 2011.

The local activists, who are strong supporters of same-sex marriage, believe the city's domestic partnership law should remain in place at least until it becomes certain that Catania's same-sex marriage bill will survive any attempts by members of Congress to block or overturn it.

Some activists additionally believe that domestic partnerships should continue as an option for same-sex couples even if marriage emerges as ...

Hearings, rallies set for D.C. marriage bill

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EST

Hearings, rallies set for D.C. marriage bill
Two hearings set for next week
By Lou Chibbaro Jr.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Same-sex marriage will be the subject of two separate public hearings Monday in the District, with dozens of witnesses expected to testify.

The D.C. Board of Elections & Ethics is scheduled to hold a 10 a.m. hearing at 441 4th St., N.W., on a voter initiative aimed at banning same-sex marriage.

Bishop Harry Jackson, a Maryland minister who is leading efforts to oppose same-sex marriage in the District, proposed the initiative. An election board spokesperson said those interested in testifying at Monday's hearing should call 202-727-2194 to sign up.

At 3:30 p.m. the same day, D.C. City Council member Phil Mendelson is scheduled to hold a separate hearing o ...

McDonnell won't renew ban on job bias in Va.

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EST

McDonnell won't renew ban on job bias in Va.
Comments come as gay groups endorse Deeds for governor
By Chris Johnson
Friday, October 23, 2009
As the Virginia gubernatorial race enters its final days, the Republican candidate said he won't renew a non-discrimination order if elected governor while his Democratic opponent is winning LGBT group endorsements.

In an interview published Oct. 13, GOP nominee Bob McDonnell told the Lynchburg News & Advance that he wouldn't renew an executive order prohibiting job bias against gays in the public workforce.
“I think it would be illegal to carry it forward,” McDonnell was quoted as saying.

McDonnell reportedly said his opposition to the order is “not a philosophical issue” and is based on his belief of separation of powers. Regardless, M ...

Equality Maryland names new executive director

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EST

Equality Maryland names new executive director
Trans protections, marriage rights top agenda
By Amy Cavanaugh
Friday, October 23, 2009
Equality Maryland has a new executive director — the organization's second new leader in less than a year.

Morgan Meneses-Sheets, a former Amputee Coalition of America executive, will take the organization's reigns Oct. 26. She succeeds Equality Maryland Foundation Board President David Toth, who was the interim managing director after Kate Runyon stepped down in June.

“We are thrilled to have found someone of Morgan's experience, caliber and knowledge,” said Scott Davenport, Equality Maryland's board president.

“Morgan brings commitment, determination, community awareness, communication and fundraising know-how, along with political s ...