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Whitman-Walker faces trans bias allegation & more
Whitman-Walker faces trans bias allegation
The D.C. Office of Human Rights has found probable cause that the Whitman-Walker Clinic engaged in employment discrimination based on gender identity when it chose not to hire transgender activist Earlene Budd for a job she sought in 2008.
Gustavo Velasquez, OHR’s director, confirmed May 28 that his office had made the probable cause finding. He said the finding is a preliminary action equivalent to a formal charge and is not a final determination that the Clinic engaged in discrimination.
He said Whitman-Walker has appealed the probable cause finding. Under procedures for processing discrimination complaints, the OHR must rule on the appeal.
If the office upholds its finding, the case goes to a mandatory conciliation process, where Clinic officials and Budd negotiate a possible settlement, Velasquez said. If a settlement cannot be reached, the case goes to the independent D.C. Commission on Human Rights, which makes a final decision on whether the Clinic violated the city’s Human Rights Act, which bans discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and other categories.
Budd declined to comment, saying she was advised by her attorney not to discuss the case.
Chip Lewis, a Whitman-Walker spokesperson, said the Clinic “remains committed to being the highest quality, affirming, and culturally competent health center for the metro D.C. LGBT community.”
“This principle extends to our employee recruitment and retention practices,” he said. “We look forward to favorably resolving this matter with the OHR.”
Velasquez said his office could not provide further details about Budd’s discrimination complaint against the Clinic, saying case files are not released unless or until they reach the commission for adjudication.
He noted that OHR, which investigates discrimination allegations, finds probable cause in just 5 percent of the complaints it receives from District residents.
LOU CHIBBARO JR.
Judge deals blow to defense in Wone trial
D.C. Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz is allowing prosecutors to submit for her review in the Robert Wone conspiracy trial all videotaped statements the defendants made to police.
The ruling, which was seen by observers as a strong blow to the defense, came during the third week of a trial in which gay defendants Joseph Price, Victor Zaborsky and Dylan Ward are charged with obstruction of justice, conspiracy to obstruct justice and evidence tampering in connection with Wone’s murder.
Wone, who was friends with the defendants, was found stabbed to death in 2006 in the guest bedroom of their house. His wife, Katherine Wone, testified that Wone had worked late and decided against driving to the couple’s home in Oakton, Va.
The defense attorneys argued that allowing the admission of the taped police interrogation of the three men on the night of the murder would be highly prejudicial to their case. They cited rules of evidence in trials preventing testimony by one defendant detrimental to another during a joint trial.
Lead prosecutor Glenn Kirschner argued that Leibovitz was highly qualified to distinguish between statements by the defendants that should or should not be admissible. He noted that at the request of the defendants, Leibovitz, rather than a jury, would render a verdict in the case and she would not be susceptible to prejudice.
The taped interrogations are considered important evidence for the government. Prosecutors said the men’s statements can be used in conjunction with physical evidence found at the crime scene to show their alleged propensity to conceal the truth about the Robert Wone murder. No one has been charged with the killing.
The trial is expected to continue for at least another two weeks.
LOU CHIBBARO JR.
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].
Congratulations to Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-Del.) on being honored with this year’s Stonewall Award from Whitman-Walker Health. Amy Nelson, senior director of Legal Services, said, “Congresswoman Sarah McBride is working to make healthcare accessible to all, and this award recognizes her support of healthcare as a human right. Our legal program supports families facing unprecedented challenges to stay healthy and safe – families that Congresswoman McBride champions with a deep understanding of the issues they face and the legislative expertise of how to support them.”
McBride, in a press release, said, “I am honored to accept this year’s Stonewall Award from Whitman-Walker Health — an organization that has spent 40 years doing vital work to ensure every person can access the dignity of care. In the wealthiest and most developed nation on earth, the ability to receive care should not be a matter of luck—it should be the law of the land. I am proud to be recognized as a partner in this work and to support Whitman-Walker Health in their mission to build a healthier society for all.”
Congratulations also to Wes Drummond who will join Clear Space Theatre Company in Rehoboth Beach, Del., as its third artistic director. Managing Director Joe Gfaller said, “This is an exciting moment of growth for Clear Space as we welcome Wes to join our remarkable team. I am confident he will be an excellent partner as we work with our entire staff, board, and committed team of volunteers, to ensure Clear Space can achieve its full potential in pursuit of our mission to unite and enrich our community through every production on stage, and every arts-based learning program we offer throughout our community.”
On accepting the position Drummond said, “I’m honored to join Clear Space Theatre Company as artistic director, and beyond excited for what we’re about to create together. Clear Space has established itself as a vital and vibrant part of the cultural life of coastal Delaware, and I feel incredibly fortunate to step into this next chapter alongside such a passionate and dedicated team. Rehoboth Beach is a place defined by creativity and community, and I look forward to listening, learning, and building meaningful relationships across the region in the months ahead. My vision is to help Clear Space continue to grow as a bold, forward-thinking, cultural force, that champions fearless storytelling.”
Drummond served in leadership roles at Duluth Playhouse in Duluth, Minn., from 2021 to 2026, including four years as executive director followed by one year as executive producing artistic director, guiding the organization through a period of significant transformation and stability in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a director, he has worked extensively in New York City, Chicago, and at regional theaters across the country, directing both musical theater and plays with a focus on storytelling that bridges classical works with contemporary perspectives. He has collaborated with leading figures in the industry, including Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus, and Tony-nominated director Michael Greif. He is an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Wes earned his MFA in directing, Penn State University, where he studied under Tony-nominated director, Susan H. Schulman.
Virginia
Va. Supreme Court invalidates Democrat-backed redistricting plan
Voters narrowly approved new congressional districts last month
The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday struck down a Democrat-backed redistricting plan that voters approved last month.
Ten of 11 of Virginia’s congressional districts favor Democrats in the plan that passed by a 51-48 vote margin in last month’s referendum.
The Human Rights Campaign PAC is among the groups that support it. The court by a 4-3 majority invalidated the referendum results.
District of Columbia
Maren Morris to headline Capital Pride Concert
Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter came out as bisexual in 2024
Capital Pride Alliance, the group that organizes D.C.’s annual LGBTQ Pride events, announced on May 7 that nationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Maren Morris, who identifies as bisexual, will be the headline performer at this year’s Capital Pride Concert scheduled for June 21.
The concert takes place as part of the annual Capital Pride Festival held on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., usually between 3rd Street near the U.S. Capitol and 9th Street.
“Morris, known for her genre-blending sound and outspoken support of LGBTQ+ rights, will be joined by a standout lineup, including acclaimed queer rapper Leikeli47, pop icon Lisa Lisa, Juno-nominated producer and DJ from the ‘Heated Rivalry’ soundtrack, Harrison, and ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 18 winner Myki Meeks,” according to a statement released by Capital Pride.
“In a moment when LGBTQ+ people are being challenged across the country, the Capital Pride Concert is a space where our community is fully seen and heard,” Ryan Bos, the Capital Pride Alliance CEO and president, said in the statement. “Bringing Maren Morris to the stage reflects this year’s theme: Exist, Resist, Have the Audacity,” Bos said.
The statement notes that the concert takes place as part of the annual D.C. Pride Festival, which is open to the public free of charge, with tickets available for purchase for specific areas listed as the Capital Stage Pit Zone and the VIP Concert Zone.
It says the festival takes place from 12 –10 p.m. and points out that in addition to the music performed by multiple other performers on several stages, festival attendees “can explore hundreds of exhibitors, community organizations, and artisans, along with multiple food courts and beverage gardens throughout the festival footprint.”
Information on the Capital Pride Alliance website shows that the festival takes place one day after the annual Capital Pride Parade, scheduled for June 20 and which is expected to travel from 14th and T Streets, N.W., to Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., where it is expected to end at 9th Street.
The statement adds that following the stage performances during the June 21 festival, which are expected to conclude around 8 p.m., “the celebration will continue with the Capitol Sunset Dance Party, closing out the evening against the backdrop of the U.S. Capitol.”
The online publication Today, which is part of the NBC “Today” television show, reported that Morris came out as bisexual in a 2024 during Pride. It reports Morris “shared several images of herself holding a Pride flag to mark the occasion, writing, ‘Happy to be the B in LGBTQ+’”
Comings & Goings
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