Local
Ray faces new opponent in primary race
D.C. shadow senator declares candidacy in Council race
The boost in wards 7 and 8 that gay D.C. City Council candidate Clark Ray may receive from his endorsement by Rev. Willie Wilson could be negated by confusion over the name of the newest candidate to enter race, according to some political observers.
Michael Brown, who was elected D.C. shadow senator two years ago, has declared his candidacy for the at-large Council seat, joining Ray in an effort to unseat incumbent Council member Phil Mendelson. Brown, who is white, has the same name as D.C. Council member Michael Brown (D-At Large), who is black and widely known in the city and enjoys strong support in wards 7 and 8.
When Michael Brown, the shadow senator, beat gay D.C. Democratic activist Phil Pannell for the shadow seat two years ago, Pannell and his supporters expressed concern that many voters throughout the city — but especially voters in wards 7 and 8 — confused the two Browns and believed they were voting for the Council member.
Council member Brown is well known as the son of former Democratic Party Chairman Ron Brown, who also served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce in the Clinton administration. The Council member’s popularity in his own right as well as his association with his father, has created a political premium on that name, political observers have said.
Pannell said this week that unless Ray takes steps to differentiate between the two Browns, shadow senator Brown will likely capture votes that would have gone to Ray and possibly some that would have gone to Mendelson.
Shadow senator Brown told the Blade on Monday that he regrets any confusion that may arise over his name but didn’t know what to do to correct the situation. He called requests that he put his photo on his campaign posters unfair and unacceptable.
“Nobody puts their picture on their sign,” he said, noting that neither Ray nor Mendelson have photos of themselves on their campaign posters. “I don’t see why I should be obligated to actually go out of my way to try to make it as easy as possible for people to run against me.”
Shadow senator Brown, a political campaign consultant and former Democratic National Committee staffer, said he strongly backs LGBT civil rights and strongly supports the city’s same-sex marriage equality law. He’s running on a platform calling for D.C. statehood.
Ray and Mendelson said they aren’t worried about possible confusion over the two Browns’ names.
“I am so focused on getting my message out, and the folks who are going to vote for Clark Ray are not going to vote for Michael Brown,” Ray said.
Ray added that he would likely point out at campaign forums and public events that his opponent Michael Brown is not the Council member.
Ray said his loss to shadow senator Michael Brown in a Ward 3 Democratic Committee straw poll last week was an anomaly due to Brown’s longtime involvement in the Ward 3 Democratic Committee and a voting system weighted by a membership requirement for voting. Mendelson came in first in the Ward 3 poll.
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Congratulations to Jaime Christopher Pierce on their appointment to serve as a member of the Virginia Governor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. Pierce was sworn in on Sept. 3 by Greg Parks, clerk of the Alexandria Circuit Court.
Pierce currently serves as vice chair of the Alexandria City LGBTQIA+ Task Force and as a member of the Alexandria Pride planning committee. They previously served on the board of directors of Equality Virginia.
Upon being sworn in, Pierce said, “Public service has been a central part of my life for more than 30 years, and this appointment gives me an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth in a different and very personal way. My career has allowed me to work with people and communities throughout Virginia, and I hope to bring that experience, along with my own lived experience and my involvement in the LGBTQ+ community, to the work of the Board.” They added, “Having Greg administer the oath makes the occasion even more meaningful because of his own historic role as Virginia’s first openly gay elected circuit court clerk.”
Pierce also serves as Circuit Court Services Manager for the Department of Judicial Services, at the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. They began their career in Virginia’s judiciary in 1994 as a deputy clerk with the Virginia Beach Circuit Court and have since held several professional and leadership positions within the court system. Pierce is a member of the National Association for Court Management (NACM) and the Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management. At the national level, Pierce participated in the workgroup that developed the National Association for Court Management’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guide, a resource designed to help court professionals advance inclusive practices and strengthen access, fairness and belonging within the justice system.
Pierce earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Liberty University, and a certificate in Paralegal Studies from Norfolk State University.
Maryland
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
Pride Center of Maryland among recipients
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.
The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.
The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants
“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.”
“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”
Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
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Comings & Goings
LGBTQ Military Happy Hour set for Sept. 15
Calendar: September 11-17
Multi-billion-dollar 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund to continue until 2090
Chris Pappas wins NH Democratic Senate primary
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
Nominate your favorites for the Blade’s 25th annual Best Of LGBTQ DC Awards
PHOTOS: SUNFESTIVAL
