I think your guesses are exaggerated. Your opinion doesn’t frame a fuller picture of the participants’ contributions to all of us. FYI, most activists are “self-appointed” because they are willing to do the hard work that is needed BY their communities, FOR their communities, very often without pay or recognition.

Lawsuits usually carry lessons in the law for all parties involved. But the judge clearly wants the parties to settle this case, as well. LGBT attorneys Mindy Daniels and Glen Ackerman are very well-suited to accomplish that task. DC’s LGBT residents and businesses are fortunate to have the professional talents of both of them.

Everyone should know that Rick Rosendall is an honorable person. His intentions and efforts on behalf of DC’s LGBT community have always been honorable, too. Fact is, this being the nation’s capital and a bit of a national model, Rick’s activism has positively and honorably impacted LGBT communities all across our nation.

On a personal note, DC’s Ward 5, a formerly hostile ward for LGBT residents, and politically, to LGBT civil rights, has now fully converted to a LGBT-friendly and welcoming ward in DC. This week, in a landslide election, the ward’s LGBT voters turned out fabulously to elect a true-blue champion of LGBT civil rights, Kenyan McDuffie, as their DC Council member. Rick could not have been more generous with his time, counsel and encouragement of Ward 5′s growing LGBT community and its political activism… for many years, now.

Indeed, the body of Rosendall’s decades of selfless work with his colleagues at GLAA, accomplishing REAL change on behalf of all of DC’s LGBT communities, is just stunning. No local LGBT civil rights organization ANYWHERE has done it better. We are ALL better off for Rick Rosendall’s tireless advocacy. Thank you, Rick!

A Capital Pride Hero, all of that can be said of Mindy Daniels’ pioneering, tireless work at GLAA– including legal crafting of DC’s hate crimes law– and of her legal services on behalf of LGBT families today, too. (A former resident of Ward 5, Mindy remembers how bad its LGBT politics used to be, I’m sure. Through her past GLAA activism, she deserves some credit for this week’s victory in Ward 5, too.) Thank you, Mindy!

Glen Ackerman is a bit newer to DC, but many already know of his legal crafting to save the historic Washington Blade for its staff and its loyal readers. Glen’s team also provides vital legal and financial planning for the metro area’s LGBT residents and businesses. Thank you, Glen!

In his own reply here, Rick has mentioned LGBT attorney, Michele Zavos, another politically active LGBT advocate and decades-long Ward 5 neighbor. For all you do for LGBT residents and families throughout metro DC/ Baltimore, thank you, Michele!

These extraordinary people, along with many others, are heroes, recognized or not, of DC’s very diverse LGBT communities. They provide much needed LGBT professional services, political support, education and advocacy day-in/day-out, every week of the year.

Heroes are important to communities. So it pains MANY of us to see them involved in a civil battle among themselves. It is my guess (and can only be a guess by anyone, lawyer or not) that very many of DC’s LGBT residents and stakeholders hope the parties settle this case amicably, and as quickly as possible.