Local
Loved ones celebrate life of Desi Deschaine
Desi Deschaine (Photo courtesy of facebook)
Four months after Desi Deschaine died accidentally in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, more than 200 relatives and friends gathered in Saint Patrick’s Church, on a slightly overcast afternoon, to celebrate his life.
Rev. Msgr. Salvatore A. Criscuolo greeted the celebrants and began a one-hour service, which was organized by Lee Brian Reba from Council Chair Vincent Gray’s office and Jeff Coudriet from Council member Jack Evans’ office. Lending their voices to the service was the D.C. Boys Choir.
A Council ceremonial resolution was presented to Desi’s parents by Evans, for whom Desi worked at the time he died. Evans was surrounded by Council members Gray, Tommy Wells, Jim Graham, Mary Cheh and David Catania. Gray spoke of Deschaine’s dedication to the people of the District of Columbia and to his passion for service. Former Mayor Anthony Williams spoke of how Deschaine worked for his administration, noting that Deschaine was always around with a good word on a tough day. He recalled that whatever he asked Deschaine to do somehow got done.
Former Council Chair Linda Cropp delivered the eulogy and kidded that Deschaine would have loved the picture that was displayed in the front of the church as he looked so slim. She spoke of the warmth of Deschaine’s smile and how he could make anyone feel better by just being around and that he had the capacity to light up a room.
Deschaine was remembered by best friend Neil Alpert, Lee Brian Reba and his cousin Terri Adams who shared anecdotes about Deschaine growing up in Connecticut and stopping by her house on the way home from school to chat. Then Deschaine’s parents, Linda and Philip, and his sister Desiree thanked everyone for being part of Deschaine’s life.
His sister, Desiree, reminded everyone that Deschaine switched from being a Republican in college to a Democrat. She said that when that happened her grandmother, a lifelong Democrat, could finally rest easy.
Among the celebrants at the church were many local ANC members, city officials, and those who worked with Deschaine on all the various causes he cared about. Presenting the colors were the D.C. Fire and EMS Guard. As people left the church a few couldn’t help but remark that the celebration of his life was held in a Catholic church and that were Desi alive today he would be on the front lines fighting for marriage equality in the city.
Rehoboth Beach
BLUF leather social set for April 10 in Rehoboth
Attendees encouraged to wear appropriate gear
Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach hosts a monthly leather happy hour. April’s edition is scheduled for Friday, April 10, 5-7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear appropriate gear. The event is billed as an official event of BLUF, the free community group for men interested in leather. After happy hour, the attendees are encouraged to reconvene at Local Bootlegging Company for dinner, which allows cigar smoking. There’s no cover charge for either event.
District of Columbia
Celebrations of life planned for Sean Bartel
Two memorial events scheduled in D.C.
Two celebrations of life are planned for Sean Christopher Bartel, 48, who was found deceased on a hiking trail in Argentina on or around March 15. Bartel began his career as a television news reporter and news anchor at stations in Louisville, Ky., and Evansville, Ind., before serving as Senior Video Producer for the D.C.-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union from 2013 to 2024.
A memorial gathering is planned for Friday, April 10, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the IBEW International Office (900 7th St., N.W.), according to a statement by the DC Gay Flag Football League, where Bartel was a longtime member. A celebration of life is planned that same evening, 6-8 p.m. at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.).
District of Columbia
D.C. Council member honored by LGBTQ homeless youth group
Doni Crawford receives inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award
About 100 people turned out Tuesday evening, April 7, for a presentation by D.C.’s Wanda Alston Foundation of its inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award to D.C. Council member Doni Crawford (I-At-Large) for her support for the foundation’s mission to support homeless LGBTQ youth.
Among those who attended the event was Japer Bowles, director of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, who delivered an official proclamation issued by Bowser declaring April 7, 2026 “A Day of Remembrance for Wanda Alston.”
Alston, a beloved women’s and LGBTQ rights activist, served as the city’s first director of the then newly created Office of LGBTQ Affairs under then-Mayor Anthony Williams from 2004 until her death by murder on March 16, 2005.
To the shock and dismay of fellow LGBTQ rights advocates, police and court records reported Alston, 45, was stabbed to death inside her Northeast D.C. house by a man high on crack cocaine who lived nearby and who stole her credit cards and car. The perpetrator, William Martin Parrott, 38, was arrested by D.C. police the next day and later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He was sentenced in July 2005 to 24 years in prison.
Crawford was among those attending the award event who reflected on Alston’s legacy and outspoken advocacy for LGBTQ and feminist causes.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this inaugural award,” Crawford told the Washington Blade at the conclusion of the event. “I think the world of Wanda Alston. She has set such a great foundation for me and other Council members to build on,” she said.
“Her focus on inclusivity and intersectionality is really important as we approach this work,” Crawford added. “And it’s going to guide my work at the Council every day.”
Crawford was appointed to the D.C. Council in January of this year to replace then Council member Kenyan McDuffie (I-At-Large), who resigned to run for D.C. mayor as a Democrat. She is being challenged by four other independent candidates in a June 16 special election for the Council seat.
Under the city’s Home Rule Charter written and approved by Congress, the seat is one of two D.C. Council at-large seats that cannot be held by a “majority party” candidate, meaning a Democrat.
A statement released by the Alston Foundation last month announcing Crawford’s selection for the Wanda Alston Legacy Award praised Crawford’s record of support for its work on behalf of LGBTQ youth.
“From behind the scenes to now serving as an At-Large Council member, she has fought fearlessly for affordable housing, LGBTQ+ funding priorities, and racial justice,” the statement says. “Council member Crawford’s leadership reflects the same courage and conviction that defined Wanda’s legacy.”
Organizers of the event noted that it was held on what would have been Wanda Alston’s 67th birthday.
“Today’s legacy reception was a smashing success,” said Cesar Toledo, the Alston Foundation’s executive director. “Not only did we come together to celebrate Wanda Alston on her birthday, but we also were able to raise over $10,000 for our homeless LGBTQ youth here in D.C.,” Toledo told the Blade.
“In addition to that, we celebrated and we acknowledged a rising star in our community,” he said. “And that is At-Large Council member Doni Crawford, who we named the inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award recipient.”
At the request of D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large) the Council voted unanimously on Jan. 20, 2026, to appoint Crawford to the Council seat being vacated by McDuffie.
Council records show she joined McDuffie’s Council staff in 2022 as a policy adviser and later became his legislative director before McDuffie appointed her as staff director for the Council’s Committee on Business and Economic Development for which McDuffie served as chair.
Calendar: April 10-16
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