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Jubilant gay, lesbian couples begin to wed in D.C.

More than 100 seek marriage license in first hours

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(Video by Steve Fox)

Washington, D.C., became the nationā€™s sixth jurisdiction to allow same-sex marriage Wednesday when it opened its marriage license application process to gay and lesbian couples.

More than one dozen couples lined up outside the D.C. Superior Court building ā€” some arriving even before sunrise ā€” to become the first same-sex pairs to obtain their applications to wed. Couples alternately smiled and wept as emotion swept the crowd.

ā€œLove has won out over fear,ā€ said Rev. Dennis Wiley, co-pastor at Covenant Baptist Church and co-chair of DC Clergy United for Marriage Equality. ā€œEquality has won out over prejudice. Faith has won out over despair.ā€

Because of a mandatory waiting period, couples that applied for marriage licenses Wednesday wonā€™t be able to marry until March 9.

But the Human Rights Campaign, National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and other advocacy groups that have long sought same-sex marriage rights in the nationā€™s capital applauded Wednesdayā€™s enactment of the Religious Freedom & Civil Marriage Equality Act of 2009.

ā€œThis law is an important step toward equal dignity, equal respect and equal rights for all residents of our nationā€™s capital,ā€ said Joe Solmonese, HRCā€™s president. ā€œToday represents a hard-fought victory for D.C. residents and a poignant reminder ā€” here in the home of our federal government and most cherished national monuments ā€” of the historic progress being made toward ensuring equality for all across the nation.ā€

Solmonese and Rea Carey, the Task Forceā€™s executive director, thanked D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and D.C. City Council members who supported the same-sex marriage effort for their commitment to equality.

More than 100 same-sex couples applied for D.C. marriage licenses during the first hours they were available. (Photo by Joe Tresh)

ā€œThis is a profoundly moving moment for many D.C. same-sex couples and their families,ā€ Carey said. ā€œTo finally be able to share and celebrate oneā€™s love and commitment both publicly and legally is a lifelong dream for many.ā€

Couples applied for their marriage licenses one day after U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts denied a request that Washingtonā€™s same-sex marriage law be prevented from taking effect, a move that would have given opponents more time to organize a voter referendum to overturn the law.

Roberts, who ruled on the matter on behalf of the court, issued a three-page decision saying Bishop Harry Jackson of Hope Christian Church and others opposed to the marriage law failed to show in their request that they could win the case on its merits, or that allowing the law to take effect would cause them irreparable harm.

Roberts said the opponentsā€™ argument that the D.C. Board of Elections & Ethics acted improperly by denying the referendum request on groups that it would violate the cityā€™s Human Rights Act ā€œhas some force.ā€

ā€œWithout addressing the merits of the petitionersā€™ underlying claim, however, I conclude that a stay is not warranted,ā€ he wrote.

Roberts cited past rulings of the Supreme Court that have said itā€™s the courtā€™s practice to ā€œdefer to the decisions of the courts of the District of Columbia on matters of exclusively local concern.ā€ The D.C. Superior Court and Court of Appeals previously ruled against Jacksonā€™s request for a stay of the same-sex marriage law.

ā€œAs the courts have uniformly recognized in upholding D.C.ā€™s broad anti-discrimination laws,ā€ Solmonese said, ā€œno one should have to have their marriages ā€” or any of their civil rights ā€” put to a public vote.ā€

D.C. court officials were quick to welcome the more then 100 same-sex couples that arrived before noon Wednesday to seek a marriage license.

Leah Gurowitz, a court spokesperson, described the courthouse halls as being festive as clerks processed about 20 to 25 couples each hour. She said the couples took to congratulating each other after completing the marriage application process.

ā€œAs each couple walks out of the Marriage Bureau ā€” and thereā€™s a long line ā€” everybody claps and cheers,ā€ she said. ā€œPeople have been very festive.ā€

Gurowitz said 101 same-sex couples checked in before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. She noted that so many couples came to the courthouse that additional markers indicating each coupleā€™s position in line were printed.

ā€œIt is a line and itā€™s going to take an hour or two, or for some people three,ā€ she said. ā€œWeā€™re just going as quickly as we can.ā€

D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge Lee Satterfield, who oversees the courtā€™s Marriage Bureau, said the influx of marriage license applications was far above average. The court normally gets about 10 to 12 applications each day.

To help reduce wait time and ensure the application process goes smoothly, Satterfield said there are several things same-sex couples can do before they arrive at the courthouse.

ā€œFor instance, come with a complete application,ā€ he said. ā€œWe loaded the application on our web site: dccourts.gov. You can go into the Superior Court section, or actually, thereā€™s a link on the front page for folk to go right to the Marriage Bureau section and get the application so they complete it.

ā€œI think itā€™s important that folk ā€” some of the things we see happen to folk that end up having to come back is that they donā€™t come down with their identification because the law requires that you have to be 18 years and older.

ā€œAnd so if thereā€™s one party coming down, they may come down with their own but not with their partnerā€™s ā€” so they have to make sure they have some identification, whether itā€™s a driverā€™s license, passport, birth certificate, not just for themselves but the person theyā€™re marrying.ā€

Satterfield also noted that couples applying for marriage licenses should bring $35 in cash or a money order, plus $10 for the marriage certificate.

Couples planning to return to the courthouse for a civil marriage ceremony should expect to wait at least 10 days before a time is available, Satterfield said. But once scheduled, same-sex couples need not worry that a court official might decline to marry them.

ā€œYou know the law, as I understand it in the District of Columbia, does not allow that when it comes to employees of the court,ā€ he said. ā€œIt does so for clergy and others. It allows them to decline. It doesnā€™t allow for our folk to do so.

ā€œWhile I donā€™t discuss personnel matters, what I will say is this: We expect to have anyone doing and officiating weddings to be officiating all weddings.ā€

Staff writer Lou Chibbaro Jr. contributed to this article.

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District of Columbia

LGBTQ-friendly senior living community to open near Dupont Circle

Luxury assisted living apartments located in the former Fairfax Hotel

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An upscale senior and assisted living apartment building located two blocks from Dupont Circle is set to open this month.

An upscale senior and assisted living apartment building located two blocks from Dupont Circle, which is scheduled to hold a grand opening ceremony on Feb. 12, has announced it is ā€œLGBTQ+ friendly.ā€

A statement released by the new seniors home, called the Inspir Embassy Row, located at 2100 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., says it is proud to have received recognition as a SAGECare Platinum Credentialed Provider from the New York City-based LGBTQ seniors advocacy and training group SAGE.

ā€œTo earn this prestigious credential, a minimum of 80 percent of Inspirā€™s management and non-management staff completed comprehensive training in LGBTQ+ aging cultural competency,ā€ the statement says.

ā€œThe program covered crucial topics including historical and contemporary LGBTQ+ struggles, proper terminology usage related to sexual orientation and gender identity, and strategies to address the unique challenges faced by this demographic,ā€ according to the statement sent to the Washington Blade.

Inspir Embassy Rowā€™s general manager, Tim Cox, who is gay and said he lives with his husband just five blocks from the soon to open facility, provided the Washington Blade with a tour of the senior living building. He said it includes 174 apartments, including studio apartments and one and two-bedroom apartments.

Tim Cox is general manager of InspirĀ Embassy Row. (Washington Blade photo by Lou Chibbaro, Jr.)

Residents have signed up for about 45 of the apartments so far, Cox said, including some LGBTQ residents, who will begin moving in on Feb. 18. He said the upscale building is open to seniors who currently do not need assisted living services as well as those who need different levels of care, including memory loss care.

He said a doctor and nurse practitioner will be among the staff team providing services for residents. Although each of the apartments has a small kitchen, Cox said three meals a day will be served in the buildingā€™s large, first floor dining room. The building also includes common areas with spaces for entertainment such as the showing of movies and a large grand piano for visiting performers.

ā€œAt Inspir Embassy Row, weā€™re dedicated to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates the diversity of our residents,ā€ Cox said in the statement released by the building, which is the former home of the Fairfax Hotel.

(Washington Blade photo by Lou Chibbaro, Jr.)

ā€œThis SAGECare certification is a testament to our commitment to providing personalized, compassionate care that respects and honors the identities and experiences of all our residents, including those in the LGBTQ+ community,ā€ Cox said.

He added, ā€œOur goal is to create a home where every resident feels valued, respected and free to be themselves. The SAGECare certification is just the beginning of our journey to set a new standard for inclusive senior living in Washington, D.C.ā€

But the monthly rent for residents of Inspir Embassy Row will likely place it out of reach for many potential senior residents. Cox said the monthly rent for a one-room studio apartment is $8,100, with the monthly cost of a one-bedroom apartment ranging from $11,500 to about $15,000. A two-bedroom apartment will cost $18,500 per month.

Some of those costs will be covered for residents who have long-term care insurance, Cox said.

Asked if potential residents who can afford the monthly costs at Inspir Embassy Row would be better off staying in their own homes and hiring staff and others to comfortably assist them, Cox said Inspir provides far more than just meals and a place to stay.

(Washington Blade photo by Lou Chibbaro, Jr.)

When remaining at your own home ā€œyouā€™re isolated, youā€™re lonely, you donā€™t have activities,ā€ he said. ā€œWhen you have people coming to care for you, theyā€™re not there as companions,ā€ Cox said. ā€œSo, for this, we give them opportunities. We take them to the Kennedy Center. We have music here on a daily basis.ā€

Cox added, ā€œWe have authors come in. We have speakers that are renowned coming in. Since weā€™re on Embassy Row, weā€™ll have ambassadors come in to introduce their country. So, really it is being able to get to know our community better and being social, interactive.ā€

The statement released by Inspir Embassy Row says the facility will provide ā€œLGBTQ+ specific activities, events, or support groups to allow residents the opportunity to share similar experiences with other residents,ā€ and there will be ā€œpartnerships with local LGBTQ+ organizations.ā€ 

(Washington Blade photo by Lou Chibbaro, Jr.)
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District of Columbia

Officials praise D.C. Office of LGBTQ Affairs, raise concern over funding delays

Leaders of local advocacy groups testify at Council oversight hearing

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Local officials praised the work of Office of LGBTQ Affairs Director Japer Bowles. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Officials with five local LGBTQ community organizations and officials with another four groups that also provide services for LGBTQ D.C. residents testified before a D.C. Council performance oversight hearing on Jan. 30 that examined the work of Mayor Muriel Bowserā€™s Office of LGBTQ Affairs.

The hearing, which also examined the Mayorā€™s Office of Veterans Affairs and Office of Religious Affairs, was called by D.C Council member Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1) in her role as chair of the Councilā€™s Committee on Public Works and Operations. 

Nearly all the witnesses praised what they called the LGBTQ Affairs Officeā€™s longstanding support for the D.C. LGBTQ community through a wide range of services and programs and what they called the ā€œdedicatedā€ work of its director, Japer Bowles.

Officials with at least four of the LGBTQ organizations, including the D.C. LGBTQ Budget Coalition and the LGBTQ youth advisory group SMYAL, expressed concern over what they called long delays in funding from grants awarded to LGBTQ and LGBTQ supportive groups by the Office of LGBTQ Affairs.

Several of the witnesses, including Kimberley Bush, executive director of the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center, who submitted written testimony, said the funding delays were being caused by other D.C. government agencies that administer city grant programs. 

Bush stated that the delays in funding for the LGBTQ+ Community Center for a  $50,000 Community Development Grant and a $50,000 Violence Prevention and Response Team (VPART) Grant, ā€œby no faultā€ of the LGBTQ Affairs Office, ā€œcaused extraordinary and substantial financial strain on our cash flow.ā€

Heidi Ellis, coordinator of the D.C. LGBTQ+ Budget Coalition, raised a related issue of concern that the mayorā€™s office, based on ā€œshifting priorities,ā€ sometimes significantly lowers the level of grant funds from the Office of LGBTQ Affairs to community-based LGBTQ grant recipients.

Ellis and other witnesses at the hearing referred to this as ā€œyo-yo funding and shifting of mayoral prioritiesā€ that they said makes it difficult for LGBTQ groups receiving city grants to continue their programs and services.  

In his own testimony, and in response to questions from Nadeau and D.C. Council member Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5), who is the Councilā€™s only gay member, LGBTQ Affairs Office Director Bowles said some of the delays in grant payments were due to a vacancy in the office staff position that administers the grants, which he said has now been filled.

Among other things, Bowles said the complexity of the grant approval process, which he said involves ā€œdifferent layers of funding decisionsā€ by other D.C. government offices, also has caused some delays. He said that despite what he called some of his officeā€™s challenges, the office continues to expand its role in supporting the local LGBTQ community.

ā€œWith Mayor Bowserā€™s leadership and support, Iā€™m proud to have led efforts that transformed the office,ā€ he stated in his testimony. ā€œWe secured the bid for WorldPride 2025, expanded our grant programs from $75,000 to over $6 million, revamped our community engagement strategy, and much more,ā€ he said.

ā€œThese changes have had a direct impact on addressing public safety concerns and providing housing and support to vulnerable residents,ā€ he added. According to Bowles, his officeā€™s LGBTQIA+ Community Development Grant program saw a record expansion in fiscal year 2024, with more than $1 million awarded to 29 community-based organizations. (The Washington Blade has been a recipient of a grant that funds a journalism fellow who reports on local LGBTQ community news.)

ā€œThese grants support a wide range of LGBTQIA+ dedicated initiatives, including mental health counseling, youth leadership, and arts and culture projects,ā€ he said. ā€œAs part of our broader advocacy efforts, we secured funding for the Violence Prevention and Response Team, which provides trauma-informed legal and counseling services to survivors of hate-based incidents.ā€

Among the LGBTQ officials who praised Bowlesā€™s work and the LGBTQ Affairs Office while raising concerns about the officeā€™s ability to carry out its ambitious programs was Vincent Slatt, chair of the D.C. Advisory Neighborhood Commissionā€™s Rainbow Caucus. The caucus currently consists of 38 out LGBTQ ANC commissioners based in all eight D.C. wards.   

Slatt called on Mayor Bowser and the D.C. Council to increase the number of full-time staff members for the LGBTQ Affairs Office from its current six staff members to 10 or 11 full-time staffers.

ā€œTo address these challenges, we strongly recommend increasing the officeā€™s staff to match the scale of its responsibilities and the growing needs of our community,ā€ Slatt told the committee. He added that the officeā€™s current ā€œchronic staffing and budget shortage disparities will become even more concerning in light of the recent and anticipated homophobic and transphobic attacks expected from the White House and Congress.ā€

The other LGBTQ community witnesses who praised the LGBTQ Affairs Officeā€™s overall work were Rebecca York, SMYALā€™s director of Youth Development and Community Engagement; Justin Johns, director of operations for the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center; Ryan Bos, executive director of the Capital Pride Alliance; and Bo Belotti, development manager for the community services organization HIPS.

In response to a request from the Washington Blade for comment on whether the mayor and other city officials were taking steps to address the issue of grant funding delays raised at the D.C. Council hearing, the office of the mayor released this statement: ā€œWashington, D.C. is proud to support the LGBTQIA+ community. The Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs continues to deliver impactful programs with its dedicated staff, and we are always assessing ways to enhance support across all community affairs offices.ā€

The Office of the D.C. Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) responded to the Blade inquiry with its own statement: ā€œDMPED has been working closely and collaboratively with the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center to finalize their grant agreement. We are proud to support this transformative project that is delivering a world-class services center for our LGBTQ community.ā€

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District of Columbia

D.C. Black Pride announces 2025 theme of ā€˜Freedomā€™

ā€˜Cocktails for a Causeā€™ fundraiser draws more than 100

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D.C. Black Pride lead organizer Kenya Hutton, standing in rear, introduces fellow Black Pride organizers and fellow board members after announcing this year's Black Pride theme. Standing from left to right: Shannon Garcon, Derrick 'Strawberry' Cox, Genise Chambers-Woods, Kathy Neal, and Savanna Wanzer. (Washington Blade photo by Lou Chibbaro, Jr.)

Organizers of D.C.ā€™s annual LGBTQ Black Pride celebration announced at a Jan. 29 ā€˜Cocktails for a Causeā€™ fundraising event that the theme for this yearā€™s celebration is ā€œBlack Pride is Freedom.ā€

Like past years, this yearā€™s Black Pride will take place during Memorial Day weekend from May 23-26 and will be an official event of World Pride, which D.C. is hosting this year.

Just over 100 people turned out for the theme announcement event at the City Club of D.C., which provided the cocktail lounge meeting space free of charge and was donating a percentage of its drink sales to Black Pride, according to Black Pride organizer Kenya Hutton.

Hutton, who serves as CEO and president of the Center for Black Equity, a D.C.-based LGBTQ advocacy group that organizes Black Pride, said the theme was selected in part based on the issues the LGBTQ community is facing in 2025.

ā€œJust looking at how things are going in the world right now, it seems that our safe spaces are in jeopardy,ā€ Hutton told the Washington Blade in recounting what he said at the Jan. 29 event.

ā€œAnd with the attacks that are happening on the Black community and Black LGBTQ communities, especially on our trans community, coming out with the theme of Black Pride is Freedom is sort of a declaration,ā€ he said.

ā€œIt is declaring that we are going to continue being free, weā€™re going to love how we are freely, love who we want freely, show how we want to be freely,ā€ Hutton said. ā€œWe just want to be free and weā€™re not going back in the closet, weā€™re not going to go into hiding. Weā€™re going to live out free and out loud unapologetically,ā€ he said.  

Hutton said most of this yearā€™s Black Pride events, which include panel discussions and workshops, will take place at the Capital Hilton Hotel.

The Capital Pride Alliance, which organizes most of D.C.ā€™s LGBTQ Pride events and is the lead organizer of this yearā€™s World Pride, states on its website that World Pride events will take place in D.C. from May 17 through June 8.

 Among the first of the events will be D.C. Trans Pride, which is scheduled to be held May 17-18, just ahead of Black Pride, which is set to be held May 23-26.

A listing of the World Price events can be accessed at worldpridedc.org.

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