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LGBT Equality Caucus talks immigration reform & more
GMU retains anti-discrimination policies
Not even Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s own alma mater is siding with him on his push to overturn LGBT non-discrimination policies on public college campuses.
The George Mason University Board of Visitors adopted a resolution last week affirming the school’s existing policies banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
“[A] diverse and inclusive learning environment that respects and enhances the potential of all members of our community is vitally important to the mission of George Mason University to achieve excellence in teaching, research and service,” says a board statement.
Board members praised the “outstanding contributions” of LGBT faculty, students and staff and said all employees and students deserve statutory protections against discrimination.
The decision came March 24, one day after Cuccinelli returned to his former law school for a question-and-answer session with students. He was greeted by a protest of about 50 to 60 current and former George Mason law students opposed to his efforts to overturn the anti-discrimination policies.
Many public universities in Virginia are disregarding Cuccinelli’s March 4 letter, which advised that such policies were illegal, after Gov. Bob McDonnell issued an “executive directive” calling on public agencies to not discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation or other factors.
University of Virginia President John Casteen III praised the directive’s clarity and McDonnell’s “civility and decency” on the issue.
“As rightly alarmed as many of us and I, myself, were by [the] attorney general’s letter, I was struck through the week by the wisdom and dignity of the discussion that occurred,” he said in a statement. “Let us hope that the subsequent discussion will rise to the level of the model struck in the directive.”
HARLEY DENNETT
Activists playing defense in Maryland
Just one pro-LGBT bill remains in play in Maryland’s General Assembly for 2010, a year in which Equality Maryland has tallied more defensive than offensive wins.
House Bill 462, which would add LGBT non-discrimination protections for teachers in public schools, passed the House in advance of Monday’s crucial crossover deadline. Bills must pass at least one chamber before the deadline to advance this session.
The Senate Education, Health & Environmental Affairs Committee will next consider the bill. No hearing date was immediately scheduled.
Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Equality Maryland’s executive director, said her organization’s work this year focused on playing defense.
“There have been a half dozen bills introduced that would have rolled back rights and in addition we’ve had to watch out for bad amendments to our bills,” Meneses-Sheets said. “The thing about defense: It’s behind the scenes. We know we’ve had many successes by holding back these attacks, but in terms of proactively moving forward, this HB 462 [is a measure] we hope will pass this year.”
Equality Maryland is opposing another bill, Senate Bill 385, which would give public funds to private religious schools without requiring adherence to the state’s non-discrimination policy.
“We certainly respect that they’re looking for ways to support local schools, but at the end of the day, providing public money to a private religious school that refuses to uphold out state anti-discrimination laws is just inappropriate and unacceptable.”
The bill was scheduled for a hearing in the House Ways & Means Committee on April 1, after DC Agenda deadline.
HARLEY DENNETT
District of Columbia
Campaign launched to elect more LGBTQ candidates to ANC seats
Capital Stonewall Democrats behind Queering ANCs effort
The Capital Stonewall Democrats, D.C.’s largest local LGBTQ political group, announced on July 7 it has launched a campaign to help elect large numbers of LGBTQ candidates to the city’s Advisory Neighborhood Commissions.
The D.C. local government is believed to be unique among U.S. cities in currently having 46 Advisory Neighborhood Commissions consisting of 345 single-member districts in neighborhoods throughout the city in which unpaid Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners are elected for two-year terms.
The commissions are charged with considering a wide range of policies and programs impacting their neighborhoods, including traffic, parking, recreation, street improvements, liquor licenses, zoning, economic development, police protection, sanitation and trash collection, and D.C.’s annual budget, according to the ANC website.
Although the ANCs do not have authority to set or reject policies or proposals, such as applications for liquor licenses, city agencies are required to give “great weight” to ANC recommendations, according to the law creating the ANCs.
Kent Boese, a gay former ANC commissioner, currently serves as executive director of the D.C. Office of ANCs.
“We are launching the most ambitious hyperlocal LGBTQ+ candidate pipeline initiative in the country,” said Stevie McCarty, the Capital Stonewall Democrats president, in a July 7 statement that announced the Queering ANCs campaign.
“As an ANC member, I know firsthand how these seats shape our neighborhoods, from housing and public safety to sanitation,” McCarty says in the statement. “I’m proud to lead this effort to ensure more LGBTQ+ Washingtonians see themselves as leaders in their communities,” he said.
The ANC Rainbow Caucus, which was created by LGBTQ ANC members, shows on its website that there are currently 38 caucus members consisting of elected LGBTQ ANC commissioners serving in the current 2025-2026 two-year term.
The website shows there are LGBTQ commissioners who are caucus members in each of the city’s eight wards, with six in Ward 1, eight in Ward 2, one in Ward 3, six in Ward 4, five in Ward 5, three in Ward 6, eight in Ward 7, and one in Ward 8.
The Washington Blade couldn’t immediately determine how many of them will be running for re-election in D.C.’s general election in November. But McCarty said Capital Stonewall Democrats hopes to recruit many more LGBTQ candidates to run for ANC seats.
The D.C. Board of Elections website shows the deadline for filing 25 required petition signatures to be placed on the ballot is Aug. 5.
A Queering ANCs website launched this week by Capital Stonewall Democrats provides details on how to run for an ANC seat and offers help for those interested in running.
“Think of someone in your building, neighborhood, friend group, community organization, or professional network who cares deeply about D.C. and would make a strong leader,” McCarty says in his statement. “Send them QueeringANCs.org and personally ask them to consider running,” he said.
The website can be accessed at QueeringANCs.org.
Baltimore
Ron Singer, owner of popular Mount Vernon gay bar Leon’s, dies
66-year-old’s funeral to take place Friday
By CAYLA HARRIS | Ron Singer, the owner of Baltimore’s popular gay bar Leon’s Backroom, died Tuesday, the venue announced in a social media post. He was 66.
“For more than 20 years, Ron made Leon’s a place so many people were proud to call home,” the post reads. “He will be deeply missed.”
The Mount Vernon bar, typically open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily, is still open Thursday, but doors will close at midnight so staff can attend his funeral Friday morning. Services are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. at Sol Levinson’s Chapel.
The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
District of Columbia
Mary’s House founder, CEO retires
Dr. Imani Woody played leading role in opening DC’s first home for LGBTQ seniors
The board of directors for Mary’s House for Older Adults, DC’s first official home dedicated to providing affordable housing for LGBTQ seniors, announced on July 7 that its founding president and CEO, Dr. Imani Woody, has retired.
Woody, who holds a PhD in Human Services, is credited with playing a leading role over many years in arranging both city and private funding needed to construct and operate the Mary’s House three-story building located at 401 Anacostia Road, S.E., in the city’s Fort Dupont neighborhood.
The house, which opened in March 2025, with a grand opening ceremony held in May 2025, includes 15 single-occupancy residential units and more than 5,000 square feet of shared communal living space.
“It is with profound gratitude and hearts full of celebration that the board of directors of Mary’s House for Older Adults, DC (MHFOA) announces the retirement of our visionary founder, Dr. Imani Woody, from her role as president and CEO,” the Mary’s House board says in a statement.
“Dr. Woody’s journey with Mary’s House began with her vision and a kitchen table gathering of women with a bold, urgent, and loving vision: to create safe, affirming, affordable housing for LGBTQ/SGL older adults in Washington, DC,” the statement says.
It adds, “What started as a dream has grown into DC’s first affordable LGBTQ+/SGL affirming communal living space for adults 60 and over, a 15-room community residence at 401 Anacostia Road in Southeast Washington.”
The statement says Woody will continue to serve on Mary’s House board.
“The board will be sharing information about the leadership transition process in the coming weeks,” the statement continues. “We are committed to honoring Dr. Woody’s legacy by ensuring Mary’s House continues to thrive and grow in faithful service to LGBTQ/SGL elders experiencing housing insecurity and isolation.”
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