Local
Gay Va. lawmaker pursues state Senate seat
Democratic primary set for August 23
Del. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) (Blade photo by Michael Key)
A gay four-term member of the Virginia State House last week declared his intention to pursue a seat in the General Assembly’s upper chamber.
Del. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), who’s served as a state House member since 2004, announced he would pursue the state Senate seat that Patsy Ticer (D-Alexandria) will vacate upon her retirement this year.
Ebbin said he’s interested in moving from the Republican-controlled House to the Democratic-controlled Senate to have a greater voice in speaking out for LGBT people and other minorities.
“I’ve tried to be a voice for the voiceless in the House,” Ebbin said. “I think I can be a loader voice in the Senate for GLBT people or religious minorities, for workers and others who are often left out.”
In the House, Ebbin has championed many LGBT bills, although many, such as a non-discrimination measure for state workers and anti-bullying legislation, were blocked in the Republican-controlled House and haven’t made it to the governor’s desk.
Ebbin noted that the Democratic-controlled Senate has succeeded in passing pro-LGBT measures and said he thinks he would have better success in moving forward on LGBT issues in the chamber.
“We’ve found the Senate to be more receptive, and I feel like if I can get things passed in the Senate and then bring them to the House, that they would get more weighed consideration,” Ebbin said.
Having planned the run for several months, Ebbin said he’s already hired a campaign manager and has rented out a campaign headquarters.
But other Democrats are also seeking the state Senate seat. Alexandria City Council member Rob Krupicka and Arlington School Board Chair Libby Garvey have also announced their intent to pursue the Democratic nomination.
Ebbin said he thinks his experience in the General Assembly puts him in a good position to win a Democratic primary, which would take place on Aug. 23.
“I’m the only one who’s served in the General Assembly and I think I’ve proven to be effective and the voters will find that appealing — to have experience at the state level and a proven record of effectiveness,” Ebbin said.
In the predominantly Democratic 30th district, the Democratic nominee would be favored to win against any other candidate in the general election. Still, a Republican, Alexandria businessman Michael Maibach, has reportedly expressed interest in the seat.
District of Columbia
Laverne Cox, Reneé Rapp, Deacon Maccubbin named WorldPride grand marshals
Three LGBTQ icons to lead parade
WorldPride organizers announced Thursday that actress and trans activist Laverne Cox, powerhouse performer Reneé Rapp, and LGBTQ trailblazer Deacon Maccubbin will serve as grand marshals for this year’s WorldPride parade.
The Capital Pride Alliance, which is organizing WorldPride 2025 in Washington, D.C., revealed the honorees in a press release, noting that each has made a unique contribution to the fabric of the LGBTQ community.
Cox made history in 2014 as the first openly transgender person nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category for her role in Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black.” She went on to win a Daytime Emmy in 2015 for her documentary “Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word,” which followed seven young trans people as they navigated coming out.
Rapp, a singer and actress who identifies as a lesbian, rose to prominence as Regina George in the Broadway musical “Mean Girls.” She reprised the role in the 2024 film adaptation and also stars in Max’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” portraying a character coming to terms with her sexuality. Rapp has released an EP, “Everything to Everyone,” and an album, “Snow Angel.” She announced her sophomore album, “Bite Me,” on May 21 and is slated to perform at the WorldPride Music Festival at the RFK Festival Grounds.
Deacon Maccubbin, widely regarded as a cornerstone of Washington’s LGBTQ+ history, helped organize D.C.’s first Gay Pride Party in 1975. The event took place outside Lambda Rising, one of the first LGBTQ bookstores in the nation, which Maccubbin founded. For his decades of advocacy and activism, he is often referred to as “the patriarch of D.C. Pride.”
“I am so honored to serve as one of the grand marshals for WorldPride this year. This has been one of the most difficult times in recent history for queer and trans people globally,” Cox said. “But in the face of all the rhetorical, legislative and physical attacks, we continue to have the courage to embrace who we truly are, to celebrate our beauty, resilience and bravery as a community. We refuse to allow fear to keep us from ourselves and each other. We remain out loud and proud.”
“Pride is everything. It is protection, it is visibility, it is intersectional. But most importantly, it is a celebration of existence and protest,” Rapp said.
The three will march down 14th Street for the WorldPride Parade in Washington on June 7.
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
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