Local

Police, prosecutors pledge renewed fight against hate crimes

Published

15 years ago

April 21, 2011

Police Chief Cathy Lanier. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier and officials with the United States Attorney’s Office and the Office of the D.C. Attorney General called for improvements in the city’s juvenile justice system as a means of addressing a sharp increase in hate crimes targeting the LGBT community.

Lanier and the other officials answered questions and pledged to redouble efforts to combat anti-LGBT hate crimes at an April 14 town hall meeting sponsored jointly by the D.C. group Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence, the Mayor’s Office of GLBT Affairs, the Office of the D.C. Attorney General and the D.C. Police Department’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit.

GLOV Chair A.J. Singletary opened the meeting, held at the city’s Reeves Center municipal building at 14th and U Streets, N.W., by reviewing recent D.C. police crime statistics showing that hate crimes in the city targeting LGBT people increased by 40 percent over the past year.

“This troubling increase in hate crimes against the LGBT community must be stopped,” he said. “GLOV is committed to ensuring the District government is doing all that it should to protect our community, and we must ensure that the community is doing what it can to protect itself.”

Singletary and GLOV Vice Chair Hassan Naveed told of GLOV’s programs aimed at educating LGBT people on steps they can take to avoid being targeted for a hate crime and how best to respond when threatened with anti-LGBT violence. Details of the group’s anti-violence programs can be accessed at glovdc.org.

Lanier and Robert Hildum, deputy D.C. Attorney General for public safety, said a large number of hate crimes targeting the LGBT community are committed by juveniles, who, upon arrest, must be processed through a juvenile justice system they described as flawed. The strict privacy rules required under D.C.’s juvenile justice laws often prevent D.C. police from properly investigating crimes of violence by sometimes barring them from questioning youth charged in crimes.

In addition to Singletary and Naveed, others speaking at the town hall were Andrew Barnett, executive director of the LGBT organization Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL); Chris Farris, former GLOV co-chair; and Wendy Pohlhaus, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for External Affairs.

Pohlhaus said the U.S. Attorney’s office, which prosecutes criminal cases in D.C., must carefully decide which cases should be prosecuted as hate crimes based on the language in the city’s hate crimes statute.

“It’s sometimes hard for the community to understand that the government must prove that a crime was committed because of hatred or prejudice” in order to successfully prosecute a case as a hate crime, she said.

Singletary said it was significant that much of the top brass of the police department attended the town hall meeting, including Deputy Chief Diane Groomes and the heads of the police units that oversee the GLLU.

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Maryland

Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes

Pride Center of Maryland among recipients

Published

1 day ago

September 9, 2026

Alexis McLean

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks at the Human Rights Campaign's National Dinner in D.C. on Sept. 13, 2025. His administration in the 2027 fiscal year will give $10 million in grants to the Pride Center of Maryland and other groups that work to prevent hate crimes in Maryland. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.

The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.

The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants

“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.”

“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”

Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.

District of Columbia

Blade welcomes fall intern

Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida

Published

1 week ago

September 2, 2026

Staff reports

Alexis McLean (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.

Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.

“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”

Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.

Rehoboth Beach

SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer

Labor Day Weekend bustling with events, including David Archuleta performance

Published

1 week ago

September 1, 2026

Thomas Weaverling

David Archuleta headlines this year’s SUNFESTIVAL on Saturday in Rehoboth Beach. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer in Rehoboth Beach, but there will be no shortage of LGBTQ events, with CAMP Rehoboth’s annual SUNFESTIVAL taking over town this weekend.

Thursday (9/3)

Get your Labor Day Weekend started early Thursday night with happy hour from 5-7 p.m. at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub, followed by Naughtee Bingo hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 8:30 p.m.

After bingo, the party continues with Dancing at Diego’s from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Aqua Bar & Grill will also kick off its Labor Day Weekend festivities Thursday with a DJ spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Friday (9/4)

The weekend ramps up Friday night at Aqua, where DJ Matt Bailer will keep the dance floor moving from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Over at Diego’s, DJ Steve Sidewalk will then take over Diego’s for Freedom Friday from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

Saturday (9/5)

The main event of the weekend arrives Saturday with the opening night of CAMP Rehoboth’s SUNFESTIVAL.

Billed as the ultimate party to close out the summer, SUNFESTIVAL has become one of Rehoboth’s signature Labor Day Weekend events. The annual celebration sells out each year, with proceeds benefiting CAMP Rehoboth.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments available at the cash bar while attendees are invited to socialize and find their seats.

Saturday night will feature local singer Ashley Williams as the opening performer, followed by headliner David Archuleta. The event will also feature a live auction.

Back across town Saturday, Aqua will continue its Labor Day Weekend DJ lineup from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Diego’s will also have plenty happening, with ‘Splash Party’ hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 5 p.m., followed by a Saturday Dance Party with Brett Oosterhaus from 9 p.m.- 1:30 a.m.

The Blue Moon hosts its popular Legends Show at 9 p.m. It’s an all-live singing show by the Blue Moon cast of celebrity impersonators.

Etienne Pilon has taken Rehoboth by storm this summer. Check out the talented singer/pianist at The Pines from 7-10 p.m.

Sunday (9/6)

Sunday’s SUNFESTIVAL event will shift the focus to the dance floor, with globally renowned DJs Robbie Leslie and James Anthony scheduled to perform. Doors open at 7 p.m., with dancing continuing until 1 a.m.

On Sunday, Aqua will throw its annual White Party, with DJs spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in white for the holiday weekend celebration.

Diego’s will host its Sunday High T-Dance with Pamala Stanley at 5 p.m. Later that evening, DJ Tannr will be spinning at 9 p.m.

John Flynn is on the piano from 6-8 p.m. at the Blue Moon.