Local
Va. groups condemn anti-trans attack in Fredericksburg
Three anti-violence groups and an AIDS organization in Virginia issued a joint statement on Tuesday condemning the May 21 beating of a 32-year-old transgender woman outside a 7-Eleven store in Fredericksburg, Va.
Three anti-violence groups and an AIDS organization in Virginia issued a joint statement on Tuesday condemning the May 21 beating of a 32-year-old transgender woman outside a 7-Eleven store in Fredericksburg, Va.
The statement, initiated by the Richmond-based Virginia Anti-Violence Project, which monitors violence against LGBT people, notes that a neighbor came to the aid of the transgender woman while at least three attackers punched and kicked her and as one of the attackers struck her with a broomstick.
“The woman has found overwhelming support from neighborhood residents and is being supported by local organizations,” said the statement.
Police have charged 19-year-old Farkeem Omar French and his 18-year-old girlfriend, Laqueta Webb, with malicious wounding by mob in connection with the attack. Police said they were looking for a third suspect in the case.
Farkeem, who was released on bail, and Webb, who is being held in custody, are scheduled to appear at a status hearing on June 23 in Fredericksburg General District Court.
Activists following the case consider the incident an anti-transgender hate crime based on reports by witnesses that those assaulting the woman taunted her over her status as a transgender person. Virginia’s hate crimes law covers victims based on their race, religion and ethnicity but does not cover incidents based on a victim’s gender identity or sexual orientation.
In addition to the Virginia Anti-Violence Project, the groups signing the joint statement include the Fredericksburg Area HIV/AIDS Support Services, the Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault, and the Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence.
“In solidarity, we support all victims of violence, regardless of the motivation, while acknowledging that stigma and discrimination still play a noticeable role in the experiences of many victims of violence from within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) community,” the statement says.

The Washington Blade’s second day of Pride on the Pier at The Wharf DC ended with a fireworks show on Saturday, June 7. The fireworks show was presented by the Leonard-Litz LGBTQ Foundation.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

















State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield) will face John Reid in the race to become Virginia’s next lieutenant governor.
Hashmi won the Democratic primary with 27.49 percent of the vote. She defeated former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, state Sen. Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach), Babur Lateef, Victor Salgado and Alexander Bastani.
“Tonight, Virginians made history,” said Hashmi in a statement. “We didn’t just win a primary, we sent a clear message that we won’t be bullied, broken, or dragged backward by the chaos in Washington.”
Reid, a gay conservative talk show host, in April won the Republican nomination to succeed Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who is running to succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
The incumbent governor days after Reid secured the nomination called for him to withdraw his candidacy amid reports that a social media account with his username included “pornographic content.” Reid, who would become the first openly gay person elected to statewide office in Virginia if he wins in November, has strongly denied the reports.
Former state Del. Jay Jones defeated Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor in Democratic attorney general primary. Jones will face Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares in November.
Youngkin cannot run for a second, consecutive term.
Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger will face off against Earle-Sears in November. The winner will make history as the first woman elected governor in the state’s history.
Baltimore
More than 15K people attend Baltimore Trans Pride
Baltimore Safe Haven organized annual event

More than 15,000 people attended Baltimore Safe Haven’s annual Trans Pride on Saturday.
“Last year we had maybe 2,500, and the year before that, we had 5,000,” Renee Lau, administrative assistant for special projects coordinator for Baltimore Safe Haven, said. “In today’s political climate, it’s absolutely amazing.”
Lau said allies and other groups “went into hiding” for about a month or two after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, but then all at once, different organizations started to reach out.
“The community has really come together to support us,” Lau said. “It was a fun, exciting day.”
Baltimore Safe Haven Executive Director Iya Dammons in a press release said the “historic turnout” showed the transgender community’s strength, as well as their unity to fight for justice and equality for all LGBTQ people.
At the event, attendees were seen waving flags and shouting “Trans Lives Matter,” showing their support for the community.
On Friday, before Trans Pride, Baltimore Safe Haven opened their new building to the public, gathering notable attendees like the Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohan, Council Member Antonio Glover, and representatives from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.
“(It) was historic in itself because … we’re the only direct service providers for people in the LGBT community,” Lau said.
Providing housing for 18- to 24-year-olds, Lau said the new building also serves as a community hub and has office spaces for workers.
With only a few hiccups of arguments between attendees and fixing street blockades during Trans Pride, Lau said the event showed what the community can do.
“It was amazing that so many people came out and had that much fun. We were all giddy by Sunday morning,” Lau said. “(It gave) Safe Haven exposure and continuity. We are not just an LGBT organization, we are an organization that supports the entire community.”
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