Local
Tight Senate race for gay Virginia candidate
Del. Ebbin second in fundraising in expensive campaign
Adam Ebbin, who is leaving his spot as the only openly gay state delegate in Virginia, faces two strong opponents in his race for Senate. (Photo courtesy Adam Ebbin)
Virginia’s only openly gay delegate is fighting hard to become Virginia’s first openly gay state senator, in what’s shaping up to be a very expensive primary race among three Northern Virginia politicos in the 30th District.
Del. Adam Ebbin has represented the 49th District in the Virginia House of Delegates since 2004, and has been a progressive voice in state politics during his time in office. He’s looking to turn his eight-year record into a primary win this Aug. 23.
“I’m the only Democratic candidate with the record of standing up to Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and his dangerous plans,” Ebbin said. “He’s advocated discrimination against gays, denied climate change [science], and has other radical ideas. I’ve written legislation to prevent him from continuing his civil actions without approval of the General Assembly or the governor.”
In June, when the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond flew the rainbow flag for LGBT Pride month, Ebbin went head-to-head in the media with Republican Del. Bob Marshall, who took to the press denouncing the move, and wrote an open letter to the bank’s president calling the move “inappropriate.”
Ebbin was vocal in his response to Marshall, telling the New York Times, that life was improving for LGBT people in Virginia in spite of people like Marshall, who was sponsor of the bill to ban marriage equality in the Commonwealth, and last year made the claim that ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” would lead to the spread of “venereal diseases” in the armed forces.
“[Adam Ebbin] persuaded two governors to issue executive orders protecting LGBT Virginians from discrimination in state employment,” a campaign release reads. “He led the effort to expand life insurance benefits to domestic partners.”
Ebbin’s modest campaign headquarters on Powhatan Street in North Old Town Alexandria has drawn, what Ebbin called, a “multitude of volunteers.”
“We have a number of students and a number of interns, a good number of democratic activists, seniors, democratic committee members, and GLBT people,” he said.
Ebbin’s supporters will be gathering on Monday night at Freddy’s Beach Bar in Arlington to raise money, show their support and raise awareness of the campaign to make Ebbin Virginia’s first openly gay state senator. Several sponsorship levels are available through the campaign, and tickets to attend the event are $50 in advance.
Ebbin has also received numerous endorsements recently including from Equality Virginia, Virginia Partisans Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and the Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Associations. The three candidates in the race have raised more than $500,000 in donations collectively, according to Mary Ann Barton, writing for Patch.com.
Ebbin, Libby Garvey and Rob Krupicka are vying for the seat being vacated by 16-year incumbent Patsy Ticer.
“It’s an open seat, because of her retirement,” Ebbin said. “It’s a very Democratic seat, strongly Democratic. The winner of the primary is expected to be the next senator”
Despite the stiff competition, Ebbin believes his organization is strong and will prevail.
“We’re getting a great reaction door-to-door,” Ebbin said. “We’re happy to be receiving more endorsements.”
Ebbin is pulling strong fundraising numbers as well. While Krupicka, an Alexandria City Council member, is in front, having raised more than $201,000, Ebbin’s campaign is close behind with more than $186,000.
The other candidate is Libby Garvey, a member of the Arlington School Board. Although trailing in third place in fundraising, Garvey received an important leg-up in the form of $20,000 in donations from Ticer.
Ebbin said he can be more effective in the Senate than in the lower chamber.
“I think that I can do a great job, and be even more effective,” he explained about making the jump to the Senate. “There’s an opportunity to be in an even smaller body — hopefully in the majority — and I think I’ll get more legislation passed, more done.”
Ebbin’s top legislative priorities in the Senate will make his progressive constituents very happy, saying, “renewable energy, transit, and non-discrimination in state hiring would be among the first.”
For information about the Ebbin for Virginia event at Freddy’s, contact [email protected].
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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