Local
Police Log: November 4
The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit investigated these incidents
The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit investigated the following incidents:
On Oct. 30 in the 300 block of K Street, N.W., a woman called police to have her girlfriend removed from their house following an argument. No assault took place and the complainant was advised on the proper method to get the other individual to leave the premises.
On Oct. 30 in the 100 block of 36th Street, N.E., a man reported that he was assaulted by his partner. The suspect punched the man in the face with his fist. The victim suffered minor injuries in the assault. The suspect fled prior to MPD arrival and the case remains open.
On Oct. 30 in the Columbia Heights area, a man reported that he gave his laptop computer to an individual in exchange for sex and illicit drugs. The man realized that after giving his computer away, all of his important login information was on his laptop. Technology resource information was provided to the complainant.
On Oct. 30 in the 4600 block of Clay Street, N.E., a woman requested the assistance of the GLLU regarding a stay away order held against her. The complainant was arrested several days ago and the judge told her not to contact two victims. The victim has been calling the complainant repeatedly. The woman was advised as to her recourses in reference to the ongoing communication incidences.
On Oct. 27 in the 1200 block of Sumner Road, S.E., a woman reported that while she was seated in a vehicle an unknown male approached her with a gun and attempted to rob her. She stated that she did not have anything. The suspect then grabbed the victim’s purse and sexually assaulted her at gunpoint. The suspect fled the scene after the offense.
On Oct. 26 in the 1400 block of U Street, N.W., detectives were doing a follow up on a simple assault investigation from an earlier report. The follow-up revealed that along with an assault, the suspect used homophobic epithets against the complainant. A follow -up report was taken.
On Oct. 24 at 61st & Dix streets, N.E., a woman reported that she was assaulted by two suspects who were arrested at the scene.
On Oct. 19 in the 2700 block of Bruce Place, S.E., police responded to a call for a drug overdose. A woman had taken an undetermined amount of oxycodone pills. She stated that her girlfriend of three years wanted to separate and she didn’t want to live without her. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
On Oct. 18 in the 100 block of Xenia Street, S.E., a woman reports that she observed a female and male engaged in an argument. The woman reported that she intervened verbally, defending the female. The suspect then called her an anti-gay epithet and moments later struck her in the face with a closed fist. The woman was transported to a local hospital for a laceration to her face. A report was taken for simple assault, bias related.
Maryland
Md. Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs released updated student recommendations
LGBTQ students report higher rates of bullying, suicide
The Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs has released updated recommendations on how the state’s schools can support LGBTQ students.
The updated 16-page document outlines eight “actionable recommendations” for Maryland schools, supplemented with data and links to additional resources. The recommendations are:
- Developing and passing a uniform statewide and comprehensive policy aimed at protecting “transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive students” against discrimination. The recommendation lists minimum requirements for the policy to address: name, pronoun usage, and restroom access.
- Requiring all educators to receive training about the specific needs of LGBTQ students, by trained facilitators. The training’s “core competencies” include instruction on terminology, data, and support for students.
- Implementing LGBTQ-inclusive curricula and preventing book bans. The report highlights a “comprehensive sexual education curriculum” as specifically important in the overall education curriculum. It also states the curriculum will “provide all students with life-saving information about how to protect themselves and others in sexual and romantic situations.”
- Establishing Gender Sexuality Alliances “at all schools and in all grade levels.” This recommendation includes measures on how to adequately establish effective GSAs, such as campaign advertising, and official state resources that outline how to establish and maintain a GSA.
- Providing resources to students’ family members and supporters. This recommendation proposes partnering with local education agencies to provide “culturally responsive, LGBTQIA+ affirming family engagement initiatives.”
- Collecting statewide data on LGBTQ youth. The data on Maryland’s LGBTQ youth population is sparse and non-exhaustive, and this recommendation seeks to collect information to inform policy and programming across the state for LGBTQ youth.
- Hiring a full-time team at the Maryland Department of Education that focuses on LGBTQ student achievement. These employees would have specific duties that include “advising on local and state, and federal policy” as well as developing the LGBTQ curriculum, and organizing the data and family resources.
- Promoting and ensuring awareness of the 2024 guidelines to support LGBTQ students.
The commission has 21 members, with elections every year, and open volunteer positions. It was created in 2021 and amended in 2023 to add more members.
The Governor’s Office of Communication says the commission’s goal is “to serve LGBTQIA+ Marylanders by galvanizing community voices, researching and addressing challenges, and advocating for policies to advance equity and inclusion.”
The commission is tasked with coming up with yearly recommendations. This year’s aim “to ensure that every child can learn in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.”
The Human Rights Campaign’s most recent report on LGBTQ youth revealed that 46.1 percent of LGBTQ youth felt unsafe in some school settings. Those numbers are higher for transgender students, with 54.9 percent of them saying they feel unsafe in school.
Maryland’s High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey reveals a disparity in mental health issues and concerns among students who identify as LGBTQ, compared to those who are heterosexual. LGBTQ students report higher rates of bullying, feelings of hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts. Nearly 36 percent of LGBTQ students report they have a suicide plan, and 26.7 percent of respondents say they have attempted to die by suicide.
The commission’s recommendations seek to combat the mental health crisis among the state’s LGBTQ students. They are also a call for local and state governments to work towards implementing them.
Virginia
Va. lawmakers consider partial restoration of Ryan White funds
State Department of Health in 2025 cut $20 million from Part B program
The Virginia General Assembly is considering the partial restoration of HIV funding that the state’s Department of Health cut last year.
The Department of Health in 2025 cut $20 million — or 67 percent of total funding — from the Ryan White Part B program.
The funding cuts started with the Trump-Vance administration passing budget cuts to federal HIV screening and protection programs. Rebate issues between the Virginia Department of Health and the company that provides HIV medications began.
Advocates say the funding cuts have disproportionately impacted lower-income people.
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, a federal program started in 1990, provides medical services, public education, and essential services. Part B offers 21 services, seven of which remained funded after the budget cuts.
Equality Virginia notes “in 2025, a 67 percent reduction severely destabilized HIV services across the commonwealth.”
Virginia lawmakers have approved two bills — House Bill 30 and Senate Bill 30 — that would partially restore the funding. The Ryan White cuts remain a concern among community members.
Both chambers of the General Assembly must review their proposed changes before lawmakers can adopt the bills.
“While these amendments aren’t a full restoration of what community-based organizations lost, this marks a critical step toward stabilizing care for thousands of Virginians living with HIV,” said Equality Virginia Executive Director Narissa Rahaman. “Equality Virginia plans to continue their contact with lawmakers and delegates through the conference and up until the passing of the budget.”
“We appreciate lawmakers from both sides of the aisle who recognized the urgency of this moment and will work to ensure funding remains in the final version signed by the governor,” added Rahaman.
District of Columbia
D.C. Black Pride theme, performers announced at ‘Speakeasy’
Durand Bernarr to headline 2026 programming
The Center for Black Equity held its 2026 DC Black Pride Theme Reveal event at Union Stage on Monday. The evening, a “Speakeasy Happy Hour,” was hosted by Anthony Oakes and featured performances by Lolita Leopard and Keith Angelo. The Center for Black Equity organizes DC Black Pride.
Kenya Hutton, Center for Black Equity president and CEO, spoke following the performances by Leopard and Angelo. Hutton announced this year’s theme for DC Black Pride: “New Black Renaissance.”
Performers for 2026 DC Black Pride were announced to be Bang Garcon, Be Steadwell, Jay Columbus, Bennu Byrd, Rue Pratt and Akeem Woods.
Singer-songwriter Durand Bernarr was announced as the headliner for the 2026 festivities. Bernerr gave brief remarks through a video played on the screen at the stage.
DC Black Pride is scheduled for May 22-25. For more information on DC Black Pride, visit dcblackpride.org.
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