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.
Rehoboth Beach
BLUF leather social set for April 10 in Rehoboth
Attendees encouraged to wear appropriate gear
Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach hosts a monthly leather happy hour. April’s edition is scheduled for Friday, April 10, 5-7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear appropriate gear. The event is billed as an official event of BLUF, the free community group for men interested in leather. After happy hour, the attendees are encouraged to reconvene at Local Bootlegging Company for dinner, which allows cigar smoking. There’s no cover charge for either event.
District of Columbia
Celebrations of life planned for Sean Bartel
Two memorial events scheduled in D.C.
Two celebrations of life are planned for Sean Christopher Bartel, 48, who was found deceased on a hiking trail in Argentina on or around March 15. Bartel began his career as a television news reporter and news anchor at stations in Louisville, Ky., and Evansville, Ind., before serving as Senior Video Producer for the D.C.-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union from 2013 to 2024.
A memorial gathering is planned for Friday, April 10, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the IBEW International Office (900 7th St., N.W.), according to a statement by the DC Gay Flag Football League, where Bartel was a longtime member. A celebration of life is planned that same evening, 6-8 p.m. at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.).
District of Columbia
D.C. Council member honored by LGBTQ homeless youth group
Doni Crawford receives inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award
About 100 people turned out Tuesday evening, April 7, for a presentation by D.C.’s Wanda Alston Foundation of its inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award to D.C. Council member Doni Crawford (I-At-Large) for her support for the foundation’s mission to support homeless LGBTQ youth.
Among those who attended the event was Japer Bowles, director of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, who delivered an official proclamation issued by Bowser declaring April 7, 2026 “A Day of Remembrance for Wanda Alston.”
Alston, a beloved women’s and LGBTQ rights activist, served as the city’s first director of the then newly created Office of LGBTQ Affairs under then-Mayor Anthony Williams from 2004 until her death by murder on March 16, 2005.
To the shock and dismay of fellow LGBTQ rights advocates, police and court records reported Alston, 45, was stabbed to death inside her Northeast D.C. house by a man high on crack cocaine who lived nearby and who stole her credit cards and car. The perpetrator, William Martin Parrott, 38, was arrested by D.C. police the next day and later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He was sentenced in July 2005 to 24 years in prison.
Crawford was among those attending the award event who reflected on Alston’s legacy and outspoken advocacy for LGBTQ and feminist causes.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this inaugural award,” Crawford told the Washington Blade at the conclusion of the event. “I think the world of Wanda Alston. She has set such a great foundation for me and other Council members to build on,” she said.
“Her focus on inclusivity and intersectionality is really important as we approach this work,” Crawford added. “And it’s going to guide my work at the Council every day.”
Crawford was appointed to the D.C. Council in January of this year to replace then Council member Kenyan McDuffie (I-At-Large), who resigned to run for D.C. mayor as a Democrat. She is being challenged by four other independent candidates in a June 16 special election for the Council seat.
Under the city’s Home Rule Charter written and approved by Congress, the seat is one of two D.C. Council at-large seats that cannot be held by a “majority party” candidate, meaning a Democrat.
A statement released by the Alston Foundation last month announcing Crawford’s selection for the Wanda Alston Legacy Award praised Crawford’s record of support for its work on behalf of LGBTQ youth.
“From behind the scenes to now serving as an At-Large Council member, she has fought fearlessly for affordable housing, LGBTQ+ funding priorities, and racial justice,” the statement says. “Council member Crawford’s leadership reflects the same courage and conviction that defined Wanda’s legacy.”
Organizers of the event noted that it was held on what would have been Wanda Alston’s 67th birthday.
“Today’s legacy reception was a smashing success,” said Cesar Toledo, the Alston Foundation’s executive director. “Not only did we come together to celebrate Wanda Alston on her birthday, but we also were able to raise over $10,000 for our homeless LGBTQ youth here in D.C.,” Toledo told the Blade.
“In addition to that, we celebrated and we acknowledged a rising star in our community,” he said. “And that is At-Large Council member Doni Crawford, who we named the inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award recipient.”
At the request of D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large) the Council voted unanimously on Jan. 20, 2026, to appoint Crawford to the Council seat being vacated by McDuffie.
Council records show she joined McDuffie’s Council staff in 2022 as a policy adviser and later became his legislative director before McDuffie appointed her as staff director for the Council’s Committee on Business and Economic Development for which McDuffie served as chair.
Calendar: April 10-16
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