Local
Md. lawmaker faces retaliation for anti-gay views: lawyer
Claims Del. Alston indicted because she withdrew marriage support

The lawyer representing Maryland State Del. Tiffany Alston (D-Prince George’s County) says he’s convinced that Alston was targeted for alleged campaign finance violations under the state’s criminal law because she withdrew her support for a same-sex marriage bill earlier this year.
Baltimore attorney J. Wyndal Gordon told the Blade Monday that Alston’s indictment on felony theft charges in September was the result of a “backlash” against her decision to oppose the same-sex marriage equality bill after she promised to vote for it.
Gordon said authorities initially investigated Alston for alleged campaign irregularities through a non-criminal, civil process overseen by the state’s Board of Elections. He said state prosecutors changed course and sought a criminal indictment against her almost immediately after she angered same-sex marriage supporters by switching sides and opposing the bill.
“That’s when there was an intense scrutiny placed upon her and they started looking at her with a jaundiced eye like they were out to get her after that situation occurred,” he said.
MORE IN THE BLADE: THE BACKGROUND ON THE ALSTON INDICTMENT
The Maryland Office of the State Prosecutor charged Alston with one count of felony theft, one count of misdemeanor theft, one count of fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary, and two election law violations. If convicted, she faces a possible sentence of ten years in jail.
A conviction also would force her to give up her seat as a state delegate representing Prince George’s County.
The charges, which were handed down by a grand jury on Sept. 23, allege that Alston made illegal disbursements from her election campaign account for personal use. Among other things, the indictment charges that she issued two campaign account checks totaling $3,560 to cover the cost of her wedding in December 2010.
LGBT activists called that allegation an ironic development, saying she allegedly broke the law to help pay for her own wedding just a few months before she moved to deny weddings for same-sex couples.
James Cabezas, chief prosecutor at the Office of the State Prosecutor, declined to comment on Gordon’s claim that Alston’s indictment was a result of a backlash against her opposition to the marriage bill. Cabezas said the office never discusses pending cases.
“When a matter is being litigated in a courtroom, that’s where we do our talking,” he said.
Gordon said he will argue at Alston’s trial, scheduled to begin Jan. 10, that the funds Alston withdrew from her campaign account were her own personal funds.
“So the funds that she’s accused of stealing were actually her personal funds that she invested in her own campaign with agreements with the campaign treasurer that she would be reimbursed for what she contributed to the campaign,” he said. “And the law allows for that as well.”
MORE IN THE BLADE: GEARING UP FOR ANOTHER MARRIAGE FIGHT IN MARYLAND
When asked if the backlash he claims resulted in Alston’s indictment was brought about, in part, by gay community outrage over her decision to switch sides on the marriage bill, Gordon said he bases his assertion on “anecdotal” rather than “empirical” evidence.
“I think it was an unpopular position that she took,” he said. “It took a lot of courage for her to reconsider her previous position and vote the way her constituency insisted that she voted. And she’s paying the price for it. And who’s behind it? Let’s just say those who were in favor of gay marriage. That’s the best I can say.”
Gay rights attorney Patrick Wojahn, who serves as board chair for the Equality Maryland Foundation, a statewide LGBT advocacy group, described as a “red herring” Gordon’s claim that Alston was singled out for prosecution due to her flip-flop on the marriage bill.
“These are completely separate issues,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any likelihood that the state prosecutor would care about a legislative issue.”
Lisa Polyak, board chair of Equality Maryland, said Gordon’s claim that Alston’s indictment was linked to her views on the marriage bill came as a surprise to the group.
“Our focus continues to be on achieving equal treatment under the law for the LGBT community of Maryland, and we welcome Del. Alston’s assistance in this struggle,” Polyak said. “Mr. Gordon’s remarks are disappointing, as they seem to scapegoat our community as a means to achieve fair treatment for his client.”
Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Pride festival to take place July 19
LGBTQ-friendly resort town welcomes third year of celebrations

Rehoboth Beach Pride is back for a day of summer celebration next Saturday.
The Delaware beach town will host its Pride festival at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center on July 19 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., followed by an after-party at Freddie’s Beach Bar and a ticketed event in the evening with a film screening, comedian, and musician.
“It will be a day of community engagement, fun, celebration and learning, all sorts of things rolled into one,” David Mariner, executive director of Sussex Pride, told the Washington Blade. “I think it’s a great opportunity for us to be together, to support each other.”
Pride is organized by Sussex Pride and Gay Women of Rehoboth. The festival will include a free, family-friendly event with vendors offering information and resources, health screenings, and other activities.
Drag queen Roxy Overbrooke will host the festival, with performances throughout the day by Ivy Blu Austin, Goldstar, the cast of Clear Space Theatre, JC Pizzaz, and Kadet Kelly.
Mariner said Rehoboth Pride has not seen a decrease in corporate support this year, as some Pride celebrations have. Last year, the vendor spots were capped at 50 but increased to 60 this year.
“The main thing that’s different this year is what’s happening in the world and what’s happening in the country so it changes the tone,” Mariner said. “I go into this with strength and determination and an awareness and appreciation for the rights that we have here in Delaware. I go into this … knowing there are people in our community feeling under attack. There are a lot of things happening at the national level that impact us from healthcare to education that affect our lives in various ways.”
Funds raised from a raffle will be used to support unhoused LGBTQ youth in Delaware. Last year, the raffle raised $1,000, which was donated to the Safeguards Housing Committee, a program of PFLAG Wilmington.
In response to LGBTQ youth “increasingly targeted by harmful rhetoric and policies,” the festival will hold various workshops with topics such as supporting the LGBTQ Latinx community, suicide prevention, and an ACLU activist training.
Mariner referenced a Dan Savage quote from the AIDS epidemic that he loves. He said it reflects Pride festivals and the celebration of pride in the LGBTQ community.
“During the darkest days of the AIDS crisis, we buried our friends in the morning, we protested in the afternoon, and we danced all night. The dance kept us in the fight because it was the dance we were fighting for,” the quote reads.
Mariner said having an event like this that combines education, advocacy, and celebration is reflective of “who we are as queer people.” He said it’s important to learn and recommit to the work that needs to be done and that he is looking forward to every piece of the day.
“I would just like to see everyone leave the convention center feeling loved and connected and supported and with a renewed sense of strength and determination to face whatever challenges may come,” Mariner said.
District of Columbia
Gay ANC member announces candidacy for Ward 1 D.C. Council seat
Community leader Brian Footer seeking seat held by Brianne Nadeau

Gay Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Brian Footer, a community activist who has been involved for many years in local and national government affairs, has announced his candidacy for the Ward 1 D.C. Council seat up for election in 2026.
Footer, a Democrat, will be running in the city’s June 2, 2026, Democratic primary for the Ward 1 Council seat, but it is uncertain whether he will be running against incumbent Ward 1 Council member Brianne Nadeau (D). Nadeau has not yet announced if she plans to run for re-election for a fourth term following her 12 years on the Council.
Nadeau has been a longtime vocal supporter of the LGBTQ community.
If Footer were to win the primary and the November 2026 general election, he would become the Council’s second openly gay member. Ward 5 Council member Zachary Parker (D) is currently the 13-member Council’s only gay member.
Footer is a three-term ANC commissioner who currently serves as Chair of ANC 1E, which represents the city’s Howard University, Park View, and Pleasant Plains neighborhoods.
“Brian has worked at every level of government — federal, state, and local — building a career rooted in public service, aging policy, and inclusive urban planning,” a statement on his campaign website says.
“I’m running for Council because too many people in Ward 1 are doing everything right and still feel ignored by the city they call home,” Footer states on his website.
“I’m running because we can do better,” his statement continues. “That means making housing more affordable, addressing homelessness with real solutions, and keeping our neighborhoods safe with smart, community focused strategies.”
When contacted by the Washington Blade for comment, Nadeau said she was not ready at this time to discuss her plans about running again or about Footer’s candidacy.
“The primary is a ways away, and I’m very focused right now on the budget and the stadium deal and all the work that we’re doing at the Council,” she told the Blade. “So, I really haven’t had time to turn to my plans. So, as a result, I’m also not going to be commenting on anybody else who is determined that they’re running at this time.”
She first won election to the Council in 2014 after she defeated four-term gay Ward 1 Council member Jim Graham in the Democratic primary after Graham became embroiled in an ethics controversy.
In the 2022 Democratic primary Nadeau defeated gay challenger Salah Czapary in a three-candidate race, by a margin of 48.5% of the vote compared to Czapary’s 30.9%.
With the third candidate, Sabel Harris, receiving 20.4%, the outcome showed that the two challengers had a combined total vote count higher than Nadeau.
Further details of Footer’s candidacy can be accessed from his campaign website, brianfooterdc.com.
District of Columbia
Gay GOP group hosts Ernst, 3 House members — all of whom oppose Equality Act
Log Cabin, congressional guest speakers mum on June 25 event

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and three women Republican members of the U.S. House appeared as guest speakers at the June 25 meeting of Log Cabin Republicans of D.C., the local chapter of the national LGBTQ Republican group with that same name.
The U.S. House members who joined Ernst as guest speakers at the Log Cabin meeting were Celeste Maloy (R-Utah), Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), and Julia Letlow (R-La.).
Neither D.C. Log Cabin Republicans President Andrew Minik nor spokespersons for Ernst or the three congresswomen immediately responded to a request by the Washington Blade for comment on the GOP lawmakers’ appearance at an LGBTQ GOP group’s meeting.
“Please join us for an inspiring evening as we celebrate and recognize the bold leadership and accomplishments of Republican women in Congress,” a D.C Log Cabin announcement sent to its members states.
“This month’s meeting will highlight the efforts of the Republican Women’s Caucus and explore key issues such as the Protection of Women and Girls In Sports Act and the broader fight to preserve women’s spaces in society,” the message says.
It was referring to legislation pending in Congress calling for banning transgender women from participating in women’s sports events.
According to media reports, Ernst and the three congresswomen have expressed opposition to the Equality Act, the longstanding bill pending in Congress calling for prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations.
The Log Cabin announcement says the meeting was scheduled to take place at the Royal Sands Social Club, which is a restaurant and bar at 26 N St., S.E. in the city’s Navy Yard area.
D.C. Log Cabin member Stuart West, who attended the meeting, confirmed that Ernst and the three congresswomen showed up and spoke at the event.
“It was a good turnout,” he said. “I would definitely say probably 30 or 40 people attended.” West added, “Four women came to talk to a group of mostly gay men. That’s something you don’t see very often.”
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