News
Romney clinches GOP presidential nomination
Mitt Romney clinched the Republican presidential nomination with a win in the Texas GOP primary
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on Tuesday clinched the Republican presidential nomination with his win in the Texas GOP primary.
“I am honored that Americans across the country have given their support to my candidacy and I am humbled to have won enough delegates to become the Republican Party’s 2012 presidential nominee,” he said in a statement posted on his campaign website. “Our party has come together with the goal of putting the failures of the last three and a half years behind us. I have no illusions about the difficulties of the task before us. But whatever challenges lie ahead, we will settle for nothing less than getting America back on the path to full employment and prosperity. On Nov. 6, I am confident that we will unite as a country and begin the hard work of fulfilling the American promise and restoring our country to greatness.”
The Texas contest caps off a contentious Republican primary season during which Romney often clashed with his GOP challengers.
The former Massachusetts governor repeatedly expressed support for a federal constitutional amendment that would define marriage as between a man and a woman–National Organization for Marriage President Brian Brown endorsed Romney because of what he described as his “commitment to the nation to take specific actions as president to preserve and protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman.” Romney has previously said that he opposes anti-gay discrimination, but activists have consistently criticized the former Massachusetts governor for what they perceive are inconsistent positions on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and other LGBT-specific measures and issues.
The Romney campaign in late April tapped gay former Bush administration official Richard Grenell as its national security spokesperson. He resigned earlier this month after his appointment sparked outrage among social conservatives.
“During the primaries, Gov. Romney distinguished himself as the best in a field of worsts on issues of equality for LGBT Americans,” Human Rights Campaign spokesperson Fred Sainz told the Blade. “Now that he’s clinched his party’s nomination, we hope that he’ll give careful reconsideration to the most basic issues of equality that he previously opposed.”
Jimmy LaSalvia, executive director of GOProud, welcomed Romney’s presumptive nomination.
“All Americans—including gay Americans—will now decide if we are willing to continue to hope for change, or we will vote to elect Mitt Romney, a proven leader who can bring America back,” he said.
R. Clarke Cooper, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans, had a slightly more tepid reaction.
“Mitt Romney now has the votes to clinch the Republican nomination this August,” he told the Blade. “If the Romney campaign wants make clear that the Republican candidate believes in a society where Americans are judged solely on their ability to perform, now is the time to prove it by showing unambiguous support for federal protections from workplace discrimination.”
Cooper further noted that 66 percent of registered GOP voters now support these legal provisions.
“If Mitt Romney were to stand up tomorrow and declare that no American should ever fear for their job because of who they are, it would be a win for all of us, including the candidate himself,” he said.
New York
Men convicted of murdering two men in NYC gay bar drugging scheme sentenced
One of the victims, John Umberger, was D.C. political consultant
A New York judge on Wednesday sentenced three men convicted of killing a D.C. political consultant and another man who they targeted at gay bars in Manhattan.
NBC New York notes a jury in February convicted Jayqwan Hamilton, Jacob Barroso, and Robert DeMaio of murder, robbery, and conspiracy in relation to druggings and robberies that targeted gay bars in Manhattan from March 2021 to June 2022.
John Umberger, a 33-year-old political consultant from D.C., and Julio Ramirez, a 25-year-old social worker, died. Prosecutors said Hamilton, Barroso, and DeMaio targeted three other men at gay bars.
The jury convicted Hamilton and DeMaio of murdering Umberger. State Supreme Court Judge Felicia Mennin sentenced Hamilton and DeMaio to 40 years to life in prison.
Barroso, who was convicted of killing Ramirez, received a 20 years to life sentence.
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
Congress
Gerry Connolly dies at 75 after battle with esophageal cancer
Va. congressman fought for LGBTQ rights
Democratic U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia died on Wednesday, according to a statement from his family.
The 75-year-old lawmaker, who served in Congress since 2009, announced last month that he will not seek reelection and would step down from his role as the top Democrat on the powerful U.S. House Oversight Committee because his esophageal cancer had returned.
“We were fortunate to share Gerry with Northern Virginia for nearly 40 years because that was his joy, his purpose, and his passion,” his family said in their statement. “His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we are proud that his life’s work will endure for future generations.”
“He looked out for the disadvantaged and voiceless. He always stood up for what is right and just,” they said.
Connolly was memorialized in statements from colleagues and friends including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.), Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson (La.), former President Joe Biden, and U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.).
Several highlighted Connolly’s fierce advocacy on behalf of federal workers, who are well represented in his northern Virginia congressional district.
The congressman also supported LGBTQ rights throughout his life and career.
When running for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1994, he fought the removal of Washington Blade newspapers from libraries. When running in 2008 for the U.S. house seat vacated by Tom Davis, a Republican, Connolly campaigned against the amendment to Virginia’s constitution banning same-sex marriage and civil unions in the state.
In Congress, he supported the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage equality, the Biden-Harris administration’s rescission of the anti-trans military ban, and the designation within the State Department of a special LGBTQ rights envoy. The congressman also was an original cosponsor of the Equality Act and co-sponsored legislation to repeal parts of the Defense of Marriage Act.
PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride
Men convicted of murdering two men in NYC gay bar drugging scheme sentenced
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Gerry Connolly dies at 75 after battle with esophageal cancer
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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
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