Local
Gray joins other D.C. politicians in pride parade
D.C. Council to elect Kwame Brown’s successor next week
Mayor Vincent Gray (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Mayor Vincent Gray and D.C. Congressional Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton were among the local elected officials who took part in the city’s 37th annual pride parade on Saturday.
“I love this parade,” Gray told the Blade while marching near the Hotel Palomar as he threw beads to the crowd that had gathered along P Street, N.W. “I’m here every year. I wouldn’t miss this.”
D.C. Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) noted that this year’s pride is the 34th that he has attended.
“It’s a great day,” he said. “It’s a great day for our community in Washington.”
Councilman Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) agreed.
“You can see by the turnout how excited people are,” he said. “It really highlights the contributions of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community here in the District of Columbia.”
The parade took place one day after former D.C. Council Chair Kwame Brown pleaded guilty to bank fraud and a misdemeanor campaign finance charge. The Council is expected to elect his successor on Wednesday.
“There’s a procedure; we’ll follow it,” said Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3,) who became the body’s acting chair after Kwame Brown resigned last week. “I’ve called a meeting. The acting chair and acting chair pro tempore have to be from among the four at-large people and I think there’s a consensus that has formed around two of them and we’ll decide on Wednesday. Everything is smooth, everything will go forward.”
It is widely expected that the Council will elect Councilmember Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) as it’s next chair. Councilmember Vincent Orange (D-At Large) remains the Northwest Democrat’s most serious challenger.
“We’ll see what happens on Wednesday,” Mendelson told Blade when asked about the prospect that he could succeed Kwame Brown. “But you know I’ve talked to councilmembers and I think we’re coming together.”
Councilmember Michael Brown (I-At Large) was quick to note his support of Mendelson as the two men stood among their supporters along 23rd Street, N.W., before the parade began. “He has my vote,” he told the Blade. “I hope to serve with him as chairman pro tempore as well.”
Graham said he also expects his fellow councilmembers will elect Mendelson.
“I think he has the votes,” he said. “We’ll have to see where it goes.”
Gray also attended the Capital Pride Festival on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., on Sunday.
In spite of temperatures in the low 90s, organizers said more than an estimated 250,000 people attended the annual event. The D.C. Office of Human Rights, Equality Virginia and Immigration Equality were among the hundreds of groups that participated.
Capital Pride spokesperson Missy Toms told the Blade that attendance at both the parade and the festival were “considerably higher” this year.
“We had an amazing crew of volunteers this year. They worked very hard,” she said. “The parade volunteers kept the crowds back and helped us end the parade 15 minutes early. The festival volunteers were enthusiastic and plentiful.”
Deborah Cox headlined the festival; while the first-ever Taste of Pride that featured five D.C. restaurants was among the several new features and events at this year’s pride. “We were very pleased with their success,” said Toms. “We plan to refine them and bring them back next year.”
Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Summer Kickoff Party set for May 15 with Ashley Biden
The Washington Blade’s 19th annual Summer Kickoff Party is scheduled for Friday, May 15 in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Ashley Biden, daughter of President Joe Biden, has joined the list of speakers, the Blade announced. She will accept an award on behalf of her brother Beau Biden for his LGBTQ advocacy work as Delaware attorney general. (Her appearance was rescheduled from last year.)
The event, to be held this year at Diego’s (37298 Rehoboth Ave. Ext.) from 5-7 p.m., is a fundraiser for the Blade Foundation’s Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which funds a summer position reporting on LGBTQ news in Delaware. This year’s recipient will be introduced at the event.
The event will also feature remarks from state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall. New CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Blade editor Kevin Naff will also speak. The event is generously sponsored by Realtor Justin Noble, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Diego’s.
A suggested donation of $25 is partially tax deductible and includes a drink ticket and light appetizers. Tickets are available in advance at bladefoundation.org/rehoboth or at the door.
District of Columbia
Curve magazine honors Washington Blade publisher
Lynne Brown named to 2026 Power List
Washington Blade Publisher Lynne Brown has been named to the 2026 Curve Power List celebrating LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary individuals in North America who are blazing trails in their chosen fields.
“From sports and entertainment icons to corporate leaders and lawmakers, these individuals are breaking barriers, challenging norms, and shaping the future,” Curve Foundation/Curve magazine said in announcing this year’s list, which includes ABC newscaster Robin Roberts, comedian/actress Hannah Einbinder, and singer/actress Renee Rapp, among others.
Brown has worked for the Washington Blade for nearly 40 years. She was named publisher in 2007 before becoming a co-owner in 2010.
“I am honored to be recognized by Curve magazine during Lesbian Visibility Week,” Brown said. “Receiving this Curve honor is twofold. I was an early subscriber to Curve. I enjoy the product and know its history. Its journalism, layout and humorous features have inspired me.
“As an owner/publisher, receiving recognition from a similar source acknowledges my work and efforts, with a sincerity I truly appreciate. Franco Stevens, the publisher of Curve, is a business person of duration, experience, and purpose. The fact that they are in the media business, and honoring me and my publication makes it a tiny bit sweeter.”
Nominations for the Curve Power List come from the community: peers, mentors, fans, and employers.
Curve explained the significance of the list in its announcement: “An annual, publicly nominated list of impactful LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary changemakers is crucial in current times to counter discrimination, legislative rollbacks, hostility, and the invisibility of queer women within mainstream and marginal spaces and endeavors. Such a list also fosters encouragement and solidarity, and elevates voices and achievements—from high-profile roles to under appreciated areas of life.”
Rehoboth Beach
Auction of Rehoboth’s Blue Moon canceled
Details on sale of iconic bar, restaurant not disclosed
The Blue Moon in Rehoboth Beach, Del., has been an iconic presence in the local LGBTQ community for four decades but its status remains murky after a sheriff’s auction of the property was abruptly called off on Tuesday.
The property was listed for sale in December. At that time, owner Tim Ragan told the Blade that he is committed to preserving its legacy as a gay-friendly space.
“We had no idea the interest this would create,” Ragan said in December. “I guess I was a little naive about that.”
Ragan explained that he and longtime partner Randy Haney were separating the real estate from the business. The two buildings associated with the sale were listed by Carrie Lingo at 35 Baltimore Ave., and include an apartment, the front restaurant (6,600 square feet with three floors and a basement), and a secondary building (roughly 1,800 square feet on two floors). They were listed for $4.5 million.
The bar and restaurant business is being sold separately; the price was not publicly disclosed.
But then, earlier this year, the Blue Moon real estate listing turned up on the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office auction site. The auction was slated for Tuesday, April 21 but hours before the sale, the listing changed to “active under contract” indicating that a buyer has been found but the sale is not yet final. As of Wednesday morning, the listing has been removed from the sheriff’s auction site.
Ragan didn’t respond to Blade inquiries about the auction. Back in December, he told the Blade, “It’s time to look for the next people who can continue the history of the Moon and cultivate the next chapter,” noting that he turns 70 this year. “We’re not panicked; we separated the building from the business. Some buyers can’t afford both.”
The identity of the buyer was not disclosed, nor was the sale price.
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