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.”
District of Columbia
Campaign launched to elect more LGBTQ candidates to ANC seats
Capital Stonewall Democrats behind Queering ANCs effort
The Capital Stonewall Democrats, D.C.’s largest local LGBTQ political group, announced on July 7 it has launched a campaign to help elect large numbers of LGBTQ candidates to the city’s Advisory Neighborhood Commissions.
The D.C. local government is believed to be unique among U.S. cities in currently having 46 Advisory Neighborhood Commissions consisting of 345 single-member districts in neighborhoods throughout the city in which unpaid Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners are elected for two-year terms.
The commissions are charged with considering a wide range of policies and programs impacting their neighborhoods, including traffic, parking, recreation, street improvements, liquor licenses, zoning, economic development, police protection, sanitation and trash collection, and D.C.’s annual budget, according to the ANC website.
Although the ANCs do not have authority to set or reject policies or proposals, such as applications for liquor licenses, city agencies are required to give “great weight” to ANC recommendations, according to the law creating the ANCs.
Kent Boese, a gay former ANC commissioner, currently serves as executive director of the D.C. Office of ANCs.
“We are launching the most ambitious hyperlocal LGBTQ+ candidate pipeline initiative in the country,” said Stevie McCarty, the Capital Stonewall Democrats president, in a July 7 statement that announced the Queering ANCs campaign.
“As an ANC member, I know firsthand how these seats shape our neighborhoods, from housing and public safety to sanitation,” McCarty says in the statement. “I’m proud to lead this effort to ensure more LGBTQ+ Washingtonians see themselves as leaders in their communities,” he said.
The ANC Rainbow Caucus, which was created by LGBTQ ANC members, shows on its website that there are currently 38 caucus members consisting of elected LGBTQ ANC commissioners serving in the current 2025-2026 two-year term.
The website shows there are LGBTQ commissioners who are caucus members in each of the city’s eight wards, with six in Ward 1, eight in Ward 2, one in Ward 3, six in Ward 4, five in Ward 5, three in Ward 6, eight in Ward 7, and one in Ward 8.
The Washington Blade couldn’t immediately determine how many of them will be running for re-election in D.C.’s general election in November. But McCarty said Capital Stonewall Democrats hopes to recruit many more LGBTQ candidates to run for ANC seats.
The D.C. Board of Elections website shows the deadline for filing 25 required petition signatures to be placed on the ballot is Aug. 5.
A Queering ANCs website launched this week by Capital Stonewall Democrats provides details on how to run for an ANC seat and offers help for those interested in running.
“Think of someone in your building, neighborhood, friend group, community organization, or professional network who cares deeply about D.C. and would make a strong leader,” McCarty says in his statement. “Send them QueeringANCs.org and personally ask them to consider running,” he said.
The website can be accessed at QueeringANCs.org.
Baltimore
Ron Singer, owner of popular Mount Vernon gay bar Leon’s, dies
66-year-old’s funeral to take place Friday
By CAYLA HARRIS | Ron Singer, the owner of Baltimore’s popular gay bar Leon’s Backroom, died Tuesday, the venue announced in a social media post. He was 66.
“For more than 20 years, Ron made Leon’s a place so many people were proud to call home,” the post reads. “He will be deeply missed.”
The Mount Vernon bar, typically open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily, is still open Thursday, but doors will close at midnight so staff can attend his funeral Friday morning. Services are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. at Sol Levinson’s Chapel.
The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
District of Columbia
Mary’s House founder, CEO retires
Dr. Imani Woody played leading role in opening DC’s first home for LGBTQ seniors
The board of directors for Mary’s House for Older Adults, DC’s first official home dedicated to providing affordable housing for LGBTQ seniors, announced on July 7 that its founding president and CEO, Dr. Imani Woody, has retired.
Woody, who holds a PhD in Human Services, is credited with playing a leading role over many years in arranging both city and private funding needed to construct and operate the Mary’s House three-story building located at 401 Anacostia Road, S.E., in the city’s Fort Dupont neighborhood.
The house, which opened in March 2025, with a grand opening ceremony held in May 2025, includes 15 single-occupancy residential units and more than 5,000 square feet of shared communal living space.
“It is with profound gratitude and hearts full of celebration that the board of directors of Mary’s House for Older Adults, DC (MHFOA) announces the retirement of our visionary founder, Dr. Imani Woody, from her role as president and CEO,” the Mary’s House board says in a statement.
“Dr. Woody’s journey with Mary’s House began with her vision and a kitchen table gathering of women with a bold, urgent, and loving vision: to create safe, affirming, affordable housing for LGBTQ/SGL older adults in Washington, DC,” the statement says.
It adds, “What started as a dream has grown into DC’s first affordable LGBTQ+/SGL affirming communal living space for adults 60 and over, a 15-room community residence at 401 Anacostia Road in Southeast Washington.”
The statement says Woody will continue to serve on Mary’s House board.
“The board will be sharing information about the leadership transition process in the coming weeks,” the statement continues. “We are committed to honoring Dr. Woody’s legacy by ensuring Mary’s House continues to thrive and grow in faithful service to LGBTQ/SGL elders experiencing housing insecurity and isolation.”
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