Local
Celebration meets politics at Baltimore Pride
“I feel that Baltimore Pride 2012 was a huge success,” said Donald Young, Pride Parade coordinator
Thousands enjoyed flawless weather at the 37th annual Baltimore Pride festivities last weekend, which had a more political vibe this year given the referendum battle over marriage equality. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
With sun-splashed, comfortably warm temperatures adding to an already festive atmosphere, the organizers of Baltimore’s 37th annual Pride could not have ordered up a more perfect weekend for June 16-17. In the past, Pride-goers typically had to endure steamy, sticky conditions.
Following the traditional high-heel race, the parade traveled up Charles Street through Mount Vernon with its array of floats, marchers and vehicles. Colorful confetti, beads, candy and a host of other items were tossed to onlookers that were at least five deep on both sides of the street at certain points along the route.
A total of 76 units participated—a new record, according to Donald Young, Pride Parade coordinator. Young also co-emceed the event with Shawnna Alexander. Taking part were representatives from most of Baltimore’s bars and clubs, including The Lodge in Boonsboro, Md., a large assortment of LGBT and LGBT-friendly organizations and businesses, health organizations and political groups.
The parade’s Grand Marshal, June Horner, 75, a PFLAG Mom, marched with her gay son Mark. Horner eschewed a closed vehicle and opted to walk the route.
Three judges evaluated the entries. The Best Car/Motorcycle entry was awarded to C.O.M.M.A.N.D., a leather organization. Euforia—Latina night from the Club Hippo—won the Best Marching Group category. And AIDS Action Baltimore took the Best Float prize.
“I feel that Baltimore Pride 2012 was a huge success,” said Young. “I had a great team to work with, especially Trevor Ankeny and Gary Wolnitzek (president and director of programs, respectively of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore that produces Pride).”
“These two individuals made my work at running the parade and high heel race so easy and I am proud and honored to have served on the same team with them.”
At the conclusion of the parade, the merriment transitioned to the Baltimore Pride Block Party that attracted thousands of LGBT folks, allies and neighborhood residents. The throng spread beyond the normal confines of Eager and Charles Streets to nearby parking lots where tailgating parties, complete with DJ-led beat-thumping music, ensued. Food and beverage vendors as well as those offering LGBT-related clothing and accessories were available. A couple of “adult” performers, Max Ryder and Pierre Fitch, courtesy of TLA/Gay.com, were in a new Adult Zone to pose for photos.
A series of entertainers, headlined by British-born and New York-based Neon Hitch, rocked the party.
On Sunday, the venue shifted to Druid Hill Park. An estimated crowd of more than 5,000 attended the slightly less frenetic festival where some 80 vendors from LGBT organizations and friendly businesses lined the paths to offer their services or wares.
The 2012 edition of Baltimore Pride had a stronger political feel than usual given the looming referendum on the Civil Marriage Protection Act and the presidential election in November. More than a dozen volunteers and paid staff of Marylanders for Marriage Equality combed the area handing out stickers, canvassing attendees and urging them to sign pledge forms that signify their intent to vote for marriage equality. Obama campaign representatives sought donations, sold T-shirts and enlisted volunteers. The Human Rights Campaign also staffed a booth at the festival.
Carrie Evans, executive director of Equality Maryland and Karess Taylor-Hughes from the Marylanders for Marriage Equality campaign delivered brief speeches.
Baltimore Pride is the principal fundraiser for the GLCCB.
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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