Local
Police Log: July 14
Investigations by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit
The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit participated in the following investigations:
- On July 4, a man reported that two days earlier he met two suspects for sexual activity. They wanted to penetrate the man and he resisted several times at first. The suspects were persistent and the man stopped resisting and intercourse commenced. The case remains open. The case is being handled by sex squad detectives.
- On July 4, at 21st & Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., a man reported that the suspect assaulted him causing injuries. The two were involved in a prior domestic relationship.
- On July 5, a complainant reported that while in the 2100 block of Maryland Avenue, N.E., a suspect struck the victim in the face. The suspect was arrested; the two are in a domestic relationship.
- On July 3, at 17th & New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., a man reported that a suspect approached him and punched him in the face. The suspect fled the scene.
- On July 3, a woman reported that on June 30, in the 1900 block of Minnesota Avenue, S.E., a suspect used homophobic language and shoved her to the ground. The suspect fled the scene.
- On July 2, in the 3700 block of Georgia Avenue, N.W., two suspects were involved in a physical assault with each other. Both suspects were arrested. Suspects had a previous domestic relationship.
- On July 1, a man stated that while in the 2200 block of 18th Street, N.W., two suspects assaulted and used homophobic slurs against him. They then fled the scene. A report was taken.
- On June 22, at Mt. Pleasant and Irving streets, N.W., a man reported that he was approached by three suspects. He stated that he was approached from behind and struck with an object that appeared to be a gun. The suspects then robbed him of his property. He reported that while he was being robbed the suspects yelled out homophobic slurs. The three suspects were arrested.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
District of Columbia
Laverne Cox, Reneé Rapp, Deacon Maccubbin named WorldPride grand marshals
Three LGBTQ icons to lead parade
WorldPride organizers announced Thursday that actress and trans activist Laverne Cox, powerhouse performer Reneé Rapp, and LGBTQ trailblazer Deacon Maccubbin will serve as grand marshals for this year’s WorldPride parade.
The Capital Pride Alliance, which is organizing WorldPride 2025 in Washington, D.C., revealed the honorees in a press release, noting that each has made a unique contribution to the fabric of the LGBTQ community.
Cox made history in 2014 as the first openly transgender person nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category for her role in Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black.” She went on to win a Daytime Emmy in 2015 for her documentary “Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word,” which followed seven young trans people as they navigated coming out.
Rapp, a singer and actress who identifies as a lesbian, rose to prominence as Regina George in the Broadway musical “Mean Girls.” She reprised the role in the 2024 film adaptation and also stars in Max’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” portraying a character coming to terms with her sexuality. Rapp has released an EP, “Everything to Everyone,” and an album, “Snow Angel.” She announced her sophomore album, “Bite Me,” on May 21 and is slated to perform at the WorldPride Music Festival at the RFK Festival Grounds.
Deacon Maccubbin, widely regarded as a cornerstone of Washington’s LGBTQ+ history, helped organize D.C.’s first Gay Pride Party in 1975. The event took place outside Lambda Rising, one of the first LGBTQ bookstores in the nation, which Maccubbin founded. For his decades of advocacy and activism, he is often referred to as “the patriarch of D.C. Pride.”
“I am so honored to serve as one of the grand marshals for WorldPride this year. This has been one of the most difficult times in recent history for queer and trans people globally,” Cox said. “But in the face of all the rhetorical, legislative and physical attacks, we continue to have the courage to embrace who we truly are, to celebrate our beauty, resilience and bravery as a community. We refuse to allow fear to keep us from ourselves and each other. We remain out loud and proud.”
“Pride is everything. It is protection, it is visibility, it is intersectional. But most importantly, it is a celebration of existence and protest,” Rapp said.
The three will march down 14th Street for the WorldPride Parade in Washington on June 7.
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Laverne Cox, Reneé Rapp, Deacon Maccubbin named WorldPride grand marshals
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PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride
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