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Protesters take part in “kiss-in” outside Silver Spring Chick-fil-A
Same-sex couples kissed in front of dozens of Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country on Friday
William Poe and Chris Corbin kiss outside the downtown Silver Spring Chick-fil-A (Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
Roughly 15 people gathered in front of the downtown Silver Spring Chick-fil-A on Friday to take part in a “kiss-in” protest against the restaurant chain after its owner spoke out against marriage rights for same-sex couples.
“Gay people are asking for the same rights as heterosexuals, just like black and white couples were asking for the same rights for same-race couples in the 60s,” said Silver Spring resident William Poe after he kissed Chris Corbin. “I just don’t see the difference.”
Takoma Park resident Kathryn Wilderotter noted Chick-fil-A’s support of Exodus International and other anti-LGBT groups and causes through its charitable foundation as she stood alongside Linda Cole, whom she married in Canada in 2004. “I completely support their freedom of speech and I completely support their freedom of religion,” said Wilderotter. “What I’m against is the pray away the gay therapy — any type of conversion therapy, any type of killing gays.”
The Silver Spring protest was one of dozens of “kiss-ins” that took place across the country in response to Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy’s controversial comments against nuptials for gays and lesbians during an interview with the Baptist Press last month.
The Human Rights Campaign organized a protest in front of a Chick-fil-A food truck in downtown D.C. on July 26. A handful of picketers also gathered outside the Crystal City Chick-fil-A on Wednesday during the “Chick-fil-A Customer Appreciation Day” that former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum and other prominent social conservatives endorsed.
LGBT rights groups and protest organizers have faced increased criticism over their response to Cathy’s comments, but those who gathered outside the Silver Spring Chick-fil-A remained undeterred.
“Speaking your mind and speaking your peace and showing what your beliefs are is always effective,” said Wilderotter. “It certainly was effective for Dan Cathy; it’s certainly effective for us.”
Cole agreed.
“It’s just a good statement to make that Chick-fil-A cannot spend their dollars on organizations that are essentially hate-driven,” she said. “You can’t do that. We’re here in opposition to that.”
WorldPride 2025 concluded with the WorldPride Street Festival and Closing Concert held along Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. on Sunday, June 8. Performers on the main stage included Doechii, Khalid, Courtney Act, Parker Matthews, 2AM Ricky, Suzie Toot, MkX and Brooke Eden.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Celebrating the transgender community, Baltimore Safe Haven, an organization committed to empowering LGBTQ individuals in Baltimore City, plans to host their fourth annual Baltimore Trans Pride on Saturday.
Instead of the usual parade and march, this year’s Trans Pride will be a block party on Charles Street and between 21st and 22nd Streets. The event will start at 1 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and last until 10 p.m.
Community members can go on guided tours, enjoy refreshments by local vendors, listen to presenters, and watch performances by special guests.
Sukihana, the event’s headliner, plans to take to the stage to entertain the crowd, along with a variety of local performers, according to Melissa Deveraux, Baltimore Safe Haven’s executive assistant to Executive Director Iya Dammons.
“Some (are) prominently known, some (are) just making a name for themselves,” Deveraux said. Iya is always making sure that community talent is showcased at all of our functions.”
In company with Pride on Saturday, Baltimore Safe Haven will be opening its new building on Friday from 1-4 p.m.
“That is sort of going to be the prelude to pride,” Lau said. “Thanks to Sen. Mary Washington and the Weinberg Foundation, we were able to purchase the building outright, and it’s going to be a community hub of administrative buildings and 12-bedroom apartments.”
Renee Lau, administrative assistant for special projects coordinator for Baltimore Safe Haven, said the planning process for Baltimore Trans Pride began in January, and putting it all together was a collaboration of multiple city agencies and organizations.
“Safe Haven is an LGBT community organization, but we service the entire community, and that’s the message we try to spread,” Lau said. “We’re not just here for the LGBT community. We’re here to spread goodwill and offer harm reduction and housing to the entire community.”
Lau said the organization’s biggest goal for the event is to gain exposure.
“(We want) to let and let people know who we are and what our community is about,” she said. “Right now, because of what’s happening in DC, there’s a lot of bad untruths going on, and the total thing is bringing out the truth.”
Deveraux said having a place of inclusivity, acceptance, and togetherness is important in today’s political climate and the current administration.
“This event will have people seeing the strength and resilience of the transgender community, showing that no matter what we are going through, we still show up,” Deveraux said. “We are here, we will not be erased.”
The 2025 WorldPride Parade was held in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, June 7. Laverne Cox and Renée Rapp were the grand marshals.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key and Robert Rapanut)
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