Local
Trial begins for D.C. cop charged with shooting trans women in car
One man guilty, another acquitted in unrelated anti-lesbian attack in Columbia Heights
A police spokesperson said officer Kenneth Furr has been suspended indefinitely without pay since shortly after his arrest. (Washington Blade photo by Phil Reese)
A D.C. Superior Court jury on Wednesday found Christian Washington guilty of simple assault and threats to do bodily harm in connection with a July 2011 assault against lesbian Yazzmen Morse and four of her friends outside the Columbia Heights Metro station.
The jury also found Dalonte Washington, Christian Washington’s brother, not guilty of a charge of simple assault against at least two of Morse’s lesbian friends in the same incident – Kiara Johnson and Dominique KcKee. The charges against the two brothers were classified as hate crimes.
In a separate case, a D.C. Superior Court trial began on Wednesday for D.C. police officer Kenneth Furr, who was arrested while off-duty in August 2011 for allegedly firing his service revolver into the front windshield of a car in which three transgender women and two male friends were sitting. Two of the women and one of the men suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds in the incident.
The incident drew expressions of shock and outrage from LGBT activists, who organized a protest vigil at the scene of the shooting the day after the incident occurred.
Earlier this year, a Superior Court grand jury handed down a 9-count indictment against Furr that included six counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of assault with intent to kill while armed, and two counts of solicitation for prostitution.
One of the transgender women told police that the incident began when Furr offered to pay her for sex while the two crossed paths inside a CVS drugstore at 5th and Massachusetts Ave., N.W. The woman said Furr became angry when she refused his offer, and a verbal altercation began between Furr and a male friend who was with her.
A police arrest affidavit says Furr threatened the friend with a gun outside the CVS store. It says the friend, another male friend, the transgender woman who had been approached by Furr, and two of her transgender female friends later followed Furr in their car after watching him drive away. They said their intent was to follow him while attempting to call police to have him arrested, the affidavit says.
The affidavit says Furr stopped his car and pointed his gun at the other car, prompting the male driver to duck for cover, which resulted in his car colliding with Furr’s car. At that time, Furr climbed on the hood of the car that hit his car and fired his gun several times through the front windshield, striking three of the five terrified occupants, the affidavit says.
In opening arguments at his trial on Wednesday, Furr’s lawyer argued that Furr believed his life was in danger after noticing the car with the people he had been arguing with was following him through the streets of D.C., according to D.C. Trans Coalition member and attorney Jeff Light, who attended the trial.
Light said defense attorney David Knight argued that Furr acted in self-defense when he fired his gun.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Worm, one of the prosecutors in the case, disputed Furr’s self-defense claim at an earlier court hearing, saying Furr fired at the five people out of anger and was never in danger.
Superior Court Judge Russell Canan adjourned the trial Thursday afternoon and said it would resume Monday morning, Oct. 22. Canan said he expected the trial to last two weeks, according to Light.
Prosecutors have not listed charges against Furr as hate crimes.
In the case involving the lesbian assault victims, the women told police at the time of the incident that the attack began after they politely spurned the men’s attempt to “flirt” with them as they walked along the 3100 block of 14th St., N.W. about 3 a.m. on July 30, 2011.
One of the men became enraged and began calling the women “dyke bitches,” the women told police, after two of them identified themselves as girl friends.
The case created a stir in the LGBT community after the women initially reported that as many as seven D.C. police officers who arrived on the scene refused to arrest the men or take a report from the women.
D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier announced a short time later that the department was investigating the officers’ conduct and that they could be subject to disciplinary action, including dismissal.
Court records show that Superior Court Judge Florence Pan ordered Christian Washington held while he awaits sentencing scheduled for Nov. 8.
The charges against both Washington brothers were listed as hate crimes.
Light said he filed a motion prior to the start of the Furr trial on behalf of the D.C. Trans Coalition asking for the judge to release questionnaires given to several dozen potential jurors during the jury selection phase of the trial.
He said his aim was to learn whether the judge, along with prosecutors and defense attorneys, were diligently screening potential jurors for bias against transgender people in a case involving three transgender victims. Light said he was pleased that Judge Canan approved his motion and arranged for the completed juror questionnaires to be given to him following of the jury selection.
“One question was, are you biased toward the transgender community,” Light told the Blade. “Several said yes.”
“The judge said he could not imagine how anyone answering ‘yes’ to being bias against transgender people could get on the jury,” Light said.
Light said he also was pleased that Judge Canan showed sensitivity to transgender people when he instructed one of the defense attorneys to address one of the transgender women in the case with a female rather than a male pronoun.
The judge spoke out on the issue before the jury entered the courtroom when the defense attorney referred to complaining witness and gunshot wound victim Chloe Moore, whose legal name is Alexander Moore, Light said. According to Light, the defense attorney referred to Moore as “Mr. Moore” until Judge Canan instructed him to refer to Moore as “Ms. Moore.”
A police spokesperson said Furr has been suspended indefinitely without pay since shortly after his arrest.
District of Columbia
Layoffs and confusion at Pride Center of Maryland after federal grants cut, reinstated
Trump administration move panicked addiction and mental health programs
By ALISSA ZHU | After learning it had abruptly lost $2 million in federal funding, the Pride Center of Maryland moved to lay off a dozen employees, or about a third of its workforce, the Baltimore nonprofit’s leader said Thursday.
The group is one of thousands nationwide that reportedly received letters late Tuesday from the Trump administration. Their mental health and addiction grants had been terminated, effective immediately, the letters said.
By Wednesday night, federal officials moved to reverse the funding cuts by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, estimated to total $2 billion, according to national media reports. But the Pride Center of Maryland’s CEO Cleo Manago said as of Thursday morning he had not heard anything from the federal government confirming those reports.
The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].
Congratulations to Vida Rangel, JD/MPP on her promotion to Deputy Director of the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments. Rangel is now the highest-ranking transgender official in the history of District government. On accepting the position Rangel said, “I am proud to step into this leadership role and to continue serving my communities. Our District is full of passionate and knowledgeable people who are committed to public service, and it is an honor to help them explore opportunities to serve their neighbors.”
Rangel has previously served in this office as Director of Operations. Prior to this as Bargaining Committee Chair, Organizing Committee, NCTE United, Nonprofit Professional Employees Union IFTPE Local 70. As Policy Counsel, National Center for Transgender Equality; and Elizabeth Warren for President, lead organizer, Illinois 4th Congressional District. She has worked with, and served on boards of, The Black & Pink National, Federal City Performing Arts Assoc., and LAGBAC.
Rangel earned her bachelor’s in sociology from Sam Houston State University; master’s of Public Policy from Loyola University, Chicago; and Juris Doctor, Loyola University, Chicago.
Congratulations also to James Conlon new PFLAG vice president of Development & Philanthropic Partnerships. Upon his appointment Conlon said, “It is an absolute privilege to join PFLAG National and lead their Development & Philanthropic Partner team into a new era. Right now, LGBTQ+ people and their families are terrified of what the future might bring, and PFLAG must continue to be there. My job is to ensure PFLAG strongly endures and thrives, because never has there been a clearer time for our community to unite in fighting for the dignity and well-being of every LGBTQ+ person.”
Brian Bond, CEO, PFLAG National, said, “At a time when PFLAG National programs and participation in them have grown significantly, even as corporate giving has left a $1.3M gap in our funding, James is a critical new addition to the team. With his vast expertise, James will drive our growth and ensure that PFLAG continues meeting the needs of families and communities across the country.”
Conlon is a seasoned fundraiser who has spent extensive time working with advocates, supporters, and leaders, of the LGBTQ+ movement to understand how to effectively support the community. He began his career as an intern in the Massachusetts State House. He has helped raise more than $60 million for critical causes and candidates. Prior to joining PFLAG James oversaw LGBTQ+ investments and fundraising, with the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Prior to that he served in the same role for Harris-Walz 2024, and additionally served in senior fundraising positions for the Senate Majority PAC, as well as for Representatives Josh Gottheimer, and Conor Lamb.
Conlon earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and government from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
District of Columbia
D.C.’s annual MLK Peace Walk and Parade set for Jan. 19
LGBTQ participants expected to join mayor’s contingent
Similar to past years, members of the LGBTQ community were expected to participate in D.C.’s 21st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Peace Walk and Parade scheduled to take place Monday, Jan. 19.
Organizers announced this year’s Peace Walk, which takes place ahead of the parade, was scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. at the site of a Peace Rally set to begin at 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of Firth Sterling Avenue and Sumner Road, S.E., a short distance from Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.
The Peace Walk and the parade, which is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at the same location, will each travel along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue a little over a half mile to Marion Barry Avenue near the 11th Street Bridge where they will end.
Japer Bowles, director of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, said he and members of his staff would be marching in the parade as part of the mayor’s parade contingent. In past years, LGBTQ community members have also joined the mayor’s parade contingent.
Stuart Anderson, one of the MLK Day parade organizers, said he was not aware of any specific LGBTQ organizations that had signed up as a parade contingent for this year’s parade. LGBTQ group contingents have joined the parade in past years.
Denise Rolark Barnes, one of the lead D.C. MLK Day event organizers, said LGBTQ participants often join parade contingents associated with other organizations.
Barnes said a Health and Wellness Fair was scheduled to take place on the day of the parade along the parade route in a PNC Bank parking lot at 2031 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., S.E.
A statement on the D.C. MLK Day website describes the parade’s history and impact on the community.
“Established to honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the parade united residents of Ward 8, the District, and the entire region in the national movement to make Dr. King’s birthday a federal holiday,” the statement says. “Today, the parade not only celebrates its historic roots but also promotes peace and non-violence, spotlights organizations that serve the community, and showcases the talent and pride of school-aged children performing for family, friends, and community members.”
Layoffs and confusion at Pride Center of Maryland after federal grants cut, reinstated
Comings & Goings
D.C.’s annual MLK Peace Walk and Parade set for Jan. 19
Love board games and looking for love?
Calendar: January 16-22
Ford’s ‘First Look’ festival showcases three new productions
Mid-Atlantic Leather kicks off this week
Stress-free lease renewals during winter months
PHOTOS: ‘ICE Out For Good’ Sunday protests
