Local
Anti-discrimination bill advances in Va. Senate
Committee approved SB 701 by a 8-7 vote
James Parrish (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
A Virginia Senate subcommittee on Monday narrowly approved a bill that would ban discrimination against LGBT employees.
The 8-7 vote in the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee came hours after President Obama specifically mentioned gay men and lesbians and marriage rights for same-sex couples in his second inaugural speech. Senate Bill 701 supporters noted these references in their reaction to the vote.
“Our president spoke eloquently today in his inauguration speech by saying ‘Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law,’” Equality Virginia Executive Director James Parrish said. “This bill is an opportunity for our lawmakers at home to give all LGBT Virginians an opportunity for fairness and job security.”
Gay state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria,) who introduced SB 701 alongside Sen. A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico,) also applauded the vote.
“I’m excited that the bill passed committee and we will be working very hard to get it out of the full Senate,” Ebbin told the Washington Blade. “It’s exciting to see the General Laws Committee realize that there is a need for non-discrimination protections in Virginia for our workers.”
The state Senate in 2010 and 2011 passed bills similar to SB 701, but they both stalled in the House of Delegates.
Senator Jill Vogel (R-Fauquier County) was the only Republican on the committee to back the proposal that currently has more than 40 co-sponsors in both legislative chambers. Parrish conceded late last year, however, its chances of passing in the GOP-controlled House of Delegates this year remain “very slim.”
SB 701 supporters remain steadfast.
“With 701, we have an opportunity to ensure that no current or future politician gives prejudiced individuals in state agencies license to discriminate against LGBT individuals, people with disabilities, pregnant women, veterans and others,” Ladelle McWhorter, vice chair of Virginian Organizing, a group that advocates for immigration reform and other issues, said during a Richmond press conference on Jan. 17. “We have an opportunity to create a policy that embraces our differences and reminds all Virginia citizens that we are valued for our perspective, skills and experience and that on one will be automatically dismissed because of those very strengths.”
Delegate Rob Krupicka (D-Alexandria) referenced the House of Delegates’ 66-28 vote last week that approved gay interim Richmond Circuit Court Judge Tracy Thorne-Begland’s judgeship before the committee approved SB 701.
“The nomination of Tracy Thorne-Begland as judge shows we understand that workplace discrimination has no place in Virginia,” Krupicka told the Blade. “We have demonstrated that skills, hard work and talent should be all that matter. I hope we can continue that momentum by passing an end to workplace discrimination.”
A vote on SB 701 in the full Senate is expected to take place in the coming days or weeks.
Rehoboth Beach
BLUF leather social set for April 10 in Rehoboth
Attendees encouraged to wear appropriate gear
Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach hosts a monthly leather happy hour. April’s edition is scheduled for Friday, April 10, 5-7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear appropriate gear. The event is billed as an official event of BLUF, the free community group for men interested in leather. After happy hour, the attendees are encouraged to reconvene at Local Bootlegging Company for dinner, which allows cigar smoking. There’s no cover charge for either event.
District of Columbia
Celebrations of life planned for Sean Bartel
Two memorial events scheduled in D.C.
Two celebrations of life are planned for Sean Christopher Bartel, 48, who was found deceased on a hiking trail in Argentina on or around March 15. Bartel began his career as a television news reporter and news anchor at stations in Louisville, Ky., and Evansville, Ind., before serving as Senior Video Producer for the D.C.-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union from 2013 to 2024.
A memorial gathering is planned for Friday, April 10, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the IBEW International Office (900 7th St., N.W.), according to a statement by the DC Gay Flag Football League, where Bartel was a longtime member. A celebration of life is planned that same evening, 6-8 p.m. at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.).
District of Columbia
D.C. Council member honored by LGBTQ homeless youth group
Doni Crawford receives inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award
About 100 people turned out Tuesday evening, April 7, for a presentation by D.C.’s Wanda Alston Foundation of its inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award to D.C. Council member Doni Crawford (I-At-Large) for her support for the foundation’s mission to support homeless LGBTQ youth.
Among those who attended the event was Japer Bowles, director of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, who delivered an official proclamation issued by Bowser declaring April 7, 2026 “A Day of Remembrance for Wanda Alston.”
Alston, a beloved women’s and LGBTQ rights activist, served as the city’s first director of the then newly created Office of LGBTQ Affairs under then-Mayor Anthony Williams from 2004 until her death by murder on March 16, 2005.
To the shock and dismay of fellow LGBTQ rights advocates, police and court records reported Alston, 45, was stabbed to death inside her Northeast D.C. house by a man high on crack cocaine who lived nearby and who stole her credit cards and car. The perpetrator, William Martin Parrott, 38, was arrested by D.C. police the next day and later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He was sentenced in July 2005 to 24 years in prison.
Crawford was among those attending the award event who reflected on Alston’s legacy and outspoken advocacy for LGBTQ and feminist causes.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this inaugural award,” Crawford told the Washington Blade at the conclusion of the event. “I think the world of Wanda Alston. She has set such a great foundation for me and other Council members to build on,” she said.
“Her focus on inclusivity and intersectionality is really important as we approach this work,” Crawford added. “And it’s going to guide my work at the Council every day.”
Crawford was appointed to the D.C. Council in January of this year to replace then Council member Kenyan McDuffie (I-At-Large), who resigned to run for D.C. mayor as a Democrat. She is being challenged by four other independent candidates in a June 16 special election for the Council seat.
Under the city’s Home Rule Charter written and approved by Congress, the seat is one of two D.C. Council at-large seats that cannot be held by a “majority party” candidate, meaning a Democrat.
A statement released by the Alston Foundation last month announcing Crawford’s selection for the Wanda Alston Legacy Award praised Crawford’s record of support for its work on behalf of LGBTQ youth.
“From behind the scenes to now serving as an At-Large Council member, she has fought fearlessly for affordable housing, LGBTQ+ funding priorities, and racial justice,” the statement says. “Council member Crawford’s leadership reflects the same courage and conviction that defined Wanda’s legacy.”
Organizers of the event noted that it was held on what would have been Wanda Alston’s 67th birthday.
“Today’s legacy reception was a smashing success,” said Cesar Toledo, the Alston Foundation’s executive director. “Not only did we come together to celebrate Wanda Alston on her birthday, but we also were able to raise over $10,000 for our homeless LGBTQ youth here in D.C.,” Toledo told the Blade.
“In addition to that, we celebrated and we acknowledged a rising star in our community,” he said. “And that is At-Large Council member Doni Crawford, who we named the inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award recipient.”
At the request of D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large) the Council voted unanimously on Jan. 20, 2026, to appoint Crawford to the Council seat being vacated by McDuffie.
Council records show she joined McDuffie’s Council staff in 2022 as a policy adviser and later became his legislative director before McDuffie appointed her as staff director for the Council’s Committee on Business and Economic Development for which McDuffie served as chair.
Calendar: April 10-16
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