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Gay biz chamber names 2013 award recipients

Honorees will be recognized at April 19th gala

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David Franco, Chris Delucchi, Amanda Simpson, gay news, Washington Blade
David Franco, Chris Delucchi, Amanda Simpson, Washington Blade, gay news

Awardees include David Franco, Christine Delucchi and Amanda Simpson (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

The Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has named five individuals and one company as recipients of its 2013 Annual Awards, which will be presented at its April 19 gala ceremony at the Mayflower Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel.

“The awards recognize excellence in business, dedication to community, and development of new entrepreneurs,” the group said in a statement.

“We are thrilled with the slate of honorees,” said CAGLCC President Ernesto Santalla. “From promoting equality in corporate boardrooms to knocking on doors as volunteers, these are people and businesses that are committed to making a difference in the LGBT community.”

The award categories and names of the recipients, as released by CAGLCC, are:

  • Excellence in Business Award, honoring long-term achievement for the greater benefit of D.C. metro area and national LGBT community: David Franco, founder of the Universal Gear “chain of men’s retail fashion,” with stores in D.C., New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Rehoboth Beach, Del.
  • Business Leadership Award, honoring an LGBT individual for their leadership, accomplishments and example for the D.C. area LGBT community: Christine Delucchi, “who has drawn on her 30-plus years of marketing and public relations experience to launch two strategic communications firms.”
  • Corporate Ally Award, recognizing a non-LGBT business that has made significant accomplishments in partnering with the LGBT community: KPMG, the international consulting firm.
  • Emerging Entrepreneur Award, honoring an LGBT individual, group or business that has demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit and success in new and creative endeavors in the LGBT community: John Caldwell of Malvin, Riggins & Co.
  • Community Advocacy Award, honoring an individual, group or organization whose activism has benefited the health, well-being and position of the Washington area LGBT community: Amanda Simpson, “who under President Obama became the first-ever out transgender woman political appointee.”
  • Volunteer of the Year Award, honoring an LGBT individual for outstanding dedication and service to the broader LGBT community: Ashley Smith, “well-known in the community for his work with both the Human Rights Campaign and the D.C. Coalition of Black LGBT People.”
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Photos

PHOTOS: Pride on the Pier

Blade’s WorldPride celebration ends with fireworks show

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The Washington Blade's Pride on the Pier. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Washington Blade’s second day of Pride on the Pier at The Wharf DC ended with a fireworks show on Saturday, June 7. The fireworks show was presented by the Leonard-Litz LGBTQ Foundation.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

The Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier (Photo by Cedric Craig for Wild Side Media)
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Virginia

Hashmi to face Reid in Va. LG race

State senator won Democratic primary on Tuesday

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Ghazala Hashmi (Screen capture via One Vote At A Time/YouTube)

State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield) will face John Reid in the race to become Virginia’s next lieutenant governor. 

Hashmi won the Democratic primary with 27.49 percent of the vote. She defeated former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, state Sen. Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach), Babur Lateef, Victor Salgado and Alexander Bastani.

“Tonight, Virginians made history,” said Hashmi in a statement. “We didn’t just win a primary, we sent a clear message that we won’t be bullied, broken, or dragged backward by the chaos in Washington.”

Reid, a gay conservative talk show host, in April won the Republican nomination to succeed Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who is running to succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin. 

The incumbent governor days after Reid secured the nomination called for him to withdraw his candidacy amid reports that a social media account with his username included “pornographic content.” Reid, who would become the first openly gay person elected to statewide office in Virginia if he wins in November, has strongly denied the reports.

Former state Del. Jay Jones defeated Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor in Democratic attorney general primary. Jones will face Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares in November.

Youngkin cannot run for a second, consecutive term.

Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger will face off against Earle-Sears in November. The winner will make history as the first woman elected governor in the state’s history.

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Baltimore

More than 15K people attend Baltimore Trans Pride

Baltimore Safe Haven organized annual event

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(Bigstock photo)

More than 15,000 people attended Baltimore Safe Haven’s annual Trans Pride on Saturday.

“Last year we had maybe 2,500, and the year before that, we had 5,000,” Renee Lau, administrative assistant for special projects coordinator for Baltimore Safe Haven, said. “In today’s political climate, it’s absolutely amazing.”

Lau said allies and other groups “went into hiding” for about a month or two after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, but then all at once, different organizations started to reach out. 

“The community has really come together to support us,” Lau said. “It was a fun, exciting day.” 

Baltimore Safe Haven Executive Director Iya Dammons in a press release said the “historic turnout” showed the transgender community’s strength, as well as their unity to fight for justice and equality for all LGBTQ people.

At the event, attendees were seen waving flags and shouting “Trans Lives Matter,” showing their support for the community. 

On Friday, before Trans Pride, Baltimore Safe Haven opened their new building to the public, gathering notable attendees like the Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohan, Council Member Antonio Glover, and representatives from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.

“(It) was historic in itself because … we’re the only direct service providers for people in the LGBT community,” Lau said.

Providing housing for 18- to 24-year-olds, Lau said the new building also serves as a community hub and has office spaces for workers. 

With only a few hiccups of arguments between attendees and fixing street blockades during Trans Pride, Lau said the event showed what the community can do. 

“It was amazing that so many people came out and had that much fun. We were all giddy by Sunday morning,” Lau said. “(It gave) Safe Haven exposure and continuity. We are not just an LGBT organization, we are an organization that supports the entire community.”

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