Local
Mount Vernon Baltimore murder trial postponed
Police concluded robbery was motive in shooting of two gay men


Gay artist Alex Ulrich was allegedly shot to death by Quinton Bass during a robbery (Photo courtesy of Baltimore Police Department)
The trial of a North Carolina man suspected in the Aug. 10, 2012 shooting of two well-known Mount Vernon residents, Joseph Alexander “Alex” Ulrich, Jr., 40, and Lawrence R. Peterson, 56, was postponed. It was originally scheduled for April 22 when jury selection was to take place. However, a spokesperson for the Baltimore City Circuit Court said that the trial had been postponed to June 27 at 9:30 a.m. at Courthouse East. No reason for the postponement was given. Ulrich was killed in the attack, and Peterson recovered following multiple surgeries.
Quinton Bass, who had come to Baltimore from Raleigh, N.C. in 2012 and lived in homeless shelters and vacant buildings, was arrested on gun charges three weeks after the double shooting.
Officials said that both Ulrich and Peterson were standing on the front steps of the historic Empire House on East Chase Street just before 4 a.m. on Aug. 10 when shots rang out. Both victims were taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital where Ulrich died several hours later.
Peterson is gay as was Ulrich. Police concluded robbery was the motive and did not identify it as a hate crime.
District of Columbia
Wanda Alston Foundation launches culinary program for LGBTQ youth
Slay & Sauté campaign seeks to raise funds for cooking utensils

The Wanda Alston Foundation, the D.C. nonprofit organization that has provided housing and support services for homeless LGBTQ youth since its founding in 2008, announced it has launched a campaign to raise $15,000 for a new culinary program to “equip our LGBTQ+ youth with cooking skills, kitchen gadgets, and a taste for joy,” according to its executive director, Cesar Toledo.
In a May 14 statement, Toledo said the Alston Foundation had been selected to receive food and shelter funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, “but due to the federal freeze, it’s unlikely those critical resources will reach us.”
He said the new program being launched is in partnership with the DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K organization, an LGBTQ runners group. The funds will be used to provide 20 Alston House residents “with air fryers, rice cookers, smoothie blenders, healthy food, and condiments,” Toledo said.
He said the campaign, which has been named Slay & Sauté, is offering donors a chance to win WorldPride concert tickets if they submit their donation before June 1. His announcement says among the concerts for which tickets could be won are Grace Jones and Janelle Monae, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Werq the World, MIXTAPE Pride, and Betty Who.
“Thanks to supporters across the District, we’re able to continue providing not just shelter but comfort and joy to LGBTQ+ youth!” Toledo said in his statement.

The Opening Reception for the 34th annual D.C. Black Pride was held at the Capital Hilton on Friday, May 23. Presenters, speakers and entertainers included Ts Madison, Monroe Alise, Billy the Goat, Kerri Colby, Apple Brown Betty, Heather Mahogani, Lyrical Mar, Lolita Leopard, Ink, and Bang Garçon. Anthony Oakes was the host.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)





















The 2025 Silver Pride Resource Fair and Tea Dance was held at the Eaton Hotel on Wednesday, May 21.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)










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