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Carney silent on Putin’s latest anti-gay remarks
No comment on use of Magnitsky Act to punish anti-LGBT Russians
White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney dismissed question on the anti-gay situation in Russia (Washington Blade file photo by Damien Salas).
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney had no comment on Thursday regarding a series of questions about the anti-gay climate in Russia, saying he had not seen new media reports on which the inquiries were based.
Under questioning from the Washington Blade, Carney had no comment on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent remarks that Russia must “clean up” anything that would impair the nation’s birth rate in regards to the anti-gay atmosphere in the country.
“Well, I didn’t see that report,” Carney said. “Our views on this issue and legislation that’s been passed in Russia have been clearly expressed. So I can’t comment on that particular report except that we obviously believe it is very much in the interest of Russia to conduct an Olympics that welcomes everyone.”
Amid calls on President Obama to invoke the Magnitsky Act to freeze the assets of Russian lawmakers who are fostering the anti-gay atmosphere in the country, Carney again professed to have no knowledge of those calls.
“I haven’t seen that report and I don’t have any update on our position on the Magnitsky Act,” Carney said. “But you can be sure that our views about universal rights and specifically LGBT rights are clearly expressed with regards to, whether it’s Russia or elsewhere, actions taken by countries that are in conflict with those principles.”
Russia has come under international scrutiny as the Winter Olympic approach in Sochi because of the reports of the anti-gay climate, especially the recently enacted law barring pro-gay propaganda.
Carney was also unable to say whether President Obama had discussed the anti-gay atmosphere with Putin during a phone call between the two presidents on Tuesday. According to a White House readout of the call, the two talked about Olympics security, Iran and efforts to disarm Syria of chemical weapons.
“I don’t have a further readout beyond what we provided,” Carney said.
Jamie Kirchick, a gay journalist who has urged the Obama administration to employ the Magnitsky Act against those behind anti-gay abuses in Russia, expressed dismay with Carney’s remarks.
“It is sad to see the administration continue to sacrifice America’s national interests — which includes promoting the human rights of all Russians, LGBT ones included — in pursuit of the chimera of improved U.S.-Russian relations,” Kirchick said. “From Syria to gay rights, Putin is spinning circles around us. The administration should answer the queries of those in Congress wanting to know why it failed to name any more Russian human rights abusers to the Magnitsky List.”
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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