Local
Bowser, Catania speak at Black Pride reception
Both cite progress but say there’s more work to do
Mayoral candidates Muriel Bowser and David Catania were among the speakers at last weekend’s Black Pride. (Washington Blade file photo of Catania by Michael Key; Blade file photo of Bowser by Damien Salas)
D.C. Council members Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) and David Catania (I-At-Large), the two main contenders in the city’s Nov. 4 mayoral election, put partisan politics aside on Friday night in remarks before the opening reception and awards ceremony for the city’s 24th annual Black Pride celebration.
The two praised each other for their support for the cause of LGBT equality and praised Black Pride as an important event that highlights the progress of the LGBT civil rights movement since the first Black Pride celebration took place in 1980.
D.C. Congressional Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) and Council member Anita Bonds (D-At-Large) also spoke at the event. Bonds presented a resolution approved by the D.C. Council recognizing the Black Pride events and Sterling Washington, director of the Mayor’s Office of GLBT Affairs, presented a proclamation issued by Mayor Vincent Gray honoring the Black Pride events.
“This is our largest opening reception by far,” said Earl Fowlkes, CEO of the Center for Black Equity, the LGBT advocacy group that organizes Black Pride celebrations in D.C. and in more than a dozen other cities in the U.S. and abroad.
“It was nice to have elected officials come out,” Fowlkes said. “And I think both Muriel and David were very gracious to each other and to us,” he said. “Both of them have been friends to the LGBT community and particularly to the black LGBT community.”
Fowlkes said between 300 and 350 people attended the opening ceremony, which took place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown D.C.
As many as 30,000 people were expected to participate in a series of Black Pride events May 23-26 that included forums and workshops, a film festival, dance parties, a block party at the Fairgrounds next to Washington Nationals Stadium, an outdoor health and wellness festival near Dupont Circle and D.C. Black Pride’s annual Memorial Day picnic at Ft. Dupont Park.
“It’s easy for us to look at the progress we’ve made,” Catania told the gathering. “But let me be clear. There is still work to do.”
He noted his role in introducing and helping to pass legislation on marriage equality, transgender rights and improvements in the city fight against AIDS. He said he is committed to continuing those efforts.
Bowser sounded a similar theme, saying many of the people attending the event have played a key role in advancing LGBT equality in the city and pledged to work with them to build on the progress already made.
“And although we are progressive and although we have achieved a lot in the District of Columbia, that progress and prosperity hasn’t touched all eight wards, has it?” she said. “It hasn’t touched all Washingtonians. It hasn’t touched everybody in this community either.”
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Congratulations to Jaime Christopher Pierce on their appointment to serve as a member of the Virginia Governor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. Pierce was sworn in on Sept. 3 by Greg Parks, clerk of the Alexandria Circuit Court.
Pierce currently serves as vice chair of the Alexandria City LGBTQIA+ Task Force and as a member of the Alexandria Pride planning committee. They previously served on the board of directors of Equality Virginia.
Upon being sworn in, Pierce said, “Public service has been a central part of my life for more than 30 years, and this appointment gives me an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth in a different and very personal way. My career has allowed me to work with people and communities throughout Virginia, and I hope to bring that experience, along with my own lived experience and my involvement in the LGBTQ+ community, to the work of the Board.” They added, “Having Greg administer the oath makes the occasion even more meaningful because of his own historic role as Virginia’s first openly gay elected circuit court clerk.”
Pierce also serves as Circuit Court Services Manager for the Department of Judicial Services, at the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. They began their career in Virginia’s judiciary in 1994 as a deputy clerk with the Virginia Beach Circuit Court and have since held several professional and leadership positions within the court system. Pierce is a member of the National Association for Court Management (NACM) and the Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management. At the national level, Pierce participated in the workgroup that developed the National Association for Court Management’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guide, a resource designed to help court professionals advance inclusive practices and strengthen access, fairness and belonging within the justice system.
Pierce earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Liberty University, and a certificate in Paralegal Studies from Norfolk State University.
Maryland
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
Pride Center of Maryland among recipients
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.
The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.
The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants
“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.”
“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”
Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
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