Local
‘Honor Our LGBT Elders Day’ a success
SAGECAP seeks to improve care for older residents
Nate Sweeney addressing National LGBT Elders Day attendees. (Photo by Aaron Cahall)
While some local LGBT organizations have focused their mission on LGBTQ youth, the LGBT Health Resource Center (LHRC) of Chase Brexton Health Care has recognized the need to address the rapidly aging LGBT population.
The organization launched a program last September called SAGECAP Baltimore to improve care for older LGBT individuals who often live alone. SAGECAP is an initiative that will provide resources, education and support for informal, unpaid LGBT caregivers in the community.
Most recently, LHRC decided to pay homage to LGBT elders by launching the first-ever National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day on May 17. The inaugural event, which featured multi-media tributes, including portraits of LGBT elders adorning the walls, took place in and around the community room at Chase Brexton where more than 70 attended.
The goal of this occasion was to acknowledge the lives of older LGBT adults who changed the tide in our society and hear their stories, said Nate Sweeney, executive director of LHRC, at a ceremony prior to unveiling portraits of two elder transgender individuals. Monica Stevens and Jean-Michel Brevelle were honored for their work in raising awareness of the plight of transgender individuals in Maryland.
In addition, several other elder LGBT individuals were honored through digital storytelling as a result of a partnership between LHRC and the University of Maryland Baltimore County who sought to record the life stories of older LGBT adults. Those featured included Louise Parker Kelley, Lou Hughes, Breezy Bishop, Ken Gault and Greg Grenier.
The presentations were followed by an LGBT Elder Day pinning ceremony where commemorative pins were given out to mark the event.
“We were absolutely thrilled that the LGBT Health Resource Center of Chase Brexton Health Care was able to launch National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day,” Sweeney told the Blade. “It is so easy to get caught up in all the work of LGBTQ equality and miss the chance to stop and think about all those who have worked in the years before us.”
Sweeney pointed out how LGBT elders paved the way for progress. “Some of our elders were at the forefront of the fight, and some quietly lived their truths, sharing their identity with friends, families and coworkers,” he said. “Both of these narratives have changed what life is like today, and we as a community need to show our gratitude by making sure those who came before us can live their truth in their elderhood.”
Community activist Merrick Moses agreed. “We have to celebrate our elders. Unfortunately, many young people don’t know the deep and rich history of Baltimore’s LGBTQ communities. Our elders deserve honor, love and respect.”
This celebration will occur every May 17.
A gay man was murdered in Petersburg, Va., on March 13.
Shyyell Diamond Sanchez-McCray, who was also known as Saamel and Mable, was a drag queen who won the Miss Mayflower EOY pageant in 2015. Reports also indicate Sanchez-McCray, 42, was a well-known community activist in Virginia and in North Carolina.
Local media reports indicate police officers found Sanchez-McCray shot to death inside a home in Petersburg.
Sanchez-McCray’s brother, Jamal Mitchell Diamond, in a public statement the Washington Blade received from Equality Virginia and GLAAD, said Sanchez-McCray was not transgender as initial reports indicated.
“Our family has always embraced the fullness of who he was. He used the names Saamel, Shyyell, and Mable interchangeably, and we honor all of them. There is no division within our family regarding how he is being represented — only a shared commitment to preserving his truth with love and respect,” said Diamond.
“He was also deeply committed to community work through Nationz Foundation, where he worked and completed multiple state-certified programs to support marginalized communities,” added Diamond. “That work meant a great deal to him.”
Authorities have not made any arrests.
The Petersburg Bureau of Police has asked anyone with information about Sanchez-McCray’s murder to call Petersburg-Dinwiddie Crime Solvers at 804-861-1212.
District of Columbia
Trans Day of Visibility events planned
Rally on the National Mall scheduled for Saturday
The Christopher Street Project has a number of events planned for the 2026 Trans Day of Visibility, including a rally on the Mall and an “Empowerment Ball” at the Eaton Hotel. Plenaries, panel discussions and meetings with members of Congress are scheduled in the three days of programming.
Announced speakers include N.H. state Rep. Alice Wade; Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Precious Brady-Davis; activist and performer Miss Peppermint (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”); Lexington, Ky. Councilwoman Emma Curtis; Rabbi Abby Stein; D.C. activist and host Rayceen Pendarvis; Air Force Master Sgt. Logan Ireland; among other leaders, advocates and performers.
Conference programming on Thursday and Friday includes an educational forum and a Capitol Hill policy education day. Registration for the two-day conference has closed.
The “Trans Day of Visibility PAC Reception” is scheduled for Thursday, March 26 from 7:30-9 p.m. at As You Are (500 8th St., S.E.). Special guests include Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nevada) and Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.). Tickets are available at christopherstreetproject.org starting at $25.
The National Council of Jewish Women and the Christopher Street Project host a “Trans Day of Visibility Shabbat” on Friday, March 27 from 7-8 p.m. at Sixth & I (600 I St., N.W.). The service is to be led by Rabbi Jenna Shaw and Rabbi Abby Stein.
The “Now You See Me: Trans Empowerment Social & Ball” is scheduled for Friday, March 27 from 6-11 p.m. at the Eaton Hotel (1201 K. St., N.W.). The trans-themed drag ball is hosted by the Marsha P. Johnson Institute with support from the D.C. Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs, the Capital Ballroom Council, the Christopher Street Project, the Center for Black Equity, Generation for Common Good, and Parenting is Political. RSVP online at christopherstreetproject.org.
The National Transgender Day of Visibility Rally is scheduled for Saturday, March 28 on the National Mall at 11 a.m. The rally will include speakers and performances. Following the rally, attendees are encouraged to participate in the “No Kings” rally being held at Anacostia Park.
Virginia
Virginia General Assembly’s 2026 legislative session ends
Voters in November will consider repealing marriage amendment
The Virginia General Assembly’s 2026 legislative session ended on March 14.
Lawmakers have yet to approve a budget, but they did pass a resolution that paves the way for a referendum on whether to repeal the state’s constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Lawmakers also advanced House Bill 60, which would protect PrEP users from insurance discrimination.
Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger has until April 13 to decide to pass, amend, or veto legislation before it goes back to the House of Delegates on April 22.
Spanberger on Feb. 6 signed the bill that sets the stage for the marriage amendment referendum. Voters will consider whether to “remove the ban on same-sex marriage; (ii) affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all legally valid marriages to be treated equally under the law?”
Equality Virginia has been working during this legislative cycle to urge lawmakers to allocate funding towards LGBTQ rights. The budget would expand funding for schools, competency training for the 988 suicide hotline, and funding to provide gender affirming care to LGBTQ youth.
“As the budget moves through conference and the Reconvene Session approaches on April 22, Equality Virginia remains focused on ensuring our victories this session translate into durable protections,” Equality Virginia Executive Director Narissa Rahaman told the Washington Blade in a statement. “Progress on marriage equality, nondiscrimination protections, and HIV care funding was essential, but Virginia must do more.”
Markwayne Mullin confirmed as next DHS secretary
Gay man murdered in Va.
Trans Day of Visibility events planned
Virginia General Assembly’s 2026 legislative session ends
Polish court rules country must recognize same-sex marriages from EU states
Queer American in Israel discusses Iran war’s impact
‘How We Survived’ panel set for March 25
Calendar: March 21-26
Small is beautiful: subcompact SUVs
