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.
Rehoboth Beach
BLUF leather social set for April 10 in Rehoboth
Attendees encouraged to wear appropriate gear
Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach hosts a monthly leather happy hour. April’s edition is scheduled for Friday, April 10, 5-7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear appropriate gear. The event is billed as an official event of BLUF, the free community group for men interested in leather. After happy hour, the attendees are encouraged to reconvene at Local Bootlegging Company for dinner, which allows cigar smoking. There’s no cover charge for either event.
District of Columbia
Celebrations of life planned for Sean Bartel
Two memorial events scheduled in D.C.
Two celebrations of life are planned for Sean Christopher Bartel, 48, who was found deceased on a hiking trail in Argentina on or around March 15. Bartel began his career as a television news reporter and news anchor at stations in Louisville, Ky., and Evansville, Ind., before serving as Senior Video Producer for the D.C.-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union from 2013 to 2024.
A memorial gathering is planned for Friday, April 10, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the IBEW International Office (900 7th St., N.W.), according to a statement by the DC Gay Flag Football League, where Bartel was a longtime member. A celebration of life is planned that same evening, 6-8 p.m. at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.).
District of Columbia
D.C. Council member honored by LGBTQ homeless youth group
Doni Crawford receives inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award
About 100 people turned out Tuesday evening, April 7, for a presentation by D.C.’s Wanda Alston Foundation of its inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award to D.C. Council member Doni Crawford (I-At-Large) for her support for the foundation’s mission to support homeless LGBTQ youth.
Among those who attended the event was Japer Bowles, director of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, who delivered an official proclamation issued by Bowser declaring April 7, 2026 “A Day of Remembrance for Wanda Alston.”
Alston, a beloved women’s and LGBTQ rights activist, served as the city’s first director of the then newly created Office of LGBTQ Affairs under then-Mayor Anthony Williams from 2004 until her death by murder on March 16, 2005.
To the shock and dismay of fellow LGBTQ rights advocates, police and court records reported Alston, 45, was stabbed to death inside her Northeast D.C. house by a man high on crack cocaine who lived nearby and who stole her credit cards and car. The perpetrator, William Martin Parrott, 38, was arrested by D.C. police the next day and later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He was sentenced in July 2005 to 24 years in prison.
Crawford was among those attending the award event who reflected on Alston’s legacy and outspoken advocacy for LGBTQ and feminist causes.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this inaugural award,” Crawford told the Washington Blade at the conclusion of the event. “I think the world of Wanda Alston. She has set such a great foundation for me and other Council members to build on,” she said.
“Her focus on inclusivity and intersectionality is really important as we approach this work,” Crawford added. “And it’s going to guide my work at the Council every day.”
Crawford was appointed to the D.C. Council in January of this year to replace then Council member Kenyan McDuffie (I-At-Large), who resigned to run for D.C. mayor as a Democrat. She is being challenged by four other independent candidates in a June 16 special election for the Council seat.
Under the city’s Home Rule Charter written and approved by Congress, the seat is one of two D.C. Council at-large seats that cannot be held by a “majority party” candidate, meaning a Democrat.
A statement released by the Alston Foundation last month announcing Crawford’s selection for the Wanda Alston Legacy Award praised Crawford’s record of support for its work on behalf of LGBTQ youth.
“From behind the scenes to now serving as an At-Large Council member, she has fought fearlessly for affordable housing, LGBTQ+ funding priorities, and racial justice,” the statement says. “Council member Crawford’s leadership reflects the same courage and conviction that defined Wanda’s legacy.”
Organizers of the event noted that it was held on what would have been Wanda Alston’s 67th birthday.
“Today’s legacy reception was a smashing success,” said Cesar Toledo, the Alston Foundation’s executive director. “Not only did we come together to celebrate Wanda Alston on her birthday, but we also were able to raise over $10,000 for our homeless LGBTQ youth here in D.C.,” Toledo told the Blade.
“In addition to that, we celebrated and we acknowledged a rising star in our community,” he said. “And that is At-Large Council member Doni Crawford, who we named the inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award recipient.”
At the request of D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large) the Council voted unanimously on Jan. 20, 2026, to appoint Crawford to the Council seat being vacated by McDuffie.
Council records show she joined McDuffie’s Council staff in 2022 as a policy adviser and later became his legislative director before McDuffie appointed her as staff director for the Council’s Committee on Business and Economic Development for which McDuffie served as chair.
Calendar: April 10-16
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