Local
Baltimore Eagle ready to fly again
Final hearing on liquor license set for Sept. 22


The newly renovated exterior of Baltimore’s Eagle bar. (Washington Blade photo by Steve Charing)
Since the iconic leather bar the Baltimore Eagle closed its doors in December 2012, its path to reopening has been bumpy to say the least. But after years of delays, the bar owners and managers have navigated myriad obstacles and are poised to reopen soon following extensive renovations that have increased the area of the original bar and added a restaurant, store and entertainment area.
It wasn’t easy getting to this point.
Unforeseen problems with the building’s structure and huge amounts of trash were discovered soon after the building, located at 2022 N. Charles Street, was purchased by local developers Ian Parrish and Charles Parrish for $300,000. Walls had to be gutted and ceilings torn down. Delays in electrical line installation as well as other impediments were identified.
As a result, the 180-day requirement to complete construction was not met to satisfy the Baltimore Liquor Board, which denied the owners the license transfer in April 2015 following a contentious hearing the previous month.
Previous liquor boards had routinely waived the requirement when circumstances warranted, but a 2013 audit revealed corruption and other irregularities within the liquor board. The new board, appointed by then-Gov. Martin O’Malley and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was given the charge to crack down on “zombie” licenses as well as other improprieties. The new commissioners rejected the arguments from the Parrishes and their attorney.
Undaunted, the project pushed on. “No other developer in this region wanted to touch the Baltimore Eagle project, and we still aim to prove them wrong,” Parrish told the Blade last November. “This team is moving forward. We’re spending over a million dollars to reconstruct the Baltimore Eagle because this building and this business are good for this city, because our neighbors want to go back to work, and because the loyal patrons of the Eagle are still hoping to return.”
As a back up, the Parrishes, who are longtime allies of the LGBT community, as well as the rest of the team, purchased the existing liquor license from Charles Bowers, the owner of the Club Hippo, which closed its doors last fall.
The team, which had been hired to oversee the business in advance of the opening, designed a new concept for the Baltimore Eagle and construction continued while the decision was being appealed.
After mobilizing the community and working with nearby community associations, the Baltimore Eagle is poised to reopen soon. It received its entertainment license, and the final hearing to approve the liquor license transfer is set for Sept. 22.
“The applications have been submitted, reviewed and accepted by the Baltimore Liquor Board. The hearing is the final hurdle,” said Charles King, Baltimore Eagle General Manager. “We have backing by the Charles North Community Association, The Charles Village Civic Association and The Old Goucher Community Association, and there is an MOU in place as well that we have negotiated.” King said the attorney, Stephan Fogelman, told him that he sees no further barriers to reopening.
Besides Charles King, Robert Gasser is the food services and maintenance manager. John Gasser is the liquor store manager. Greg King is the Eagle Leathers store manager; they are all partners in the business. Miles Crakow is the director of social media and public relations.
“The bar itself will not just be one bar, but rather a collection of bars, restaurants, a leather and adult retail store, a package goods store, a lounge featuring a collection of leather community history and artifacts, and an event space inspired by Bohemian romance and cabaret nostalgia that will bring the NYC and Montreal music scene to Baltimore, all on multiple levels and taking a much larger footprint than the previous Eagle,” Crakow says.
He emphasizes that “the leather bar is the heart and soul of The Eagle’s rebirth and it will stand shoulder to shoulder with the other new businesses, all supporting each other.”
In addition, the Baltimore Eagle hired internationally trained master chef Ed Scholly who works at the Culinary Institute of Baltimore. He will operate the food program for at least a year, and catering will be available in the event space upstairs.
The opening date has not been set but it is expected in the near future. To thank the community for its patience, the owners are offering opportunities to purchase gift cards at reduced prices, collector silver pins, T-shirts and other memorabilia. Visit TheBaltimoreEagle.com or The Baltimore Eagle on Facebook for details and updates.
“We are so thrilled to open our doors very soon,” Charles King told the Blade. “We’re just finishing up construction before we get final inspections and permits. This has been the longest road of our lives, but we know it leads to an amazing place. I know the community will embrace our new venue and concepts. Details are so important, and we hope to impress even the most discerning guest. The best thing is that the LGBTQ community will have a brand new place to eat, drink and play and the leather community will once again have a home to be proud of.”
Community members share the enthusiasm. “With other LGBT bars closing in the area, the real significance is that the Baltimore Eagle will reopen,” Rodney Burger, longtime leather columnist and vice president of the Baltimore leather club Shipmates, told the Blade. “This will be a new Baltimore Eagle. Those who are looking for the old dark dive bar will be disappointed. As the LGBT community has changed so has the Baltimore Eagle.”
He added, “I hope the community supports the new Baltimore Eagle. The new owners are very excited that once again the Baltimore Eagle can be a safe space and gathering place for our community and a place where new memories can be made. I can’t wait.”
District of Columbia
Laverne Cox, Reneé Rapp, Deacon Maccubbin named WorldPride grand marshals
Three LGBTQ icons to lead parade

WorldPride organizers announced Thursday that actress and trans activist Laverne Cox, powerhouse performer Reneé Rapp, and LGBTQ trailblazer Deacon Maccubbin will serve as grand marshals for this year’s WorldPride parade.
The Capital Pride Alliance, which is organizing WorldPride 2025 in Washington, D.C., revealed the honorees in a press release, noting that each has made a unique contribution to the fabric of the LGBTQ community.

Cox made history in 2014 as the first openly transgender person nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category for her role in Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black.” She went on to win a Daytime Emmy in 2015 for her documentary “Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word,” which followed seven young trans people as they navigated coming out.
Rapp, a singer and actress who identifies as a lesbian, rose to prominence as Regina George in the Broadway musical “Mean Girls.” She reprised the role in the 2024 film adaptation and also stars in Max’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” portraying a character coming to terms with her sexuality. Rapp has released an EP, “Everything to Everyone,” and an album, “Snow Angel.” She announced her sophomore album, “Bite Me,” on May 21 and is slated to perform at the WorldPride Music Festival at the RFK Festival Grounds.
Deacon Maccubbin, widely regarded as a cornerstone of Washington’s LGBTQ+ history, helped organize D.C.’s first Gay Pride Party in 1975. The event took place outside Lambda Rising, one of the first LGBTQ bookstores in the nation, which Maccubbin founded. For his decades of advocacy and activism, he is often referred to as “the patriarch of D.C. Pride.”
“I am so honored to serve as one of the grand marshals for WorldPride this year. This has been one of the most difficult times in recent history for queer and trans people globally,” Cox said. “But in the face of all the rhetorical, legislative and physical attacks, we continue to have the courage to embrace who we truly are, to celebrate our beauty, resilience and bravery as a community. We refuse to allow fear to keep us from ourselves and each other. We remain out loud and proud.”
“Pride is everything. It is protection, it is visibility, it is intersectional. But most importantly, it is a celebration of existence and protest,” Rapp said.
The three will march down 14th Street for the WorldPride Parade in Washington on June 7.

2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)











a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.

The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.

The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.




