Local

Trans activist’s murder trial postponed

Delay in processing DNA evidence

Published

9 years ago

September 14, 2016

Lou Chibbaro Jr.

Gigi Thomas is accused of first-degree murder. (Photo courtesy Facebook)

The murder trial of D.C. transgender activist Gigi Thomas, which was scheduled to begin Sept. 13 in Prince George’s County Circuit Court, has been postponed until Feb. 27, 2017 at the request of prosecutors.

Court records show that Circuit Court Judge DaNeeka Cotton approved a “joint motion for continuance” of the trial filed on Sept. 2 on grounds that DNA evaluation of evidence submitted by prosecutors had not been completed.

John Irzon, a spokesperson for the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, which is prosecuting the case, confirmed that a delay in processing DNA evidence was the reason for postponement of the trial.

Prince George’s County police on Oct. 16, 2015 charged Thomas, 46, with first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing to death 47-year-old Devale Lamont Avery inside her residence in Temple Hills, Md.

A police statement of probable cause says police were called to the residence about 7:50 p.m. on Oct. 16 and found Avery unconscious and suffering from multiple stab wounds to the upper body. It says he was pronounced dead on the scene.

The statement says Thomas waived her Miranda rights after being taken to a police facility for questioning and “admitted” her involvement in the murder of Avery. A separate statement released by police says it “appears an argument between the suspect and victim escalated into the fatal stabbing.” She has been held in custody without bond since the time of her arrest.

Thomas’s attorney, David Simpson, has not responded to requests by the Washington Blade for comment.

Friends and associates of Thomas say they believe she has been unfairly charged with first-degree murder and that Thomas stabbed Avery, an estranged friend, after he attempted to rob and assault her. One of her friends, who spoke on condition of not being identified, said Thomas was fearful of being killed in the incident similar to the fate of large numbers of trans women who have been murdered in recent years throughout the country.

Irzon of the State’s Attorney’s office said he didn’t know the cause of the delay in the processing of the DNA evidence. Court records show that prosecutors outsourced the DNA samples in early February to BODE Technology, a Lorton, Va.-based laboratory that specializes in DNA testing.

The testing was originally expected to be completed by May, when an earlier trial date had been set. But prosecutors requested and obtained approval by the judge to postpone the trial until Sept. 13 upon learning the DNA analysis would not be completed in time for a May trial.

The new trial date set for Feb. 27 means the DNA analysis by the Virginia lab is not expected to be completed for more than a year after it was first submitted for analysis.

Thomas, who has a master’s degree in social work from Howard University, has worked for several local organizations that provide services to the transgender community. Those who know her expressed shock over her arrest on a murder charge, saying she worked for years as a community activist and mentor to help people in need.

Up Next

One-third of LGB students in D.C. considered suicide: report

Don't Miss

Playwright seeks interviews with those who lost parents to HIV/AIDS

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

World Pride 2025

D.C. liquor board extends drinking hours for WorldPride

Gay bars, other liquor-serving establishments can stay open 24 hours

Published

10 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Lou Chibbaro Jr.

Sasha Colby performs at Pitchers in 2023. Liquor-serving establishments in D.C. will be able to remain open for 24 hours during WorldPride. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

D.C.’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board, which regulates liquor sales for the city’s bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and other establishments licensed to serve alcoholic beverages, has approved extended hours for alcohol service and sales during the days when most WorldPride events will be held in the nation’s capital.

In a May 2 announcement, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration, which works with the board, said the extended liquor serving and sales hours for WorldPride will take place beginning Friday, May 30, through 4 a.m. Monday, June 9.

Although the official schedule for WorldPride events shows the events will take place May 17-June 8, most of the large events, including a two-day Pride street festival, parade, and concert, were expected to take place between May 30 and June 8.

According to the ABCA announcement and an ABCA spokesperson, liquor servicing establishments with the appropriate license can stay open for 24 hours and serve alcoholic beverages from 6 a.m. through the day and evening until 4 a.m., with no liquor sales allowed from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. during the May 30-June 9 period.

The ABCA announcement says liquor serving establishments must apply for the extended hours option and pay a $100 registration fee by a deadline on May 27.

Sources familiar with the liquor board have said the board has for many years approved the extension of liquor serving and sales hours for important events and for certain holidays such as New Year’s Eve.

At the time it approved the extended hours for WorldPride the liquor board also approved extended hours during the time when games for a World Cup soccer tournament will be held in the city on June 18, June 22, and June 26.

It couldn’t immediately be determined how many of D.C.’s 22 LGBTQ bars plan to apply for the extended drinking hours. David Perruzza, owner of the Adams Morgan gay bar Pitchers and its adjoining lesbian bar A League of Her Own, said he will apply for the 4 a.m. extended hours option but he does not intend to keep the two bars open for the full 23 hours.

Under the city’s current alcoholic beverage regulations, licensed liquor serving establishments may serve alcoholic beverages until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends.

World Pride 2025

Episcopal bishop to speak at WorldPride human rights conference

Trump demanded apology from Mariann Edgar Budde over post-Inauguration sermon

Published

18 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Michael K. Lavers

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde. (Screen capture via PBS NewsHour/YouTube)

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde is among those who are scheduled to speak at the WorldPride 2025 Human Rights Conference that will take place from June 4-6.

Budde, who is the bishop of the Diocese of Washington, in January urged President Donald Trump “to have mercy” on LGBTQ people, immigrants, and others “who are scared right now” during a post-Inauguration service that he and Vice President JD Vance attended at the Washington National Cathedral. Trump criticized Budde’s comments and demanded an apology.

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde speaks at the Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 21, 2025. (PBS NewsHour clip)

A press release the Washington Blade received notes Icelandic Industries Minister Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, UK Black Pride founder Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, and Bob the Drag Queen are among those who are also expected to participate in the conference.

The conference will take place at the JW Marriott (1331 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) and registration is open here.

World Pride 2025

Pabllo Vittar to perform at WorldPride

Brazilian drag queen, singer, joined Madonna on stage in 2024 Rio concert

Published

1 day ago

May 1, 2025

Staff reports

Pabllo Vittar (Screen capture via Pabllo Vittar/YouTube)

A Brazilian drag queen and singer who performed with Madonna at her 2024 concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach will perform at WorldPride.

The Capital Pride Alliance on Thursday announced Pabllo Vittar will perform on the Main Stage of the main party that will take place on June 7 at DCBX (1235 W St., N.E.) in Northeast D.C.

Vittar and Anitta, a Brazilian pop star who is bisexual, on May 4, 2024, joined Madonna on stage at her free concert, which was the last one of her Celebration Tour. Authorities estimated 1.6 million people attended.