Local
Additional victims sought in ‘date’ robberies
Suspects allegedly lured men via Grindr, Jack’d
Suspects Matthew Austin Bauer, 21, and Paul William James Keve, 18, in Dundalk ‘date’ robberies. (Photos courtesy Baltimore County Police)
Baltimore County Police are asking that additional robbery victims who have been lured through the dating apps Grindr and/or Jack’d come forward after two suspects were charged on May 5. Other suspects are outstanding in what police are calling “date” robberies.
According to police, Matthew Austin Bauer, 21, and Paul William James Keve, 18 — both residents of the Dundalk community of Baltimore County — face charges that include armed robbery and misdemeanor theft after they robbed a 24-year-old man on March 31 in which they scheduled a meeting using the dating app Jack’d.
When the victim responded to a designated location in the 7500 block of Westfield Road in Dundalk, he was surrounded by Bauer and Keve, who threatened him with a knife and stole his cash and cell phone.
In an earlier case on March 2, police say a 22-year-old man was robbed and beaten when he set up a meeting with someone called “Josh” on Grindr. When the victim responded to the designated meeting place in the 1600 block of Four Georges Court in Dundalk, he was approached by a male suspect wearing dark clothing and a ski mask who demanded his money and cell phone.
When the victim attempted to flee he was surrounded by two other male suspects who began beating him. The three suspects fled with the victim’s cash and phone. Keve has been identified as one of these suspects and is also charged in that case.
In November, several robberies occurred in Northeast Baltimore in which victims were lured to a destination using Grindr. In those cases, two suspects have been charged.
Police request that anyone with information on either of these Dundalk incidents, a similar type of incident, or anyone who may have been victimized under similar circumstances by either Bauer or Keve is asked to contact police at 410-307-2020.
Anyone with information on this case can also submit a tip to Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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)
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