News
Obama appointees speak at ‘Not the White House Pride reception’
Jarrett urges LGBT people to ‘be a citizen’
Valerie Jarrett urged LGBT people to “be a citizen” at the Not the White House Pride reception. (Screenshot via Facebook)
President Trump may have declined to sign a Pride proclamation or host a White House Pride reception, but that didn’t stop former members of the Obama administration from celebrating the occasion.
Hosted by Obama White House LGBT liaisons Gautam Raghavan and Aditi Hardikar, the celebration — dubbed “Not the White House Pride Reception” in homage to Samantha Bee’s competing event with the White House Correspondents’ Dinner — took place Saturday at the Brixton in D.C.
Among the speakers was the first openly gay Army secretary Eric Fanning, who recalled meeting Edie Windsor, the octogenarian plaintiff in the lawsuit that overturned the Defense of Marriage Act, to remind attendees the Trump administration is temporary.
“I saw Edie literally two days after the election,” Fanning said, “and she — I’m paraphrasing a little bit — points up at me and says, ‘Get over it.’ She said, ‘I started voting in 1947.’ She goes, ‘We made progress and we got knocked back a little bit, but we keep fighting and we will be back.'”
Also speaking was Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to former President Obama who oversaw LGBT issues for the entire eight years of the Obama administration, who said she’s “feeling a little nostalgic over the past five months as you can imagine.”
Recalling pro-LGBT moments of the Obama administration — like “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal, winning marriage equality nationwide, and the final White House Pride reception — Jarrett said the most important thing now for members of the LGBT community is to “be a citizen.”
“We cannot only focus on our issues,” Jarrett said. “We have to be our sister’s keeper. We have to be our brother’s keeper. All of our brothers, all of our sisters, and we have to sweep up and use our voice and use our effort, and this balcony is a beautiful sight. We’re going to take the feeling from this balcony and we’re going to go out in the streets of this great District of Columbia, where we are going to remind everybody what it means to be an American.”
Other speakers included Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality; lesbian comedian Kate Clinton; and Precious Brady-Davis, activist and organizer. Stephanie Rice, musician and contestant on NBC’s “The Voice,” performed afterward.
The celebration took place on the same day as the D.C. Pride Parade and days after former FBI Director James Comey testified before Congress that he believed Trump urged him to discontinue the investigation into Michael Flynn — a move that potentially constitutes obstruction of justice.
Asked by the Blade during the event if the Trump administration was what she expected, Jarrett replied, “Frankly, It was hard to know what to expect.”
“I think one of the reasons why I wanted to be here today was to say Pride month is not just about celebrating the enormous progress that we’ve made, but it’s also about recognizing we still have a lot of hard work to go, and it’s no time to let up, and we have to be as committed as ever to bending that arc of the moral universe,” Jarrett added.
Jarrett cautioned “clearly, we could lose ground” and the only way to ensure progress is preserved would be solidarity with the progressive movement.
“The only way we’re not going to lose ground is if we build a big, inclusive tent and we help everybody understand why equality for the LGBTQ community is equality for us all,” Jarrett said.
New York
Men convicted of murdering two men in NYC gay bar drugging scheme sentenced
One of the victims, John Umberger, was D.C. political consultant
A New York judge on Wednesday sentenced three men convicted of killing a D.C. political consultant and another man who they targeted at gay bars in Manhattan.
NBC New York notes a jury in February convicted Jayqwan Hamilton, Jacob Barroso, and Robert DeMaio of murder, robbery, and conspiracy in relation to druggings and robberies that targeted gay bars in Manhattan from March 2021 to June 2022.
John Umberger, a 33-year-old political consultant from D.C., and Julio Ramirez, a 25-year-old social worker, died. Prosecutors said Hamilton, Barroso, and DeMaio targeted three other men at gay bars.
The jury convicted Hamilton and DeMaio of murdering Umberger. State Supreme Court Judge Felicia Mennin sentenced Hamilton and DeMaio to 40 years to life in prison.
Barroso, who was convicted of killing Ramirez, received a 20 years to life sentence.
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.
Congress
Gerry Connolly dies at 75 after battle with esophageal cancer
Va. congressman fought for LGBTQ rights
Democratic U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia died on Wednesday, according to a statement from his family.
The 75-year-old lawmaker, who served in Congress since 2009, announced last month that he will not seek reelection and would step down from his role as the top Democrat on the powerful U.S. House Oversight Committee because his esophageal cancer had returned.
“We were fortunate to share Gerry with Northern Virginia for nearly 40 years because that was his joy, his purpose, and his passion,” his family said in their statement. “His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we are proud that his life’s work will endure for future generations.”
“He looked out for the disadvantaged and voiceless. He always stood up for what is right and just,” they said.
Connolly was memorialized in statements from colleagues and friends including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.), Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson (La.), former President Joe Biden, and U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.).
Several highlighted Connolly’s fierce advocacy on behalf of federal workers, who are well represented in his northern Virginia congressional district.
The congressman also supported LGBTQ rights throughout his life and career.
When running for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1994, he fought the removal of Washington Blade newspapers from libraries. When running in 2008 for the U.S. house seat vacated by Tom Davis, a Republican, Connolly campaigned against the amendment to Virginia’s constitution banning same-sex marriage and civil unions in the state.
In Congress, he supported the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage equality, the Biden-Harris administration’s rescission of the anti-trans military ban, and the designation within the State Department of a special LGBTQ rights envoy. The congressman also was an original cosponsor of the Equality Act and co-sponsored legislation to repeal parts of the Defense of Marriage Act.
Men convicted of murdering two men in NYC gay bar drugging scheme sentenced
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Gerry Connolly dies at 75 after battle with esophageal cancer
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