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Comings & Goings
Working to elect a Democrat in Virginia’s 10th
The ‘Comings & Goings’ column chronicles important life changes of Blade readers.
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].
Ted Miller
Congratulations to Ted Miller who recently joined the Cancer Support Community (CSC) as Vice President, Development and External Affairs. He oversees the CSC’s individual fundraising efforts, special events and communications. He is also charged with elevating CSC’s patient-focused mission through partnerships and cause marketing efforts.
Before joining CSC, Miller served in the Obama administration as the Chief of External Affairs at the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that administers AmeriCorps and provides $600 million in funding to more than 3,000 nonprofits.
In 2014, Miller directed the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps, which culminated in a White House event with Presidents Obama and Clinton, simultaneous ceremonies in all 50 states; and digital engagement that reached 52 million social media users in 24 hours. He also served as a strategic adviser for partnerships with corporations and foundations whose financial contributions enabled thousands of additional individuals to participate in AmeriCorps.
Prior to that, Miller worked for NARAL Pro-Choice America as Director of Communications and Online Advocacy Strategies. Before that, he served as press secretary for the Office of Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle and press secretary in the Office of Congressman Sherrod Brown of Ohio
Congratulations also to Austin Taylor. He is currently doing what those in politics consider God’s work — he’s a field organizer helping to elect Wendy Gooditis who is running for the House of Delegates in Virginia’s 10th district. Taylor said, “I am a committed Democrat and heard about Wendy’s race only weeks ago. After talking to Wendy herself, doing my research, and realizing how important this race really is, I packed up my car and moved six hours up from Bristol, Va., so I could help make a difference where it counts.”
Field organizers are the lifeblood of politics. The job is to organize and mobilize the ground game and overall field work. That includes recruiting volunteers on a weekly basis to canvass and phonebook and building relationships with community leaders, volunteers, and voters to help strategize and implement effective messaging. Field organizers create events and generally work 12 hours a day, seven days a week. But as Taylor said, “Hey, that’s politics and someone’s got to do it.” Wendy is lucky he is there.
Austin Taylor
Finally, congratulations also to Chase Sanders who recently began his new position as Events Manager for Leadership Greater Washington (LGW). There, he supports cross-departmental efforts in the LGW events space and helps facilitate the management of the various programming and events aspects of their multiple leadership programs. The goal of LGW is to bring leaders together to make a positive community impact in the Washington Metropolitan region.
Prior to joining LGW, Sanders produced events for the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. There, he helped organize and run innovative programming and their inspiring gala dinners. Sanders says, “I enjoy challenging myself and using my events skills and creativity to provide memorable experiences for the individuals who belong to the organizations I work for.” He began his D.C. career with Public Media Platform, a non-profit startup.
Chase Sanders
Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Summer Kickoff Party set for May 15 with Ashley Biden
The Washington Blade’s 19th annual Summer Kickoff Party is scheduled for Friday, May 15 in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Ashley Biden, daughter of President Joe Biden, has joined the list of speakers, the Blade announced. She will accept an award on behalf of her brother Beau Biden for his LGBTQ advocacy work as Delaware attorney general. (Her appearance was rescheduled from last year.)
The event, to be held this year at Diego’s (37298 Rehoboth Ave. Ext.) from 5-7 p.m., is a fundraiser for the Blade Foundation’s Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which funds a summer position reporting on LGBTQ news in Delaware. This year’s recipient will be introduced at the event.
The event will also feature remarks from state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall. New CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Blade editor Kevin Naff will also speak. The event is generously sponsored by Realtor Justin Noble, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Diego’s.
A suggested donation of $25 is partially tax deductible and includes a drink ticket and light appetizers. Tickets are available in advance at bladefoundation.org/rehoboth or at the door.
District of Columbia
Curve magazine honors Washington Blade publisher
Lynne Brown named to 2026 Power List
Washington Blade Publisher Lynne Brown has been named to the 2026 Curve Power List celebrating LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary individuals in North America who are blazing trails in their chosen fields.
“From sports and entertainment icons to corporate leaders and lawmakers, these individuals are breaking barriers, challenging norms, and shaping the future,” Curve Foundation/Curve magazine said in announcing this year’s list, which includes ABC newscaster Robin Roberts, comedian/actress Hannah Einbinder, and singer/actress Renee Rapp, among others.
Brown has worked for the Washington Blade for nearly 40 years. She was named publisher in 2007 before becoming a co-owner in 2010.
“I am honored to be recognized by Curve magazine during Lesbian Visibility Week,” Brown said. “Receiving this Curve honor is twofold. I was an early subscriber to Curve. I enjoy the product and know its history. Its journalism, layout and humorous features have inspired me.
“As an owner/publisher, receiving recognition from a similar source acknowledges my work and efforts, with a sincerity I truly appreciate. Franco Stevens, the publisher of Curve, is a business person of duration, experience, and purpose. The fact that they are in the media business, and honoring me and my publication makes it a tiny bit sweeter.”
Nominations for the Curve Power List come from the community: peers, mentors, fans, and employers.
Curve explained the significance of the list in its announcement: “An annual, publicly nominated list of impactful LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary changemakers is crucial in current times to counter discrimination, legislative rollbacks, hostility, and the invisibility of queer women within mainstream and marginal spaces and endeavors. Such a list also fosters encouragement and solidarity, and elevates voices and achievements—from high-profile roles to under appreciated areas of life.”
Rehoboth Beach
Auction of Rehoboth’s Blue Moon canceled
Details on sale of iconic bar, restaurant not disclosed
The Blue Moon in Rehoboth Beach, Del., has been an iconic presence in the local LGBTQ community for four decades but its status remains murky after a sheriff’s auction of the property was abruptly called off on Tuesday.
The property was listed for sale in December. At that time, owner Tim Ragan told the Blade that he is committed to preserving its legacy as a gay-friendly space.
“We had no idea the interest this would create,” Ragan said in December. “I guess I was a little naive about that.”
Ragan explained that he and longtime partner Randy Haney were separating the real estate from the business. The two buildings associated with the sale were listed by Carrie Lingo at 35 Baltimore Ave., and include an apartment, the front restaurant (6,600 square feet with three floors and a basement), and a secondary building (roughly 1,800 square feet on two floors). They were listed for $4.5 million.
The bar and restaurant business is being sold separately; the price was not publicly disclosed.
But then, earlier this year, the Blue Moon real estate listing turned up on the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office auction site. The auction was slated for Tuesday, April 21 but hours before the sale, the listing changed to “active under contract” indicating that a buyer has been found but the sale is not yet final. As of Wednesday morning, the listing has been removed from the sheriff’s auction site.
Ragan didn’t respond to Blade inquiries about the auction. Back in December, he told the Blade, “It’s time to look for the next people who can continue the history of the Moon and cultivate the next chapter,” noting that he turns 70 this year. “We’re not panicked; we separated the building from the business. Some buyers can’t afford both.”
The identity of the buyer was not disclosed, nor was the sale price.
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