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Comings & Goings
Meet Rep. Shalala’s new legislative assistant
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].
Congratulations to Rob Smith, who was named Managing Broker at Chatel Real Estate, Inc. Smith has more than 25 years of experience in residential, commercial, land sales as well as the rental market. Chatel Real Estate is one of the oldest real estate firms in the Metro D.C. area with offices in Georgetown and Dupont Circle and they are looking to expand. Smith’s broad knowledge of the central and Northern Virginia and the Washington markets, consumer and design trends, and the many criteria involved in the sale or purchase of a property provide his clients and customers with unparalleled service. He said, “I have built my reputation in the market through a commitment of personalized service to my agents and clients. They all know I am available around the clock to respond to questions at a moment’s notice.”
Smith was first licensed in Georgia in the early ’90s, and after many successful years in Atlanta real estate, moved to Virginia in 2010. He began working at a boutique real estate company in Orange, Va. as its managing broker and property manager. He then joined Berkshire Hathaway Home Services PenFed Realty in Manassas, Va.
Smith currently lives in the Northern Virginia area, enjoys wine tastings at his family’s vineyard and brewery in the Fredericksburg, Va. area. He has a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Kansas.
Congratulations also to Christofer Horta Rivero who has been appointed a legislative assistant to newly elected Congresswoman Donna Shalala (D-Fla.). He previously worked for the House Democratic Caucus, chairman Joseph Crowley (NY-14) as a Policy Assistant. He managed the Democratic Caucus Jobs for America Task Force portfolio researching good practices for small businesses and large corporations in raising wages, employee stock option programs, profit sharing, retirement security, and hiring veterans. He represented Crowley in meetings with constituents, stakeholders, and advocacy groups on immigration, health care, tax policy, and foreign affairs in relation to issues affecting the chairman’s district and the caucus as a whole. He began working on the Hill for Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) as a legislative intern.
Rivero was a Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Fellow conducting research on the human rights situations in Latin America, Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Southeast Asia that focused on freedom of expression, rights of indigenous communities, violence against women and racial discrimination. He coordinated the annual LGBT Human Rights Defenders Breakfast Series with Central and South American activists and assisted in securing event speakers, logistical support, discussion transcripts, and post-event interviews with local press.
He earned a bachelor’s in history with a minor in political science from the Florida International University in Miami. He also has a certificate in European Studies and National Security Studies from the Green School of International and Public Affairs. He was the Hispanic Caucus Chair FIU College Democrats and a director at-large of the LGBT Congressional Staff Association.
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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