a&e features
Out hip-hop artist/arapper MarcWayne readies D.C. Black Pride performance
Former fashion guru switched to music after stint living in Washington


29th annual D.C. Black Pride CommUNITY Opening Reception
Friday, May 24
7 p.m.
Renaissance Washington D.C. Downtown
999 9th St., N.W.
sold out
If you’ve been attending D.C. Black Pride’s annual opening reception for years, this year’s might look a bit different.
For its 29th annual event, D.C. Black Pride (a program of the Center for Black Equity), invited about 60 other organizations in the region — everything from Al Sura, Casa Ruby to Daryl Wilson Productions and dozens more — to co-present the event. It all ties in with this year’s theme “Our TRUTHS in HARMONY: D.C. Black Pride 2019.”
Because thousands come to D.C. Black Pride from all over, the event is sold out. Clairity from Queen & Clair will emcee. Local R&B artist Rinny will perform as well as MarcWayne.
The Blade caught up with MarcWayne, a former D.C. resident, by phone Monday from Newark, N.J., where the 25-year-old, openly gay rapper is now based. His comments have been slightly edited for length. Find out more about MarcWayne at findingmarcwayne.weebly.com.
WASHINGTON BLADE: Your debut EP “Finding MarcWayne” dropped in January. Are you pleased with how it turned out and how has it been received?
MARCWAYNE: Really good. It’s compiled of my emotions and feelings for the past two years. The EP was a soul-searching journey of finding out who I was. I got a lot of great reviews and we had over 2,000 streams the first week. It’s a really good vibe man, a good vibe.
BLADE: What did you learn about yourself in the process?
MARCWAYNE: I learned that I’ve allowed things to stir my feelings. I’ve been through some stuff, but through adversity comes triumph and through triumph comes happiness. It’s about my journey struggling not only as an LGBT person but as an artist and a person in New York City, which is not the easiest place to live. I’ve learned not to trivialize the strength I have.
BLADE: Are you in Newark for work or do you live there?
MARCWAYNE: It’s where I’m based for now but I’m always in New York for work. Eventually I’ll be moving closer to the city or even to D.C., but for the moment I’m here. But I’ll be from Flint, Mich., til the death of me.
BLADE: What is it about growing up in Flint that still resonates with you?
MARCWAYNE: Just the rawness of Flint. It’s a very, very smart town where pretty much everybody knows everybody, but it’s genuine, it’s family oriented. I love love, I value friendship, I love humanity and I grew up in a city where people are close. When I’m in New York or any big city, I’m like that little hometown kid who’s always trying to bring people together. I say, “Excuse me,” and stuff like that. Also there are a lot of people rooting for me from back home. They see somebody from Flint actually making it, so I feel that support.
BLADE: Has being out in the hip-hop world been a hindrance in your career?
MARCWAYNE: It’s been a challenge, I will definitely say that. We live in an industry where the perception of LGBT artists is that we’re very over the top, we use a lot of vulgar words, sexual words to characterize who we are. And there’s nothing wrong with being who you are, but we’re in an industry that tries to block a lot of people like me. Like we’ll be talking about x, y or z and there’s a preconceived idea of what it means to be an LGBT artist. I stay away from the norm. There are people who like my music who don’t know I’m a gay artist. It’s not something that’s always clear on the surface of the music. I want people to see me for that first, then have them realize that it’s a gay rapper or a gay artist up there doing big things. I never really say, “Hey, I’m an out artist,” but if you listen to my music from 2015 onward, you can hear some of the lyrics talk about guys. But I never made it that blatant.
BLADE: Are you in a relationship now?
MARCWAYNE: Yes I am, Im very happy. That and my EP, those are the best things that have happened to me this year.
BLADE: So this is kind of recent?
MARCWAYNE: Yeah, we started dating in February. It’s very fresh and new but it’s something I need and it’s been an inspiration for my music. Now my songs are about him. You might see me doing some more R&B-leaning stuff soon.
BLADE: Who are your musical influences?
MARCWAYNE: Bryson Tiller, Frank Ocean, Drake, Teyana Taylor and Yo gotti. As for women, I love Teyana Taylor and Brandy. Brandy is a classic, but Teyana, her lyrics are deep. I didn’t start appreciating her music until early adulthood. Fashion was always my thing growing up and I studied at the Art Institute of Washington, but music has always been my heart and I really started moving more in that direction about three years ago.
BLADE: Have you done many Pride events?
MARCWAYNE: Yes. In Newark, Detroit, Flint, Chicago, but this is my first D.C. pride performance.
BLADE: What do you have planned for your D.C. performance?
MARCWAYNE: It’s gonna be dope. I’ll be doing about a 15-minute set at the opening reception with Rinny. I want to highlight and promote that collaboration and togetherness. It’s gonna be a really good show, epic. Some singing, some rapping, some good times, all o ‘dat.
BLADE: When were you living in Washington?
MARCWAYNE: This was when I was studying retail management in 2014 and into 2015. I was going to art school, but I’d be in the computer lab working on music. D.C. really helped me get started and know the direction I wanted to go in life. I was 21, I wasn’t doing a lot but I was figuring out who I was and what I wanted to do.
BLADE: How is your summer shaping up?
MARCWAYNE: I’m doing a mini tour, the “Finding MarcWayne, Guys Like Me Experience.” I’ll be in Brooklyn, in the Bronx for a Pride event, then going back to Michigan. Basically my summer is touring but I have three new singles coming out with hot summer vibes. And I’ll be giving my people some R&B something special later in the year.
BLADE: Why do you think events like Black Pride are important?
MARCWAYNE: If we don’t have these, we’ll be forgotten. We have to create more moments, more community, more events to celebrate each other. A lot of people don’t want to see you win but it’s needed because we need the togetherness, we can uplift each other and bring knowledge. It’s a time for us to come together and be ourselves. We need spaces like this. I wish I’d had this growing up in Flint. It’s very important to have this for the people coming up after us.

a&e features
Visit Cambridge, a ‘beautiful secret’ on Maryland’s Eastern Shore
New organization promotes town’s welcoming vibe, LGBTQ inclusion

CAMBRIDGE, Md. — Driving through this scenic, historic town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, you’ll be charmed by streets lined with unique shops, restaurants, and beautifully restored Victorian homes. You’ll also be struck by the number of LGBTQ Pride flags flying throughout the town.
The flags are a reassuring signal that everyone is welcome here, despite the town’s location in ruby red Dorchester County, which voted for Donald Trump over Kamala Harris by a lopsided margin. But don’t let that deter you from visiting. A new organization, Proudly Cambridge, is holding its debut Pride event this weekend, touting the town’s welcoming, inclusive culture.
“We stumbled on a beautiful secret and we wanted to help get the word out,” said James Lumalcuri of the effort to create Proudly Cambridge.
The organization celebrates diversity, enhances public spaces, and seeks to uplift all that Cambridge has to share, according to its mission statement, under the tagline “You Belong Here.”
The group has so far held informal movie nights and a picnic and garden party; the launch party is June 28 at the Cambridge Yacht Club, which will feature a Pride celebration and tea dance. The event’s 75 tickets sold out quickly and proceeds benefit DoCo Pride.
“Tickets went faster than we imagined and we’re bummed we can’t welcome everyone who wanted to come,” Lumalcuri said, adding that organizers plan to make “Cheers on the Choptank” an annual event with added capacity next year.
One of the group’s first projects was to distribute free Pride flags to anyone who requested one and the result is a visually striking display of a large number of flags flying all over town. Up next: Proudly Cambridge plans to roll out a program offering affirming businesses rainbow crab stickers to show their inclusiveness and LGBTQ support. The group also wants to engage with potential visitors and homebuyers.
“We want to spread the word outside of Cambridge — in D.C. and Baltimore — who don’t know about Cambridge,” Lumalcuri said. “We want them to come and know we are a safe haven. You can exist here and feel comfortable and supported by neighbors in a way that we didn’t anticipate when we moved here.”

Lumalcuri, 53, a federal government employee, and his husband, Lou Cardenas, 62, a Realtor, purchased a Victorian house in Cambridge in 2021 and embarked on an extensive renovation. The couple also owns a home in Adams Morgan in D.C.
“We saw the opportunity here and wanted to share it with others,” Cardenas said. “There’s lots of housing inventory in the $300-400,000 range … we’re not here to gentrify people out of town because a lot of these homes are just empty and need to be fixed up and we’re happy to be a part of that.”
Lumalcuri was talking with friends one Sunday last year at the gazebo (affectionately known as the “gayzebo” by locals) at the Yacht Club and the idea for Proudly Cambridge was born. The founding board members are Lumalcuri, Corey van Vlymen, Brian Orjuela, Lauren Mross, and Caleb Holland. The group is currently working toward forming a 501(c)3.
“We need visibility and support for those who need it,” Mross said. “We started making lists of what we wanted to do and the five of us ran with it. We started meeting weekly and solidified what we wanted to do.”
Mross, 50, a brand strategist and web designer, moved to Cambridge from Atlanta with her wife three years ago. They knew they wanted to be near the water and farther north and began researching their options when they discovered Cambridge.
“I had not heard of Cambridge but the location seemed perfect,” she said. “I pointed on a map and said this is where we’re going to move.”
The couple packed up, bought a camper trailer and parked it in different campsites but kept coming back to Cambridge.
“I didn’t know how right it was until we moved here,” she said. “It’s the most welcoming place … there’s an energy vortex here – how did so many cool, progressive people end up in one place?”
Corey van Vlymen and his husband live in D.C. and were looking for a second home. They considered Lost River, W.Va., but decided they preferred to be on the water.
“We looked at a map on both sides of the bay and came to Cambridge on a Saturday and bought a house that day,” said van Vlymen, 39, a senior scientist at Booz Allen Hamilton. They’ve owned in Cambridge for two years.
They were drawn to Cambridge due to its location on the water, the affordable housing inventory, and its proximity to D.C.; it’s about an hour and 20 minutes away.
Now, through the work of Proudly Cambridge, they hope to highlight the town’s many attributes to residents and visitors alike.
“Something we all agree on is there’s a perception problem for Cambridge and a lack of awareness,” van Vlymen said. “If you tell someone you’re going to Cambridge, chances are they think, ‘England or Massachusetts?’”
He cited the affordability and the opportunity to save older, historic homes as a big draw for buyers.
“It’s all about celebrating all the things that make Cambridge great,” Mross added. “Our monthly social events are joyful and celebratory.” A recent game night drew about 70 people.
She noted that the goal is not to gentrify the town and push longtime residents out, but to uplift all the people who are already there while welcoming new visitors and future residents.
They also noted that Proudly Cambridge does not seek to supplant existing Pride-focused organizations. Dorchester County Pride organizes countywide Pride events and Delmarva Pride was held in nearby Easton two weeks ago.
“We celebrate all diversity but are gay powered and gay led,” Mross noted.
To learn more about Proudly Cambridge, visit the group on Facebook and Instagram.
What to see and do
Cambridge, located 13 miles up the Choptank River from the Chesapeake Bay, has a population of roughly 15,000. It was settled in 1684 and named for the English university town in 1686. It is home to the Harriet Tubman Museum, mural, and monument. Its proximity to the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge makes it a popular stop for birders, drawn to more than 27,000 acres of marshland dubbed “the Everglades of the north.”
The refuge is walkable, bikeable, and driveable, making it an accessible attraction for all. There are kayaking and biking tours through Blackwater Adventures (blackwateradventuresmd.com).
Back in town, take a stroll along the water and through historic downtown and admire the architecture. Take in the striking Harriet Tubman mural (424 Race St.). Shop in the many local boutiques, and don’t miss the gay-owned Shorelife Home and Gifts (421 Race St.), filled with stylish coastal décor items.
Stop for breakfast or lunch at Black Water Bakery (429 Race St.), which offers a full compliment of coffee drinks along with a build-your-own mimosa bar and a full menu of creative cocktails.
The Cambridge Yacht Club (1 Mill St.) is always bustling but you need to be a member to get in. Snapper’s on the water is temporarily closed for renovations. RaR Brewing (rarbrewing.com) is popular for craft beers served in an 80-year-old former pool hall and bowling alley. The menu offers burgers, wings, and other bar fare.
For dinner or wine, don’t miss the fantastic Vintage 414 (414 Race St.), which offers lunch, dinner, wine tasting events, specialty foods, and a large selection of wines. The homemade cheddar crackers, inventive flatbreads, and creative desserts (citrus olive oil cake, carrot cake trifle) were a hit on a recent visit.
Also nearby is Ava’s (305 High St.), a regional chain offering outstanding Italian dishes, pizzas, and more.
For something off the beaten path, visit Emily’s Produce (22143 Church Creek Rd.) for its nursery, produce, and prepared meals.
“Ten minutes into the sticks there’s a place called Emily’s Produce, where you can pay $5 and walk through a field and pick sunflowers, blueberries, you can feed the goats … and they have great food,” van Vlymen said.
As for accommodations, there’s the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay (100 Heron Blvd. at Route 50), a resort complex with golf course, spa, and marina. Otherwise, check out Airbnb and VRBO for short-term rentals closer to downtown.
Its proximity to D.C. and Baltimore makes Cambridge an ideal weekend getaway. The large LGBTQ population is welcoming and they are happy to talk up their town and show you around.
“There’s a closeness among the neighbors that I wasn’t feeling in D.C.,” Lumalcuri said. “We look after each other.”
a&e features
James Baldwin bio shows how much of his life is revealed in his work
‘A Love Story’ is first major book on acclaimed author’s life in 30 years

‘Baldwin: A Love Story’
By Nicholas Boggs
c.2025, FSG
$35/704 pages
“Baldwin: A Love Story” is a sympathetic biography, the first major one in 30 years, of acclaimed Black gay writer James Baldwin. Drawing on Baldwin’s fiction, essays, and letters, Nicolas Boggs, a white writer who rediscovered and co-edited a new edition of a long-lost Baldwin book, explores Baldwin’s life and work through focusing on his lovers, mentors, and inspirations.
The book begins with a quick look at Baldwin’s childhood in Harlem, and his difficult relationship with his religious, angry stepfather. Baldwin’s experience with Orilla Miller, a white teacher who encouraged the boy’s writing and took him to plays and movies, even against his father’s wishes, helped shape his life and tempered his feelings toward white people. When Baldwin later joined a church and became a child preacher, though, he felt conflicted between academic success and religious demands, even denouncing Miller at one point. In a fascinating late essay, Baldwin also described his teenage sexual relationship with a mobster, who showed him off in public.
Baldwin’s romantic life was complicated, as he preferred men who were not outwardly gay. Indeed, many would marry women and have children while also involved with Baldwin. Still, they would often remain friends and enabled Baldwin’s work. Lucien Happersberger, who met Baldwin while both were living in Paris, sent him to a Swiss village, where he wrote his first novel, “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” as well as an essay, “Stranger in the Village,” about the oddness of being the first Black person many villagers had ever seen. Baldwin met Turkish actor Engin Cezzar in New York at the Actors’ Studio; Baldwin later spent time in Istanbul with Cezzar and his wife, finishing “Another Country” and directing a controversial play about Turkish prisoners that depicted sexuality and gender.
Baldwin collaborated with French artist Yoran Cazac on a children’s book, which later vanished. Boggs writes of his excitement about coming across this book while a student at Yale and how he later interviewed Cazac and his wife while also republishing the book. Baldwin also had many tumultuous sexual relationships with young men whom he tried to mentor and shape, most of which led to drama and despair.
The book carefully examines Baldwin’s development as a writer. “Go Tell It on the Mountain” draws heavily on his early life, giving subtle signs of the main character John’s sexuality, while “Giovanni’s Room” bravely and openly shows a homosexual relationship, highly controversial at the time. “If Beale Street Could Talk” features a woman as its main character and narrator, the first time Baldwin wrote fully through a woman’s perspective. His essays feel deeply personal, even if they do not reveal everything; Lucian is the unnamed visiting friend in one who the police briefly detained along with Baldwin. He found New York too distracting to write, spending his time there with friends and family or on business. He was close friends with modernist painter Beauford Delaney, also gay, who helped Baldwin see that a Black man could thrive as an artist. Delaney would later move to France, staying near Baldwin’s home.
An epilogue has Boggs writing about encountering Baldwin’s work as one of the few white students in a majority-Black school. It helpfully reminds us that Baldwin connects to all who feel different, no matter their race, sexuality, gender, or class. A well-written, easy-flowing biography, with many excerpts from Baldwin’s writing, it shows how much of his life is revealed in his work. Let’s hope it encourages reading the work, either again or for the first time.
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.




