News
Rep. Pressley seeks answers from HUD on anti-trans rule for homeless shelters
Secretary Carson had assured lawmakers no change would happen
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) is leading a quartet of House Democrats in seeking answers from the Department of Housing & Urban Development over a proposed rollback in transgender non-discrimination protections at homeless shelters.
In a June 3 letter to Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Ben Carson, Pressley and the lawmakers denounce the proposed rule from HUD, which critics say will enable federally funded homeless shelters to turn away transgender people.
“This proposed rule released by HUD robs thousands of Americans from adequate shelter and safety and puts their lives at risk,” the lawmakers write.
The HUD proposal would undermine two Obama-era regulations prohibiting anti- LGBT discrimination in federally funded housing, including homeless shelters. The first regulation was put in place in 2012 by former HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, the second clarified that rule applied to homeless shelters was and put in place in 2016 by former HUD Secretary Julian Castro, now a Democratic presidential candidate.
As noted in the letter, Carson had assured lawmakers he had no plans to change the regulations in the same week HUD proposed the rule change to undermine them.
“This announcement comes less than 24 hours after you testified before the House Financial Services Committee indicating that a revision to the Equal Access Rule was not being considered,” the lawmakers write. “In fact, you unequivocally stated for the record, ‘I’m not currently anticipating changing the rule.’ While we understand that you have since attempted to clarify your testimony in order to prevent members from ‘misinterpreting’ your statements, we remain concerned about the truthfulness and accuracy of your testimony before Congress while you were under oath.”
Joining Pressley in signing the letter are Reps. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.), Suzan K. DelBene (D-Wash.), and Katie Hill (D-Calif.), who’s bisexual.
The HUD proposal would allow homeless shelters with sex-segregated facilities — such as bathrooms or shared sleeping quarters — to establish policy consistent with state and local laws in which operators consider a range of factors when determining where to place individuals looking to stay, including “religious beliefs.”
The letter seeks answers from HUD on issues related to the proposed rule by a deadline of June 17:
1. What was the timeline for developing and issuing the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)?
2. When did the agency formally file the NPRM?
3. Which stakeholders (if any) were consulted during the development of and leading up to the announcement of the aforementioned proposed rule?
4. Specifically, what role did you as secretary of the agency have in the development and approval of the proposed rule?
5. During your testimony before the committee, you claimed that 1-IUD has continued to enforce both the 2012 and 2016 Equal Access Rules.
a) How has the agency processed each of the complaints submitted to 1-IUD regarding anti-LGBTQ discrimination?
b) How many complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity have been submitted to and received by 1-IUD since 2017?
c) What were the outcomes of these complaints?
d) How many of these complaints were investigated?
e) Were any of these complaints dismissed for being outside of the agency’s jurisdiction? If so, how many?
The letter comes on the heels of legislation introduced by Wexton seeking to block HUD from implementing the anti-trans rule change. Last month, the U.S. House approved the Equality Act, comprehensive legislation against anti-LGBT discrimination that would also prohibit discrimination against transgender people in homeless shelters.
The Washington Blade has placed a request in with HUD seeking comment on the letter.
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.
Rehoboth Summer Kickoff Party set for May 15 with Ashley Biden
Curve magazine honors Washington Blade publisher
Auction of Rehoboth’s Blue Moon canceled
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