Local

Bipartisan LGBT ‘working group’ holds second meeting

GOP, Democrats seek open primary system in D.C.

Published

7 years ago

August 8, 2019

An informal working group consisting of leaders of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, Log Cabin Republicans of D.C., and the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance held its second meeting on July 30 to discuss plans for promoting an open primary system for D.C.

Veteran D.C. gay activist Paul Kuntzler, who co-founded the Stein Club and GLAA in the 1970s, organized the working group’s first meeting in April, saying he hoped to help build a bipartisan coalition of local LGBT rights advocates to push for “common ground” initiatives to strengthen the LGBT community’s political clout in the city.

As a follow-up to the main topic of discussion at the April meeting, members of the three LGBT groups on July 30 discussed plans for replacing the city’s current closed primary system, in which only members of a political party can vote in primaries, with a primary open to all registered voters.

Although Log Cabin is believed to favor such a change, representatives of the Stein Club and GLAA have said those two groups have yet to discuss such a proposal and it is uncertain whether the groups would support an open primary system.

Those attending the July 30 meeting were Kuntzler, Stein Club President Monika Nemeth, Stein Club treasurer Matthew Abbruzzese, Log Cabin of D.C. president Adam Savit, and Log Cabin D.C.’s two past presidents, Chris Allen and Robert Turner. Turner hosted the meeting at his Adams Morgan home. GLAA President Bobbi Strang, who attended the first meeting, was unable to attend the second one but plans to attend future meetings, the others said she told them.

Nemeth said she believes the current closed primary system in D.C. favors incumbent elected officials and she personally supports some type of open primary system. But she said she was speaking for herself and not the Stein Club. D.C. Democratic Party leaders in the past have expressed opposition to an open primary system, saying Democratic primary elections should be limited to those who choose to register as a Democrat.

During the July 30 meeting, Allen of Log Cabin gave a presentation on the different types of open primaries adopted by cities and states throughout the country. Those attending the meeting agreed that the one best suited for D.C., which is currently in place in California, Nebraska, and Washington State, is known as a “top two” open primary.

Under that system, candidates from all parties or those running as independents compete in one primary operated by the state. The primary is open to all voters regardless of party affiliation. Under this system, the top two vote getters among the candidates go on to a general election.

Allen noted that there would be three ways that advocates could secure approval of this type of primary – a vote by the D.C. Council for legislation putting it in place, a voter initiative placed on the ballot in an upcoming D.C. election, or intervention by Congress to change the city’s Home Rule Charter to include the open primary system.

Nemeth of the Stein Club said she would not, nor would the Stein Club, support any effort to have Congress intervene in a local D.C. matter such as this. She said she would prefer an effort to persuade the D.C. Council to approve such a change, which she said should be promoted as a progressive means of expanding voter participation in city elections.

Savit of Log Cabin told the Blade he understands the strong opposition to congressional intervention and agrees with Nemeth that the best course of action would be to seek approval for such a change by the D.C. Council. He said he thinks Nemeth was correct in pointing out that the Council’s legislative agenda was most likely full through 2020 and any attempt to push for legislation to create an open primary system would have to be a long range effort over a period of several years.

“I thought it went very well,” said Kuntzler in discussing the July 30 meeting. He noted that all of those who attended the first meeting rejected a call by some that the Democrats should drop out of the meetings because of a recent Blade commentary by Savit expressing general support for the Trump administration.

Those participating in the meeting agreed to meet again in October.

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Baltimore

Popular Mount Vernon gay bar Leon’s to temporarily close after owner’s death

Ron Singer passed away on July 7

Published

2 days ago

July 17, 2026

Baltimore Banner

Leon’s Backroom Bar in Mount Vernon. (Photo by Jessica Gallagher for the Baltimore Banner)

By WESLEY CASE | Leon’s Backroom, Baltimore’s oldest gay bar, temporarily shut down after service on Wednesday night, according to a post on the business’s Instagram page.

The announcement comes a little more than a week after the death of the Mount Vernon bar’s owner, Ron Singer, who died at 66 on July 7.

The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.

Local

Comings & Goings

New garden center offers array of products in Rehoboth

Published

2 days ago

July 17, 2026

Peter Rosenstein

Bay Laurel Home & Garden is located just outside Rehoboth on Route 1.

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 Stuart Ortel and Scott Marker, and Dave Lyons and Rick Hardy, on the recent opening of their garden center on Route 1 in Rehoboth Beach, in the former Farmer Girl site. It is called Bay Laurel Home and Garden and debuted earlier this year. The four owners are all well known to the denizens of Rehoboth Beach.

Stuart and Scott have been active members of the Rehoboth Beach community since 1999. Stuart is a landscape architect, and has established relationships with many local folks in the building and landscape industry. When this opportunity for Bay Laurel Home & Garden presented itself, and they had the perfect team of people in place, he and Scott were committed to making it a reality. So, when Scott and Stuart introduced this opportunity to create a new garden center to Dave and Rick, they embraced the chance to cultivate a business where beautiful plants, inspiring home and garden products, and outstanding customer service come together. Dave and Rick knew about owning a business in Rehoboth as they previously owned Coho’s Market, where they discovered firsthand the value of serving their community, and the rewards of running a locally owned business.

The garden center launched with a refreshed brand identity, updated merchandising, and expanded product lines, all designed to create an inspiring and welcoming environment for your home. Bay Laurel Home & Garden offers a beautifully appointed garden center and curated home and gift shop.

The new center features a full nursery with annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, and seasonal selections; a garden center offering pottery, fountains, and garden ornamentation, and essential tools and garden supplies. It has a garden shop featuring unique indoor/outdoor furnishings and accessories, and a gift shop featuring botanical and coastal style items for home and entertaining.

Rehoboth Beach

Celebrate Pride in Rehoboth Beach this weekend

‘A vital space for community, healing, and connection’

Published

4 days ago

July 15, 2026

Thomas Weaverling

Rehoboth’s Pride festivities kick off Friday. (Washington Blade file photo by Daniel Truitt)

Pride in Rehoboth Beach is kicking off this week on Friday, July 17, with events happening throughout the weekend.

“Rehoboth Beach Pride is more than a festival — it is a vital space for community, healing, and connection,” said David Mariner, director of Sussex Pride, which organizes many of the events.

The weekend will begin with the Grand Opening & Community Preview from 1-4 p.m. on Friday, July 17, celebrating the opening of Novus Medical Services and the new Sussex Pride Community Center.

This will be followed by an Interfaith Pride Service at 6 p.m. at the Metropolitan Community Church Rehoboth to gather for healing and the affirmation of queer spirituality with Rev. Carla Christopher, chair of Sussex Pride Faith.

Members of the community are then invited to head over to join the Rehoboth Beach Bears at the Pines to have dinner, mingle, and give back to local initiatives.

End the first night of Pride in Rehoboth at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub with music by DJ Joey P from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Rehoboth Beach Pride Festival will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. inside the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. A full list of events is available at rehobothbeachpride.org.

Roxy Overbrooke will host on the main stage as live performances take place throughout the day, featuring music from DJ MK and Tribe 9 Entertainment.

The festival will include educational workshops, community meetups, and a raffle dedicated to raising funds for unhoused LGBTQ+ youth across Delaware.

Feature workshops include panels discussing topics such as unhoused LGBTQ+ youth in Delaware, the needs of trans and non-binary youth, as well as the increase in HIV and syphilis diagnoses amid federal budget cuts, in a panel moderated by Blade Editor Kevin Naff.

Saturday night will also feature an evening comedy and entertainment show at the Convention Center presented by the Gay Women of Rehoboth. Performers will include comedians Suzanne Westen h oefer and Karen Mills as well as musician Kristen Merlin. Tickets are available at gaywomenofrehoboth.org.

The Rehoboth Beach Pride Ride will take place at 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 19, hosted by the Dykes on Bikes Rehoboth Beach Women’s Motorcycle Club, starting at Lefty’s.

Goolee’s Drag Brunch will also take place on Sunday from 12-2 p.m at Goolee’s Grille. This is a family-friendly event hosted by Regina Cox and Ruby, featuring Aurora Sterling, Michelle Leigh Sterling, Scarlet St. Cartier, and Joanna Blue. Tickets can be purchased online.

Pride in Rehoboth will conclude at 2 p.m. with the official Rehoboth Beach Pride Closing Party at Aqua Bar & Grill, celebrating the venue’s landmark 20th anniversary with DJ Biff until 7 p.m.

Due to an influx of visitors for the summer season, those coming from out-of-town are encouraged to use the Park & Ride.