Local
Bipartisan LGBT ‘working group’ holds second meeting
GOP, Democrats seek open primary system in D.C.
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.
District of Columbia
‘Queer Love’ campaign launched to address domestic violence
D.C. event set for LGBTQ+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day on May 28
The D.C.-based Wanda Alston Foundation, which provides housing and support services for homeless LGBTQ youth, announced earlier this month that it has joined partner organizations to launch a Queer Love Shouldn’t Hurt campaign aimed at addressing domestic violence within the LGBTQ community.
In a May 18 statement, the Alston Foundation said the campaign involves a public awareness initiative leading up to LGBTQ+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day scheduled for May 28.
“Domestic and family violence in LGBTQ+ communities is real and too often invisible,” Cesar Toledo, the Alston Foundation’s executive director, said in the statement. “As a community, we do not talk about it enough, and that silence can leave survivors feeling isolated and alone,” he said. “We must break that silence.”
He added that culturally competent care for those impacted by domestic violence is available through a newly launched website, queerlove.org, “where people can safely access vital resources, educational toolkits, and support networks they need on their healing journey.”
The website announces one of the project’s first events, a Queer Love Community Social, was scheduled for Thursday, May 28, from 6-8 p.m. at the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W.
“Join us this LGBT+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day for a community social dedicated to visibility and survivor resilience,” the website statement says. “Let’s gather to strengthen our bonds, honor the path to healing, and share free resources,” it says of the May 28 event.
The website also announces a June 1 workshop called Empowering Survivors of LGBTQ+ Intimate Partner Violence, which it says will be presented by Jesse Wedell, an official with the D.C. LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative. The website provides an online form to register for the workshop upon which its location would be disclosed.
It identifies the partner organizations working with the Alston Foundation on the Queer Love Public Awareness Campaign as the LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative, Whitman-Walker Health, the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center, and Equality Chamber.
The resources and information provided by the project can be accessed at www.queerlove.org.
District of Columbia
Man accused of threatening to shoot D.C. bar employee after making anti-gay slurs
May 24 incident took place near Black Pride events on U Street
D.C. police on Sunday, May 24, at around 4:20 p.m. arrested a Maryland man for allegedly threatening to shoot an employee while using anti-gay slurs at Ben’s Next Door restaurant and bar at 1211 U St., N.W.
According to a statement released by police and a police incident report, the arrested man, identified as Delonte Fraley, 32, of Accokeek, Md., made the threats after the employee told a bartender not to serve the man alcohol.
“The suspect overheard the employee and threatened to shoot the employee and used homophobic slurs against the employee,” the police statement says. “When the employee left the restaurant for the day, the suspect was standing near the employee’s vehicle,” it says.
“The employee returned to the restaurant and called the police,” the statement continues. “The suspect was apprehended by responding officers,” it says.
The police statement says the arresting officers charged Fraley with Felony Threats (Hate/Bias).
D.C. Superior Court records show prosecutors with the Office of the U.S. Attorney for D.C., which prosecutes D.C. criminal cases, escalated the charge to Threatening to Injure or Kidnap a Person (Bias-Related Hate Crime).
The incident occurred during Memorial Day weekend when thousands of visitors and D.C. area LGBTQ advocates and supporters were attending D.C. Black Pride events held in locations across the city, including Black Pride parties hosted by LGBTQ bars in the U Street entertainment area near Ben’s Next Door.
Among the nearby LGBTQ bars hosting D.C. Black Pride events were Nellie’s Sports Bar and Thurst Lounge. Ben’s Next Door is located next to the popular longtime U Street eatery Ben’s Chili Bowl.
Court records show that Judge Robert R. Rigsby at a May 25 presentment hearing released Fraley on personal recognizance with a stay-away order — the details of which were not publicly disclosed pending a June 4 preliminary hearing.
A more detailed arrest affidavit filed in court by D.C. police says Fraley allegedly confronted the employee at Ben’s Next Door with anti-gay slurs on the day prior to his arrest.
“The complainant told the defendant that because he used homophobic slurs towards himself previously on May 23, 2026, and his hostess, as well as making threats to the complainant and calling him a faggot, he was unable to stay in the establishment,” the affidavit states.
It adds, “The defendant became irate stating, ‘I know where your Tesla is at. See me outside faggot, I will slap your ass’ and ‘I will shoot your ass.’” The affidavit says the complainant confirmed to police the Tesla referred to by Fraley was his vehicle. It says as the victim walked toward his car after getting off work, he saw Fraley standing directly in front of the car.
“The complainant stated he felt unsafe while the defendant was standing in front of his vehicle because he felt the defendant was capable of carrying out those threats,” says the affidavit. It says the victim then decided to return to the restaurant and call police without the defendant having seen him.
“The defendant was placed under arrest for Felony Threats Hate/Bias and was transported to the Third District Station for processing,” the affidavit concludes.
It couldn’t immediately be determined whether the victim identifies as LGBTQ or whether any of the Ben’s Next Door patrons had been involved with D.C. Black Pride.
“Established in 2008, Ben’s Next Door is a family-owned and operated restaurant and bar on U Street, Northwest in Washington, D.C.,” a statement on its website says. “As a Black-owned establishment, it’s our goal to deliver a warm, welcoming, familiar, and communal vibe to all guests,” the statement says.
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Congratulations to Peter Schott on being honored by Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer on National Honor our LGBTQ Elders Day.
Schott is a prominent LGBTQ advocate and seasoned political strategist who has spent decades advancing civil rights at the national and state levels. Following a distinguished 25-year career as a staff assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives, Schott leveraged his extensive legislative expertise to help organize the National Stonewall Democrats, serving as an influential member of its national board.
After moving to Delaware in 2002, he became a foundational figure in the state’s LGBTQ political landscape, co-founding the Delaware Stonewall PAC, (now Stonewall Delaware) to champion the election of pro-equality candidates. His strategic lobbying and community organizing were instrumental in the successful passage of Delaware’s landmark non-discrimination, civil union, and marriage equality laws. A former member of the State Human Relations Commission, he remains a vital voice for the LGBTQ community in the Mid-Atlantic, continuing to document and drive social progress through his activism and writing. Schott currently serves as vice chair of the Delaware Democratic Pride Caucus, and a board member of Speak Out Against Hate (SOAH). He was a delegate to two Democratic National Conventions.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, New York University; and a master’s of Public Administration degree from American University.
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