Local
Librarian Maurice Lapierre dies at 85
Longtime supporter of Dignity Washington
Maurice Edmond Lapierre, a career librarian who taught library science at the university level and was a longtime member and supporter of the D.C. LGBTQ Catholic group Dignity Washington, died May 2 at the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington from complications associated with COVID-19. He was 85.
A curriculum vitae outlining his educational background and work history shows Lapierre worked as a librarian, library sciences consultant, and adjunct associate professor teaching library science over a career that spanned the years of 1959 to 2000, when friends believe he retired.
According to the curriculum vitae, he served as a librarian, high-level official, or a consultant at six university libraries and libraries at private sector organizations throughout the United States, Canada, and the nation of Bahrain, where he served as Chief Medical Librarian for the Ministry of Health from July 1982 to June 1984.
His last position prior to his retirement was that of head of the collections management division at Marymount University in Arlington, Va., from March 1990 to August 2000, his career write-up says.
In addition to Marymount, he served in library positions at Ohio State University; McGill University in Montreal; New York University; the University of California at Los Angeles; and the University of Alabama.
He also served at the University of Alabama as Adjunct Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Library Service from 1978 to 1982. He served as an Assistant Professor at Ohio State University from 1965 to 1966, his curriculum vitae says.
His friend Tom Yates said Lapierre was born and raised in Rhode Island. His curriculum vitae says he served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1953 to 1955 and was stationed part of that time on the U.S.S. Hornet vessel as a Yeoman Third Class.
He received his bachelor’s degree in modern languages and philosophy at Boston College in 1959, his career write-up says. He received a master’s degree in library science with course work for a master’s in French at the University of California at Los Angeles.
In 1973, he received his doctorate in Library and Information Science and completed course work for another master’s degree in Public Management Science at Case Western Reserve University.
Yates said he believes Lapierre became involved with Dignity Washington in the late 1990s. Dignity Washington member Tom Hardy said Lapierre served as co-leader of the Dignity Book Club for more than 20 years and was a frequent participant in the organization’s weekly Catholic Mass, where he served as a reader.
“He traveled widely in his later years and enjoyed many Celebrity Mediterranean cruises, especially to Italy and the Greek islands,” said Hardy, who added that Lapierre also traveled frequently to the Caribbean islands.
“Maurice was a kind and generous friend, volunteering his time, talents, and treasure to both Dignity Washington and Dignity NOVA,” said Yates, who was referring to Dignity’s Northern Virginia chapter. Yates said Lapierre was also a music lover and an accomplished pianist.
Lapierre has two surviving brothers, Bertrand Lapierre of Fullerton, Calif.; and Rene Lapierre of Warden, Wash., Yates said. Others who knew Lapierre said he has many surviving friends.
Yates said a planned memorial service has been put on hold during the coronavirus restrictions until friends and family members can safely gather.
District of Columbia
Laverne Cox, Reneé Rapp, Deacon Maccubbin named WorldPride grand marshals
Three LGBTQ icons to lead parade
WorldPride organizers announced Thursday that actress and trans activist Laverne Cox, powerhouse performer Reneé Rapp, and LGBTQ trailblazer Deacon Maccubbin will serve as grand marshals for this year’s WorldPride parade.
The Capital Pride Alliance, which is organizing WorldPride 2025 in Washington, D.C., revealed the honorees in a press release, noting that each has made a unique contribution to the fabric of the LGBTQ community.
Cox made history in 2014 as the first openly transgender person nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category for her role in Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black.” She went on to win a Daytime Emmy in 2015 for her documentary “Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word,” which followed seven young trans people as they navigated coming out.
Rapp, a singer and actress who identifies as a lesbian, rose to prominence as Regina George in the Broadway musical “Mean Girls.” She reprised the role in the 2024 film adaptation and also stars in Max’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” portraying a character coming to terms with her sexuality. Rapp has released an EP, “Everything to Everyone,” and an album, “Snow Angel.” She announced her sophomore album, “Bite Me,” on May 21 and is slated to perform at the WorldPride Music Festival at the RFK Festival Grounds.
Deacon Maccubbin, widely regarded as a cornerstone of Washington’s LGBTQ+ history, helped organize D.C.’s first Gay Pride Party in 1975. The event took place outside Lambda Rising, one of the first LGBTQ bookstores in the nation, which Maccubbin founded. For his decades of advocacy and activism, he is often referred to as “the patriarch of D.C. Pride.”
“I am so honored to serve as one of the grand marshals for WorldPride this year. This has been one of the most difficult times in recent history for queer and trans people globally,” Cox said. “But in the face of all the rhetorical, legislative and physical attacks, we continue to have the courage to embrace who we truly are, to celebrate our beauty, resilience and bravery as a community. We refuse to allow fear to keep us from ourselves and each other. We remain out loud and proud.”
“Pride is everything. It is protection, it is visibility, it is intersectional. But most importantly, it is a celebration of existence and protest,” Rapp said.
The three will march down 14th Street for the WorldPride Parade in Washington on June 7.
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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.
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