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.
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Congratulations to Jaime Christopher Pierce on their appointment to serve as a member of the Virginia Governor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. Pierce was sworn in on Sept. 3 by Greg Parks, clerk of the Alexandria Circuit Court.
Pierce currently serves as vice chair of the Alexandria City LGBTQIA+ Task Force and as a member of the Alexandria Pride planning committee. They previously served on the board of directors of Equality Virginia.
Upon being sworn in, Pierce said, “Public service has been a central part of my life for more than 30 years, and this appointment gives me an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth in a different and very personal way. My career has allowed me to work with people and communities throughout Virginia, and I hope to bring that experience, along with my own lived experience and my involvement in the LGBTQ+ community, to the work of the Board.” They added, “Having Greg administer the oath makes the occasion even more meaningful because of his own historic role as Virginia’s first openly gay elected circuit court clerk.”
Pierce also serves as Circuit Court Services Manager for the Department of Judicial Services, at the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. They began their career in Virginia’s judiciary in 1994 as a deputy clerk with the Virginia Beach Circuit Court and have since held several professional and leadership positions within the court system. Pierce is a member of the National Association for Court Management (NACM) and the Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management. At the national level, Pierce participated in the workgroup that developed the National Association for Court Management’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guide, a resource designed to help court professionals advance inclusive practices and strengthen access, fairness and belonging within the justice system.
Pierce earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Liberty University, and a certificate in Paralegal Studies from Norfolk State University.
Maryland
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
Pride Center of Maryland among recipients
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.
The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.
The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants
“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.”
“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”
Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
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