Local
Bowser says city looking into lawsuit filed by gay employee at D.C. jail
Staffer alleges anti-gay threats, discrimination by supervisors
When asked by the Washington Blade on Monday for her reaction to a lawsuit filed last week by a gay employee of more than 20 years at the D.C. Jail that accuses his supervisors and fellow employees of subjecting him to anti-gay slurs, discrimination, and threats, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said she could not comment on the specifics of a pending lawsuit.
“Certainly,” the mayor said when asked if her office was looking into the issues raised by the lawsuit. “And especially when there is a lawsuit, you know there is not a lot I can say about it,” she said. “But we look at all allegations to make sure that we’re addressing anything acutely but also dealing with the lawsuit itself,” the mayor said.
The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU of D.C. on behalf of Sgt. Deon Jones, a Department of Corrections employee who has worked for many years as a medical liaison at the D.C. Jail, alleges that Jones has endured years of verbal harassment, demeaning anti-gay slurs, and intimidation and threats by fellow officers and supervisors for being an out gay man.
The lawsuit also charges that Jones’ fellow employees failed to come to his assistance during at least one incident in which an inmate threatened to sexually assault Jones and “cut his throat.”
Filed in D.C. Superior Court on Nov. 17, the lawsuit names four of Jones’s supervisors and one co-worker along with the D.C. government as defendants in the case.
The Blade asked the mayor about the lawsuit at a Nov. 22 press conference on holiday safety tips for D.C. residents and stepped-up efforts by D.C. police to confiscate illegal firearms.
“But let me just say this,” Bowser said in response to the Blade’s question about Jones’s lawsuit. “Let me kind of take a step back about the jail and our approach to making sure that the jail is working for our residents who have to be there,” she said. “COVID, as I have said, has upended a lot, and the operation of the jail is no different. Our focus has been on the safety of our residents, and we have been able to keep outbreaks of COVID to a minimum at the D.C. Jail,” she said.
“But it’s also created a lot of strain,” the mayor continued. “And strain being in a locked facility restricted in a lot of ways from activity that had been normal in the jail,” she said. “Being able to have their lawyer visit, lawyers coming in and out or being able to walk around, go outside, take advantage of all the programs that we offer,” Bowser said. “That is significantly restricted to keep down incidents of COVID. So that presents a lot of strain.”
The mayor did not say whether she was suggesting that some of the concerns raised by Jones in his lawsuit may be related to stress and strain brought about by COVID-related restrictions placed on the jail.
“It’s also a lot of strain on our guards, who’ve also been impacted by COVID,” Bowser said. “And how we are able to make sure we have enough people on duty, that they have enough rest, they’re not working too many hours,” she said. “So, we’re looking forward to a time when we can roll back some of those COVID protocols in the jail and to keep the incidents of COVID down. And I know that will improve the operations.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Corrections, which oversees the operation of the jail, did not respond to a request from the Blade for comment on the lawsuit.
Under court rules, the city has 21 days to file court papers responding to the allegations made in the lawsuit, including the charge that the Department of Corrections employees and supervisors named in the lawsuit violated the D.C. Human Rights Act in their alleged discriminatory behavior toward Jones.
“I have been tormented and abused so badly, my life has changed,” Jones said in a statement released by the ACLU. “The discrimination and hostile work environment I faced has been devastating. I have suffered depression, PTSD [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder] and anxiety attacks,” he said. “In spite of it all, I continue to do my job and lift my head up.”
Rehoboth Beach
HISTORIC: Susan Stewart elected Rehoboth’s first out mayor
Thanks LGBTQ supporters and vows to protect city’s small town charm
Residents of Rehoboth Beach elected City Commissioner Susan Stewart with 61% of the vote on Aug. 8, making her the city’s first openly gay mayor.
Stewart beat fellow commissioners Craig Their and Suzanne Goode in the race, as well as newcomer Jake Raak.
The final mayoral vote results were:
- Susan Stewart: 632
- Craig Their: 203
- Suzanne Goode: 177
- William “Jake” Raak: 23
“I’m very grateful because the LGBTQ+ community not only voted for me, but also supported me,” said Stewart.
Stewart said that she is particularly grateful for the support she received on social media from members of the LGBTQ+ community.
“I’ve had incredible support,” said Stewart.
Stewart said that her campaign showed her just how much residents of Rehoboth are engaged and care about the city.
“They really want to see what’s best for the community,” said Stewart.
Stewart spoke about the master planning initiative she has been working on as a commissioner, which she plans to continue as mayor.
“We’ve undertaken rewriting the commercial zoning code, and that’s foundational to the next step of the initiative,” said Stewart.
She said that she was proud of the results of charette week that was held last month where residents and business owners had the opportunity to speak with hired urban planners to give feedback for a zoning code update.
Stewart said that Rehoboth is at a tipping point as the city must find a way to balance the growth of the commercial district while improving the quality of life for residents.
“I don’t believe there needs to be tension between the business community and the residential experience,” said Stewart.
“I’m excited about a new master plan because we have a couple hotels coming, and we also have Clear Space Theatre looking for a new home, and we’re working with them,” said Stewart. “We want businesses to stay here.”
Stewart also said that she aims to embrace the concept of a ‘15-minute city,’ making the city much more accessible in terms of transportation in the downtown area for residents.
“The goal is to protect the small town charm and natural beauty of Rehoboth,” said Stewart. “I want to keep the momentum going.”
The Blade asked Stewart about any concerns she might have working with Commissioner Goode, whom she has criticized for sending inappropriate and offensive emails to city staff. Goode finished a distant third in the mayoral race and her husband fell short in his bid for a Commissioner’s seat. In that race, Jeffrey Goode received 239 votes; Patrick Gossett, who’s gay, received 813 votes and Mark Saunders 852. Saunders and Gossett will be sworn in next month.
“I’m really eager to move past this issue with Commissioner Goode,” said Stewart.
She said that she’s heard ‘loud and clear’ from the city that they want to move past this situation as best as they can while Goode remains in her seat as commissioner.
“There are no mechanisms for us to remove a sitting commissioner. Our laws don’t allow it,” said Stewart.
Stewart clarified that she has always focused on Goode’s behavior toward city staff.
“One thing I feel really passionate about is that the city employees have to know that they are heard. They are real people with real jobs, real professional reputations, and they’ve been harmed,” said Stewart.
The Blade also asked if Stewart had made a final decision on whom she plans to nominate to fill her Commissioner seat.
“I’m considering who to appoint and I have not made any final decisions,” said Stewart.
She noted that, as mayor, she only has the power to nominate a candidate and that the board of commissioners will have the final vote on whom to appoint to the board.
Stewart shared that she has received interest from a number of people and finds that to be a good sign.
“I think that’s a great sign because people want to serve. I’m eager to have someone in that seat who’s smart and has the best interests of the city,” said Stewart.
Stewart will be sworn in during the Board of Commissioners meeting on Sept. 18.
District of Columbia
D.C.’s Mary’s House For Older Adults names new executive director
Charlene Leach to succeed Imani Woody as leader of LGBTQ-supportive seniors home
The board of directors of Mary’s House for Older Adults, the D.C.-based home dedicated to providing affordable housing for LGBTQ seniors, has announced it has named longtime nonprofit organization leader A. Charlene Leach as its new executive director.
Leach, who is now serving in the executive director’s position, is succeeding Dr. Imani Woody, the Mary’s House founding president and CEO, who announced her retirement from her official leadership role at Mary’s House on July 7.
Woody, who holds a PhD in Human Services, is credited with playing the lead role over many years in arranging both city and private funding needed to construct and operate the Mary’s House three-story building located at 401 Anacostia Road, S.E., in the city’s Fort DuPont neighborhood.
“With over three decades of nonprofit experience and 15 years serving as an executive director, Charlene brings a wealth of knowledge in organizational leadership, program development, and community engagement,” the Mary’s House board says in a statement.
“Her proven track record of building impactful programs and leading mission-driven organizations makes her uniquely suited to guide Mary’s House into its next phase of growth,” the statement continues. “Charlene is deeply aligned with the mission of Mary’s House and is committed to advancing its work to provide safe, inclusive housing and supportive services for LGBTQ+ older adults,” it says. “Under her leadership, the organization will continue to expand its impact while remaining grounded in the values that define our community.”
Leach’s LinkedIn page shows she has most recently served since 2022 as executive director of the African American AIDS Task Force in Minneapolis. Prior to that, it shows she served as executive director of the Fredericksburg Area Health and Support Services organization in Fredericksburg, Va., and before that as director of development for the D.C.-Baltimore area Women’s Collective.
Her LinkedIn page says she has been involved with Mary’s House as a volunteer and grant writer since 2016.
The newly built and enlarged Mary’s House, which opened in March 2025, with a grand opening ceremony held in May 2025 attended by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, includes 15 single-occupancy residential apartments and more than 5,000 square feet of shared communal living space.
An earlier statement released by the Mary’s House board announcing Woody’s retirement said Woody would continue to be involved with the organization as a member of the board. The earlier statement and board’s more recent statement on July 29 announcing Leach’s appointment as executive director did not say whether the board plans to name someone else as president and CEO, the title that Woody held before her retirement. But the latest statement says Leach will be running Mary’s House’s day-to-day operations as Woody did.
Virginia
Doug Ollivant to face Eugene Vindman in Va. 7th Congressional District
Republican defeated challengers in Tuesday’s primary
Republican Doug Ollivant will face off against incumbent U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-Va.) in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.
Ollivant defeated his Republican opponents in Tuesday’s primary. Vindman ran unopposed.
Vindman in 2024 ran to succeed then-Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger in the U.S. House of Representatives after she ran for governor. Spanberger succeeded Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2025.
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) on Tuesday easily won his primary. All other Democratic incumbent members of Congress from Northern Virginia also won their respective primaries.
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