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Ward 5 D.C. Council candidate comes out as gay

Former teacher currently serves on school board

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4 years ago

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Ward 5 D.C. Council candidate Zachary Parker announced this week that he is gay.

Ward 5 D.C. Council candidate Zachary Parker, who currently serves as an elected member of the D.C. State Board of Education, announced on March 30 in a video posted on his Twitter page that he is gay.

Parker is one of seven candidates competing for the Ward 5 Council seat in the city’s June 21 Democratic primary. The seat became open when incumbent Ward 5 Council member Kenyan McDuffie announced he is running for the office of D.C. Attorney General and would not seek re-election for his Council seat.

Parker, a former teacher and education advocate, becomes the second openly gay candidate running this year for a seat on the D.C. Council. Earlier this year, gay former D.C. police officer Salah Czapary announced he is running in the Democratic primary for the Ward 1 Council seat held by incumbent Council member Brianne Nadeau.

“Hi everybody, it is Zach, and I aim to share some personal news, which is, I’m gay,” Parker stated in his video announcement.

“I am very proud and confident in who I am and who I’ve always been,” he said. “Many already know — my family, my friends, many community leaders,” he continued. “But I recognize that many may not know, and this may come as a surprise. So, I thought it was important for me to come share my full self, especially in light of rising violence, legislative violence and homophobia across our country and here in D.C., where some 40 percent of all homeless youth are LGBTQ+,” he said.

Like Czapary, Parker’s campaign website includes a detailed assessment of a wide range of issues he says he will address if elected to the Council, including public safety and education. He told the Washington Blade on Thursday that his current website discusses how LGBT issues fit into many other broader issues and concerns he would address as a Council member. He said he also will be releasing in the next few weeks a detailed LGBTQ platform.

In 2021, his colleagues on the Board of Education voted unanimously to elect him president of the board for that year.

Some Ward 5 political observers consider Parker to be the front-runner in the race in his role as a public official who won election to the Ward 5 Board of Education seat in 2018. Parker has been endorsed by D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine, who is not seeking re-election for attorney general but is considered a popular figure across the city.

“Zachary Parker is the only candidate in this race who is prepared, who is earnest, chock full of integrity and honor, and understands the most important issues that confront the District of Columbia,” Racine said in a statement announcing his endorsement of Parker.

Among the other six candidates running for the Ward 5 Council seat is former Ward 5 and former At-Large D.C. Council member Vincent Orange, who enjoys wide name recognition. The others running include community activists Kathy Henderson, Gordon Fletcher, Faith Gibson Hubbard, Gary Johnson, and Art Lloyd.

“I’ll tell you that there are many community leaders who have encouraged me not to share this news, in part, because they recognize that homophobia is alive and well,” Parker said in his video announcement. “At the same time, I haven’t wanted to make my identity the centerpiece of my campaign,” he said. “Instead, I wanted to lead with substance and on the issues, and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing.”

Parker’s positions on a wide range of issues can be accessed at zacharyforward5.com.

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Maryland

Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes

Pride Center of Maryland among recipients

Published

2 days ago

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September 9, 2026

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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks at the Human Rights Campaign's National Dinner in D.C. on Sept. 13, 2025. His administration in the 2027 fiscal year will give $10 million in grants to the Pride Center of Maryland and other groups that work to prevent hate crimes in Maryland. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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.

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District of Columbia

Blade welcomes fall intern

Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida

Published

1 week ago

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September 2, 2026

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Alexis McLean (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

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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Rehoboth Beach

SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer

Labor Day Weekend bustling with events, including David Archuleta performance

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1 week ago

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September 1, 2026

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David Archuleta headlines this year’s SUNFESTIVAL on Saturday in Rehoboth Beach. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer in Rehoboth Beach, but there will be no shortage of LGBTQ events, with CAMP Rehoboth’s annual SUNFESTIVAL taking over town this weekend.

Thursday (9/3)

Get your Labor Day Weekend started early Thursday night with happy hour from 5-7 p.m. at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub, followed by Naughtee Bingo hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 8:30 p.m.

After bingo, the party continues with Dancing at Diego’s from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Aqua Bar & Grill will also kick off its Labor Day Weekend festivities Thursday with a DJ spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Friday (9/4)

The weekend ramps up Friday night at Aqua, where DJ Matt Bailer will keep the dance floor moving from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Over at Diego’s, DJ Steve Sidewalk will then take over Diego’s for Freedom Friday from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

Saturday (9/5)

The main event of the weekend arrives Saturday with the opening night of CAMP Rehoboth’s SUNFESTIVAL.

Billed as the ultimate party to close out the summer, SUNFESTIVAL has become one of Rehoboth’s signature Labor Day Weekend events. The annual celebration sells out each year, with proceeds benefiting CAMP Rehoboth.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments available at the cash bar while attendees are invited to socialize and find their seats.

Saturday night will feature local singer Ashley Williams as the opening performer, followed by headliner David Archuleta. The event will also feature a live auction.

Back across town Saturday, Aqua will continue its Labor Day Weekend DJ lineup from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Diego’s will also have plenty happening, with ‘Splash Party’ hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 5 p.m., followed by a Saturday Dance Party with Brett Oosterhaus from 9 p.m.- 1:30 a.m.

The Blue Moon hosts its popular Legends Show at 9 p.m. It’s an all-live singing show by the Blue Moon cast of celebrity impersonators.

Etienne Pilon has taken Rehoboth by storm this summer. Check out the talented singer/pianist at The Pines from 7-10 p.m.

Sunday (9/6)

Sunday’s SUNFESTIVAL event will shift the focus to the dance floor, with globally renowned DJs Robbie Leslie and James Anthony scheduled to perform. Doors open at 7 p.m., with dancing continuing until 1 a.m.

On Sunday, Aqua will throw its annual White Party, with DJs spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in white for the holiday weekend celebration.

Diego’s will host its Sunday High T-Dance with Pamala Stanley at 5 p.m. Later that evening, DJ Tannr will be spinning at 9 p.m.

John Flynn is on the piano from 6-8 p.m. at the Blue Moon.

Monday (9/7)

The final day of Labor Day Weekend brings one last chance to hit the dance floor before summer officially winds down.

Aqua will close out its five-day Labor Day Weekend celebration with DJ Biff from 3-7 p.m.

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