District of Columbia
British ambassador dedicates LGBTQ mural at Little Gay Pub
‘Great Love is for Everyone’ sponsored by UK to celebrate ‘equality and inclusion’
About 70 people turned out on Feb. 13 for a ceremony led by the British ambassador to the United States to dedicate a mural painted on the outside wall of the D.C. gay bar Little Gay Pub that was sponsored by the British government.
A statement released by the British Embassy says the mural, entitled “Great Love is for Everyone,” was co-designed by local American artist Lisa Marie Thalhammer, the British Embassy of Washington, and the Little Gay Pub to spotlight the “UK’s ‘GREAT LOVE’ international campaign, which celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and the UK’s values of equality and inclusion.”
Joined by Little Gay Pub owners Dito Sevilla, Dusty Martinez, and Benjamin Gander, British Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce cut a ceremonial ribbon at the outside entrance of the bar to officially dedicate the three-story mural, which provided a dramatic backdrop to the ribbon cutting.
Little Gay Pub opened on March 17, 2023 in a building that once housed a restaurant at 11th and P streets, N.W., near Logan Circle.
Pierce was introduced at the event by D.C. government secretary Kimberly Bassett, who praised the ambassador and the British Embassy for their support of D.C. Bassett said she was attending the event on behalf of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
“Fundamentally, what we are celebrating here is freedom,” Pierce told the gathering inside Little Gay Pub minutes before the ribbon cutting. “And we’re celebrating rights and we’re celebrating the intersection of those things,” she said.
“And we’re celebrating the community of this area, of this pub, of this wonderful city where so many people can come together with the goal of helping each other, with the goal of helping everybody we realize and recognize as equal, with the goal of equal access and equal services,” Pierce said.
The statement released by the British Embassy points out that the mural depicts, among other things, a bouquet of rainbow-colored flowers cascading down from an iconic British telephone booth. “The Rose of England, the Thistle of Scotland, the Daffodil of Wales and Shamrock of Northern Ireland all come together atop the entrance to the Little Gay Pub in Washington, D.C.,” the statement says.
In the embassy statement, Ambassador Pierce adds, “The core values of equality and inclusion that America and Britain share are now immortalized on this wall for years to come. We hope the mural brings a smile to everyone’s face and makes everyone feel at home.”
Local artist and muralist Lisa Marie Thalhammer told the Washington Blade she was selected by the British Embassy to co-design and paint the mural after she responded to an embassy announcement that it was seeking an artist for the UK’s Great Love international artist program. She said it took about two weeks for her to paint the mural
Thalhammer is known for her own “The Love Mural” design, which she has and continues to paint in locations in D.C. with plans to paint similar murals in all 50 states. She told the gathering at the Little Gay Pub that she studied art both in the U.S. and in England.
“And it was there in a gay pub and clubs of Manchester that a rainbow seed was planted in my heart that would eventually bloom to create a mural on a mission to share love and the healing power of color with the world,” she said in referring to her studies in England. “So, when people see my rainbow paintings, I want them to feel celebrated and I want them to feel seen for who they are. I want them to feel the courage to live their full self authentically.”
Sevilla said he and the other Little Gay Pub co-owners immediately agreed to have the mural painted on the wall of their building, with full agreement by the landlord, after they learned about the mural project from Salah Czapary, director of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office of Nightlife and Culture.
“We facilitated a connection between the Embassy of the United Kingdom and the Little Gay Pub,” Czapary told the Blade in a statement. “This connection has flourished into an exciting project,” he said.
“And we are so pleased and honored to provide not just a wall but a community space where everyone can feel at home and loved within these walls which now have the art on it,” Sevilla told the gathering. “Thank you all.”
Asked after the ceremony what significance she sees in the Little Gay Pub wall mural, Ambassador Pierce told the Blade, “I think it’s significant for the community. It’s significant for the issue itself — Pride, LGBTQ rights, equal rights. And it’s significant as another manifestation of the special relationship between the UK and the U.S.”
When asked if any political opposition has surfaced in the UK to a British ambassador participating in an LGBTQ supportive event, Pierce said, “I haven’t heard of anyone who objects to me doing this or the British government doing this. It’s very strongly supported by the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the King. There is very strong support in the UK.”
But Pierce added, “There are some people that don’t like what we’re doing today. There are some people who would criticize it. I think I would simply appeal to those people that we should all be respectful, and we should all champion the notion that we have equal rights and equal access.”
The British Embassy statement also points out that in 2012, the British Embassy in Washington became the first foreign government entity to participate in D.C.’s Capital Pride Parade, “a tradition we’re proud to continue to this day.”
District of Columbia
SMYAL receives $25,000 award for ‘courageous acts’
D.C. group provides support services for LGBTQ youth
The D.C.-based organization SMYAL, which provides services for LGBTQ youth in the D.C. metro area, including housing for homeless LGBTQ youth, announced on June 30 that it received a $25,000 award for its “courageous acts” in support of the community it serves.
The award was a monetary grant from The Courage Project, which describes itself as a “national initiative investing in acts of courage and compassion that strengthens our communities and democracy.”
A statement on its website says it was launched in May 2025 and is funded and backed by leading national foundations in the U.S.
“At SMYAL, we are deeply grateful to receive support from The Courage Project and are inspired by their bold investment in LGBTQ+ youth at such a critical moment,” SMYAL CEO Erin Whelan said in a statement. “For queer and trans young people, simply showing up as themselves each day requires immense courage, and that courage is strengthened when organizations like The Courage Project stand behind them loudly, proudly, and without hesitation,” Whelan said.
In its statement announcing the award SMYAL says The Courage Project will recognize SMYAL and other awardees and their work on July 3 at the Washington National Cathedral as part of a special interfaith service marking the U.S. 250th anniversary.
“The Courage Project is a bold initiative honoring everyday acts of bravery – the quiet, often unseen acts of heroism that reflect the best of the American spirit and strengthen democracy at the community level,” the project states on its website.
District of Columbia
Longtime Blade staffer Stephen Rutgers steps down after 14 years
Plans to focus on running Crush Dance Bar, other ventures
Longtime Washington Blade employee Stephen Rutgers announced he is stepping down after 14 years to focus on other ventures, including his part ownership of the popular Crush Dance Bar.
Rutgers was hired by the Blade in 2012 to help plan Pride festivities and over the years was promoted to director of sales and marketing. In addition to his broad set of responsibilities, Rutgers planned the annual Pride on the Pier celebration at the Wharf, which has exploded in popularity over the seven years since its launch.
“Watching Pride on the Pier grow from a new community event into one of D.C.’s signature Pride celebrations has been incredibly rewarding,” Rutgers said. “Expanding Pride on the Pier into a two-day festival for WorldPride in 2025 was definitely a career highlight. Seeing thousands of people come together to celebrate our community while supporting the Blade’s mission is something I’ll always be proud of.”
Rutgers described his biggest challenge as navigating the changing media landscape.
“More than ever, we’ve had to remind our community that local journalism matters and that it needs their support,” he said.
He added that he’s most proud of helping to ensure the Washington Blade is positioned to thrive for the next 50 years.
“I was fortunate to be part of the Blade during its 50th anniversary — a milestone that reflects its incredible history and impact,” Rutgers said. “The Blade has been an important voice for the LGBTQ community for more than five decades, and knowing I played a small part in helping its future is most important to me.”
Blade Publisher Brian Pitts praised Rutgers for juggling multiple responsibilities.
“We wish Stephen all the best,” Pitts said. “For the past 14 years, Stephen has been a vital part of the Blade, handling many things — marketing and advertising, sponsorships, and Blade signature events. We will all miss him.”
Blade Editor Kevin Naff thanked Rutgers for his years of service to the community.
“After 14 years, it’s hard to imagine the Blade without Stephen and his boundless energy and creativity,” Naff said. “He’s one of the hardest working and most dedicated people I’ve ever known and he will be missed. But change is the only constant and I know Stephen will move on successfully to new challenges and the Blade will expand on Stephen’s important work.”
As for what’s next for Rutgers, he said he plans to focus on Crush as well as his real estate business.
“I’ve always been someone who likes to stay busy,” Rutgers said. “For the past 12 years, I’ve balanced my work at the Blade and in real estate. Two years ago when I opened Crush, I never realized just how much time and energy it would take. The passing of my father earlier this year also gave me a new perspective. It reminded me that life is short and that it’s important to make time for the people and experiences that matter most. Stepping away from the Blade will allow me to focus on those ventures while also creating more balance in my life. After 14 incredible years, it feels like the right time for a new chapter.”
Naff said that for now Rutgers’s responsibilities will be divided between existing staff along with several new freelance contractors.
“The Washington Blade plays a unique role in our community’s fight for equality,” Rutgers said. “It’s the only LGBTQ news organization with White House credentials, giving it direct access to the people and institutions shaping policies that affect our community. The Blade continues to hold elected officials accountable, report on the issues that matter most to LGBTQ people, and tell the stories that often go uncovered by mainstream media.
“The Blade has been my family for most of my adult life. For 14 years, it has been part of my daily routine, so it’s going to feel very strange waking up and not logging on each morning.”
District of Columbia
Nearly 6,000 turn out for Pride Night Out at the Nationals
Gay Men’s Chorus sings National Anthem
“Just shy of” 6,000 people purchased tickets for the Wednesday, June 24, 21st annual Pride Night Out at the Washington Nationals baseball stadium, which the Nationals said is the longest running LGBTQ Pride event in Major League Baseball, according to a Nationals spokesperson.
The event was organized with the Nationals by Team D.C., the local LGBTQ sports group that organizes similar Pride Nights for other professional D.C. area sports teams.
“It was a good time had by all as the Nationals celebrated the LGBTQ+ community during the Nationals 21st Pride Night Out, presented by Team D.C.” the Nationals said in a statement.
Nationals spokesperson Erica George said the overall game attendance was 27,200.
Similar to recent past years, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington sung the National Anthem at the start of the game, drawing loud cheers from people throughout the stadium.
The Nationals lost the game to the Philadelphia Phillies by a score of 5-4. Although most of the LGBTQ attendees of the event, held in the right-field mezzanine section of the stadium, were cheering for the Nationals, a sizeable number also cheered for the Phillies.
Miguel Ayala, one of Team D.C.’s lead organizers, said he noticed fans displaying Pride flags and recognized LGBTQ people in all parts of the stadium, indicating significantly more LGBTQ people and their supporters attended the game beyond the close to 6,000 or more who purchased the specific Pride Night Out tickets.
“It was a great excitement last night,” he told the Washington Blade on the day following the event. “I saw a lot of big crowds of our people, I saw everybody I can think of in the community. And it was really great to see the turnout.”
Also, like in previous years, Team D.C. along with the Nationals helped to organize a pre-game show on the large concourse platform area next to the stadium seating area involving a drag show led by local drag performer Shi-Queeta Lee.
“During pregame ceremonies, the Nationals Pride employee resource group was recognized on the field,” the statement released by the Nationals says. “Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, a physician and public health leader who has had a profound impact on the LGBTQ+ community and those living with or vulnerable to HIV, threw out the ceremonial first pitch as the guest of Team D.C.,” the statement says.
It adds that Team D.C.’s scholarship recipient Spencer Doll made the ceremonial call to “Play Ball.”
As if all that were not enough, a Nationals employee who entertains during the Nationals pre-game shows on the field dressed as a giant eagle named “Screech” wearing an eagle’s head mask appeared in the seating area where the Pride Night Out crowd was seated and mingled with the LGBTQ fans, many of whom posed for photos with Screech.
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