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
Second trans member announces plans to resign from Capital Pride board
Zion Peters cites ‘lack of interest in the Black trans community’
Zion Peters, a member of the Capital Pride Alliance Board of Directors who identifies as transgender, told the Washington Blade he plans to resign from the board “due to the lack of interest in the trans community, specifically the Black trans community.”
Peters continued, “Nobody has checked on me in the last two months so that shows their level of unprofessionalism towards their board members and the community as a whole.”
If he resigns, Peters would be the second known trans person to resign from the Capital Pride board since February, when longtime trans activist Taylor Lianne Chandler informed the board of her resignation in a detailed letter that was sent to the Blade by an anonymous source.
Chandler, who served as chair of the Capital Pride Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, and Intersex Committee, stated in her Feb. 24 letter that she resigned from the board out of frustration that the board had failed to address instances of “sexual misconduct” within the Capital Pride organization. The organization’s and the board’s transgender-related policies were not cited in her letter as a reason for her resignation.
The Blade learned of Peters’s plans to resign from an anonymous source who thought Peters had already resigned along with four other board members identified by the anonymous source. The others, who Capital Pride confirmed this week had resigned, include Anthony Musa, Bob Gilchrist, Kaniya Walker, and Dai Nguyen.
Musa and Gilchrist told the Blade they resigned for personal reasons related to their jobs and that they fully support Capital Pride’s work as an organization that coordinates the city’s annual LGBTQ Pride events.
The Blade has been unable to reach Walker and Nguyen to determine their reasons for resigning.
Capital Pride CEO Ryan Bos and Board Chair Anna Jinkerson didn’t respond to a Blade question asking if they knew why Walker or Nguyen resigned.
In response to a request by the Blade for comment on the resignations and the concern raised by Zion Peters about trans-related issues, Bos and Jinkerson sent separate statements elaborating on the organization and the board’s position on various issues.
“We can confirm that the individuals you referenced, except for Zion, no longer serve on the Capital Pride Alliance Board of Directors,” Jinkerson said in her statement.
She added that following the WorldPride festival hosted by D.C. last May and June that was organized by Capital Pride Alliance, the group anticipated a “significant level of board transition,” with many board members reaching the end of their terms. But she said many board members chose to extend their service or apply for an additional term, showing a “powerful reflection of commitment.”
Without commenting on the specific reasons for the resignations of Peterson, Walker, and Nygun, Jinkerson noted, “As with all volunteer leadership roles, transitions occur for a range of personal and professional reasons, and we appreciate those transitions with both understanding and gratitude.”
In his own statement, Bos addressed Capital Pride’s record on transgender issues.
“The Capital Pride Alliance is committed to supporting and uplifting the Trans community through our work with the Trans Coalition under the Diversity of Prides Initiative, our partnership with Earline Budd on the LGBTQ+ Burial Fund with a focus on our Trans siblings, our collaboration with the National Trans Visibility March, and our ongoing investment in programming for Transgender Day of Visibility and Transgender Day of Remembrance,” Bos said in his statement.
“We also recognize there is always continued work to be done, and we always welcome feedback from our community to ensure our commitment remains unwavering,” he said.
At the time of her resignation in February, Chandler said she could not provide specific details of the instances of sexual misconduct to which she referred in her resignation letter, or who allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct, saying she and all other board members had signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement preventing them from disclosing further details.
Board Chair Jinkerson in a statement released at that time said she and the board were aware of Chandler’s concerns but did not specifically address allegations of sexual misconduct.
“When concerns are brought to CPA, we act quickly and appropriately to address them,” she said. “As we continue to grow as an organization, we’re proactively strengthening the policies and procedures that shape our systems, our infrastructure, and the support we provide to our team and partners,” she said.
District of Columbia
Curve magazine honors Washington Blade publisher
Lynne Brown named to 2026 Power List
Washington Blade Publisher Lynne Brown has been named to the 2026 Curve Power List celebrating LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary individuals in North America who are blazing trails in their chosen fields.
“From sports and entertainment icons to corporate leaders and lawmakers, these individuals are breaking barriers, challenging norms, and shaping the future,” Curve Foundation/Curve magazine said in announcing this year’s list, which includes ABC newscaster Robin Roberts, comedian/actress Hannah Einbinder, and singer/actress Renee Rapp, among others.
Brown has worked for the Washington Blade for nearly 40 years. She was named publisher in 2007 before becoming a co-owner in 2010.
“I am honored to be recognized by Curve magazine during Lesbian Visibility Week,” Brown said. “Receiving this Curve honor is twofold. I was an early subscriber to Curve. I enjoy the product and know its history. Its journalism, layout and humorous features have inspired me.
“As an owner/publisher, receiving recognition from a similar source acknowledges my work and efforts, with a sincerity I truly appreciate. Franco Stevens, the publisher of Curve, is a business person of duration, experience, and purpose. The fact that they are in the media business, and honoring me and my publication makes it a tiny bit sweeter.”
Nominations for the Curve Power List come from the community: peers, mentors, fans, and employers.
Curve explained the significance of the list in its announcement: “An annual, publicly nominated list of impactful LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary changemakers is crucial in current times to counter discrimination, legislative rollbacks, hostility, and the invisibility of queer women within mainstream and marginal spaces and endeavors. Such a list also fosters encouragement and solidarity, and elevates voices and achievements—from high-profile roles to under appreciated areas of life.”
District of Columbia
Judge rescinds stay-away order in Capital Pride anti-stalking case
Evidence hearing to determine if order should be reinstated against Darren Pasha
A D.C. Superior Court judge on April 17 rescinded an anti-stalking order he approved in February at the request of Capital Pride Alliance against local LGBTQ activist Darren Pasha.
In a ruling at a court status hearing, Judge Robert D. Okun agreed with defendant Darren Pasha’s stated concern that the initial order was too broad and did not specify who specifically he must stay at least 100 feet away from, as called for in the order.
Okun ruled on April 17 that the initial order, which he noted was oral rather than written, would be suspended until an evidentiary hearing takes place in which Capital Pride will need to present evidence justifying the need for such an order.
“I’m fine with scheduling a hearing at which the plaintiff can present evidence, and the defendant can present evidence,” Okun said. “But I’m not fine with just continuing this oral TRO [Temporary Restraining Order] that Mr. Pasha really doesn’t even have notice of. That seems unfair,” he said.
After asking both Pasha and Capital Pride Alliance Attorney Nick Harrison when they would be available for the evidence hearing, Okun set the date for April 29 at 11 a.m. in Superior Court.
The case began when Capital Pride Alliance, the D.C.-based LGBTQ group that organizes the city’s annual Pride events, filed a Civil Complaint on Oct. 27, 2025, against Pasha, accusing him of engaging in a year-long effort to harass, intimidate, and stalk Capital Pride’s staff, board members, and volunteers.
The complaint was accompanied by a separate motion seeking a restraining order, preliminary injunction, and anti-stalking order prohibiting Pasha from “any further contact, harassment, intimidation, or interference with the Plaintiff, its staff, board members, volunteers, and affiliates.”
In his initial ruling in February, Okun issued an order requiring Pasha to stay at least 100 feet away from Capital Pride staff, board members, and volunteers until the April 17 status hearing. He reduced the stay-away distance from the 200 yards requested by Capital Pride.
Pasha, who has so far represented himself in court without an attorney, has argued in multiple court filings and motions that the Capital Pride stalking allegations are untrue. In his initial 16-page response to the complaint, Pasha said it appears to be a form of retaliation against him for a dispute he has had with Capital Pride and its former board president, Ashley Smith, who has since resigned from the board.
“It is evident that the document is replete with false, misleading, and unsubstantiated assertions,” Pasha’s court response states.
At the April 17 hearing, Okun also ruled that, as standard procedure for civil complaints such as this one, he has ordered both parties to enter into court-supervised mediation to attempt to reach a settlement rather than go to trial.
In an earlier ruling Okun denied Pasha’s request for a jury trial, stating that civil cases such as this must undergo a trial with the judge determining the verdict under existing civil court statutes.
The April 17 court hearing was held in a courtroom at the courthouse, but as allowed under current court rules, Capital Pride attorney Harrison and Capital Pride official June Crenshaw participated virtually through a video connection. Pasha attended the hearing in the courtroom.
“This matter is proceeding through the court in the normal course,” Capital Pride released in a statement. “We look forward to presenting the relevant evidence at the scheduled hearing. Capital Pride Alliance remains committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for our staff, volunteers, and community, and to addressing concerns through appropriate channels.”
“This is clearly a case of retaliation,” Pasha told the Blade after the hearing. “Today the judge removed the stay-away order and asked Capital Pride Alliance to present enough evidence and examples to see if a stay-away order should be granted,” he said. “Because Pride is coming up in June, we need to see where this is going.”
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