District of Columbia
Trump would ‘have no problem’ removing Pride flags from private property in D.C.
Anti-trans rhetoric, attacks ramping up in wake of Charlie Kirk assassination
President Donald Trump says he would “have no problem” with removing Pride flags from private property in D.C. as conservatives ramp up anti-transgender rhetoric
During a conversation with reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said he would consider removing a “trans flag” flying on 14th Street, a major LGBTQ hub in D.C. that is home to many queer-owned businesses including bars, restaurants, and even a gay bathhouse.
The question came from Brian Glenn, White House correspondent for Real America’s Voice, a far-right media outlet, and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)’s boyfriend. Glenn referenced multiple Progress Pride flags waving just a mile from the White House.
Glenn framed his question by echoing right-wing pundits’ false claims about a supposed “violent” history of trans shooters. His comments came less than a week after conservative outlets, including the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, incorrectly linked Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer to the trans community.
Since those stories were published, multiple LGBTQ organizations have condemned several media outlets for their coverage, criticizing how it contributed to inflaming anti-trans sentiment during an already dangerous time for trans people.
“A lot of people are very threatened by this flag. It means a lot of different negative things to people — violence,” Glenn said to the president.
“Well, I wouldn’t be,” Trump replied. “Then they’ll sue, and they’ll get freedom of speech stuff. So that’ll happen. But I would have no problem with it.”
Trump then pivoted to a brief rant about how burning the American flag should be illegal, despite it being a constitutionally protected act under the First Amendment. In the landmark 1989 Supreme Court case Texas v. Johnson, the justices ruled 5-4 that flag burning is a form of free speech.
The exchange came as Republican lawmakers continue to escalate their attacks on trans rights.
On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), Trump’s former White House physician, appeared on Newsmax and said this about trans people:
“We have to get them off the streets and we have to get them off the internet. We can’t let them communicate with each other. I’m all about free speech, but this is a virus, this is a cancer that’s spreading across this country that’s going to do great damage to normal, hard-working, law-abiding people.”
Delphine Luneau, a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, condemned Jackson’s remarks.
“Trans people are part of the fabric of society and just trying to live our lives, and we don’t deserve to have self-serving politicians using us as a political punching bag in service to their political ambitions,” Luneau said in a statement to the Washington Blade. “Ronny Jackson, the man who was exposed for doling out amphetamines to White House staff like candy when he was Donald Trump’s physician, should keep his disgusting and malevolent thoughts about transgender people to himself. It is a dereliction of his duty as a public servant to spread hateful lies about us, especially as escalating anti-trans hate nationally puts people in harm’s way. Instead of bringing people together, this rhetoric serves simply to drive more hate and division. Texans deserve better.”
Ash Lazarus Orr, press relations manager for Advocates for Trans Equality — an organization formed from the merger of the National Center for Transgender Equality and the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund — also condemned Trump’s remarks and the broader escalation of anti-trans rhetoric.
“Trump’s call to ban Pride flags is government censorship, plain and simple. Banning people from displaying a flag on their own property is a direct violation of free expression and an alarming attempt to silence LGBTQI+ voices,” said Orr.
“Censorship doesn’t stop with symbols. When leaders attack our flags, they send the message that trans people and our communities should be erased from public life. This kind of rhetoric fuels stigma, encourages harassment, and makes trans people less safe. We already live in a moment of rising anti-trans violence — we cannot afford political leaders adding fuel to the fire.
Trump isn’t offering solutions to real problems. Instead, he is targeting LGBTQI+ people to divide Americans and score political points. The Pride flag stands for love, resilience, and belonging. Trying to ban it reveals nothing but fear and intolerance.”
District of Columbia
Campaign launched to elect more LGBTQ candidates to ANC seats
Capital Stonewall Democrats behind Queering ANCs effort
The Capital Stonewall Democrats, D.C.’s largest local LGBTQ political group, announced on July 7 it has launched a campaign to help elect large numbers of LGBTQ candidates to the city’s Advisory Neighborhood Commissions.
The D.C. local government is believed to be unique among U.S. cities in currently having 46 Advisory Neighborhood Commissions consisting of 345 single-member districts in neighborhoods throughout the city in which unpaid Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners are elected for two-year terms.
The commissions are charged with considering a wide range of policies and programs impacting their neighborhoods, including traffic, parking, recreation, street improvements, liquor licenses, zoning, economic development, police protection, sanitation and trash collection, and D.C.’s annual budget, according to the ANC website.
Although the ANCs do not have authority to set or reject policies or proposals, such as applications for liquor licenses, city agencies are required to give “great weight” to ANC recommendations, according to the law creating the ANCs.
Kent Boese, a gay former ANC commissioner, currently serves as executive director of the D.C. Office of ANCs.
“We are launching the most ambitious hyperlocal LGBTQ+ candidate pipeline initiative in the country,” said Stevie McCarty, the Capital Stonewall Democrats president, in a July 7 statement that announced the Queering ANCs campaign.
“As an ANC member, I know firsthand how these seats shape our neighborhoods, from housing and public safety to sanitation,” McCarty says in the statement. “I’m proud to lead this effort to ensure more LGBTQ+ Washingtonians see themselves as leaders in their communities,” he said.
The ANC Rainbow Caucus, which was created by LGBTQ ANC members, shows on its website that there are currently 38 caucus members consisting of elected LGBTQ ANC commissioners serving in the current 2025-2026 two-year term.
The website shows there are LGBTQ commissioners who are caucus members in each of the city’s eight wards, with six in Ward 1, eight in Ward 2, one in Ward 3, six in Ward 4, five in Ward 5, three in Ward 6, eight in Ward 7, and one in Ward 8.
The Washington Blade couldn’t immediately determine how many of them will be running for re-election in D.C.’s general election in November. But McCarty said Capital Stonewall Democrats hopes to recruit many more LGBTQ candidates to run for ANC seats.
The D.C. Board of Elections website shows the deadline for filing 25 required petition signatures to be placed on the ballot is Aug. 5.
A Queering ANCs website launched this week by Capital Stonewall Democrats provides details on how to run for an ANC seat and offers help for those interested in running.
“Think of someone in your building, neighborhood, friend group, community organization, or professional network who cares deeply about D.C. and would make a strong leader,” McCarty says in his statement. “Send them QueeringANCs.org and personally ask them to consider running,” he said.
The website can be accessed at QueeringANCs.org.
District of Columbia
Mary’s House founder, CEO retires
Dr. Imani Woody played leading role in opening DC’s first home for LGBTQ seniors
The board of directors for Mary’s House for Older Adults, DC’s first official home dedicated to providing affordable housing for LGBTQ seniors, announced on July 7 that its founding president and CEO, Dr. Imani Woody, has retired.
Woody, who holds a PhD in Human Services, is credited with playing a leading 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.
The house, which opened in March 2025, with a grand opening ceremony held in May 2025, includes 15 single-occupancy residential units and more than 5,000 square feet of shared communal living space.
“It is with profound gratitude and hearts full of celebration that the board of directors of Mary’s House for Older Adults, DC (MHFOA) announces the retirement of our visionary founder, Dr. Imani Woody, from her role as president and CEO,” the Mary’s House board says in a statement.
“Dr. Woody’s journey with Mary’s House began with her vision and a kitchen table gathering of women with a bold, urgent, and loving vision: to create safe, affirming, affordable housing for LGBTQ/SGL older adults in Washington, DC,” the statement says.
It adds, “What started as a dream has grown into DC’s first affordable LGBTQ+/SGL affirming communal living space for adults 60 and over, a 15-room community residence at 401 Anacostia Road in Southeast Washington.”
The statement says Woody will continue to serve on Mary’s House board.
“The board will be sharing information about the leadership transition process in the coming weeks,” the statement continues. “We are committed to honoring Dr. Woody’s legacy by ensuring Mary’s House continues to thrive and grow in faithful service to LGBTQ/SGL elders experiencing housing insecurity and isolation.”
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.
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