Local
Raymond Kent Fordyce dies at 72
Worked for 8 years at Lambda Rising
Raymond Kent Fordyce
Raymond Kent Fordyce died Dec. 24 at Hospice House in South Carolina from emphysema, according to his niece, Kathryn Burke. He was 72 and was a former Washington resident known in the local gay community for his work at Lambda Rising.
Raymond “Kent” was born on Aug. 28, 1943, in Cheswick, Pa., son of the late Kent and Leila Swann Fordyce. Also deceased are his partner of 26 years, Francis Kenney; sister, Joan Kay Fordyce; and brother, Edward C. Fordyce. Surviving are several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, a great-great niece, and cousins in the U.S. and Germany.
Fordyce was a 1962 graduate of Waynesburg High School in Waynesburg, Pa., and received his bachelor of arts in 1968 at Waynesburg College, where he studied English literature and European and American history. He then moved to New Haven, Conn., and worked as assistant trade book manager for the Yale Co-Op and later became manager of the Atticus Bookstore and Café at the Yale British Art Center.
In 1983, he moved to Washington and worked as a book buyer for Lambda Rising, an LGBT bookstore. During his eight years at Lambda Rising, he became known for his ability to anticipate popular books.
He later worked for the Parks and History Association where he was a buyer for all 26 Parks and History Association shops in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. He also worked as a bookseller at Reiter’s Scientific Books for several years before retiring. After retiring, he enjoyed daily social gatherings and “cookie time” at the Promenade with fellow residents. He valued the cultural diversity of Adams Morgan, where he lived for more than 30 years.
In May 2015, due to a decline in his health, he moved to Anderson, S.C., to live closer to his niece and her husband. He became a resident of Brookdale Anderson Retirement Community where he continued his love of reading. He found new interests and camaraderie with other residents.
He was an avid reader, and had a great appreciation for science fiction and history and movies of the same genre. He had a dry sense of humor, was quick witted and loved telling colorful stories. He created eccentric art sculptures and sent whimsical letters and cards. He was a beloved uncle and great friend to many and will be deeply missed by his family and friends, both old and new, his niece said.
A spring service is planned in Pennsylvania. E-mail to [email protected] for details.
District of Columbia
Billy Porter, Keke Palmer, Ava Max to perform at Capital Pride
Concert to be held at annual festival on June 9
The Capital Pride Alliance, the group that organizes D.C.’s annual LGBTQ Pride events, announced this week the lineup of performers for the Sunday, June 9, Capital Pride Concert to be held during the Capital Pride Festival on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. near the U.S. Capitol.
Among the performers will be nationally acclaimed singers and recording artists Billy Porter and Keke Palmer, who will also serve as grand marshals for the Capital Pride Parade set to take place one day earlier on Saturday, June 8.
The Capital Price announcement says the other lead performers will be Ava Max, Sapphira Cristal, and the pop female trio Exposé.
“The beloved pop icons will captivate audiences with upbeat performances coupled with their fierce advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, echoing the vibrant spirit of this year’s theme, ‘Totally Radical,’” according to a statement released by Capital Pride Alliance.
“With Billy Porter and Keke Palmer leading the parade as Grand Marshals, we’re not only honoring their incredible contributions to the LGBTQ+ community but also amplifying their voices as fierce advocates for equality and acceptance,” Capital Pride Alliance Executive Director Ryan Bos said in the statement.
“The concert and festival serve as a platform to showcase the diverse array of LGBTQ+ talent, from the chart-topping hits of Ava Max to the iconic sounds of Exposé and the electrifying performances of Sapphira Cristal,” Bos said in the statement. “Capital Pride 2024 promises to be a celebration like no other.”
The concert will take place from 12-10 p.m. on the main stage and other stages across the four-block long festival site on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Arts & Entertainment
Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier and fireworks show returning June 8
The annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation will take place on Saturday, June 8 at 9 p.m.
The Washington Blade, in partnership with LURe DC and The Wharf, is excited to announce the 5th annual Pride on the Pier and fireworks show during D.C. Pride weekend on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 2-10 p.m.
The event will include the annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation at 9 p.m.
Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Southwest waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older. Local DJ’s Heat, Eletrox and Honey will perform throughout the event.
3 p.m. – Capital Pride Parade on the Big Screen
3:30 p.m. – Drag Show hosted by Cake Pop!
9 p.m. – Fireworks Show Presented by Leonard-Litz Foundation
The event is free and open to the public. The Dockmasters Building will be home to a VIP experience. To learn more and to purchase tickets go to www.prideonthepier.com/vip. VIP tickets are limited.
Event sponsors include Absolut, Buying Time, Capital Pride, DC Brau, DC Fray, Burney Wealth Management, Infinate Legacy, Leonard-Litz Foundation, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, MISTR, NBC4, The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePier.com
Maryland
Trone discusses transgender niece
Blade interviewed Md. congressman, Angela Alsobrooks last week
Editor’s note: The Washington Blade last week interviewed both U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. The full interviews with both Democratic candidates for retiring U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.)’s seat will be on the Blade’s website later this week.
Maryland Congressman David Trone last week discussed his transgender niece during an interview with the Washington Blade about his U.S. Senate campaign.
Trone, who is running to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), on May 1 told the Blade during a telephone interview that his niece transitioned when she was in her early 20s. Trone also noted she attended Furman University, a small, liberal arts university in Greenville, S.C.
“I was concerned about how she would be able to transition there,” said Trone.
Trone, who founded Total Wine & More, attended Furman University as an undergrad and is on the school’s board of trustees. Trone told the Blade he donated $10 million to the university to “build out their mental health capacity, which I felt was a way that she could have the best mental health care possible when she worked her way through (her) transition.”
Trone’s niece graduated from the university after she spent five years there.
“She had a great relationship with Furman,” said Trone.
Trone and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks are the leading Democrats running to succeed Cardin. The winner of the May 14 Democratic primary will face former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan in November.
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