Local
Pannell trailing in D.C. school board race
Phil Pannell (Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Gay Democratic and Ward 8 civic activist Phil Pannell was running second in a nine-candidate race for a seat on the D.C. Board of Education representing Ward 8 in the city’s special election on Tuesday.
Unofficial returns from the Board of Elections and Ethics showed Pannell with 716 votes, or 27.8 percent, trailing political newcomer and community activist Trayon White, who had 885 votes with 33.2 percent of the total.
D.C. voting rights advocate and LGBT rights supporter Eugene Dewitt Kinlow was running third, with 434 votes and 16.3 percent of the total.
An election board spokesperson said it would take another 10 days for the board to count absentee ballots cast by mail, curbside ballots cast by senior citizens or voters with disabilities, and special or provisional ballots cast by those who register to vote on the same day as the election.
Spokesperson Alysoun McLaughlin said the board sent out 3,953 absentee ballots by mail and had received only 785 back as of earlier this week. She could not predict how many more would come back. They must be postmarked no later than Election Day, April 26, to be considered valid, she said. It could not be determined at press time how many ballots cast in Ward 8 remained uncounted.
Pannell said he contacted White by phone on election night to congratulate him on his apparent victory. Pannell’s campaign workers and supporters gathered at the Player’s Lounge restaurant on Martin Luther King Ave., S.E., on Tuesday night to await the election returns.
“I think I ran a good campaign and did everything I possibly could have done,” Pannell said. “Obviously I’m disappointed.”
Michael Sainte-Andress, a longtime friend of Pannell’s who served as the Pannell campaign treasurer, called Pannell a highly skilled and “tireless” advocate for the Ward 8 community over a period of at least 30 years.
Sainte-Andress said he believes Pannell was the most qualified among the candidates running in the Ward 8 race but was concerned that some conservative voters in the majority black ward would be reluctant to vote for an openly gay man.
“They know all of the good things Phillip has done in this community for so long,” said Sainte-Andress. “They acknowledge that he has helped many of them over the years. But for some in this community – they just can’t bring themselves to vote for him.”
Others familiar with the Ward 8 race said Pannell was placed at a disadvantage to at least some degree over the circumstance that resulted in the Ward 8 seat becoming vacant. Longtime community advocate, teacher and Ward 8 school board member William Lockridge, 63, who was well known and liked in the community, died suddenly in January of complications from a stroke.
Lockridge’s widow, Wanda Lockridge, played a key role in recruiting Trayon White, 26, a family friend, to run for her husband’s seat, according to sources familiar with the race. Although most political observers in Ward 8 who know White consider him a bright and enthusiastic community advocate, some feel he lacks the experience and knowledge of others who competed for the seat, including Pannell.
White won the endorsement of Ward 8 D.C. Council member Marion Barry, who many view as one of the lead power brokers in the ward. The Washington Teachers Union also endorsed White, who recently graduated from the University of Maryland.
The Washington Post endorsed Pannell, citing his many years of community service in the ward and involvement in Ward 8 school issues.
Pannell also won the endorsement of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, the city’s largest LGBT political group.
Unofficial returns from the election board show the following results for the Ward 8 school board race: Trayon White Sr., 33.2 percent; Phillip Pannell, 26.8 percent; Eugene Dewitt Kinlow, 16.3 percent; Anthony Muhammad, 8.7 percent; Sandra S.V. Williams, 6.9 percent; W. Cardell Shelton, 2.8 percent; Tijwanna Phillips, 1.8 percent; R. Joyce Scott, 1.5 percent; Larry Pretlow, 1.4 percent.
District of Columbia
JR.’s hosts meet & greet for mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George
Event organized by Capital Stonewall Democrats, Queers for Janeese
D.C. mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George spoke to a crowd of LGBTQ supporters on June 1 at a meet & greet event held at JR.’s on 17th Street in the Dupont Circle neighborhood.
The event, organized by Capital Stonewall Democrats, which has endorsed Lewis George for mayor, with support from a group called Queers for Janeese, was followed by a “get out the vote” canvassing endeavor in which several of those attending the meet & greet visited the homes of nearby residents known to be Lewis George supporters.
The purpose of the canvassing was to remind Lewis George supporters to return their mail-in ballots or go to the polls on June 16 to elect Lewis George as the city’s next mayor, according to Matthew Kavanagh, one of the leaders of Queers for Janeese who attended the meet & greet event at JR.’s.
Local political observers consider Lewis George, a Ward 4 D.C. Council member, and former At-Large D.C. Council member Kenyan McDuffie, to be the two leading candidates in this year’s race for mayor. The two are among seven mayoral candidates competing in the city’s June 16 Democratic primary.
Lewis George told those attending the meet & greet, which was held on the JR.’s outdoor patio, that she has a long record of advocating for and initiating city polices and laws in support of the LGBTQ community. She said large corporate donors were backing her opponents and urged her LGBTQ supporters to help raise funds for her in the remaining days of the campaign.
Among those attending the meet & greet was gay longtime Dupont Circle civic activist Randy Downs who last November opened a nearby eatery called Protest Pizza. “I am queer and I am a Janeese supporter,” Downs told the Blade.
Stevie McCarty, president of Capital Stonewall Democrats, who also spoke at the meet & greet event, said his group would organize events in support of Lewis George in the remaining days of the campaign. Among them, he said, was an LGBTQ bar crawl in which supporters of Lewis George, including the candidate herself, would visit LGBTQ bars to promote her candidacy.
Virginians for Marriage Equality on Monday launched a campaign in support of repealing Virginia’s constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
Equality Virginia Executive Director Narissa Rahaman, former state Sen. Adam Ebbin, former state Del. Mark Sickles, and American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia Executive Director Mary Bauer are among those who spoke at the launch that took place in Richmond. State Del. Kirk McPike (D-Alexandria), who co-chairs the campaign, also participated.
“This amendment is about making clear that the government has no business deciding which marriages or which families are worthy of recognition,” said Bauer. “The ACLU of Virginia has been fighting for Virginians’ right to marry who they love since the landmark case, Loving v. Virginia, which struck down the ban on interracial marriage. Now we are proud to carry that legacy forward by standing with our coalition partners in the fight to pass this amendment and finally enshrine the right to marriage equality in the commonwealth’s constitution.”
Voters in 2006 approved the Marshall-Newman Amendment.
Same-sex couples have been able to legally marry in Virginia since 2014. Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who is a Republican, in 2024 signed a bill that codified marriage equality in state law.
Two successive legislatures must approve a proposed constitutional amendment before it can go to the ballot.
Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger in February signed a bill that finalized the referendum’s language.
The referendum will take place on Nov. 3.
Rehoboth Beach
CAMP Rehoboth’s new director shares plans for busy summer
Dr. Robin Brennan on joyful approach to leadership role
Dr. Robin Brennan, CAMP Rehoboth’s new executive director, has been getting adjusted to her role and connecting with the Rehoboth community.
In March of this year, Brennan took on the role of executive director of CAMP Rehoboth, an LGBTQ+ community center in Delaware working to Create A More Positive (CAMP) environment, following the retirement of Kim Leisey.
When asked about her first few months with CAMP, Brennan said that she’s “in the listening and learning phase.”
“The first few months have been overwhelmingly beautiful, with such warm wishes from so many really diverse groups,” said Brennan.
“The more time that I’ve been at CAMP, it’s almost like I have more questions and more admiration for the solid foundation that it has,” said Brennan. She explained that she is taking her time to listen and connect with the Rehoboth community during these crucial first months.
She spoke to the stressful nature of this work, saying, “This work takes a lot of resiliency, especially being in a front-facing position as executive director of an organization. There’s so much pressure on this to be successful.”
Brennan is no stranger to high-pressure work environments, having worked in the public health field during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brennan earned a doctorate in public health from Drexel University and has spent nearly two decades working in higher education, which she says greatly influences her approach to her work.
“I am always giving back to and mentoring students, that’s always been a part of who I am,” said Brennan. She said that the adaptability and flexibility she practiced during her time as a professor influences her work, noting, “I think that to be flexible is a key to success.”
Aside from her tenure in academia, Brennan has worked for nonprofits, including with organizations such as Redeemer Health and Nemours Children’s Health.
Leslie Ledogar, president of CAMP’s board of directors, said that Brennan’s joyful approach to this work made her stand out in the search for a new executive director.
“I think that I’ve always naturally been positive and joyful because if I don’t, I will burn out,” said Brennan.
For Brennan, honoring CAMP’s legacy remains a top priority in her role at CAMP. “For me, legacy is so critical, so I want to honor the legacy that this foundation was built on.”
When asked about DEI funding cuts by the Trump administration, Brennan shared how she is navigating an administration that is targeting organizations like CAMP.
“This administration doesn’t open doors for opportunities. As a nimble nonprofit organization, we have always had to be creative,” said Brennan.
She said that she “would never want CAMP Rehoboth to rely on federal dollars, regardless of what type of political administration we’re in. I think relying on any kind of dollars or funding is problematic.”
“We need to stay creative and innovative, not chase money, and also our ears need to be listening to what our community needs,” said Brennan.
As younger members of the LGBTQ+ community grow disheartened by the growing attacks on queer rights, Brennan shared her thought process behind helping younger members of the community.
“I think my number one thing is to listen to them, to ensure that they know their voice is valuable. That’s the most important thing before giving advice is to listen to their concerns, their needs, their fears, their struggles,” said Brennan.
“They may not be your struggles, but ultimately, as a human being, they’re all of our struggles.”
Brennan brought up PRISM, CAMP’s social group for young LGBTQ+ adults to gather in community and experience new activities with likeminded young adults. This group offers a safe space where members can form connections with one another to build a sense of belonging.
Throughout the interview, Brennan reiterated her admiration for CAMP and the community it has brought to Rehoboth for decades.
“There is no place like CAMP Rehoboth, and what it has done for Rehoboth or what it has done for countless individuals who see it as an escape and a place of freedom, visibility, belonging, and hope,” said Brennan.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Brennan said that she first visited Rehoboth in 1996 as a young gay person. “I felt at home. I could breathe,” said Brennan. She said that she has been a frequent visitor ever since and bought a house in town three years ago.
Brennan shared how happy she is to have her teenage daughter growing up with Rehoboth in her life. She said that her ideal day in Rehoboth involves going to the beach, trying new food, and enjoying time with her friends and family that live in the area.
As the summer season commences, Brennan shared that there is a plethora of upcoming events for members of the community to attend and enjoy.
Brennan highlighted the CAMP Women’s Golfing League, which is getting started on June 4 with tickets on sale now for CAMP Rehoboth members.
The CAMP Rehoboth Chorus is singing to honor the 250th anniversary of the U.S. on June 19 with tickets on sale now.
This year also marks the 35th anniversary of CAMP, which will be celebrated with Pride in the Courtyard on June 26.
Brennan was excited to promote CAMP’s new partnership with Beebe Healthcare starting this summer. The partnership is designed to expand access to patient-centered health services in downtown Rehoboth Beach.
“Relying on this partnership will be critical to the success of the health of our community,” said Brennan.
Brennan also talked about SUNFESTIVAL, which will be held during Labor Day weekend and will feature David Archuleta as the headliner.
Lastly, Brennan highlighted CAMP’s annual Block Party, which is held each October. “We shut down several streets, we have 100 vendors, and it’s a beautiful way for the whole community to come together to wrap up the summer,” said Brennan.
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