Local
Harry Reid staffer runs for D.C. Council
Darrel Thompson seeks Ward 6 seat
Darrel Thompson (Photo courtesy of the Thompson campaign)
Native D.C. resident Darrel Thompson, who until last week worked as a deputy chief of staff for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), announced his candidacy on Sunday for the Ward 6 City Council seat being vacated by incumbent Tommy Wells, who’s running for mayor.
“I’m the one who will bring new leadership to Ward 6,” Thompson told about 75 people who packed the roof deck space of Cava Mezze Restaurant in the Barracks Row section of Capitol Hill.
Thompson told the Blade he’s a longtime supporter of LGBT rights, including marriage equality. He portrayed himself in his announcement speech as an experienced public servant who will bring fresh leadership to a City Council in which too many of its members have put “self-interest” ahead of the public interest.
Although he didn’t mention him by name, supporters attending Thompson’s announcement ceremony said his repeated references to the need for new leadership in Ward 6 most likely were aimed at one of his expected opponents in the April 1 Democratic primary, Charles Allen, Wells’ chief of staff. Allen served as chair of the Ward 6 Democratic Committee until his term ended on Oct. 1.
Others expected to enter the Ward 6 Council race are ANC Commissioner David Garber, who represents a district near the Washington Nationals Stadium, and Josh Hart, a Capitol Hill civic activist.
As a Capitol Hill resident, Thompson said he loves the “rich diversity” of the neighborhood and the city as a whole, citing the mix of young and old, black and white, and “gay and straight,” among other groups that he believes benefits the city.
“We are better for our diversity,” he said. “We need to strengthen it.”
Thompson told the Blade following his remarks at his announcement gathering that he is a strong supporter of LGBT rights, including marriage equality.
“I absolutely believe that folks should be able to get married no matter who they love,” he said. “That’s where I stand.
He said that as a senior adviser to Reid for eight years he has worked on issues to advance LGBT equality, including the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, which would prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. He said he has also assisted Reid in pushing for more federal funding for AIDS-related programs.
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Congratulations to Jaime Christopher Pierce on their appointment to serve as a member of the Virginia Governor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. Pierce was sworn in on Sept. 3 by Greg Parks, clerk of the Alexandria Circuit Court.
Pierce currently serves as vice chair of the Alexandria City LGBTQIA+ Task Force and as a member of the Alexandria Pride planning committee. They previously served on the board of directors of Equality Virginia.
Upon being sworn in, Pierce said, “Public service has been a central part of my life for more than 30 years, and this appointment gives me an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth in a different and very personal way. My career has allowed me to work with people and communities throughout Virginia, and I hope to bring that experience, along with my own lived experience and my involvement in the LGBTQ+ community, to the work of the Board.” They added, “Having Greg administer the oath makes the occasion even more meaningful because of his own historic role as Virginia’s first openly gay elected circuit court clerk.”
Pierce also serves as Circuit Court Services Manager for the Department of Judicial Services, at the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. They began their career in Virginia’s judiciary in 1994 as a deputy clerk with the Virginia Beach Circuit Court and have since held several professional and leadership positions within the court system. Pierce is a member of the National Association for Court Management (NACM) and the Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management. At the national level, Pierce participated in the workgroup that developed the National Association for Court Management’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guide, a resource designed to help court professionals advance inclusive practices and strengthen access, fairness and belonging within the justice system.
Pierce earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Liberty University, and a certificate in Paralegal Studies from Norfolk State University.
Maryland
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
Pride Center of Maryland among recipients
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.
The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.
The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants
“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.”
“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”
Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
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Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
Nominate your favorites for the Blade’s 25th annual Best Of LGBTQ DC Awards
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