Performers at the 2013 Capital Pride Festival included Icona Pop, Cher Lloyd and Emeli Sandé. Check back soon for more photos. (Washington Blade photos by Candace Craig, Tyler Grigsby, Michael Key and Edward Maddern) 
Category Archives: Washington Blade
Capital Pride Festival
Performers at the 2013 Capital Pride Festival included Icona Pop, Cher Lloyd and Emeli Sandé. Check back soon for more photos. (Washington Blade photos by Candace Craig, Tyler Grigsby, Michael Key and Edward Maddern)
Rehoboth ready for record crowds
Summer at Rehoboth Beach. (Blade file photo by Joey DiGuglielmo)
7th annual Washington Blade
Summer Kick-Off Party
Friday, May 17, 5-7 p.m.
Blue Moon
35 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth
Virtually unscathed by the effects of Hurricane Sandy, all indications are this summer will be a busy one in Rehoboth Beach, Del. And with the arrival of marriage equality in the state, locals are also expecting a busy summer of beach weddings.
View Rehoboth Beach in a larger map
Beach replenishment and flood control projects should be concluded by Memorial Day. The Chamber of Commerce reports that summer rentals to date are running at least 30 percent above last year and businesses are preparing for an influx of new visitors headed farther south this year following the damage to some New York and New Jersey-area beaches.
John Glenstrup, an owner of the gay bar Rigby’s on Rehoboth Avenue, said that in addition to visitors coming here from the New Jersey and New York beaches, “people feel more secure about the economy as gas prices fall, employment is up, and the housing market is improving.”
With an increase in visitors and traffic, gay City Commissioner Patrick Gossett noted that the ParkMobile system, which was introduced last year, will be used again this year. Pre-register at parkmobile.com or by calling 877-727-5758.
Gossett also said that this year the city will experiment with providing 180 parking spaces for scooters at several locations around the city. Permits for scooter use and parking passes are available at the Parking Meter Division located behind the Convention Center.
The Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave.) begins its 32nd summer with a remodeled front bar and Pamala Stanley returns Memorial Day weekend through the summer, Sundays through Thursdays 6-8:30 p.m. Cloud Nine closed in 2012 and was set to be demolished, but the Cape Gazette reported that it has been spared the wrecking ball for now and has been rented for the summer. Aqua (57 Baltimore Ave.), with its scantily attired servers, returns for another season this weekend. The L Bar (622 Rehoboth Ave.), Rigby’s (404 Rehoboth Ave.) and Big Sissies (715 Rehoboth Ave.) are all thriving. The gay-owned Purple Parrot (134 Rehoboth Ave.) is celebrating its 15th anniversary and the outdoor Biergarten has reopened.
The Frogg Pond (First and Rehoboth Avenue) has been renamed The Pond. Lesbian-owned establishments include Lori’s Café (39 Baltimore Ave.), now in its 17th season, Rehoboth Ale House (15 Wilmington Ave.), Seafood Shack (42 ½ Baltimore Ave.), and Charcoal Grill, located in the Food Lion Shopping Center on Route 1. Gelato Gal has moved and now also serves barbeque. It is located on Route 1 at Bay Vista Road.
Just before Memorial Day last year, Modern Mixture (62A Rehoboth Ave.) was opened by Leo Cabrera, popular server formerly at Mariachi’s. Its food is a fusion of Mexican, Mediterranean and Asian selections and it just got its liquor license this year.
The owners of Aqua have opened a café, Maggio and Shields, on the second level of First Street Station located at the corner of Rehoboth Avenue and First Street, and the owners of the Pond have MIXX (26 Baltimore Ave.). The new Lingo’s Market is scheduled to open Saturday in the Village by the Sea Mall. Gay-owned Universal Gear (46 Baltimore Ave.) has already opened for the season. If you like Italian food, check out the new Frank & Louie’s Italian Specialties (58 Baltimore Ave.) and a new Touch of Italy is rumored to (finally) be opening on Route 1 near Nage by Memorial Day.
(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Of course, Rehoboth is not only about eating and drinking. There are lots of other activities and many businesses throughout the city that are LGBT owned or friendly to the community.
There will be numerous events throughout the area all summer, including a monthly Art Walk, shows at Clear Space Theatre on Baltimore Avenue and readings at Proud Bookstore (Baltimore Avenue at the Village by the Sea Mall).
As Rehoboth Beach has become a more popular place to live, play and shop, not all of the activities are restricted to downtown. You can find plenty of outlet shops, restaurants, the Midway movie theater and specialty stores along Route 1, also known as Coastal Highway.
Several events will be sponsored by CAMP Rehoboth, the local gay and lesbian community center. They now have a theater attached to the Center (37 Baltimore Ave.). The popular Rehoboth Foodie blogger now has an app — Rehoboth in my Pocket — for your iPhone or Android devices.
The main two beaches that attract an LGBT crowd are Carpenter’s Beach (better known as Poodle Beach) at the south end of the Boardwalk or Gordon’s Pond in Cape Henlopen State Park, north of the city.
Capital Pride Festival
Performers at the 2013 Capital Pride Festival included Icona Pop, Cher Lloyd and Emeli Sandé. (Washington Blade photos by George Marc Alderman, Candace Craig, Tyler Grigsby, Jen Huls, Kalyn Jacobs, Michael Key, Edward Maddern, Robert Rapanut, Marguerite Sagatelian and Jessica Walton)
Washington Blade traveling to Colombia to cover U.S. gov’t program on LGBT rights
Washington, D.C. — The Washington Blade, the nation’s oldest and most acclaimed LGBT newspaper, is sending a reporter to Bogota, Colombia this week to cover a new public-private partnership designed to promote LGBT rights around the world.
The U.S. Agency for International Development will work with the Swedish International Development Corporation Agency, the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Institute, the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law and Olivia Companies on the LGBT Global Development Partnership that will contribute $11 million over the next four years to advocacy groups in Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala and other developing countries.
Blade reporter Michael Lavers will travel to Colombia on Wednesday, May 29 and file reports from Bogota throughout the week. Lavers will be chronicling the USAID effort, profiling local grassroots LGBT activists and interviewing Colombian politicians and other officials.
“As the LGBT rights movement gains momentum abroad, the Blade is committed to covering these exciting advances with reporters on the ground,” said Blade editor Kevin Naff.
Follow Lavers and his reports at washingtonblade.com, on the Blade’s Facebook page or on Twitter, @washingtonblade.
The Washington Blade was founded in 1969 and is known as the “newspaper of record” for the LGBT community both locally and nationally. Visit washingtonblade.com for more information.
CONTACT: Kevin Naff, editor, Washington Blade
knaff@washblade.com, 410-404-0325
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CONTACTO:
Kevin Naff, editor, Washington Blade
knaff@washblade.com, (410) 404-0235
WASHINGTON BLADE VIAJARÁ A COLOMBIA PARA REPORTEAR UN PROGRAMA DEL GOBIERNO ESTADOUNIDENSE SOBRE LOS DERECHOS LGBT
Una colaboración de USAID con grupos gay tiene como objectivo promover los derechos LGBT en el extranjero
WASHINGTON, D.C.—28 de mayo de 2013—El Washington Blade, el periódico LGBT más antiguo y respetado del país, va a enviar un reportero a Bogotá, Colombia, esta semana para reportear sobre una colaboración público/privada diseñada para avanzar los derechos LGBT del mundo.
La Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional (USAID) trabajará con la Agencia Sueca para el Desarrollo Internacional (SIDA,) Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, Gay and Lesbian Victory Institute, Williams Institute de la UCLA School of Law y Olivia Companies en la Colaboración Programa Global LGBT (the LGBT Global Partnership) que contribuirá $11 milliones durante los próximos cuatro años a grupos LGBT en Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala y otros países en desarrollo.
Michael Lavers, un reportero por el Blade, viajará a Colombia el 29 de mayo y presentará informes de Bogotá durante la semana. Documentará la colaboración de USAID y entrevistará a varios activistas LGBT, políticos y funcionarios de Colombia.
“En cuanto avanza el movimento LGBT en el extranjero, el Blade se compromete a reportear estos avances emocionantes con reporteros en el terreno,” dice el editor del Blade, Kevin Naff.
Puede seguir a Lavers y sus informes a washingtonblade.com, en la página de Facebook del Blade o en Twitter @washingtonblade.
El Washington Blade fue fundada en 1969 y es conocido como el periódico líder que documenta la comunidad LGBT local y nacional de los Estados Unidos. Visita washingtonblade.com por más información.
Pride Party
The Washington Blade and Whitman-Walker Health co-sponsored a party on 14th Street following the 2013 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade photos by Tyler Grigsby)
Blade holds its annual conversation with the mayor
The Blade’s Lou Chibbaro Jr. interviews Mayor Vincent Gray at last year’s event. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)
The third annual Washington Blade Town Hall Pride Event will take place on Friday at 7 p.m. in Room G-9 of the Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.).
Longtime Blade reporter Lou Chibbaro Jr. will interview Mayor Vincent Gray before a live audience in the event’s annual “Conversation with the Mayor.” Attendees can then ask Gray their own questions.
For more information, visit washingtonblade.com.
Submit your questions to the mayor below through Friday.
Latino Pride
The Latino GLBT History Project held a number of events for D.C. Latino Pride 2013. A panel discussion on immigration and LGBT Latinos was held at the Human Rights Campaign headquarters on May 30. On June 6, the official Latino Pride Dance Party, ‘La Fiesta,’ was held at Town Danceboutique with special guest Carmen Carrera from Ru Paul’s Drag Race. (Washington Blade photos by Blake Bergen and Damien Salas)
DragBall
Stonewall Kickball held the third annual “DragBall” game between the JR’s and Cobalt divisions on Sunday in Stead Park. JR’s won the day by a score of 10-7. The halftime show included a game of tug-of-war, a food-eating contest and a run around the bases while putting together a drag outfit. Local performer Ophelia Bottoms served as the emcee. (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Blade wins journalism awards
Washington Blade newspapers (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
The Washington Blade was honored by the D.C. chapter of Society of Professional Journalists this week with two first-place awards in its annual competition.
Joey DiGuglielmo, the Blade’s features editor, took first place in the features writing category (weekly) for his piece titled, “Faith of our fathers.” The judges described it as, “a well-researched, well-structured look at the gains — and setbacks — of LGBT acceptance within the Catholic religion on the 40th anniversary of Washington’s DignityUSA chapter.”
Blade editor Kevin Naff won first place in the editorial writing category for his piece titled, “At long last, equality in Maryland,” reflecting on the enactment of marriage equality. The judges described it as a “crisp, emotional first-person account of the joys of advocacy journalism.”
In addition, Blade senior news reporter Lou Chibbaro Jr. was honored as a runner-up in the general news category for his story, “Hundreds march against anti-LGBT violence.”
“We’re very proud of our staff,” said Blade publisher Lynne Brown. “Their awards reflect our ongoing, nearly 45-year commitment to quality local journalism.”