This week's Metro Weekly reports some disturbing news that a gay couple was kicked out of a local Rite Aid pharmacy without reason. Jay Hill and Mike Browne went into the store at 13th and U streets NW last Friday to make a purchase, and they embraced as they browsed an aisle. Hill told MW the manager walked by, saw them and did a double take. The manager then asked the security guard on duty... more ›

Metro Weekly brings us news of the latest development in the ongoing battle between Shaw's churches and new businesses moving into the area. Yesterday the ABC board voted unanimously to decline to recognize two groups of potential protestants to the liquor license for Be Bar, a new establishment opening near the intersection of 9th and O Street, N.W., leaving ANC 2F as the only official protestant still standing. It's become a largely standard procedure for Advisory Neighborhood Commissions to protest new liquor licenses in order to negotiate "voluntary agreements" with new businesses about things like noise, cleanliness and delivery times. Be Bar faced a different challenge: its planned site lies on the Eastern edge of the ANC 2F border, close the adjacent ANC 2C. Representatives from 2C, along with a group of residents affiliated with Scripture Cathedral Church — which is located across the street from the Be Bar site — sought to oppose the bar's opening. Be Bar's owners have refrained from saying so, but based on the ownership and press coverage, it's not unreasonable to infer that the bar will primarily cultivate a gay clientele — hence the conservative church's opposition. The ABC Board's refusal to give 2C a voice in the proceedings can be appealed, however, and Scripture Cathedral's Bishop C.L. Long has implied that his group will pursue all options available to them to prevent Be Bar from opening across the street. But not taking into account any further appeals, Be Bar should be able to open in July once it completes its negotiations with ANC 2F. more ›

Good morning, Washington. We hope you had a pleasant weekend — and that you didn't have to go anywhere. The street closures put in place for the Millions More March made getting in and out of the city harder than usual.

The participants quoted by the Post seem to regard the event as a success. The two attendees in this picture by EXB-WDC certainly seem to be having a pleasant time. But not everyone is happy with how the march unfolded. The Metro Weekly is reporting that gay activist Keith Boykin, who had secured a speaking slot after considerable effort, was ultimately blocked by organizers from addressing the crowd. The Post has more, indicating that Rev. Willie Wilson may be responsible for the eleventh-hour snub. You might remember Wilson for his remarks alleging rampant lesbianism in D.C. schools.

Behl Suspect Says Death Was Accidental: Benjamin Fawley, the man who has been implicated in the death of VCU student and Vienna native Taylor Behl, now says that the young woman died accidentally during a sexual encounter between the two. This revelation was announced on Saturday by the attorney of Behl's mother, Janet Pelasara. Pelasara believes that Behl and Fawley's final encounter was not consensual, although the two did have one such rendezvous in April of last year. Fawley is currently under arrest on firearm and child pornography charges.

Giraffe Euthanized: Jafari, the two year-old National Zoo giraffe that recently underwent surgery to remove a tumor, has been put to sleep. The initial operation wasn't entirely successful, and the giraffe's health took a turn for the worse Sunday morning. The zoo has one remaining giraffe.

H.S. Band Defers To Critic: The Post is reporting that the marching band of C.D. Hylton High School in Prince William County has recently made an unusual change to their set list. The group had added The Charlie Daniels Band's "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" to their routine, only to have local paper The Potomac News publish a letter from a parent complaining that the song violated the separation of church and state. Band director Dennis Brown removed the song in order to avoid controversy, but his action seems to have made things worse. We're not fans of Charlie Daniels, but the song seems pretty harmless to us. What do you think?

Briefly Noted: Arlington taxi fares to increase... Cropp says stadium effort is still on track... PG County school enrollment is dropping... Four deadly shootings occurred over weekend... Or is it six? Two found bodies force Suitland Pkwy closure...

City officials are reeling after a member of D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams' cabinet was found dead in her home. Wanda Alston had served as advisor to the mayor as director of the D.C. Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs. She is pictured to the right in a photo from the Washington Blade printed in a story from last July about the selection of a new head for the D.C. HIV/AIDS Administration. The AP... more ›