Tony Randolph Hunter, the Clinton, Md., gay man who was attacked near Be Bar on September 7, died yesterday afternoon according to an announcement by the MPD’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit. Having suffered a laceration to the back of the head, Hunter was listed in critical condition and placed on life support at Howard University Hospital. Friends confirmed that Hunter and a companion were en route to Be Bar when they were attacked. The…

Metro Weekly reports that two Maryland men were attacked and robbed on their way to Be Bar in Shaw on Sunday night. According to the police report, a group of four men beat the victims and made off with $15 and a set of car keys. One of the victims, a 37-year-old from Clinton, is on life support; the other, a 23-year-old from Fort Washington, was treated at a hospital for a bruised jaw and…

Today is National Coming Out Day, a day when gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are encouraged to be open about who they are. The annual observance began on October 11, 1988, exactly one year after the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. (The first one was held October 14, 1979.) While there aren’t usually major events to commemorate the day, there are a couple of local events that coincide with…

Written by DCist Contributor Fredo Alvarez In a 60-39 cloture vote, the U.S. Senate barely passed the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (S 1105) today as an amendment to the FY 2008 Defense Authorization Bill (HR 1585). The measure would expand protection against hate crimes to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, and would enable the Federal government to provide assistance in the investigation or prosecution of…

WTOP is reporting that D.C. police are investigating a weekend attack near Shaw nightclub Be Bar as a hate crime. The victim, an intern who works for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Human Rights Campaign, was first shouted at by his assailant with a derogatory term for homosexual, and then beaten up. The victim was taken to an area hospital and has since been released. The incident took place at 10th and O Streets NW in…

A couple of months ago I found myself at Be Bar on a Saturday night confronted by what I throught would be a “graphic design competition,” but turned out to be something much, much more. I was surprised to find an entire art extravaganza of sorts with graphic designers battling it out, local fashion designers selling their wares, tribal dancers and DJs to boot. A large chunk of the art community was out in…

>> After bitching about extreme lack of tickets to Friday’s sold out Arcade Fire show, our friends at Washingtonian Magazine alerted us to their ticket giveaway. Only one seat is up for grabs, you didn’t want to bring your girlfriend anyway, right? Contest ends Thursday at noon. >> Tim Westergren, founder of Pandora Internet radio, hosts a meet up tonight at Be Bar. Open to listeners and non-listeners alike, guests can chat about the…

Written by DCist contributor Christopher Durocher BeBar, the newest gay bar in D.C., opened its doors to the public last week. Though there may be nothing remarkable about another gay bar in the city (especially for the heterosexual set), Be Bar’s story is part of a larger story of ongoing gentrification in the city and the conflict it’s creating in a number of neighborhoods. For over six months, BeBar’s owners have faced vocal opposition from…

With the news of Be Bar’s ability to open in Shaw looking up, we’ve got word that another long-standing controversy surrounding a new bar in the U street area is finally at an end. Yes, Duffy’s Irish Restaurant, located directly across the street from 9:30 Club, has announced it will officially open to the public on May 12. Owner Andrew Duffy has been trying to gain permission to open his new establishment since the summer…

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…