Capital Stonewall Democrats Celebrate 50th Anniversary with Sold-Out Gala

The Capital Stonewall Democrats marked a significant milestone with their 50th anniversary gala, drawing a full house of 186 guests, including key political figures from Washington D.C. The event took place on Friday, March 20, at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery, conveniently located near the city's vibrant Chinatown district.

Attendees included seven D.C. Council members and four Democratic mayoral candidates, all gathered to honor five decades of advocacy by the LGBTQ Democratic group. Notably, those running for re-election or mayoral positions refrained from making campaign speeches, choosing instead to engage with attendees and reflect on the group's enduring impact in promoting LGBTQ rights.

Although originally slated to attend, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser was absent from the event. Nonetheless, the mayoral candidates present were notable figures such as D.C. Council member Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4) and former At-Large Council member Kenyan McDuffie. Both candidates, recognized for their unwavering support of LGBTQ rights, are leading contenders in the upcoming June 16 Democratic Primary. Other candidates in attendance included real estate manager Gary Goodweather and cybersecurity consultant Rini Sampath, the latter self-identifying as queer and both expressing strong support for LGBTQ issues.

The gathering saw the presence of influential D.C. Council members such as Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large), Anita Bonds (D-At-Large), Robert White (D-At-Large), Matt Frumin (D-Ward 3), Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5), the Council’s sole openly gay member, and Charles Allen (D-Ward 6).

Howard Garrett, the immediate past president of the Capital Stonewall Democrats, set the tone for the evening with his opening remarks. “Tonight we celebrate not just 50 years of history but 50 years of showing up,” Garrett stated. “Showing up when it was easy, showing up when it wasn’t popular,” he continued, emphasizing the necessity of continued engagement to sustain their work.

Garrett also reminded attendees that the deadline for joining the organization to qualify for voting in the group’s endorsement of candidates for D.C.'s 2026 election was midnight that night, encouraging non-members to sign up at designated tables.

The current president, Stevie McCarty, took a moment to acknowledge the contributions of longstanding members, specifically highlighting Paul Kuntzler, one of the founding members from when the organization was known as the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club in 1976. The group underwent a name change to the Capital Stonewall Democrats in 2021 as part of its evolving identity.

The gala also served as an opportunity to honor significant contributors to the LGBTQ community. Among the honorees was Rayceen Pendarvis, who hosts a popular D.C.-based LGBTQ online show and played the role of emcee for the evening. Pendarvis expressed gratitude, stating, “Thank you everyone in this room who has done the work to make this world a better place. To all our prestigious activists in the room, all of our amazing politicians who are doing the work, we love you and we honor you.”

In addition to Pendarvis, the honorees included Malcolm Kenyatta, Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee and the first openly LGBTQ person of color elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Other notable figures recognized were Parker, Earl Fowlkes, founder of the International Federation of Black Prides, Vita Rangel, deputy director of the D.C. Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments, Heidi Ellis, director of the D.C. LGBTQ Budget Coalition, and Philip Pannell, a longtime civic leader and activist.

The celebratory event featured an open bar, a variety of refreshments, and entertainment from three talented drag performers, creating a festive and inclusive atmosphere for all who attended. The evening was a resounding success, highlighting the achievements of the Capital Stonewall Democrats and the ongoing journey towards equality and representation for the LGBTQ community in Washington D.C.