Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. has been walking a mighty fine line the past couple of weeks.

When you’re representing a ward that contains both quickly gentrifying (and gayifying) areas like Bloomingdale, Eckington, and Brookland, in addition to the generally conservative Bungalow Belt and many of the city’s most politically active churches, same-sex marriage would be one of those issues you might wish would go away.

Thomas veered heavily to one side of that line when he voted this month to recognize other states’ same-sex marriages here in D.C. He leaned even further when the Washington Blade reported last Friday that Thomas was on the record in support of a full gay marriage bill—-a story LL had highlighted in his Friday news roundup.

Leaned too far, perhaps: That afternoon, Thomas spokesperson Victoria Leonard called LL to say the Blade story, by Lou Chibarro Jr., wasn’t true. Her boss, she said, wasn’t committed either way.

Read More “Behold Harry Thomas Jr.’s Nuanced Position on Same-Sex Marriage Legislation” »

An American Idol upset last night. Don’t care. Don’t watch it. But today the Washington Blade is saying it was “smear the queer” time in America. Just like when Brokeback lost! Scandal! Sniff!

My idol? Michael Volpe, the 25-year-old guy standing in front of Metro stations with a bright orange sign advertising himself as an entry level jobseeker. I have a soft spot for SUNY Geneseo grads after spending several weekends there as an undergrad way back in the early ’90s. But even if you don’t, you gotta read Petula Dvorak’s sweet little story about this guy. And she took the photo. Is the Post turning into the Current?

Also local in our paper of record: Tai Shan really is leaving this time. Know the real reason why? He gained weight and ceased to be cute. My mom told me the same thing way back in the early ’90s.

Moving on to other people who write blogposts:

Read More “Our Morning Roundup: Who’s Kris Allen, Again? Edition” »

BIGGEST COMEBACK SINCE EMINEM: Erik Wemple is all sound and fury this week, taking down the Post for copy errors and showing some love to the Blade—for its investigative work on gays in the military—and the InTowner for one of its…distinctive headlines.

Don’t touch that remote!

The Washington Blade has done some solid reporting on this morning’s horrible news. At around 3 a.m., a 35-year-old man was shot in the head and killed walking home from Fox & Hounds. The shooting took place at 11th and Q Streets NW.

The Blade reports:

“The victim was identified as Durval V. Martins of the 200 block of Bates Street, N.W. A police statement said Martins also suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the body.

Acting Lt. Brett Parson, who oversees the police’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit, said the motive for the killing was unknown but could have been robbery. He noted that officers found the victim’s wallet in his hand.

Martins’ credit cards, cash, cell phone, and jewelry were still in his possession, Parson said.”

We will be updating this story soon.

Via DCist.