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Eater
22-07-2025
- Business
- Eater
Inside Little Gay Pub's Big Philly Expansion
is a food and travel writer based in Washington, D.C. He covers bars and restaurants, dishes and drinks, and the people and politics behind our food. He currently serves as the food columnist for the Washington Blade . For its second location, D.C.'s popular cocktail bar Little Gay Pub looked outside its capital hometown – up I-95 to Philadelphia. This newer, bigger Little Gay Pub (commonly known by its initials, LGP), opened its doors in late May just in time for Pride month. Located in the heart of the Gayborhood, LGP brings its cheeky touch to a new two-story space that's twice as large as the original. Little Gay Pub welcomes guests with stunning stained glass. Co-owners and longtime friends Dito Sevilla, Benjamin Gander, and Dusty Martinez are all decorated D.C. hospitality veterans. Sevilla spearheaded a subterranean cocktail den below Italian restaurant Floriana, Gander managed several local LGBTQ+ bars (Nellie's, Number Nine) for more than decade, and Martinez has played a host of roles at bars, from go-go boys to general manager at Trade. Coming out of the pandemic in summer 2022, the trio teamed up to fill a void they say was missing in the D.C. bar scene: 'a space where we ourselves wanted to hang out,' says Sevilla. Little Gay Pub was born later that year in Local Circle. Its sophomore location in Philadelphia is no different (102 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia). 'While we believe there's more room to grow in D.C. eventually, we thought, how we could expand the brand, and Philadelphia is a city we love, has a great gay community, and made the most sense,' says Sevilla. They spent time thinking through how the bar would welcome in the local community. Various nods to the city, some more explicit than others, pepper the space. 'We have lots of brass eagles around the bar,' Sevilla notes. In D.C., the art and LGBTQ historical memorabilia make up an important element of LGP; nearly every square inch of wall space is a suggestive print, historical archive, political note, or pop culture signal. It's made enough of a splash to attract local celebs like Nancy Pelosi. One standout design detail in Philadelphia is Princess Diana sporting an NFL Eagles jacket. 'It's something to celebrate the city, its history, and its icons,' says Sevilla, of its reigning Superbowl LIX champions. Little Gay Pub is known for its quirky decor. Little Gay Pub Similarly, the cocktail menu is a reflection of Philly, building on the D.C. drink options. The espresso martini, now a gay bar mainstay, is a top seller, as is the summertime perennial Aperol spritz. Gander notes that 'a fun find for us is that Philly loves tequila, so we have a few more tequila options.' See: the 'Big Gay Margarita,' a giant pint glass of a margarita popular on the first floor of the bar. New for LGP in this second spot is the beer-and-shot combo, also called a boilermaker; as well as the Tailspin, a take on the Paper Plane and nod to Philadelphia's aquatic plane shipyard. Even the glassware is Philly-specific (it's also on sale). For eats, the D.C. LGP has become known for its baskets of tater tots as well as 'dino bites,' or nostalgic chicken nuggets shaped like dinosaurs and served on cheese boards. These menu items are also around in Philly, though Sevilla promises that local options are in the works, including potentially a cheesesteak roll. Little Gay Pub is also infamous – Insta-infamous – for its bathrooms. The two stalls have become so popular for their selfies, they inspired a viral Instagram handle (@royal_flush_lgP) dedicated to reposting mirrored selfies in front of quirky and suggestive brass finishes. Martinez says that 'In Philly, we're lucky because we have more bathroom space.' One bathroom is modern, 'hypergreen' with a chandelier, and swan faucet; 'the selfies are going crazy,' he says. The second-floor restroom offers a 'Hollywood regency vibe, reflecting the English garden atmosphere of the bar space. It's a pink version of the green bathroom. We are impressed that the selfies are a thing.' The Philly interior starts with checkered floors and pink walls. Little Gay Pub As in D.C., the goal of LGP is not to compete but complement. As fans of the Philly Gayborhood for years, they are excited to be able to contribute to a beloved neighborhood – especially as some other local bars have recently closed. According to the owners, Little Gay Pub – whether in D.C. or Philly – is imbued with intentionality. Martinez says that LGP is 'inclusive, a welcoming space for everyone in the LGBTQ community. It's multigenerational, it's a place to both start or end the night, and a neighborhood vibe.' The design process took well over a year to get the inviting atmosphere right. The first-floor area is 'broody, almost masc,' says Martinez. Upstairs, however, speaks more to the name of the bar, with 'echoes of an English Garden.' Two months after opening, Martinez says that it's 'humbling to hear how happy our customers are. We see different facets of the community. LGP is not clubby, dancey, or loud, but just an inclusive space.' Eater DC All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
What's going on with Virginia Republicans? Gay Lt. Gov. candidate spars with Youngkin
What's going on with Virginia Republicans? Gay Lt. Gov. candidate spars with Youngkin Show Caption Hide Caption Watch Gov. Glenn Youngkin's full Republican National Convention speech Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivered an address at the 2024 Republican National Convention. Virginia's Republican nominee for lieutenant governor says he is facing a 'coup' from members of his own party – including Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Conservative radio host John Reid said the governor called him April 25, urging him to exit the 2025 race, after GOP researchers found a now-deleted social media account sharing Reid's name, containing sexually explicit photos of men. Reid has denied any affiliation with the account. And he says the push to oust him is due to him being openly gay. 'What happened today is another coordinated assassination attempt against me to force the first openly gay candidate off of a Virginia statewide ticket,' Reid said in a video posted online April 25. 'It's shameful, and I won't back down.' Local news site The Richmonder was first to report the news of Youngkin's call to Reid. Reid has dug in his heels, saying he is staying in the race and is prepared to fight back. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he said in a video on April 27. 'Except to get back on the campaign trail, win this election and take these people to court.' Who is John Reid? Reid, a Richmond-area talk radio host and former news anchor, announced his campaign for lieutenant governor in January, his first ever bid for any office. In an interview with the Washington Blade, he said he came out publicly as a gay man in the late 1990's. After his only opponent in the GOP primary, Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity, dropped out of the race due to health concerns following heart surgery in March, Reid became the official Republican nominee on April 21. On X that day, Youngkin said he "spoke with John tonight and know he is ready to work with (other GOP nominees) to keep Virginia the best state for business, to back the blue, and to stand strong for parents.' Reid is the first openly gay person from either party to be nominated for statewide office in Virginia. If he wins in November, he would be the state's first openly gay lieutenant governor. Graphics explain: LGBTQ representation in government is growing but still disproportionate 'I'm not going anywhere' Days after locking down the nomination, Reid received the call from the governor to leave the race. Hours after getting off the phone, he stood between framed photos of Youngkin and current Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, speaking directly to the camera. 'I've been openly gay for 30 plus years. I've not broken the law. I've told the truth about who I am for years,' Reid said in a 5-minute video posted to social media April 25. He added, 'Am I really expected to answer every twisted intrusive question about my previous relationships, every person I ever had sex with, every dating app I was ever on? Must I share my gay Tinder profile?' Since then, officials from Youngkin's major fundraising PAC Spirit of Virginia have continued 'attacks' on Reid, he said in another video posted to social media April 27. And on April 28, Reid's lawyer, Charlie Spies, sent Matthew Moran, executive director of Spirit of Virginia, a cease and desist letter. 'In a meeting on Sunday, April 27, 2025 you made clear that you only intend to stop sharing smears again Mr. Reid if he drops out of the race, and if he stays in the race, you intend to continue attacking and smearing him,' Spies wrote. 'You literally said 'him getting out of the race is the only way it stops.'' A spokesperson for Spirit of Virginia did not return USA TODAY's request for comment. Moran's counsel responded in a letter to Spies April 30, saying the allegations that he had defamed Reid were "utterly irresponsible" and "unfounded." "The facts, evidence, and witnesses would demonstrate that Mr. Moran never attempted to extort, coerce, or pressure Mr. Reid directly or indirectly," attorney George Terwilliger III wrote, "but rather as a seasoned professional endeavored to provide sound advice regarding the viability of Mr. Reid's candidacy to someone he counted as a friend." In closing his letter, Moran's lawyer said he hoped to "de-escalate the situation" and asked Reid's representation to "kindly let me know if you are amenable to scheduling a call where we might further discuss the matter."
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Fearing Trump crackdown US govt workers, green card holders ask editors to remove byline from old stories
Government workers, green card holders, teachers, and student journalists across the US are asking editors to remove their names from old news stories, fearing backlash from President Donald Trump's administration for views or identities now considered "politically risky." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to Poynter's Kelly McBride, some government employees and others have asked journalists to remove their names from old news stories. These individuals are concerned that documented evidence of their sexual identity or positions opposing Trump's policies could make them vulnerable to employment termination. Kevin Naff, who serves as the editor of the Washington Blade, told the outlet that taking down stories "is not something I've ever done before with the exception of foreign sources who are facing life and death situations." The Washington Blade has a long history of reporting on governmental discrimination against gay employees. Currently, the publication continues its role in recording instances of intimidation and discrimination. "We're going backwards," he stated. "The fear is really intense. People are scared. They're scared to lose their pensions and, you know, all of that," he added. This wave of anxiety is not limited to career professionals, student journalists, especially those with ties to pro-Palestinian activism , are also asking for their bylines to be removed, fearing legal consequences, deportation, or professional retaliation, the Guardian reported. The case of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University graduate student currently in ICE detention, has intensified fears. Ozturk had written a pro-Palestinian op-ed in her campus paper and is now fighting deportation despite no official evidence tying her writing to the visa revocation. Ozturk joins approximately ten other academics and students detained by immigration officials since March 8, when Columbia graduate student and permanent resident Mahmoud Khalil faced arrest and deportation proceedings for participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Editors note particular concern among international student contributors, though requests for content removal due to fear of consequences now extend to American citizens as well.
