Veteran Washington D.C. Politician Apologizes for Disparaging Gay Opponent

An apology from a long-time politician who is trying to get back into office. Former Ward 5 Councilmember Vincent Orange is running for his old seat. Now, he is walking back some comments he made during a recent debate about his openly gay opponent.

Orange served as Ward 5 Councilmember from 1999 to 2007.

The veteran politician is up against six candidates including State Board of Education President Zachary Parker who has gained endorsements by the Washington Teachers Union and Attorney General Karl Racine.

The Orange campaign platform is robust: from crime-fighting, pedestrian safety, and free tuition at the University of the District of Columbia to portable showers for the unhoused. But it’s what he said at the end of the last debate that has everyone talking. Orange seemingly referred to Zachary Parker’s social media announcement a month ago that he identifies as a gay man.

“Twice I’ve heard Mr. Parker say, ‘I’m openly gay and I’m espousing to help,” said Orange in the May 4 virtual debate, which was recorded on Zoom. “But he was an elected official for almost four years and all the things we’ve discussed tonight he could have helped those young kids and adults by being that proud LGBTQ leader…So it seems out of convenience.”

“I apologize,” said Orange during an interview Monday. “I regret if it came out the wrong way, and out in the context of which we were discussing the issues of the day, the issues of the day were violence on the LGBTQ youth.”