During D.C. Black Pride weekend, a man allegedly hurled homophobic slurs at a Black-owned restaurant employee and threatened to shoot them — not once, but over two days. Police arrested 32-year-old Delonte Fraley at the scene and charged him with felony threats tied to hate- or bias-related allegations.

But those charges could still change.

Ben's Next Door, where the incident unfolded, is a cornerstone of the historic U Street neighborhood and a beloved gathering place for D.C.'s Black LGBTQ+ community. The attack didn't just threaten one employee — it sent a message to thousands of people celebrating one of the most visible LGBTQ+ weekends of the year.

Anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes remain alarmingly high across the country even as overall crime rates drop. When these crimes happen in plain sight, during a community celebration, in front of witnesses — prosecution must be swift and full.

We're calling on the D.C. Attorney General to prosecute this case as a hate crime to the fullest extent of the law and send a clear message: attacks on LGBTQ+ people will not be tolerated in Washington, D.C.

Photo: Unsplash/ Bruno Aguirre