D.C.'s LGBTQ Community Steps Up Precautions After Two Men Overdose and Die

A social movement sparked by tragedy is unfolding in Washington, D.C. On December 27, two beloved community gay men, Brandon Roman, a 38-year-old prominent attorney and LGBTQ rights supporter, and Robert 'Robbie' Barletta, a 28-year-old historic preservationist and home improvement business owner, died of an accidental drug overdose at their Barletta home. "Robert 'Robbie' Barletta, a 28-year-old historic preservationist and home improvement entrepreneur, died of an accidental drug overdose in their Barletta home. The incident not only shocked the community, but also sparked a deeper concern about opioid overdoses and their impact on the LGBTQ community.

The deaths of the two men quickly generated widespread discussion on social media, prompting Johnny Bailey, community outreach coordinator for HIPS, a local community service organization, to say that the incident has prompted people to show more interest and support for overdose training sessions organized by HIPS, as well as other groups, in nightlife venues, including bars and nightclubs. In response to the problem, HIPS and other organizations are increasing the number of trainings and distributing the life-saving overdose antidote naloxone and fentanyl test kits at the trainings.

The tragedy has also prompted local nightlife venues to get involved. For example, DC gay bar Trade and Adams Morgan's gay bar Pitchers will both be hosting overdose training classes. In addition, JR.'s, a gay bar on 17th Street near Dupont Circle, set up a HIPS table to distribute naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and condoms on nights when the bar hosts popular drag shows.

The challenge for the campaign, however, goes beyond raising public awareness about drug overdoses. One potential problem, Bailey noted, is that some businesses are concerned that hosting training sessions could be penalized by the city's Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Bureau (ABCA). In response, ABCA Chief of Staff Jarred Powell clarified that the ABCA does not penalize businesses for hosting such trainings and strongly supports businesses participating in these prevention and management trainings.

This tragedy-induced movement is not only a memorial to the lives of Roman and Barletta, but also a wake-up call for the entire community. It is a reminder that in the face of the daunting challenge of drug overdose, it is everyone's responsibility to get involved, whether it be through attending training programs or providing support and resources to work together to create a safer, more inclusive community.