Jul 24, 2009   | COMMENTS     

Desi Deschaine, a well-known local political activist and communications director for D.C. City Council member Jack Evans, died last week after an apparent drowning accident in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. He was 30. 

The Blade asked some of Deschaine’s friends and colleagues to share their memories of the beloved figure who was a fixture of the city’s gay community.


I will never forget the day that I met Desi Deschaine. It was a cold November morning, and as
I walked to class in Foggy Bottom, I could hear a few blocks away the chants of “Four more years, four more years.” At the center of the crowd urging passersby to vote for D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams was this animated and vivacious young guy around my age. Desi, then a recent Catholic University graduate, quickly cornered me on the sidewalk, extolling Williams’ virtues. I didn’t know it then, but he and I would end up crossing paths in many facets of our lives.

His enthusiasm for Williams was so contagious that it pushed me to join the administration. Desi and I spent a lot of time together at community events, block parties and police meetings. He was an oversized presence in every room he entered and Desi always knew when to have fun and when to be serious. I remember watching him dance with senior citizens at a benefit for the St. Mary’s Court retirement community. Some of the residents said dancing with Desi was the most fun they had in years. Only Desi, with his dynamic personality and genuine commitment, could foster that much joy across generational lines.

That same energy was very much a part of his personal life. He was a conduit for the development
of relationships throughout every ward in the city.
The vigil in his honor last week was a testament to that. In the days following his death, people from across the city of all ages, races and backgrounds have come forward to express their grief and to celebrate his life. I am hard pressed to think of another person who touched so many lives during such a short career.   

His life’s work is a part of the fabric of Washington and his legacy is interwoven into countless memories, relationships and connections throughout the city. As I reflect on my own friendship with him, I am mindful of the simple saying, “You’re not really gone until you’re forgotten.” It will be a very long time before Desi is ever forgotten.

— JEFF MAROOTIAN


As a colleague and a friend, I will miss Desi Deschaine. He was one of a kind. His warm smile, his excitement for life, his willingness to always go the extra step for a friend will be what I remember most when I think about Desi. And I will think about Desi often. Desi knew how to live life to the fullest and
I always admired him for that. He made everyone around him smile.

— CLARK RAY


Desi Deschaine was full of energy and lived his life with gusto. He began his political life as a Republican, but like many converts, was more passionate about his newfound love, the Democratic Party. But the reality of Desi was that he just loved people and he wanted to be loved back and he would work for that.

He wanted to be a part of everything that was going on and we were lucky to have him involved. Desi had a huge smile that would light up a room when he walked in. I remember when we were on opposite sides of a political race and Desi would call and talk and then end the conversation by saying, “We can still be friends, right?” And with Desi, my answer to that was always a big yes.

In the last few months, Desi seemed to be living the life he really wanted. He loved his job with Jack Evans and he was happy with his boyfriend, J’aime. His eyes would light up when he talked about J’aime. When they were involved recently in a hate crime, and J’aime was attacked, Desi became passionate about fighting back and educating the community.

Desi, rest in peace knowing that you were loved and that your life made a difference.

— PETER ROSENSTEIN


On Sunday, July 12, we lost a true ray of sunshine and dedicated community servant, Desi Deschaine.

If you read Desi’s bio you know that he was the vice president of the Logan Circle Community Association, a D.C. Young Democrats National committeeman, communications director ...