Longtime D.C. nightlife figure, sports enthusiast Tarik Pierce dies at 45 Beloved

community activist worked as manager for U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. | lchibbaro@washblade.com

Tarik S. Pierce, who served for the past 13 years as a Curriculum and Competency Manager at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and was a beloved figure in D.C.’s LGBTQ sports organizations and nightlife venues, died on July 6 at his residence in the Columbia Heights neighborhood at the age of 45.

The cause of death couldn’t immediately be determined, but friends said he told them he was feeling ill and staying home in the days immediately prior to his passing.

“He was loved by so many people because he included everyone in whatever he did, he always had that beautiful smile, was super nice and cared about the community,” said David Perruzza, owner of the D.C. LGBTQ bars Pitchers and A League of Her Own in a Facebook posting. “He was literally a perfect human and was one of a kind,” Perruzza wrote.

“Imagine a life lived completely to the fullest – that was Tarik Pierce,” said Dito Sevilla, co-owner of the Little Gay Pub in another Facebook posting. “His optimism, warmth and kindness radiated from a smile as real as it was wide.”

Sevilla said Pierce was a regular and admired patron of many of the city’s LGBTQ bars and clubs.

The Capital Pride Alliance, the group that organizes D.C.’s annual LGBTQ Pride events, honored Pierce in 2022 with its annual Heroes Award for his long-standing contribution to organizations and activities that bring positive change to the community.

In a write-up on Pierce’s community activities, Capital Pride said he had been “entrenched in the LGBT sports community, having played in leagues for flag football, kickball, darts, bocce, dodgeball and cornhole.”

The write-up says Pierce, among other things, served on the board of the local Stonewall Darts, was a captain for Stonewall Dodgeball, and a captain and umpire for Stonewall Kickball. It says he also served as a volunteer for the Capital Pride Alliance and the annual LGBTQ High Heel Race on 17th Street held each year just prior to Halloween.

As if that were not enough, the write-up says Pierce was a co-founder of Pub Crawlin’ for Tots, a group that raises money and collects toys for kids in the greater D.C. area for the Toys for Tots organization. Since 2009, Pierce and his group had worked with local LGBTQ bars and businesses to raise more than $50,000 and more than 4,000 toys for area children, the Capital Pride write-up says.

In a July 2015 Washington Blade story about a Stonewall Kickball tournament, Pierce provided insight into his role as a participant and leader in numerous sports teams and leagues.

“It’s my theory that if you become part of a community, at some point you should step forward as a leader,” he said. “I make sure that my team is involved in the fundraisers and the charitable community support.”

Pierce’s Facebook page says he was born and raised in Florence, S.C. His LinkedIn page says he received a bachelor’s degree in financial management and a master’s degree in human resources development from Clemson University in South Carolina.

His LinkedIn page says he served as a Workforce Development Specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce from 2004 to 2006 before taking on the position of Training Officer at the Commerce Department.

According to his LinkedIn page, he began work at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 2010, where he held the post of Curriculum and Competency Manager until the time of his passing.

An announcement by the Ideal Funeral Parlor in Florence, S.C., says a Celebration of Life for Pierce was held on July 17 at Door of Hope Christian Church in Marion, S.C. The announcement says interment would be held at Florence County Memorial Gardens in Florence.

“Memorials and Condolences may be mailed to Ideal Funeral Parlor, Inc., 106 E. Darlington Street, Florence, S.C. 29506,” the announcement says. It says a message for the family can also be left at www.idealfuneral.com.

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