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