Local
Capital Pride board member dies
Bill Miles, 52
Bill Miles, 52, a board member and longtime organizer for Capital Pride, D.C.’s annual LGBT Pride event, died April 10 from complications associated with cancer, according to the group’s president, Michael Lutz.
Miles served as a leader of the volunteer committee that organized Capital Pride events when the events were produced by the Whitman-Walker Clinic. He was a founding board member of the Capital Pride Alliance, the non-profit organization that now produces the 10 days of events each year associated with Pride.
“Bill was a key part to our start-up success,” said Lutz. “He served for years as the main stage manager and co-chair of security, and most recently as a trusted adviser on non-profit organization and development.”
A native of Connecticut, Miles moved to the D.C. area more than 20 years ago and became active in LGBT community causes and projects, Lutz said. He had a doctorate degree in education from Columbia University’s Teachers College and worked until the time of his death as director of programs for the National Education Association Foundation.
He received his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and earned his master’s degree in education from Harvard University.
Prior to joining the NEA Foundation, Miles served as director of policy and programs at the National Public Education Network, a national network of local education groups. He also served as a consultant on educational programs and development. He began his career as a middle and high school teacher and administrator.
In addition to his involvement with Capital Pride, Miles was an active volunteer with AIDS Walk Washington, one of the Whitman-Walker Clinic’s main fundraising events.
Lutz said Miles also designed and managed lighting for local venues and parties, including the annual Cherry Fund dance party and shows at the D.C. LGBT nightclub Ziegfeld’s-Secrets.
“His passion for the community, and especially for Pride, was contagious,” said Lutz. “He brought stability and balance when we needed it most. We have lost a much-valued part of our program, our community, and our lives … but I also know Bill will want us to carry his passion forward, and that we will do.”
Information about a memorial service will be announced later this month on the Capital Pride web site, capitalpride.org.
Virginia
VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade
Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday
The inaugural ceremonies for Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger were held in Richmond, Va. on Saturday. Among the groups marching in the parade were Diversity Richmond and the Virginia Pride project of Diversity Richmond.
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Virginia
Va. Senate approves referendum to repeal marriage amendment
Outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin introduced SJ3
The Virginia Senate on Friday by a 26-13 vote margin approved a resolution that seeks to repeal a state constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
Outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) introduced SJ3. The Senate Privileges and Elections Committee on Wednesday approved it by a 10-4 vote margin.
Same-sex couples have been able to legally marry in Virginia since 2014. Outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2024 signed a bill that codified marriage equality in state law.
A resolution that seeks to repeal the Marshall-Newman Amendment passed in the General Assembly in 2021. The resolution passed again in 2025.
Two successive legislatures must approve the resolution before it can go to the ballot. Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates have said the resolution’s passage is among their 2026 legislative priorities.
“It’s time for Virginia’s Constitution to reflect the law of the land and the values of today,” said Ebbin after Friday’s vote. “This amendment, if approved by voters, would affirm the dignity of all committed couples and protects marriage equality for future generations.”
Maryland
Layoffs and confusion at Pride Center of Maryland after federal grants cut, reinstated
Trump administration move panicked addiction and mental health programs
By ALISSA ZHU | After learning it had abruptly lost $2 million in federal funding, the Pride Center of Maryland moved to lay off a dozen employees, or about a third of its workforce, the Baltimore nonprofit’s leader said Thursday.
The group is one of thousands nationwide that reportedly received letters late Tuesday from the Trump administration. Their mental health and addiction grants had been terminated, effective immediately, the letters said.
By Wednesday night, federal officials moved to reverse the funding cuts by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, estimated to total $2 billion, according to national media reports. But the Pride Center of Maryland’s CEO Cleo Manago said as of Thursday morning he had not heard anything from the federal government confirming those reports.
The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
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