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Arlington police arrest journalist, roommate on meth charge

Police called for ‘violent domestic disturbance’

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William Hudgens, Leonard Fischer, gay news, Washington Blade

Arlington police confiscated equipment believed to be for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine while arresting gay journalist Leonard Fischer (right) and his roommate, William Hudgens. (Photo courtesy of Arlington Police)

A journalist who previously worked as a tech reporter for the Gannett News Service and his roommate were arrested in their Arlington apartment on Aug. 28 on a charge that they allegedly were attempting to manufacture methamphetamine, according to Arlington police.

The journalist, Leonard Fischer, 44, and his roommate, William Hudgens, 31, were charged and released on bail after police obtained a search warrant, searched their apartment, and confiscated chemicals and equipment said to be used for the manufacture of methamphetamine, police said.

“On or about Aug. 27, 2012, law enforcement officers responded to 801 N. Monroe Street, Apt. 305, Arlington, Virginia, in reference to a violent domestic disturbance,” says a police affidavit in support of a search warrant filed in Arlington Circuit Court.

“Once inside the residence, officers observed, in plain view, items consistent with the manufacturing of methamphetamine to include a triangle glass beaker on the kitchen counter along with a possible ‘fuel’ source on the floor below it,” the affidavit says.

A list of items confiscated in the search, which was also filed in court, includes caustic chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, phosphoric acid, “suspected sulfuric acid,” propane cylinders, and assorted Pyrex dishes.

“Residents of three floors in the complex were evacuated for safety concerns,” a police statement says. Police said later that some of the residents had to find lodging in nearby hotels until investigators with the Arlington Fire Department determined it was safe for the residents to return to their apartments.

The police affidavit says that during questioning by police, Fischer and Hudgens accused each other of being responsible for attempting to manufacture methamphetamine in the apartment. The affidavit says Hudgens told police he was attempting to move his belongings out of the apartment at the time police were called.

It says Fischer holds the lease to the apartment and that Hudgens had been staying there for several months. Court records state that Hudgens had no fixed address at the time he first appeared in court. Both men were ordered to undergo alcohol and drug screening and testing before their next scheduled court appearance on Oct. 5.

New York gay blogger Kenneth Walsh reported in his blog Kenneth in the (212) that Fischer is a former tech reporter for Gannett and that his byline frequently appeared in the Gannett-owned newspaper USA Today. Last week, Fischer’s LinkedIn page stated he still worked for Gannett. However, Fischer stated in a court form seeking to determine if he could afford to retain a lawyer that he currently works as a freelance journalist.

Walsh told the Blade that a mutual friend who went to Indiana University with Fischer told him that Fischer is gay.

“Sad to see yet another gay man felled by meth,” Walsh wrote in his blog.

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Virginia

Walkinshaw wins Democratic primary in Va. 11th Congressional District

Special election winner will succeed Gerry Connolly

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James Walkinshaw(Photo public domain)

On Saturday, Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw won the Democratic primary for the special election that will determine who will represent Virginia’s 11th Congressional District.

The special election is being held following the death of the late Congressman Gerry Connolly, who represented the district from 2008 until 2024, when he announced his retirement, and subsequently passed away from cancer in May.

Walkinshaw is not unknown to Virginia’s 11th District — he has served on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors since 2020 and had served as Connolly’s chief of staff from 2009 to 2019. Before he passed away, Connolly had endorsed Walkinshaw to take his place, claiming that choosing Walkinshaw to be his chief of staff was “one of the best decisions I ever made.”

The Democratic nominee has run his campaign on mitigating Trump’s “dangerous” agenda of dismantling the federal bureaucracy, which in the district is a major issue as many of the district’s residents are federal employees and contractors.

“I’m honored and humbled to have earned the Democratic nomination for the district I’ve spent my career serving,” Walkinshaw said on X. “This victory was powered by neighbors, volunteers, and supporters who believe in protecting our democracy, defending our freedoms, and delivering for working families.”

In addition to protecting federal workers, Walkinshaw has a long list of progressive priorities — some of which include creating affordable housing, reducing gun violence, expanding immigrant protections, and “advancing equality for all” by adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the Fair Housing Act.

Various democratic PACs contributed more than $2 million to Walkinshaw’s ad campaigns, much of which touted his connection to Connolly.

Walkinshaw will face Republican Stewart Whitson in the special election in September, where he is the likely favorite to win.

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Maryland

LGBTQ suicide prevention hotline option is going away. Here’s where else to go in Md.

Changes will take effect July 17

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(Bigstock photo by Mihailo K)

By ANNA RUBENSTEIN | The national suicide prevention hotline will no longer offer specialized support to LGBTQ people, starting July 17, the Trump administration announced last week.

Dialing the hotline at 988 will still be available for crisis support. But callers will no longer be able to reach specific LGBTQ services by pressing Option 3. The change worries advocates because their data shows the LGBTQ community has a disproportionally high suicide rate.

Even after the option ends, here’s how to receive tailored support if you’re in Maryland.

The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.

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Maryland

Silver Spring holds annual Pride In The Plaza

‘Today means inclusion. It means to build resilience’

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A scene from Pride in the Plaza in Silver Spring, Md. on Sunday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Silver Spring’s annual Pride in the Plaza event took place on Sunday to celebrate the LGBTQ community and emphasize inclusion and resilience.

“Today means inclusion. It means to build resilience, love,” Robyn Woods, program and outreach director for Live In Your Truth, which organized the event, said. “I mean, just being surrounded by the community and so many great entrepreneurs, business owners, and just being a part of this whole rainbow coalition that we call the LGBTQIA to be about.”

With the event being her first time organizing for Live In Your Truth, Woods said she felt emotional to see the support and love at the event.

“Some people (are) bringing out their children, their babies, their grandparents,” Woods said. “It’s a lot more allies here than anything else. That type of support to me means so much more than just support from my community; just outside support, inside support, so much support around it, so much love. Everyone’s smiling outside, helping each other.” 

Attendees of the event were able to head over to the Family Fun Zone, an air-conditioned Pride Cool Down Lounge, or watch live drag performances in the main stage area. 

Along with entertainment and a shaved-ice stand, rows of information tables stood along the plaza, including FreeState Justice, the Washington Spirit, Trans Maryland, Moco Pride Center, and the Heartwood Program, an organization that offers support, therapy, education, and resources to the LGBTQ community. 

“I want people to know about our services, and I love what we have to offer,” Jessica Simon, psychotherapist for Heartwood Program’s Gender Wellness Clinic, said. “I (also) want to be part of a celebration with the community, and so it feels good to be here with other people who have something they want to give to the community.”

She added that within today’s political climate, to which she called an “antidote to shame,” it’s important to be celebrating Pride. 

“There’s a lot of demonization of LGBTQI people,” Siena Iacuvazzi, facilitator for Maryland Trans Unity, said. “(Pride) is part of the healing process.” 

Iacuvazzi said she was taught to be ashamed of who she was growing up, but being a part of a community helped her flourish in the future. 

“I was taught how to hate myself. I was taught that I was an abomination to God,” she said. “But being a community is like understanding that there are people who have experienced the same thing, and they’re flourishing. They’re flourishing because they’re willing to stand up for themselves as human beings and discover themselves and understand what’s true for themselves.”

She added that Pride allows for a mutual understanding to take place. 

“It’s more of a sense of belonging … and just taking that home and understanding you’re not alone,” Iacuvazzi said. “We’re each taking our own journey — we’re not putting that on each other. It’s just walking away with a sense of belonging and humanity.”

Similar to Iacuvazzi, Woods said she hopes attendees’ biggest takeaways would be family, fun, resilience, and pride. 

“Being proud of yourself, being happy for who you are, and representation and how much it matters,” she continued. “And I think all these young people that are walking around here get to see versions of themselves, but older. They get to see so many different lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual people that are successful, that are showing love, that care, and it’s not how we’re portrayed in the media. It’s lovely to see it out here. (It’s) like we’re one big old, happy family.”

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