Local
Democrat introduces anti-gay bill in Md.
A bill to block Maryland from recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere has been introduced in anticipation of Attorney General Douglas Gansler releasing an opinion on the issue.
House Bill 90, from Del. Emmett Burns Jr. (D-Baltimore County), also declares marriages between individuals of the same-sex against state policy, but stops short of amending the constitution.
The proposed measure comes as state Sen. Richard Madaleno Jr. (D-Montgomery County) prepares to re-introduce later this month a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland.
“We’ll have more co-sponsors this year than we did last year and we’ll continue to make the argument to people who are open to it that we need to do it,” Madaleno said.
Del. Heather Mizeur (D-Montgomery County), who wed her spouse, Deborah, in California when such marriages were legal in the Golden State, said same-sex marriage supporters have won the issue in the Maryland House and need only secure enough votes in the Senate to pass the marriage bill.
“We have in the General Assembly stepped up and done a lot of things just short of marriage equality in the last few several years to get us more relationship recognition,” Mizeur said.
“Del. Burns’ bill is a step backwards that I think the General Assembly will flatly reject. I predict his bill won’t even get out of the Judiciary Committee because the votes aren’t there. We have the votes in the House, in the judiciary Committee, to pass full marriage equality, but we’re a vote shy in the Judicial Proceedings Committee in the Senate.
“It’s important for us to advance full marriage equality in the legislature even if we’re short on a few votes because we’re heading into an election year and some folks are making their decision on whether to support a candidate based on key votes like this.”
Burns could not be reached for comment. Last week, his office told DC Agenda that he would not have time to respond to questions about his bill.
Burns’ official biography notes that he served in the Air Force, is a member of the National Baptist Convention, and serves as vice-chair of the National Black Caucus of State Legislator’s civil rights committee since 2000.
Madaleno said he doubted his Democratic colleague could be moved on LGBT civil rights issues, but noted such was true for some members of both parties.
“Neither party is monolithic on this issue,” he said. “When you look at the vote in 2001 on [the] anti-discrimination act which added sexual orientation to the state’s non-discrimination law in housing, employment and public accommodations, Emmett Burns was the only African-American in either chamber to oppose the bill.”
Burns previously sought to ban same-sex marriage by constitutional amendment, but his latest bill appeared to focus on preventing Gansler’s office from recognizing out-of-state and foreign same-sex marriages. Madaleno asked the attorney general to look into the issue in May 2009 and LGBT activists have encouraged Gansler to recognize such unions.
Equality Maryland Executive Director Morgan Meneses-Sheets said the attorney general’s decision is to be legally grounded — and Maryland has a precedent of honoring marriages from other states that could not legally be performed in the state.
Gansler’s office said this week there was no timeframe by which the opinion will be finalized. His office also declined to comment when asked for its reaction to Burns’ bill.
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].
The Comings & Goings column also invites LGBTQ+ college students to share their successes with us. If you have been elected to a student government position, landed an exciting internship, or are graduating and beginning your career with a new job, let us know so we can share your success.
Congratulations to Jaime Christopher Pierce on their appointment to serve as a member of the Virginia Governor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. Pierce was sworn in on Sept. 3 by Greg Parks, clerk of the Alexandria Circuit Court.
Pierce currently serves as vice chair of the Alexandria City LGBTQIA+ Task Force and as a member of the Alexandria Pride planning committee. They previously served on the board of directors of Equality Virginia.
Upon being sworn in, Pierce said, “Public service has been a central part of my life for more than 30 years, and this appointment gives me an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth in a different and very personal way. My career has allowed me to work with people and communities throughout Virginia, and I hope to bring that experience, along with my own lived experience and my involvement in the LGBTQ+ community, to the work of the Board.” They added, “Having Greg administer the oath makes the occasion even more meaningful because of his own historic role as Virginia’s first openly gay elected circuit court clerk.”
Pierce also serves as Circuit Court Services Manager for the Department of Judicial Services, at the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. They began their career in Virginia’s judiciary in 1994 as a deputy clerk with the Virginia Beach Circuit Court and have since held several professional and leadership positions within the court system. Pierce is a member of the National Association for Court Management (NACM) and the Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management. At the national level, Pierce participated in the workgroup that developed the National Association for Court Management’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guide, a resource designed to help court professionals advance inclusive practices and strengthen access, fairness and belonging within the justice system.
Pierce earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Liberty University, and a certificate in Paralegal Studies from Norfolk State University.
Maryland
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
Pride Center of Maryland among recipients
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.
The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.
The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants
“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.”
“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”
Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
‘Thelma and Louise’ remains landmark of unspoken queer rebellion
Comings & Goings
LGBTQ Military Happy Hour set for Sept. 15
Calendar: September 11-17
Multi-billion-dollar 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund to continue until 2090
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
Nominate your favorites for the Blade’s 25th annual Best Of LGBTQ DC Awards
PHOTOS: SUNFESTIVAL
Gloria Steinem’s life of substance and consequence
