News
Sanchez: House considering delayed ‘Don’t Ask’ measure
House lawmakers are weighing the possibility of passing delayed implementation legislation as a way to accomplish repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” this year, according to an opponent of the law in Congress.
Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) — a co-sponsor of repeal legislation in the House and member of the House Armed Services Committee — told the Blade in a brief exchange Wednesday that among the options House members are considering is a measure Congress would pass this year that wouldn’t stop discharges in the U.S. military until later.
Asked whether lawmakers are discussing such a measure as an amendment to pending defense authorization legislation for the Pentagon’s budget, Sanchez replied, “We’re certainly looking at that.”
Sanchez said H.R. 1283, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act — standalone legislation sponsored by Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) that would overturn “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — may not be the legislation that comes to the House floor.
“I could see, for example, something close to Mr. Murphy’s bill, but with maybe a time from not starting for another nine months in anticipation of the report supposedly — or the study that is being done by the military,” she said.
Sanchez said several amendments relating to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” may come before the Rules Committee — the necessary step for bringing an amendment to the floor in the House — and a delayed implementation measure could be one among several.
Supporters of repeal in the LGBT community have been pressing for such legislation as a compromise measure to bring on board Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who wrote in an April 30 letter that he would “strongly oppose” legislative action on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” before the Pentagon completes its study on the issue at the end of the year.
On the Senate side, Senate Armed Services Committee Carl Levin (D-Mich.) reportedly expressed support on Monday for delayed implementation legislation as a way to move forward following the publication of this letter.
“What we ought to do is repeal it, but make the effective date after the report,” Levin said, according to Roll Call newspaper.
Anticipating a House vote on defense authorization legislation in the coming weeks, Sanchez said supporters of repeal in Congress are “looking for the votes” to an end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” as part of this larger bill.
She said she’s not expecting a vote on the House Armed Services Committee when the panel takes up the legislation next week, but a vote later when the bill comes to the House floor.
“We don’t have the votes in the committee on the Democratic side to enable to put this [through],” she said. “It won’t be in the chairman’s mark in the full committee. We don’t have votes in the full committee.”
Sanchez said supporters are “counting the votes for the House floor” in hopes of finding sufficient support to “show leadership that, if in fact we have the votes, they may allow us an amendment on the House floor.”
“I don’t even know if we will move something forward,” she said. “It all depends if we can get it through Rules and what that will look like, but certainly there are plenty of us who have had many discussions about how we try to move this issue.”
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Congratulations to Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-Del.) on being honored with this year’s Stonewall Award from Whitman-Walker Health. Amy Nelson, senior director of Legal Services, said, “Congresswoman Sarah McBride is working to make healthcare accessible to all, and this award recognizes her support of healthcare as a human right. Our legal program supports families facing unprecedented challenges to stay healthy and safe – families that Congresswoman McBride champions with a deep understanding of the issues they face and the legislative expertise of how to support them.”
McBride, in a press release, said, “I am honored to accept this year’s Stonewall Award from Whitman-Walker Health — an organization that has spent 40 years doing vital work to ensure every person can access the dignity of care. In the wealthiest and most developed nation on earth, the ability to receive care should not be a matter of luck—it should be the law of the land. I am proud to be recognized as a partner in this work and to support Whitman-Walker Health in their mission to build a healthier society for all.”
Congratulations also to Wes Drummond who will join Clear Space Theatre Company in Rehoboth Beach, Del., as its third artistic director. Managing Director Joe Gfaller said, “This is an exciting moment of growth for Clear Space as we welcome Wes to join our remarkable team. I am confident he will be an excellent partner as we work with our entire staff, board, and committed team of volunteers, to ensure Clear Space can achieve its full potential in pursuit of our mission to unite and enrich our community through every production on stage, and every arts-based learning program we offer throughout our community.”
On accepting the position Drummond said, “I’m honored to join Clear Space Theatre Company as artistic director, and beyond excited for what we’re about to create together. Clear Space has established itself as a vital and vibrant part of the cultural life of coastal Delaware, and I feel incredibly fortunate to step into this next chapter alongside such a passionate and dedicated team. Rehoboth Beach is a place defined by creativity and community, and I look forward to listening, learning, and building meaningful relationships across the region in the months ahead. My vision is to help Clear Space continue to grow as a bold, forward-thinking, cultural force, that champions fearless storytelling.”
Drummond served in leadership roles at Duluth Playhouse in Duluth, Minn., from 2021 to 2026, including four years as executive director followed by one year as executive producing artistic director, guiding the organization through a period of significant transformation and stability in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a director, he has worked extensively in New York City, Chicago, and at regional theaters across the country, directing both musical theater and plays with a focus on storytelling that bridges classical works with contemporary perspectives. He has collaborated with leading figures in the industry, including Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus, and Tony-nominated director Michael Greif. He is an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Wes earned his MFA in directing, Penn State University, where he studied under Tony-nominated director, Susan H. Schulman.
Virginia
Va. Supreme Court invalidates Democrat-backed redistricting plan
Voters narrowly approved new congressional districts last month
The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday struck down a Democrat-backed redistricting plan that voters approved last month.
Ten of 11 of Virginia’s congressional districts favor Democrats in the plan that passed by a 51-48 vote margin in last month’s referendum.
The Human Rights Campaign PAC is among the groups that support it. The court by a 4-3 majority invalidated the referendum results.
District of Columbia
Maren Morris to headline Capital Pride Concert
Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter came out as bisexual in 2024
Capital Pride Alliance, the group that organizes D.C.’s annual LGBTQ Pride events, announced on May 7 that nationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Maren Morris, who identifies as bisexual, will be the headline performer at this year’s Capital Pride Concert scheduled for June 21.
The concert takes place as part of the annual Capital Pride Festival held on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., usually between 3rd Street near the U.S. Capitol and 9th Street.
“Morris, known for her genre-blending sound and outspoken support of LGBTQ+ rights, will be joined by a standout lineup, including acclaimed queer rapper Leikeli47, pop icon Lisa Lisa, Juno-nominated producer and DJ from the ‘Heated Rivalry’ soundtrack, Harrison, and ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 18 winner Myki Meeks,” according to a statement released by Capital Pride.
“In a moment when LGBTQ+ people are being challenged across the country, the Capital Pride Concert is a space where our community is fully seen and heard,” Ryan Bos, the Capital Pride Alliance CEO and president, said in the statement. “Bringing Maren Morris to the stage reflects this year’s theme: Exist, Resist, Have the Audacity,” Bos said.
The statement notes that the concert takes place as part of the annual D.C. Pride Festival, which is open to the public free of charge, with tickets available for purchase for specific areas listed as the Capital Stage Pit Zone and the VIP Concert Zone.
It says the festival takes place from 12 –10 p.m. and points out that in addition to the music performed by multiple other performers on several stages, festival attendees “can explore hundreds of exhibitors, community organizations, and artisans, along with multiple food courts and beverage gardens throughout the festival footprint.”
Information on the Capital Pride Alliance website shows that the festival takes place one day after the annual Capital Pride Parade, scheduled for June 20 and which is expected to travel from 14th and T Streets, N.W., to Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., where it is expected to end at 9th Street.
The statement adds that following the stage performances during the June 21 festival, which are expected to conclude around 8 p.m., “the celebration will continue with the Capitol Sunset Dance Party, closing out the evening against the backdrop of the U.S. Capitol.”
The online publication Today, which is part of the NBC “Today” television show, reported that Morris came out as bisexual in a 2024 during Pride. It reports Morris “shared several images of herself holding a Pride flag to mark the occasion, writing, ‘Happy to be the B in LGBTQ+’”
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