Local

Victory Fund backs Ray’s D.C. Council bid

Gay candidate says endorsement boosts campaign

Published

16 years ago

July 22, 2010

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a national group that helps elect LGBT candidates to public office, has endorsed gay D.C. City Council candidate Clark Ray.

Ray, former director of the city’s Department of Parks & Recreation, is challenging incumbent Phil Mendelson in the Sept. 14 Democratic primary. Many political observers believe Ray has an uphill fight against Mendelson, a longtime supporter of LGBT rights who has held the seat for nearly 12 years.

The Victory Fund’s decision to endorse Ray, announced Tuesday, is considered significant because it limits its endorsements to “viable” candidates capable of running a professional campaign, who are raising sufficient money to be competitive and have a reasonable chance of winning.

“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund,” Ray said in a statement. “The Victory Fund’s candidate evaluation process was rigorous, and we’re proud to have made the grade.”

Among other things, the Victory Fund raises money for its endorsed candidates through a national network of donors who are committed to helping elect qualified LGBT candidates.

Victory Fund spokesperson Dennis Dison said the group also has endorsed gay D.C. City Council incumbents Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) and David Catania (I-At Large), who are running for re-election.

Ray’s campaign received a setback earlier this month when the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, the city’s largest LGBT political group, endorsed Mendelson. Club members backing Mendelson said Ray is qualified to hold public office, but they believe it would be wrong to turn against an incumbent who has championed LGBT causes.

Ray said the Victory Fund endorsement comes as his campaign gears up for the remaining four weeks leading up to the primary.

“The Victory Fund endorsement comes just as we’re feeling great momentum — 10 new field workers hired, thousands of yard signs distributed, community leader endorsements from Anacostia to Georgetown, and increasing attention from observers citywide,” he said.

Virginia

VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade

Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday

Published

13 hours ago

January 17, 2026

Michael Key

Diversity Richmond and the Virginia Pride project of Diversity Richmond march in the 2026 Inauguration Parade on the grounds of the state capitol in Richmond, Va. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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.

View on Threads

*The LGBTQ contingent in the inaugural parade in Richmond, Va. pass by the review stand on Jan. 17, 2026. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)*

Virginia

Va. Senate approves referendum to repeal marriage amendment

Outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin introduced SJ3

Published

21 hours ago

January 17, 2026

Staff reports

(Bigstock photo)

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

Published

2 days ago

January 16, 2026

Baltimore Banner

Merrick Moses, a violence prevention coordinator, works at the Pride Center of Maryland in Baltimore. (Photo by Ulysses Muñoz for the Baltimore Banner)

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.