News
National News in Brief: September 23
A Maggie Gallagher at the premier of ‘8’ surprised many

Maggie Gallagher, chair of the National Organization for Marriage, surprised attendees of the premiere of ‘8’ when she was spotted in the audience. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Gallagher attends ‘Milk’ screenwriter’s Prop 8 play
The star-studded premiere of Dustin Lance Black’s play ‘8’ based on the Proposition 8 trial had an unexpected audience member last week — National Organization for Marriage’s board chair, Maggie Gallagher.
The marriage equality opponent, Gallagher, is portrayed in the play by Tony-nominated actress Jayne Houdyshell. According to Andy Towle of Towleroad.com, who captured several photographs of the anti-marriage leader, Gallagher engaged in debate with marriage advocates outside of the play, but beyond crinkling a loud bag of snacks she brought in throughout the show, was otherwise not disruptive during the performance.
The show features Ellen Barkin, Bob Balaban, Matt Bomer, Campbell Brown, Anthony Edwards, Morgan Freeman, Cheyenne Jackson, Larry Kramer, Christine Lahti, John Lithgow, Rory O’Malley, Rob Reiner, Yeardley Smith and Bradley Whitford. The script is based on the transcripts of the historic ‘Perry v. Schwarzenegger’ trial, currently being appealed in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Judge: Prop 8 trial video will be released
SAN FRANCISCO — A Federal District Court judge has ordered the tapes released from the 2010 Proposition 8 trial, despite pleas from gay rights opponents to keep the tapes secret.
“Foremost among the aspects of the federal judicial system that foster public confidence in the fairness and integrity of the process are public access to trials and public access to the record of judicial proceedings,” Chief Justice James Ware wrote in his ruling, which is stayed until Sept. 30. “Consequently, once an item is placed in the record of judicial proceedings, there must be compelling reasons for keeping that item secret.”
In 2010, Judge Vaughn Walker struck down Prop 8, the California constitutional amendment barring marriage between citizens of the same sex. The Perry v. Schwarzenegger trial was allowed to be recorded, and the sponsors of the case, American Foundation for Equal Rights have called for the release of the tapes as a matter of transparency.
Michigan House approves ban on DP benefits
LANSING, Mich. — Despite vocal opposition during debate, last week the Republican-controlled Michigan House of Representatives passed two pieces of legislation, stripping the state’s public universities of their right to offer domestic partnership benefits to same-sex partners of employees.
Citing the 2004 Michigan Constitutional amendment, known as Proposition 2, Rep. Dave Agema (R-Grandville) pushed HB 4770 and 4771 to prohibit the benefits, according to the Michigan Messenger.
The fate of the bill now rests in the state Senate, also Republican controlled. Whether or not Gov. Rick Snyder would sign the measure is unclear, as one of the governor’s legal counsels, Michael Gadola wrote to the majority leaders in both houses calling into question the constitutionality of both bills.
Australia implements trans-friendly passport policy
CANBERRA, Australia — In a move that may lead to changes around the world, Australia has announced that it will allow transgender or intersex citizens to choose against identifying with either “M” or “F” on passports.
According to the blog ThinkProgress, citing challenges that trans and intersex residents face in security while traveling, Australia will allow residents to apply for passports with the gender designator “X.” Australia also will no longer restrict gender marker changes to trans people who have already undergone gender reassignment surgery, and allow the changes after an applicant receives a doctor’s note.
Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus launches
WASHINGTON — Reps. Barbara Lee, Jim McDermott and Trent Franks are launching the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, which will take a leading role in the House of Representatives in advocating for stronger HIV/AIDS policies both at home and abroad.
“American leadership in the global fight against HIV/AIDS began a decade ago when Republican and Democratic leaders stood together and refused to allow a deadly disease to claim a generation of African teachers, nurses, doctors, parents and children,” said senior adviser Michael Gerson in a press release from the caucus. “The HIV/AIDS caucus announced today will remind Congress of a great bipartisan achievement – and of a continuing responsibility to save lives.”
Hungary
New Hungarian prime minister takes office
Péter Magyar’s party defeated anti-LGBTQ Viktor Orbán last month
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar took office on Saturday.
Magyar’s center-right Tisza party on April 12 defeated then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz-KDNP coalition. Vice President JD Vance less than a week before the election traveled to Budapest, the Hungarian capital, and urged Hungarians to support Orbán.
Orbán had been in office since 2010. He and his government faced widespread criticism over its anti-LGBTQ crackdown.
The European Commission in 2022 sued Hungary, which is a member of the EU, over the country’s anti-LGBTQ propaganda law. The European Union’s top court, the EU Court of Justice, on April 21 struck down the statute.
The EU while Orbán was office withheld upwards of €35 billion ($41.26) in funds to Hungary in response to concerns over corruption, rule of law, and other issues.
Hungarian lawmakers in March 2025 passed a bill that banned Pride events and allowed authorities to use facial recognition technology to identify those who participate in them. MPs later amended the Hungarian constitution to ban public LGBTQ events.
Upwards of 100,000 people last June defied the ban and marched in Budapest’s annual Pride parade.
“Congratulations to [Péter Magyar] on becoming prime minister of Hungary,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X.
“This Europe Day, our hearts are in Budapest,” she added. “The hope and promise of renewal is a powerful signal in these challenging times.”
“We have important work ahead of us,” noted von der Leyen. “For Hungary and for Europe, we are moving forward together.”
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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.
