Local
O’Malley launches video campaign for marriage equality
O’Malley delivered first in what marriage equality advocates say will be a series of video messages calling for the approval of a same-sex marriage bill
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley this week delivered the first in what marriage equality advocates say will be a series of video messages calling for the approval of a same-sex marriage bill next year by the Maryland Legislature.
The video campaign, organized by the newly formed Marylanders for Marriage Equality Coalition, is modeled after a similar campaign in New York State, which passed a same-sex marriage bill earlier this year under the leadership of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“I’m Gov. Martin O’Malley and I’m a Marylander for marriage equality,” O’Malley said in the video message recorded from his office at the State House in Annapolis.
“As a free and diverse people of many different faiths, we choose to be governed under the law by certain fundamental principles – among them equal protection of the law for every individual and the free exercise of religion without government intervention,” he said.
“The legislation we plan to introduce in the 2012 legislative session will protect religious freedom and equality of marital rights under the law,” he said. “I ask you to join us as we work to pass marriage equality in the State of Maryland.”
Raquel Guillory, O’Malley’s communications director, said the governor’s office provided the video equipment used to record his message. She said the Human Rights Campaign, which coordinated a similar video campaign in New York, arranged for O’Malley to make the video on behalf of the coalition.
HRC officials say they are working on additional videos expected to be recorded over the next few months by civil leaders, sports figures and “regular Maryland citizens.”
In addition to HRC, the coalition members include the state LGBT advocacy group Equality Maryland, the NAACP Baltimore Chapter, the ACLU of Maryland, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1199, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of Maryland, Progressive Maryland, National Black Justice Coalition, Catholics for Equality, Maryland Faith for Equality, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and the National Organization for Women of Maryland.
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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.
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Comings & Goings
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Multi-billion-dollar 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund to continue until 2090
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
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