Local
Multi-million dollar Gay Games lawsuit settled
Cleveland foundation that bested DC for games settled with City of Cleveland, Federation of Gay Games after being ousted as organizers
A Cleveland-based foundation that beat LGBT sports groups in D.C. and Boston for the right to host the 2014 Gay Games agreed to an out-of-court settlement in July that ended its multi-million dollar lawsuit against the City of Cleveland, the Federation of Gay Games and other Cleveland-based sports groups.
The Cleveland Synergy Foundation filed the lawsuit in the fall of 2010 after the FGG revoked its contract to organize the Gay Games on grounds that it allegedly failed to meet the terms of the contract. The foundation denied it had breached its contract and accused the FGG and Cleveland city officials of conspiring to break a legal and binding contract calling for the Synergy Foundation to organize and operate the games in the Cleveland-Akron area.
The Gay Games is an international LGBT sports competition modeled after the Olympics and held every four years. It usually draws more than 10,000 athletes and spectators to the host city.
Due to public reporting requirements, Cleveland officials disclosed that the city paid $475,000 to Cleveland Synergy Foundation to settle the lawsuit. But the settlement terms with the other parties named in the suit, including the Federation of Gay Games, were sealed by the court at the request of the parties involved.
A spokesperson for the FGG declined to disclose what, if anything, the non-profit LGBT sports organization paid as part of the settlement.
“The Federation of Gay Games confirms all litigation involving the Gay Games has been terminated and the parties have resolved to ensure that the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland-Akron are a success,” said FGG spokesperson Kelley Stevens in a statement to the Blade.
At the time it ousted Cleveland Synergy the FGG hired a new entity called the Cleveland Special Events Corporation to organize and operate the 2014 Gay Games.
In its 2010 finance report to the IRS, which is required for all non-profit, tax-exempt groups, the FGG reported that it incurred a deficit of $55,349, with $99,641 in revenue and $154,349 in expenses. FGG spokesperson Stevens did not respond to a question asking if expenses associated with the lawsuit were responsible for some or the entire 2010 deficit.
Virginia
VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade
Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday
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.
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Virginia
Va. Senate approves referendum to repeal marriage amendment
Outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin introduced SJ3
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
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.
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