Local

Howard County considers trans non-discrimination bill

Published

14 years ago

November 2, 2011

Dana Beyer, executive director of Gender Rights Maryland, said she is confident Howard County has the votes to pass a transgender non-bias bill. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Four members of the Howard County, Md., Council introduced legislation on Oct. 27 that would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and expression in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, financing, health and social services and law enforcement.

Dana Beyer, executive director of Gender Rights Maryland, a statewide transgender advocacy group, said supporters believe they have enough votes on the Council to pass the legislation.

“All hard-working people in our state, including transgender people, should have a chance to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families,” said Sharon Brackett, board chair for Gender Rights Maryland. “Nobody should have to live in fear that they can be legally fired for reasons that have nothing to do with their job performance.”

Among the bill’s lead supporters is the Howard County chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).

“As parents of transgender children we want the same thing for our children as all parents want: we want them to be happy to get a productive job, and to move out and support themselves,” said Catherine Hyde, coordinator of PFLAG Howard County’s Transgender Parent Network.

“Discrimination against the transgender community is rampant in Maryland,” she said. “The data shows that one in five transgender people in Maryland have lost a job because they are transgender, and 12 percent have become homeless. This law is a matter of life-or-death for many Marylanders, including my child. It is time for Howard County to say enough is enough.”

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Virginia

VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade

Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday

Published

9 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.

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*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

17 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.