Local

Referendum battle’s next steps

Marylanders for Marriage Equality hosting series of community meetings across the state

Published

14 years ago

March 16, 2012

With a crowd of same-sex couples and the eight openly gay and lesbian members of the Maryland General Assembly standing behind him, Gov. Martin O’Malley on March 1 signed the Civil Marriage Protection Act. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Marylanders for Marriage Equality has begun hosting a series of Next Steps Community Meetings across the state. Many volunteers and supporters have questions about the referendum, the campaign’s next steps, and what they can do to remain involved to oppose the anti-gay marriage initiative in November.

These questions are being addressed at the community meetings. Representatives from the coalition are also briefly covering the efforts of the past few years and thanking supporters for their help during that time.

They are discussing what the campaign’s efforts will be and how people can help to win in November. This includes everything from voter registration to how to engage their friends, family and neighbors.

The meetings have already been held in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, Baltimore City, Howard County and the Eastern Shore (Salisbury). Future meetings will be held in Anne Arundel County (Annapolis) on March 18, Frederick County on March 22, and Baltimore County (Rosedale) on March 28.

For more information, visit marylandersformarriageequality.org/events.

Related Topics:Baltimore gay marriage gay news gay politics dc Maryland Marylanders for Marriage Equality same-sex marriage

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Virginia

VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade

Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday

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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.

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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

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.