Local

Dignity Washington marks 25 years since expulsion from chapel

Gay Catholic group scheduled to commemorate anniversary of the group’s ouster from a Georgetown University chapel

Published

14 years ago

May 24, 2012

Dignity Washington, gay news, Washington Blade, Catholic Archdiocese of Washington

Gay Catholic group Dignity Washington is scheduled to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the group's ouster from a Georgetown University chapel. (Washington Blade file photo by Doug Hinckle)

The gay Catholic group Dignity Washington on Sunday, May 27 is scheduled to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington’s decision to oust the group from its use of a Georgetown University chapel to celebrate its Sunday Mass for D.C. area gay Catholics.

At the time, the Archdiocese said it acted on orders from the Vatican, which banned gay Catholic groups from using church facilities for meetings or religious services. Vatican officials said individual gay Catholics could continue to attend Mass at Catholic churches.

Dignity Washington spokesperson Tom Bower said the anniversary of the 1987 ouster from the Georgetown chapel as well as the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Dignity chapter in Northern Virginia and the 20th anniversary of the founding of the D.C. gay Catholic group Defenders would be held together May 27 at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church at Connecticut and Florida avenues, N.W. He said the anniversary commemorations would be held immediately following the group’s regularly scheduled 6 p.m. Mass at St. Margaret’s Church.

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Virginia

VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade

Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday

Published

7 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

15 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.