Local
Council members to speak at forum Sunday
Members up for re-election are scheduled to address the community at a public forum event on Sunday

Several D.C. City Council members up for re-election are scheduled to address the community at a public forum event on Sunday. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Several D.C. City Council members up for re-election are scheduled to address the community at a public forum event on Sunday.
Among those confirmed to attend are Council Chair Phil Mendelson, Chair Pro Tempore Michael Brown and Council members Vincent Orange, Jack Evans, Muriel Bowser and Tommy Wells, according to organizers.
The forum, which is open to the public, will be held Sunday, Sept. 9 at Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St., N.W. The event will start with a meet-and-greet reception at 5 p.m. and the Q&A with the Council members will begin at 5:45 and end at 8 p.m.
The event will be moderated by local gay activist Nick McCoy; community partners and sponsors include the Washington Blade, Washington Informer, WPFW and DC Mic Check.
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.
View on Threads

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.
-
U.S. Supreme Court4 days agoSupreme Court hears arguments in two critical cases on trans sports bans
-
U.S. Supreme Court5 days agoAs Supreme Court weighs trans sports bans, advocate and former athlete speaks out
-
Virginia4 days agoWoman arrested for anti-gay assault at Alexandria supermarket
-
Commentary4 days agoHonoring 50 queer, trans women with inaugural ‘Carrying Change’ awards
