Local
Pro-Question group raises nearly $6 million to defend Md. marriage law
Marylanders for Marriage Equality filed latest campaign finance report on Nov. 27.
Governor Martin O’Malley with Brendon Ayanbadejo of the Baltimore Ravens outside Northwood Elementary School in Baltimore on Nov. 6 (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
Marylanders for Marriage Equality raised nearly $6 million to defend the state’s same-sex marriage law, according to campaign finance reports.
The latest report the pro-Question 6 group filed with state election officials on Nov. 27 indicates it raised $776,041.15 between Oct. 22 and Nov. 20 with an additional $78,802.87 in in-kind contributions. This figure comes on top of the $4,504,262.61 it raised between July 27-Oct. 7 and $547,490.19 in in-kind contributions during the same period.
Marylanders for Marriage Equality raised a total of $5,906,596.82 in cash and in-kind contributions.
HRC, United Therapeutics Corporation, MGM among largest donors
The campaign’s latest report indicates the Human Rights Campaign donated $188,000 and $33,264.47 in in-kind contributions in the days leading up to the Nov. 6 referendum. The Human Rights Campaign Maryland Families PAC contributed $35,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality on Oct. 31 and another $55,000 on Nov. 2.
MGM, which seeks to build a casino at National Harbor in Prince George’s County after voters approved expanded gambling in the state, contributed $75,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality on Oct. 23. The D.C. biotechnology company United Therapeutics Corporation that transgender woman Martine Rothblatt founded donated $100,000 to the pro-Question 6 group. Baltimore attorney Peter Angelos on Nov. 2 contributed $50,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality on Nov. 2.
The owners of the 9:30 Club in Northwest Washington, which hosted a Marylanders for Marriage Equality fundraiser that gay former “American Idol” Adam Lambert headlined in September, donated $25,000 to the campaign. The Democratic State Committee of Maryland on Oct. 22 transferred $10,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality.
Freedom to Marry, which had initially declined to join the coalition of groups defending Maryland’s same-sex marriage law, gave a $70,000 contribution to Marylanders for Marriage Equality on Oct. 24. Other donors included former O’Malley aide Joseph Bryce, Whitman-Walker Health Executive Director Don Blanchon, the Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police, Equality Maryland and the ACLU of Maryland.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in October donated $250,000. Former National Football League Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and his wife Chan announced a $100,000 contribution to Marylanders for Marriage Equality during an Oct. 2 fundraiser at gay Democratic lobbyist Steve Elmendorf’s Logan Circle home that Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and others attended.
Gay former Republican National Committee Chair Ken Mehlman also co-hosted a star-studded Marylanders for Marriage Equality fundraiser in New York City in September at which O’Malley also spoke.
“We knew that preserving marriage equality at the ballot box was going to take tremendous effort and sacrifice,” Carrie Evans, executive director of Equality Maryland, told Washington Blade. “The fact that we were able to raise almost $6 million underscores how important this issue was for so many different people and organizations. From wealthy Republicans, to labor unions, to the college student who sent $15 with a note saying ‘I wish it was more, but I hope it helps you,’ we all came together to stand up for fairness and equality for all Maryland families.
HRC spokesperson Kevin Nix agreed.
“The final report — like the previous ones — indicates the outpouring of grassroots support we had throughout the campaign,” he said. “We’re certainly grateful to all those who donated their time and money to this extraordinary win.”
Marylanders on Nov. 6 upheld the state’s same-sex marriage law O’Malley signed in Marcy by a 52-48 percent margin. Voters in Maine and Washington on the same day also approved nuptials for gays and lesbians at the ballot box, while Minnesotans rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman.
Question 6 opponents raise slightly more than $2.4 million
The Maryland Marriage Alliance, which opposed Question 6, reported in its latest campaign finance report it raised $697,572.07 between Oct. 22 and Nov. 20. It also noted $53,809.08 in in-kind contributions.
The National Organization for Marriage on Oct. 24 transferred $400,000 to the Maryland Marriage Alliance, while the Knights of Columbus donated $100,000 on Oct. 30. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., on Oct. 26 gave $25,000 to the anti-Question 6 group.
The Roman Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of Baltimore donated $10,000 on Nov. 20.
Other Maryland Marriage Alliance donors include the Catholic Dioceses of Arlington, Va., and Wheeling-Charleston, W.V., Colonial Baptist Church in Randallstown and Bethesda resident Sterling Colton. The anti-Question 6 raised a total of $2,452,881.74 in cash and in-kind contributions from July 27–Nov. 20.
Maryland
‘Girlfriends’ wanted for murder in Silver Spring, Md.
Montgomery County police say two charged with killing mother of one of them
The Montgomery County, Md., Department of Police announced on June 4 that it is seeking the public’s help in locating two women, who they identify as a couple, who are charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing the mother of one of them.
In a statement police identified the two women as Vanessa Tjongarero-Henderson of Clarksburg, Md., and her girlfriend Samantha Raebel of Phoenix, Ariz. The statement says the two are charged with the murder of Hilde Henderson, 67, the mother of Vanessa.
According to the statement, officers with the department’s 3rd District found Hilde Henderson deceased on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at her home at the Charter House apartments in the 1300 block of Fenwick Lane in Silver Spring after being called to check on the resident’s welfare.
“Henderson was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where an autopsy was conducted,” the statement says. “The cause of death was ruled a homicide.”
It adds, “Through the course of the investigation, detectives identified Henderson’s daughter, Vanessa Tjongarero-Henderson and Vanessa’s girlfriend, Raeble, as the suspects.” It says detectives obtained an arrest warrant against the two women, charging both with first-degree murder.
“Anyone with information regarding the location of these suspects or this crime is asked to call 911 or to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, Md. website at crimesolversmcmd.org,” the statement says, or to call the tip line at 1-866-411-8477.
“Tips with information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward from $250 up to $10,000,” it says, adding that tips may remain anonymous.
A spokesperson for Montgomery County police didn’t immediately respond to a request from the Washington Blade for information not disclosed in the police statement, including the physical-medical cause of death for Hilde Henderson and whether detectives have determined a motive for the murder.
District of Columbia
D.C. Latinx Pride celebrates culture and heritage
Your guide to events throughout June
Organizers with the Latinx History Project have planned a host of events this Pride season with parties, poetry, drag and more.
The festivities begin with the DC Latinx Pride 2026 Kickoff at Crush Dance Bar (2007 14th Street, N.W.) on Friday, June 12 from 6-10 p.m. The party will include a coronation ceremony for the 2026 Royal Court: Ms. DC Latinx Pride Vida Rangel and Mx. DC Latinx Pride Steph Niaupari. RSVP at latinxhistoryproject.org. The event is free, though donations are accepted.
An outdoor event is planned for Sunday, June 14 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Anacostia River Park (1500 Anacostia Dr., S.E.). Cultivating Queer Outdoor Joy is a “peaceful outdoor community event focused on grounding, connection, and queer joy in nature.” The event is free.
A panel discussion is planned for The Festival Center (1640 Columbia Rd., N.W., 2nd floor) on Monday, June 15 from 6-8 p.m. La Plática: The Future of 2 Spirits and Trans Natives will focus upon the “stories, leadership and vision of Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer and Trans Native people.” RSVP to the free event at latinxhistoryproject.org.
A sex-positive poetry workshop, “Hoetry: Writing Erotic Poetry,” is planned for Wednesday, June 17 from 6-8 p.m. at The Festival Center (1640 Columbia Road, N.W.). The event is free.
The workshop So You Wanna Do Drag? is planned for Thursday, June 18 from 5:30-8 p.m. at The Festival Center (1640 Columbia Road, N.W.). Featured guests Ricky Rose and Mari Con Carne will hold a style showcase to discuss the basics of developing a drag persona. RSVP to the free event at latinxhistoryproject.org.
The Latinx History Project is collaborating with Rumba Queer DC to produce an official Latinx Pride Party: Sin Vergüenza. The event is at the multi-level venue, Transmission (1353 H Street, N.E.) on Thursday, June 18 from 7 p.m.-1 a.m. There are dance lessons, vendors and three different music experiences in the sprawling venue. There will also be a drag showcase from 10-11 p.m. The event is 21+ and tickets are available at shotgun.live/en/events/sin-verguenza. Tickets are $15 for entry into the party. Tickets to participate in the dance lesson are $29.98. Participants may choose between a bachata lesson or a salsa lesson from 7-8 p.m.
La Fiesta: Official DC Latinx Pride Party is planned for Friday, June 19 from 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. at Bunker (2001 14th Street, N.W.). Serena Morena from “Drag Race México” and “Drag Race UK vs The World” is slated to headline the 21+ event. Early tickets are available for $15 (plus $0.38 service fee) until June 16. The door cover charge without early tickets is $20. Attendees can also purchase a meet and greet experience with Serena Morena for $30. Tickets are available at latinxhistoryproject.org.
The Latinx History Project plans to march in the Capital Pride Parade on Saturday, June 20 and to have a table at the Capital Pride Festival on Sunday, June 21. Visit latinxhistoryproject.org to register to march alongside LGP in the parade or to staff the table at the festival.
The DC Latinx Pride 2026 Closing Event is scheduled for Friday, June 26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Mexican Cultural Institute (2829 16th Street, N.W.). The free event is a panel discussion “centering the experiences of immigrants who have lived in Latin America and now call the United States home.”
Visit latinxhistoryproject.org for more information.
District of Columbia
JR.’s hosts meet & greet for mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George
Event organized by Capital Stonewall Democrats, Queers for Janeese
D.C. mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George spoke to a crowd of LGBTQ supporters on June 1 at a meet & greet event held at JR.’s on 17th Street in the Dupont Circle neighborhood.
The event, organized by Capital Stonewall Democrats, which has endorsed Lewis George for mayor, with support from a group called Queers for Janeese, was followed by a “get out the vote” canvassing endeavor in which several of those attending the meet & greet visited the homes of nearby residents known to be Lewis George supporters.
The purpose of the canvassing was to remind Lewis George supporters to return their mail-in ballots or go to the polls on June 16 to elect Lewis George as the city’s next mayor, according to Matthew Kavanagh, one of the leaders of Queers for Janeese who attended the meet & greet event at JR.’s.
Local political observers consider Lewis George, a Ward 4 D.C. Council member, and former At-Large D.C. Council member Kenyan McDuffie, to be the two leading candidates in this year’s race for mayor. The two are among seven mayoral candidates competing in the city’s June 16 Democratic primary.
Lewis George told those attending the meet & greet, which was held on the JR.’s outdoor patio, that she has a long record of advocating for and initiating city polices and laws in support of the LGBTQ community. She said large corporate donors were backing her opponents and urged her LGBTQ supporters to help raise funds for her in the remaining days of the campaign.
Among those attending the meet & greet was gay longtime Dupont Circle civic activist Randy Downs who last November opened a nearby eatery called Protest Pizza. “I am queer and I am a Janeese supporter,” Downs told the Blade.
Stevie McCarty, president of Capital Stonewall Democrats, who also spoke at the meet & greet event, said his group would organize events in support of Lewis George in the remaining days of the campaign. Among them, he said, was an LGBTQ bar crawl in which supporters of Lewis George, including the candidate herself, would visit LGBTQ bars to promote her candidacy.
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