News
Durbin calls on Ill. lawmakers to approve marriage equality
No. 2 Senate Democrat says passage would end discrimination


Sen. Dick Durbin is calling on Ill. lawmakers to pass marriage equality (D-Ill.) (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
The No. 2 Democrat in the U.S. Senate is calling on legislators in his state to pass legislation that would make Illinois the 10th state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage.
In a letter dated Jan. 3 to state lawmakers, Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) talks about his own evolution on the issue of marriage rights for gay couples, saying he’s concluded that “ending this discrimination” against them is “consistent with the evolution of civil rights in our democracy.”
“Every generation is given a chance to put an end to some form of discrimination in America,” Durbin writes. “As you consider this historic vote, I hope you will reflect on those you will meet after it is cast. An affirmative vote will give you a chance to look into the eyes of those who have faced discrimination throughout their lives and tell them that you voted to affirm their rights under the law.”
Durbin has previously expressed support for marriage equality and among the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who voted to report out to the Senate legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act last year. As a U.S. House member in 1996, Durbin voted in favor of DOMA.
Supporters of same-sex marriage in Illinois were pushing to pass same-sex marriage legislation by the time the General Assembly adjourns on Jan. 8. According to the Windy City Times, the legislation won’t come to a vote this week and “repeated foibles” bring into question whether the bill will pass before the next session begins.
Durbin’s letter follows a statement issued by a White House spokesperson last week indicating President Obama also supports the Illinois marriage equality legislation and would vote in favor of it if he were a legislator in the state, which he was from 1997 to 2004.
The office of Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), the junior senator from Illinois, didn’t respond to the Washington Blade’s request to comment on the marriage equality legislation. Kirk had only Thursday returned to the Senate after recovering from a stroke.
Had Kirk come out in support of the legislation, he would be the first Republican member of the U.S. Senate to endorse marriage equality. Illinois State GOP Chair Pat Brady has called on Republicans in the state to support the bill, but said he was doing so in a personal capacity.
District of Columbia
D.C. gears up for a weekend of trans empowerment
Washington is set to host a vibrant, multi-day celebration spotlighting the city’s trans and gender-diverse community with a daylong conference, lively after-parties, and community hangouts.

Trans Pride returns to Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 17 for a full day of empowerment, education, and celebration—created by and for trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people. The annual event uplifts the voices of the local trans community through workshops, panels, and networking, all in the spirit of resilience and joy.
(Note: Due to the current political climate surrounding people with gender-diverse identities, the location of many events are being withheld until you RSVP.)
The day, structured as a conference, features nearly 30 workshops covering a wide variety of topics specifically designed to uplift members of the D.C. trans community. From navigating recent federal ID document changes to Trans Sex Ed Trivia and Strategies for Growing Your Small Business in Uncertain Times, there’s something for every trans person in the lineup. Additionally, the event will include panel discussions, a resource and exhibitor fair, and networking opportunities.
After Trans Pride, the official after-party will be held from 6-9:30 p.m. This 18+ event’s location will be disclosed after RSVP-ing.
Following the official after-party, the official after-after party will be held at Sinners and Saints (2309 18th St., N.W.). Dubbed the “Not-Cis-Tine Chapel,” the event runs from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. with drink deals including $5 rail shots all night and jello shot discounts. Trans DJs Franxx and El Sucio will be spinning all night at this 21+ event.
On Sunday the 18th, Trans Pride will host Sunday Funday, where members of the trans community are invited to enjoy “games, drinks, and friends” from 2-6 p.m. The location will be shared after RSVP-ing.
To help kick off WorldPride, the Trans Pride Welcome Party will be held on June 6 starting at 7 p.m. This 21+ event will start the season right with a night of sparkle and shine. Glam looks are encouraged, and the location will be shared after RSVP-ing.
To RSVP to any of the events above, visit transpridewashingtondc.org/home
District of Columbia
¡Libre Soy! Latinx Pride comes to D.C.
A vibrant series of inclusive celebrations highlights the intersection of heritage, self-expression, and community empowerment of the Latinx LGBTQ community throughout Washington, D.C.

Latinx Pride kicks off on May 16 with a packed schedule of vibrant, community-centered events celebrating queer Latinx identity through art, movement, history, and joy. From dance performances and spiritual gatherings to film screenings and late-night parties, this year’s programming invites LGBTQ Latinx folks and allies to connect, heal, and celebrate across Washington, D.C.
On May 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m., Latinx Pride begins with Amor, Dolor y Sabor—a dance event that is part of the Latinx Movement Festival. An all-queer Latinx cast of color will dance across genre boundaries, from contemporary to ballet folklórico, to highlight the unique Latinx queer identity. The event is at Dance Loft on 14th (4618 14th St., N.W.), with tickets still available.
On May 18 at 11 a.m., La Sanación 1: Indigenous Welcome invites LGBTQ Latinx people to connect with their ancestral roots by joining a guided spiritual practice and learning activity. The location of this event is TBD, but will be made public on the Latinx Pride website closer to the event.
On May 22, there will be a Latinx Professionals Networking Mixer at Kiki (915 U St NW) at 6 p.m., followed immediately after by the Latinx Pride Kickoff Reception at 8 p.m. Tickets are required for both events.
La Sanación 2: Movement in Nature will take place on May 24 on the Potomac River, starting at the Key Bridge Boathouse (3500 Water St NW). The community is invited to “Take a breath, grab a paddle, and join us on the water for a healing day of kayaking and connection.” Tickets are available now.
From 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 25, Latinx Pride is hosting La Fe: Celebrating Faith and Resilience at the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge St NW). An RSVP is requested.
Thursday, May 29 is La Fiesta: The Official Latinx Pride Party at Bunker (2001 14th St NW), where everyone is invited to dance the night away to Latin hits! The party starts at 9 p.m., with tickets required.
Noche de Jotería: A Queer Latine Variety Show will take place on Friday, May 30 at Theater Alliance (340 Maple Dr SW) for a night of “dance, drag, and jotería!” The show begins at 8 p.m., and tickets are required.
In a special collaboration with DC Public Library and Loyalty Bookstore, the Los Bookis podcast will host a live recording at MLK Library (901 G St NW) at 4 p.m. The podcast episode, “Alligators, Mermen, and Latine Queer Bookworms, Oh My!” will feature authors Venessa Vida Kelley and Edgar Gomez for an afternoon of Latinx literature. RSVP is requested.
On May 31, after the WorldPride kickoff event—Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran concert at Nationals Park (1500 South Capitol St SE)—everyone is invited to dance the night away at AI Warehouse – Union Market (530 Penn St NE) at 10 p.m. Tickets are required to attend.
La Sanación 3: Wellness and Relaxation will be held on June 1 in Dupont Circle at 9 a.m. and invites the Latinx LGBTQ community to “stretch, dance, and relax with us outdoors in Dupont Circle” amid a busy Pride season.
Later in the evening on June 1, the DC Latinx LGBTQ History Tour will start at 2 p.m. at Adams Morgan Plaza (1800 Columbia Rd NW). Everyone is invited to learn about DC’s Latinx LGBTQ history: “hear the stories, visit the places, and honor the people who paved the way.” An RSVP is requested.
At 6 p.m. on June 2, Latinx femmes, mascs, nonbinary folks, and cis women are invited to the Chicas & Femmes Mixer to “connect, celebrate, and just be free to love.” The location is TBD, but tickets are available now.
On Wednesday, June 4, masculine members of the Latinx LGBTQ community are invited to “Suéltate” at the Papi Chulo Mixer at District Eagle (1357B U St NW). Dance to Spanish hits in Washington’s only kink bar. Tickets are not needed, but are available.
On June 5, the queer Latinx community is invited to dance away any stress at El Mozo: Yes To All. The event’s location is TBD but will start at 10 p.m., with tickets still available.
On Friday, June 6, the Latinx Film Festival will start at 4 p.m. at The Festival Center (1640 Columbia Rd NW). “Three films, one night, and a celebration of cultura, comunidad, and pride.” Tickets are required.
Libre Soy Night Party will be held on June 6 at Bunker (2001 14th St., N.W.) to “Dance like you’re free—because you are.” Tickets are available now.
On Friday, June 13, Jotería: Our Untold Stories will begin at 8 p.m. at the Kogod Theatre at Arena Stage (1101 6th St., S.W.). Join queer Latinx performers as they show what it means to be “brown, queer, and unapologetic.” Tickets are still available.
Latinx Pride will conclude with La Plática: Lessons from Our Histories on June 19 at The Festival Center (1640 Columbia Rd., N.W.). There, the community is invited to learn how their queer Latinx identity can “guide us in resisting hate and building power, together.” Tickets are required.
For tickets and to RSVP to any of the events above, visit: https://www.latinxhistoryproject.org/pride
Trinidad and Tobago
OAS commission criticizes Trinidad and Tobago homosexuality recriminalization ruling
Activist planning to appeal March 25 decision to UK Privy Council

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has criticized a March ruling that recriminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations in Trinidad and Tobago.
Jason Jones, an LGBTQ activist from Trinidad and Tobago who currently lives in the U.K., in 2017 challenged Sections 13 and 16 of the country’s Sexual Offenses Act. High Court Justice Devindra Rampersad the following year found them unconstitutional.
The country’s government appealed Rampersad’s ruling. Court of Appeal Justices Nolan Bereaux and Charmaine Pemberton overturned it on March 25.
Jones said he plans to appeal the ruling to the Privy Council, an appellate court for British territories that can also consider cases from Commonwealth countries. (King Charles III is not Trinidad and Tobago’s head of state, but the country remains part of the Commonwealth.)
“The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses concern over the recent decision of the Court of Appeal of Trinidad and Tobago reinstating legal provisions that criminalize consensual sexual relations between adults of the same sex, which had been previously repealed by a first instance court decision in 2018,” said the commission in a May 9 press release. “The IACHR reiterates that such laws are incompatible with international human rights standards — particularly the rights to privacy, equality, and non-discrimination — and have a profoundly discriminatory impact on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex (LGBTI), and gender diverse persons.”
The Organization of American States created the commission in 1959 as a way to promote human rights throughout the Western Hemisphere. The commission works with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which the OAS created in 1979 to enforce provisions of the American Convention on Human Rights.
The commission in a 2021 decision said Jamaica must repeal its colonial-era sodomy law. The Jamaican Supreme Court in 2023 ruled against a gay man who challenged it.
Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, and Dominica are among the countries that have decriminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations in recent years. A judge on the top court in St. Vincent and the Grenadines last year dismissed two cases that challenged the country’s sodomy laws.
“Laws criminalizing consensual same-sex intimacy between adults are incompatible with the principles of equality and nondiscrimination under international human rights law,” said the commission. “The criminalization of conduct intrinsically linked to rights recognized by international standards constitutes a violation of the principle of legality.”
-
The Vatican5 days ago
American cardinal chosen as next pope
-
Vanuatu5 days ago
Vanuatu lawmakers consider constitutional amendment to recognize two genders
-
Virginia5 days ago
Va. officials investigate Loudoun County schools over trans student in locker room
-
Bars & Parties5 days ago
Blade’s 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party set for May 16