Local

Beau Biden: Same-sex marriage momentum is ‘on our side’

Delaware attorney general appears in latest Equality Delaware video

Published

13 years ago

March 16, 2013

Michael K. Lavers

Beau Biden (Photo courtesy Biden)

WILMINGTON, Del.—Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden on Saturday said support for marriage rights for same-sex couples continues to grow ahead of the expected introduction of a bill that would allow gays and lesbians to tie the knot in his state.

“I know that momentum is on our side on this,” he told the Washington Blade.

Biden, who had been scheduled to attend an Equality Delaware fundraiser in Wilmington on Friday but was unable because he was on duty with the Delaware Army National Guard, spoke with the Blade less than a week after the organization released a video in which he speaks in support of nuptials for gays and lesbians.

Equality Delaware on March 4 released a poll that shows 54 percent of the state’s voters back marriage rights for same-sex couples.

“I wanted to do whatever I could to lend a voice to an important message on marriage equality,” he said. “I’m happy to work with [Equality Delaware President] Lisa [Goodman] and the folks here in Delaware who are fighting the fight that is a very important one.”

Biden did not provide a specific timeline as to when a same-sex marriage bill would be introduced in the General Assembly.

The legislative session ends on June 30, but he said one of the challenges remains ensuring there is enough time for lawmakers to debate the measure with a gun control bill and other proposals on the table.

“One of the issues is how busy the General Assembly is,” Biden said. “That’s why I’m anxious to make sure that something is put in the General Assembly sooner than later so we don’t run up against the clock.”

He also remains optimistic the measure will gain Republican support once it is formally introduced.

“I’m hopeful that Democrats and Republicans recognize this is a fundamental civil rights issue and everyone should have the same rights under the law,” Biden said. “Right now it’s just not the case. Something needs to be fixed, so I’m hopeful that there will be Republicans on board.”

Biden is among the 14 state attorneys general who filed two amicus briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court that argue California’s Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act are unconstitutional. The justices will hear oral arguments in both cases on March 26-27 respectively.

“I’m confident that David Boies and Ted Olson, two of the great advocates of our era, will be forceful advocates for our position before the Supreme Court,” Biden said. “I’m hopeful the Supreme Court will come down on our side on this.”

Delaware is among the handful of states that currently allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions. Neighboring Maryland and eight other states and D.C. have extended marriage rights to gays and lesbians.

A Rhode Island Senate committee on March 21 will hold a hearing on a bill that would allow same-sex marriage in the Ocean State. Lawmakers in Illinois and other states are expected to debate the issue in the coming days and weeks.

Biden also applauded his father, Vice President Biden, for speaking in support of marriage rights for same-sex couples during a pre-taped interview with David Gregory of NBC’s “Meet the Press” in May 2012.

“I was incredibly proud of my father for speaking from his heart, but also speaking from his head,” Biden said, noting he watched it with his parents after they attended Mass. “He knew from both places that this is about love and to not stand in the way of the ability for anybody to love and to be in a committed relationship and marriage with whomever they choose. And so it’s pretty straight forward and simple for my dad I think. That’s why he answered the question so much from the heart.”

Biden said he feels momentum in support of the issue has only grown since his father and President Obama spoke publicly in support of it. He noted U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and others are “coming along and joining this civil rights fight it seems on a daily basis.”

“I feel the momentum,” Biden said. “I’m hopeful that that will carry through with the General Assembly enacting this important law.”

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Baltimore

Popular Mount Vernon gay bar Leon’s to temporarily close after owner’s death

Ron Singer passed away on July 7

Published

2 days ago

July 17, 2026

Baltimore Banner

Leon’s Backroom Bar in Mount Vernon. (Photo by Jessica Gallagher for the Baltimore Banner)

By WESLEY CASE | Leon’s Backroom, Baltimore’s oldest gay bar, temporarily shut down after service on Wednesday night, according to a post on the business’s Instagram page.

The announcement comes a little more than a week after the death of the Mount Vernon bar’s owner, Ron Singer, who died at 66 on July 7.

The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.

Local

Comings & Goings

New garden center offers array of products in Rehoboth

Published

2 days ago

July 17, 2026

Peter Rosenstein

Bay Laurel Home & Garden is located just outside Rehoboth on Route 1.

The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].

Congratulations to Stuart Ortel and Scott Marker, and Dave Lyons and Rick Hardy, on the recent opening of their garden center on Route 1 in Rehoboth Beach, in the former Farmer Girl site. It is called Bay Laurel Home and Garden and debuted earlier this year. The four owners are all well known to the denizens of Rehoboth Beach.

Stuart and Scott have been active members of the Rehoboth Beach community since 1999. Stuart is a landscape architect, and has established relationships with many local folks in the building and landscape industry. When this opportunity for Bay Laurel Home & Garden presented itself, and they had the perfect team of people in place, he and Scott were committed to making it a reality. So, when Scott and Stuart introduced this opportunity to create a new garden center to Dave and Rick, they embraced the chance to cultivate a business where beautiful plants, inspiring home and garden products, and outstanding customer service come together. Dave and Rick knew about owning a business in Rehoboth as they previously owned Coho’s Market, where they discovered firsthand the value of serving their community, and the rewards of running a locally owned business.

The garden center launched with a refreshed brand identity, updated merchandising, and expanded product lines, all designed to create an inspiring and welcoming environment for your home. Bay Laurel Home & Garden offers a beautifully appointed garden center and curated home and gift shop.

The new center features a full nursery with annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, and seasonal selections; a garden center offering pottery, fountains, and garden ornamentation, and essential tools and garden supplies. It has a garden shop featuring unique indoor/outdoor furnishings and accessories, and a gift shop featuring botanical and coastal style items for home and entertaining.

Rehoboth Beach

Celebrate Pride in Rehoboth Beach this weekend

‘A vital space for community, healing, and connection’

Published

4 days ago

July 15, 2026

Thomas Weaverling

Rehoboth’s Pride festivities kick off Friday. (Washington Blade file photo by Daniel Truitt)

Pride in Rehoboth Beach is kicking off this week on Friday, July 17, with events happening throughout the weekend.

“Rehoboth Beach Pride is more than a festival — it is a vital space for community, healing, and connection,” said David Mariner, director of Sussex Pride, which organizes many of the events.

The weekend will begin with the Grand Opening & Community Preview from 1-4 p.m. on Friday, July 17, celebrating the opening of Novus Medical Services and the new Sussex Pride Community Center.

This will be followed by an Interfaith Pride Service at 6 p.m. at the Metropolitan Community Church Rehoboth to gather for healing and the affirmation of queer spirituality with Rev. Carla Christopher, chair of Sussex Pride Faith.

Members of the community are then invited to head over to join the Rehoboth Beach Bears at the Pines to have dinner, mingle, and give back to local initiatives.

End the first night of Pride in Rehoboth at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub with music by DJ Joey P from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Rehoboth Beach Pride Festival will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. inside the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. A full list of events is available at rehobothbeachpride.org.

Roxy Overbrooke will host on the main stage as live performances take place throughout the day, featuring music from DJ MK and Tribe 9 Entertainment.

The festival will include educational workshops, community meetups, and a raffle dedicated to raising funds for unhoused LGBTQ+ youth across Delaware.

Feature workshops include panels discussing topics such as unhoused LGBTQ+ youth in Delaware, the needs of trans and non-binary youth, as well as the increase in HIV and syphilis diagnoses amid federal budget cuts, in a panel moderated by Blade Editor Kevin Naff.

Saturday night will also feature an evening comedy and entertainment show at the Convention Center presented by the Gay Women of Rehoboth. Performers will include comedians Suzanne Westen h oefer and Karen Mills as well as musician Kristen Merlin. Tickets are available at gaywomenofrehoboth.org.

The Rehoboth Beach Pride Ride will take place at 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 19, hosted by the Dykes on Bikes Rehoboth Beach Women’s Motorcycle Club, starting at Lefty’s.

Goolee’s Drag Brunch will also take place on Sunday from 12-2 p.m at Goolee’s Grille. This is a family-friendly event hosted by Regina Cox and Ruby, featuring Aurora Sterling, Michelle Leigh Sterling, Scarlet St. Cartier, and Joanna Blue. Tickets can be purchased online.

Pride in Rehoboth will conclude at 2 p.m. with the official Rehoboth Beach Pride Closing Party at Aqua Bar & Grill, celebrating the venue’s landmark 20th anniversary with DJ Biff until 7 p.m.

Due to an influx of visitors for the summer season, those coming from out-of-town are encouraged to use the Park & Ride.