Local
EXCLUSIVE: Del. GOP executive director attends marriage fundraiser
John Fluharty stressed issue is of “personal importance for me as a gay man.”
Delaware Republican Party Executive Director John Fluharty (Photo courtesy of John Fluharty)
WILMINGTON, Del.—The gay executive director of the Delaware Republican Party is among those who attended an Equality Delaware fundraiser on March 15.
“I’m here this evening because I support marriage equality,” John Fluharty told the Washington Blade in an exclusive interview at Timothy’s on the Riverfront in Wilmington. “It’s an issue that’s of personal importance for me as a gay man.”
Fluharty, who describes himself as a gay conservative Republican, spoke to the Blade less than a day after U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) publicly endorsed marriage rights for same-sex couples. He applauded the senator’s position in a tweet he sent from his private Twitter account.
“I commend Sen. Portman,” Fluharty told the Blade. “It was an absolutely right thing for him to do.”
Fluharty, who directed ballot access and delegate operations for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s 2012 presidential campaign, became executive director of the Delaware Republican Party last May.
He spoke with the Blade ahead of the anticipated introduction of a bill that would allow gays and lesbians to tie the knot in Delaware.
Fluharty deferred questions about a timeline on the likely debate on the issue in Dover to Equality Delaware President Lisa Goodman. Attorney General Beau Biden told the Blade over the weekend he remains optimistic GOP lawmakers will support the gay marriage measure once it is formally introduced.
More than 200 Republican state legislators across the country have so far voted in support of same-sex marriage. Former GOP presidential candidate Jon Huntsman, Jr., Florida Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Illinois Republican Party Chair Pat Brady and Meghan McCain are among the Republicans who have publicly backed the issue.
Former Republican National Committee Chair Ken Mehlman, Margaret Hoover, former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge and GOP strategist Ana Navarro are among the more than 100 Republicans who signed onto an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of marriage rights for same-sex couples in the case that challenges the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8. The justices on March 26-27 will hear oral arguments in the case and another that challenges the Defense of Marriage Act.
An ABC News/Washington Post poll released on Monday found 52 percent of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents who are between 18-49 support nuptials for gays and lesbians. Three-quarters of Republican respondents who took part in a Global Strategy Group survey that Equality Delaware commissioned said same-sex marriage in the First State would not negatively impact their lives.
“Slowly you’re starting to see the Republicans climb on board with marriage equality,” Fluharty said. “There’s no question our party is farther behind than the Democratic Party, but slowly but surely.”
He added he feels supporting the issue is also a politically prudent position.
“It’s good to be on the right side of history and the numbers show this is where the nation’s going,” Fluharty said.
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Congratulations to Jaime Christopher Pierce on their appointment to serve as a member of the Virginia Governor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. Pierce was sworn in on Sept. 3 by Greg Parks, clerk of the Alexandria Circuit Court.
Pierce currently serves as vice chair of the Alexandria City LGBTQIA+ Task Force and as a member of the Alexandria Pride planning committee. They previously served on the board of directors of Equality Virginia.
Upon being sworn in, Pierce said, “Public service has been a central part of my life for more than 30 years, and this appointment gives me an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth in a different and very personal way. My career has allowed me to work with people and communities throughout Virginia, and I hope to bring that experience, along with my own lived experience and my involvement in the LGBTQ+ community, to the work of the Board.” They added, “Having Greg administer the oath makes the occasion even more meaningful because of his own historic role as Virginia’s first openly gay elected circuit court clerk.”
Pierce also serves as Circuit Court Services Manager for the Department of Judicial Services, at the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. They began their career in Virginia’s judiciary in 1994 as a deputy clerk with the Virginia Beach Circuit Court and have since held several professional and leadership positions within the court system. Pierce is a member of the National Association for Court Management (NACM) and the Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management. At the national level, Pierce participated in the workgroup that developed the National Association for Court Management’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guide, a resource designed to help court professionals advance inclusive practices and strengthen access, fairness and belonging within the justice system.
Pierce earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Liberty University, and a certificate in Paralegal Studies from Norfolk State University.
Maryland
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
Pride Center of Maryland among recipients
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.
The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.
The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants
“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.”
“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”
Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
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Nominate your favorites for the Blade’s 25th annual Best Of LGBTQ DC Awards
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
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