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Delaware Senate committee schedules hearing on marriage bill
Committee chair among HB 75 co-sponsors
Delaware Senate President Pro Tempore Patricia Blevins (Washington BLade photo by Michael Key)
The Senate Executive Committee will hear testimony on House Bill 75 a week after the state House of Representatives approved it by a 23-18 vote margin.
Senate President Pro Tempore Patricia Blevins (D-Elsmere,) who chairs the committee, is among the measure’s 23 co-sponsors. She joined Gov. Jack Markell, Attorney General Beau Biden and other same-sex marriage supporters at the Wilmington press conference at which state Rep. Melanie George Smith (D-Bear) announced HB 75’s formal introduction on April 11.
“The marriage equality bill filed today will allow loving and committed same-sex couples the freedom to marry the person they love just like the rest of us,” Blevins said. “We say to gay and lesbian couples that their love and their families are worthy of the same dignity and respect as all of our families.”
Senate Minority Whip Gregory Lavelle (R-Sharpley) and state Sens. Margaret Rose Henry (D-Wilmington,) David McBride (D-Hawk’s Nest,) Harris McDowell (D-Wilmington) and Gary Simpson (R-Milford) are the committee’s other members.
Neighboring Maryland is among the nine states and D.C. in which same-sex couples can legally marry.
The Rhode Island Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry. The measure is expected to receive final approval on Thursday — and Gov. Lincoln Chafee has said he will sign it into law.
Equality Delaware President Lisa Goodman told the Washington Blade she remains confident about HB 75’s prospects.
“We believe we will have the votes to pass marriage equality in the Senate,” she said.
WorldPride 2025 concluded with the WorldPride Street Festival and Closing Concert held along Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. on Sunday, June 8. Performers on the main stage included Doechii, Khalid, Courtney Act, Parker Matthews, 2AM Ricky, Suzie Toot, MkX and Brooke Eden.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Celebrating the transgender community, Baltimore Safe Haven, an organization committed to empowering LGBTQ individuals in Baltimore City, plans to host their fourth annual Baltimore Trans Pride on Saturday.
Instead of the usual parade and march, this year’s Trans Pride will be a block party on Charles Street and between 21st and 22nd Streets. The event will start at 1 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and last until 10 p.m.
Community members can go on guided tours, enjoy refreshments by local vendors, listen to presenters, and watch performances by special guests.
Sukihana, the event’s headliner, plans to take to the stage to entertain the crowd, along with a variety of local performers, according to Melissa Deveraux, Baltimore Safe Haven’s executive assistant to Executive Director Iya Dammons.
“Some (are) prominently known, some (are) just making a name for themselves,” Deveraux said. Iya is always making sure that community talent is showcased at all of our functions.”
In company with Pride on Saturday, Baltimore Safe Haven will be opening its new building on Friday from 1-4 p.m.
“That is sort of going to be the prelude to pride,” Lau said. “Thanks to Sen. Mary Washington and the Weinberg Foundation, we were able to purchase the building outright, and it’s going to be a community hub of administrative buildings and 12-bedroom apartments.”
Renee Lau, administrative assistant for special projects coordinator for Baltimore Safe Haven, said the planning process for Baltimore Trans Pride began in January, and putting it all together was a collaboration of multiple city agencies and organizations.
“Safe Haven is an LGBT community organization, but we service the entire community, and that’s the message we try to spread,” Lau said. “We’re not just here for the LGBT community. We’re here to spread goodwill and offer harm reduction and housing to the entire community.”
Lau said the organization’s biggest goal for the event is to gain exposure.
“(We want) to let and let people know who we are and what our community is about,” she said. “Right now, because of what’s happening in DC, there’s a lot of bad untruths going on, and the total thing is bringing out the truth.”
Deveraux said having a place of inclusivity, acceptance, and togetherness is important in today’s political climate and the current administration.
“This event will have people seeing the strength and resilience of the transgender community, showing that no matter what we are going through, we still show up,” Deveraux said. “We are here, we will not be erased.”
The 2025 WorldPride Parade was held in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, June 7. Laverne Cox and Renée Rapp were the grand marshals.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key and Robert Rapanut)
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