Local
Virginia gubernatorial candidates clash over marriage, anti-gay statements
Terry McAuliffe and Ken Cuccinelli debated each other in McLean in Fairfax County
Virginia gubernatorial candidates Democrat Terry McAuliff, former DNC Chair and Republican Ken Cuccinelli, II, Attorney General for Virginia participate in a debate moderated by MSNBC’s Chuck Todd in McLean, Va., on Wednesday, September 25, 2013. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/POOL)
McLEAN, Va.—Former Democratic National Committee Chair Terry McAuliffe and Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli on Wednesday clashed over same-sex marriage and other gay-specific issues during the commonwealth’s latest gubernatorial debate that took place at the Capital One Conference Center in McLean.
“I do have some tremendous challenges because of the issues of economic development, job creation that I need to focus on, but I have come out for marriage equality,” McAuliffe said, noting the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ prompted him and his wife to back the issue. “The idea we could send men and women across the globe to fight for us and then they come back and they don’t have the same equal opportunities and equal rights I just think was plain wrong.”
McAuliffe added he would sign a same-sex marriage bill if one were to reach his desk, even though it remains highly unlikely the Republican-controlled General Assembly would approve such a measure. Cuccinelli pointed out a proposed constitutional amendment to overturn the commonwealth’s same-sex marriage ban that voters approved in 2006 would never go before the governor.
“I understand and respect the fact that this is a sensitive issue to a lot of Virginians,” Cuccinelli said. “But I’m one of those who do believe that the institution of marriage should remain between one man and one woman.”
The candidates’ comments come nearly two months after the American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of two lesbian couples who are challenging the commonwealth’s gay nuptials ban and the state’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in other states. A gay couple from Norfolk in July filed a separate federal lawsuit against Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional.
“This is a very important issue,” McAuliffe said.
Cuccinelli denies anti-gay comments
McAuliffe further accused Cuccinelli of promoting an “ideological agenda” on LGBT-specific and women’s issues.
The former DNC chair said defense contractor Northrup Grumman Corp. in 2010 threatened to abandon plans to relocate 300 employees to its northern Virginia headquarters after Cuccinelli directed colleges and universities in the commonwealth to remove sexual orientation and gender identity and expression from their non-discrimination policies. McAuliffe also accused his opponent of describing gay Virginians as “self-destructive and soulless human beings.”
“There are consequences to this mean-spirited attack on women’s health, on gay Virginians,” he said. “If we’re going to build a new economy in Virginia, we’re going to do it by bringing everyone together.”
Cuccinelli dismissed the Northrup Grumman claim, and described McAuliffe’s allegation he described gays and lesbians as “soulless” as “offensively false.”
LGBT advocates remain critical of Cuccinelli, GOP ticket
The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and NBC 4 took place two days after the release of a Washington Post-Abt SRBI poll shows McAuliffe ahead of Cuccinelli by a 47-39 point margin. 10 percent of respondents said they back Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Robert Sarvis.
Democrats and LGBT rights advocates have repeatedly criticized Cuccinelli over his position against nuptials for gays and lesbians and other LGBT-specific issues.
Chief Justice John Roberts last month denied Cuccinelli’s request to place a stay on a three-judge panel’s March ruling against Virginia’s anti-sodomy statute while the U.S. Supreme Court considers his appeal of it. Cuccinelli in July said during a debate against McAuliffe that Judy Woodruff of PBS NewsHour moderated that his “personal beliefs about the personal challenge of homosexuality haven’t changed.”
Advocates have also criticized Republican lieutenant gubernatorial candidate E.W. Jackson over his anti-gay statements that include comparing gay men to pedophiles and describing them as “very sick people.” The Chesapeake minister who will square off against state Sen. Ralph Northam (D-Norfolk) in November reiterated his opposition to same-sex marriage on September 22 as he spoke at a Shenandoah County church.
“The family was ordained by God,” Jackson said as the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. “He ordained it one man and one woman in the bonds of holy matrimony. (In the Bible) I don’t hear anything about two people of the same sex being married.”
Northam challenged Jackson over his controversial statements against gays and lesbians, marriage and other issues during a debate at George Mason University’s Arlington campus on Tuesday.
“Our job as lieutenant governor is going to be to unite people and to move Virginia in a positive direction,” Northam said as the Washington Post reported. “Making statements against LGBT individuals, making statements against Democrats, they’re anti-God, that they’re anti-life. Those kind of statements, they’re all offensive.”
State Sen. Mark Herring (D-Loudoun) will square off against state Sen. Mark Obenshein (R-Harrisonburg) in November to succeed Cuccinelli as attorney general.
Cuccinelli: Marriage is ‘a very sensitive issue’
McAuliffe again sought to portray Cuccinelli as an extremist as he spoke to reporters after the debate. He also said his first executive order as governor would ban discrimination against gay state employees.
“As governor, we’ll work in a mainstream, partisan way,” McAuliffe said.
Cuccinelli told the Washington Blade as he spoke to reporters after the debate that the economy remains the top priority among the majority of Virginia voters. He remained ambiguous as to whether he feels his opposition to same-sex marriage and other LGBT-specific issues has received too much attention during the campaign.
“That’s a very sensitive issue, and I respect that,” Cuccinelli told the Blade as he discussed nuptials for gays and lesbians. “There are people who feel very strongly about it, and I respect that. And for those folks they want to hear about it, it is one of a range of issues.”
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.
‘Girlfriends’ wanted for murder in Silver Spring, Md.
Queer Magic dance party planned
NLGJA-DC Pride happy hour at Trade
DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K set for Saturday
Calendar: June 5-11
Claudia López comes up short in Colombian presidential election
PHOTOS: Hagerstown Pride
Hungarian authorities lift Budapest Pride ban
Advocates push back on proposed FCC warning labels
