Local
Fraternity on probation for rejecting gay student
Morgan State punishes Kappa Alpha Psi
Morgan State has punished a fraternity for allegedly rejecting a gay applicant.
Morgan State University’s chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity was placed on probation until the fall of 2015 for violating university policies on discrimination after a student, Brian Stewart, 20, complained that the fraternity rejected him because he is gay. In late October, Stewart, a senior, filed a formal complaint with the university offering derogatory social media messages he said were sent among fraternity members as proof.
“It’s very rare to get a complaint like this from students against other students,” Morgan spokesman Jarrett Carter, Sr. told the Baltimore Sun. “It’s not something that the university tolerates or takes lightly.”
Stewart said he no longer wishes to join the fraternity but wanted to raise awareness as his motive in filing the complaint. He thought that his academic achievements presented at the interview would have been sufficient for being accepted by Kappa Alpha Psi members, but he was rejected the following day.
According to the Sun, the probation means that Morgan’s chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity cannot register as an official organization, participate in university-sponsored events or host events on or off campus.
Since news of the complaint circulated through the campus, students at Morgan have held two campus-wide discussions about discrimination against gay people, drawing hundreds of participants.
Stewart did not respond to a Blade request for comment.
Virginia
VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade
Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday
The inaugural ceremonies for Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger were held in Richmond, Va. on Saturday. Among the groups marching in the parade were Diversity Richmond and the Virginia Pride project of Diversity Richmond.
View on Threads
Virginia
Va. Senate approves referendum to repeal marriage amendment
Outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin introduced SJ3
The Virginia Senate on Friday by a 26-13 vote margin approved a resolution that seeks to repeal a state constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
Outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) introduced SJ3. The Senate Privileges and Elections Committee on Wednesday approved it by a 10-4 vote margin.
Same-sex couples have been able to legally marry in Virginia since 2014. Outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2024 signed a bill that codified marriage equality in state law.
A resolution that seeks to repeal the Marshall-Newman Amendment passed in the General Assembly in 2021. The resolution passed again in 2025.
Two successive legislatures must approve the resolution before it can go to the ballot. Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates have said the resolution’s passage is among their 2026 legislative priorities.
“It’s time for Virginia’s Constitution to reflect the law of the land and the values of today,” said Ebbin after Friday’s vote. “This amendment, if approved by voters, would affirm the dignity of all committed couples and protects marriage equality for future generations.”
Maryland
Layoffs and confusion at Pride Center of Maryland after federal grants cut, reinstated
Trump administration move panicked addiction and mental health programs
By ALISSA ZHU | After learning it had abruptly lost $2 million in federal funding, the Pride Center of Maryland moved to lay off a dozen employees, or about a third of its workforce, the Baltimore nonprofit’s leader said Thursday.
The group is one of thousands nationwide that reportedly received letters late Tuesday from the Trump administration. Their mental health and addiction grants had been terminated, effective immediately, the letters said.
By Wednesday night, federal officials moved to reverse the funding cuts by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, estimated to total $2 billion, according to national media reports. But the Pride Center of Maryland’s CEO Cleo Manago said as of Thursday morning he had not heard anything from the federal government confirming those reports.
The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
Voiceless ‘Antony & Cleopatra’ a spectacle of operatic proportions
VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade
Va. Senate approves referendum to repeal marriage amendment
DNC slams White House for slashing Fla. AIDS funding
Do not forget that Renee Good was queer
Supreme Court hears arguments in two critical cases on trans sports bans
Woman arrested for anti-gay assault at Alexandria supermarket
Honoring 50 queer, trans women with inaugural ‘Carrying Change’ awards
Ruby Corado sentenced to 33 months in prison
Visible and unapologetic: MAL brings the kink this weekend
-
U.S. Supreme Court4 days agoSupreme Court hears arguments in two critical cases on trans sports bans
-
Virginia5 days ago
Woman arrested for anti-gay assault at Alexandria supermarket
-
District of Columbia4 days ago
Ruby Corado sentenced to 33 months in prison
-
Commentary5 days ago
Honoring 50 queer, trans women with inaugural ‘Carrying Change’ awards
