Local

Trans rock band forms in Baltimore

Transsexual Fetus seeks more talented musicians

Published

12 years ago

January 15, 2014

Steve Charing

Transexual Fetus promotional image. (Image courtesy of Transexual Fetus)

A new contemporary conceptual performance art band, Transexual Fetus, consisting of artists within the trans spectrum, recently formed in Baltimore. The band, which features a combination of beat poetry, funk, psychedelic new wave and punk rock and glam metal fusion music, was conceived by Devin Cherubini, also known as Devin Hellfire.

Cherubini/Hellfire is a Baltimore-based female-to-male transgender visual artist, performance artist, political activist, poet, lyricist and writer. He has performed in a variety of bands since the 1980s and was a headliner at Club Hippo for five years sharing the same stage as performance artist Wolfgang Nomi, who is a member of the local group Charm City Boys. Nomi, who plays percussion in Transexual Fetus, combines contemporary dance movement material with mime and outrageous costume designs inspired by the likes of Klaus Nomi, his namesake.

Baltimore born and raised Roxy Storm, a veteran musician of 35 years, is another key component of the band, playing lead guitar. Roxy Storm is a black trans woman struggling with inner city violence, poverty and oppression. “A true survivor,” says Cherubini/Hellfire. “She is a very courageous and talented woman.”

Transexual Fetus reflects “the same struggle of those musicians and artists who came before us who were gender queer and non-conformative and died too young from hard living in a world that could not accept or understand them,” says Cherubini/Hellfire.

Hellfire encourages trans people with musical talent in Maryland to join in on the fun. “Transexual Fetus is always open to working together musically on this project.” If interested, contact Devin Hellfire by visiting the Facebook page TransexualFetus.

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Virginia

VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade

Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday

Published

11 hours ago

January 17, 2026

Michael Key

Diversity Richmond and the Virginia Pride project of Diversity Richmond march in the 2026 Inauguration Parade on the grounds of the state capitol in Richmond, Va. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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.

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*The LGBTQ contingent in the inaugural parade in Richmond, Va. pass by the review stand on Jan. 17, 2026. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)*

Virginia

Va. Senate approves referendum to repeal marriage amendment

Outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin introduced SJ3

Published

19 hours ago

January 17, 2026

Staff reports

(Bigstock photo)

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

Published

2 days ago

January 16, 2026

Baltimore Banner

Merrick Moses, a violence prevention coordinator, works at the Pride Center of Maryland in Baltimore. (Photo by Ulysses Muñoz for the Baltimore Banner)

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.