Local

2nd victim in 2012 shooting dies

Gay men killed in Baltimore robbery

Published

12 years ago

May 20, 2014

Steve Charing

Lawrence Peterson, gay news, Washington Blade

Lawrence Peterson was shot in 2012. (Photo courtesy Steve Charing)

Lawrence Peterson, a victim in the Aug. 10, 2012 shooting that killed Joseph Alexander “Alex” Ulrich, Jr., 40, died on May 15. Both Ulrich, Jr. and Lawrence R. Peterson were standing on the front steps of a building near the Belvedere Hotel on East Chase Street just before 4 a.m. on that day when shots rang out. Both victims were taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital where Ulrich died several hours later.

The men were allegedly shot by Quinton Bass, who had come to Baltimore from Raleigh, N.C. in 2012 and lived in homeless shelters and vacant buildings. He was arrested on gun charges three weeks after the double shooting.

Peterson, 56 at the time of the attack, was in critical condition and underwent multiple surgeries and rehabilitation as a result of shots to his torso, but he eventually succumbed after a long struggle. Longtime friend Don Davis said of Peterson’s death, “He was a fighter, but surgery after surgery I guess his system could not take it any longer. So sad.”

Police determined robbery was the motive for the attack and not a hate crime though both victims were gay. Bass’ trial had been postponed on several occasions and has been postponed again as a result of Peterson’s death. He will be charged with double homicide.

A fund was set up to finance causes Peterson was interested in. To donate to the Larry Peterson Fund, visit http://mvba.org/Default.aspx?pageId=1859763.

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Virginia

VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade

Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday

Published

1 hour 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

9 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

1 day 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.