Local
Stadium deal could displace D.C. LGBT Center
Mayor’s plan could require a move in 3 years
The D.C. Center is currently located in the Reeves Center. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Mayor Vincent Gray on May 23 submitted legislation to the City Council calling for a series of land deals to facilitate the building of a new soccer stadium that could displace the D.C. Center for the LGBT Community from its current home at 14th and U Street, N.W. in three years.
Among other things, Gray’s proposal would trade the Reeves Center municipal building where the D.C. Center is currently renting space to a private developer in exchange for obtaining land owned by the developer in the Buzzard’s Point section in Southwest Washington, where the soccer stadium would be built.
“No current Reeves tenants will need to be relocated until the new Reeves Center is finished in approximately three years,” a statement released by the mayor’s office says. “The District will make every effort to keep select tenants in the vicinity of the 14th and U Street location for continuation of services to their target constituents,” the statement says.
Gray has told D.C. Center officials that his administration would find a suitable new location for the Center, possibly in another city-owned building in the 14th and U area if the stadium deal results in the closing of the Reeves Center. Under Gray’s plan for the soccer stadium, all of the city government agencies currently housed in the Reeves Center would be moved to a new Reeves Center planned to be built in Anacostia.
Several members of the Council, including mayoral candidate Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4), have expressed skepticism over the soccer stadium deal, saying they might vote against approving the legislation submitted by Gray last week. Gray’s timetable for trading the Reeves Center for the land in Buzzard’s point is linked to a quick approval of the proposal by the Council before it recesses for its two-month summer break in July.
If the Council doesn’t act on the proposal until after it returns from its break in September, the closing of the Reeves Center at 14th and U Street, N.W., could be delayed beyond the three-year projected timetable in the mayor’s proposal.
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.
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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.
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