Local

Trans activist Roberta Gills dies at 63

Active in D.C. Trans Coalition

Published

12 years ago

July 2, 2014

Roberta Gills, gay news, Washington Blade

Roberta Gills, an active member of the D.C. Trans Coalition, died June 7 after a battle with cancer. (Photo by Shannon Wyss)

Roberta “Bobbie” Gills, a longtime advocate for transgender equality and an active member of the D.C. Trans Coalition, died June 7 following a battle with cancer. She was 63.

A statement released by D.C. Trans Coalition organizer Jason Terry says Gills was born in D.C. and lived most of her life in Arlington, Va.

“Bobbie was a tireless advocate for human rights,” Terry said. “She joined the D.C. Trans Coalition in 2009 and she quickly sparked conversations that ultimately led to the successful passage of the Deoni Jones Birth Certificate Equality Act last year [by the D.C. City Council].”

Gills became a leader in D.C.’s Trans Needs Assessment Project and represented DCTC at a number of events,” Terry said.

According to Terry, Gills worked for many years in the parts department at a car dealership in Arlington before she was fired after she came out as transgender.

“Undaunted, she increased her activist efforts, enrolled at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and also began working with the Kiwanis Club,” Terry said. She served from 2012 to 2013 as co-chair of the Capital Trans Pride celebration. She later graduated from NOVA with honors, according to a write-up released by family members.

“She was one of the most generous people I knew,” said DCTC organizer Shannon Wyss. “Cancer has claimed another wonderful person, someone who found her truth, lived it despite its costs and because of its triumphs, and advocated so that others could be as true to themselves as she,” Wyss said.

Gills is survived by her mother, Clara S. Gills; her brother, George W. Gills; sister-in-law, Thu Nyugen; and sisters Suzanne J. Macinnis and Janet G. Kimble along with many cousins, aunts and friends.

A funeral service was held June 12 at Murphy’s Funeral Home in Arlington. Interment took place at Mount Comfort Cemetery in Alexandria, Va.

Family members suggest that donations in her honor be made to the D.C. Trans Coalition or the Northern Virginia Community College Education Fund.

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Virginia

VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade

Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday

Published

4 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.

View on Threads

*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

12 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.