Local

Pop Up Gay Bar coming to Glen Burnie

Spinoff of popular Guerilla Gay Bar

Published

11 years ago

October 29, 2014

Steve Charing

Pop Up Gay Bar (PUGB) originated in the San Francisco area.

Just a few years removed from the popular social phenomenon known as Guerilla Gay Bar Baltimore (GGBB), a revival has been launched. Whereas GGBB organizers focused their “invasions” of straight bars and clubs predominantly in Baltimore City, the new edition called Pop Up Gay Bar (PUGB) will initially involve LGBT folks taking over straight establishments on a given night in the suburbs of Baltimore.

GGBB lasted about three years in Baltimore and at its peak more than 500 people would attend a particular outing making new friends and at the same time filling the coffers of the bar.

The first of the PUGB events will occur on Nov. 1 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the All American Sports Bar, 1205 Crain Highway N. in Glen Burnie. As had been the case with GGBB’s coordinators PUGB’s organizer David Jones contacted the management of the establishment and discussed the plan to have a sizable contingent of LGBT folks visit the premises of a straight bar.

Jones, who lives in Glen Burnie, told the Blade the owner and bartenders of the All American Sports Bar are excited to host the PUGB. “They are looking forward to welcoming the LGBT community with open arms and are going out of their way to make sure we have everything we need to make Nov. 1 a huge success,” Jones said.

Jones sees additional opportunities in the suburbs around Baltimore for future events and has his sights on bars in Annapolis and Columbia in the near future.

PUGB originated in the San Francisco area. It, too, was a reinvention of the Guerilla Queer Bar movement that had existed there a decade ago. The website popupgaybar.com seeks organizers around the country to establish local events. A form exists for folks to sign up to receive alerts should someone start a PUGB in their area.

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Virginia

VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade

Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday

Published

3 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

11 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.