Local

James Olson dies at 81

Longtime D.C. resident worked as dentist, French teacher

Published

11 years ago

March 19, 2015

Joey DiGuglielmo

James Olson

James Olson died March 10 from sepsis resulting from a gall bladder infection according to his family.

Olson was born May 3, 1933 in Curwensville, Pa., and came to Washington in the 1950s according to Jerry Goldberg, his partner of nearly 50 years. He served two years in the U.S. Navy and spent a year in Greece on a Fulbright Scholarship.

Olson earned a bachelor’s degree in French from Penn State and a master’s from Middlebury College in Vermont. He taught French in Montgomery County high schools for several years until he decided to attend dental school. He received his DDS from the University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus in 1973 and subsequently had an office on I Street and later on Connecticut Avenue. He was one of the first to put his professional card in the Blade. Olson retired in 2000. He also had a degree in mortuary science.

Olson and Goldberg traveled extensively including two safaris, South and East Africa, Southeast Asia, a Black Sea cruise, Russia and the Baltics, and many visits to France.

Olson loved opera and could recognize voices instantly. He and Goldberg were long-time subscribers to the Washington National Opera and also frequently attended the Met in New York.

In addition to his partner, he is survived by his sister, Marlene Haversack, his niece Jamie Wilson, and his nephews Steven and Eric Haversack.

Memorial-related inquiries may be addressed to Goldberg at 202-966-4589.

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Virginia

VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade

Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday

Published

16 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

24 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.