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Comings & Goings
Greer to head PAI; Micone leads Combined Federal Campaign

The ‘Comings & Goings’ column chronicles important life changes of Blade readers.
The Comings and Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].
Congratulations to Reginald Greer who has been appointed director of the Presidential Appointments Institute at the Gay and Lesbian Victory Institute. PAI successfully assisted hundreds of LGBT people searching for placements in the Obama administration and is expanding its efforts to secure presidential appointments for LGBT people in the next administration.
Upon his appointment, Greer said, “I am honored to further that legacy. We are continuing to build our talent bank with qualified LGBT leaders who can be the foundation for a successful administration, and we will be their allies in finding a placement. We encourage LGBT people across the country to consider public service and to register with our initiative.”
Greer previously served as Deputy Director of Public Engagement at the United States Department of Transportation where he developed strategies for effective communication and engagement with thousands of transportation stakeholders across every mode on key White House and departmental priorities. Appointed by President Obama and Secretary Anthony Foxx in May 2014, he served as the department’s liaison to the White House Business Council, engaging business leaders across the country on a wide range of transportation-related initiatives, programs and issues.
In 2016, Greer was appointed to serve on D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s LGBTQ Advisory Committee. He has served as a staff assistant for the political team at the Democratic National Committee, a youth organizer for the District of Columbia’s 2013 Commemorative Commission on the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, a fellow for the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Committee’s National Day of Service team, and a field organizer for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign in Norfolk, Va.

Reginald Greer
Congratulations and thanks are also due to Vince Micone. He is the chair of the board of directors for the Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area, the federal government’s workplace giving campaign. Under his leadership, the campaign has provided nearly $47 million annually in charitable contributions to more than 20,000 organizations. This year’s drive extends through December.
Micone’s full-time position is as Presidential Transition Officer and Senior Counselor Management Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This position includes leading the Department’s efforts to prepare for and successfully execute a smooth presidential transition.
Micone is a 25-year veteran of federal civil service and a long-time activist in Washington’s philanthropic community. He has served in a variety of positions in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Justice where he managed human resources programs and initiatives. These programs included policy development and implementation, ceremonies and campaigns, military affairs, voting assistance and community service efforts. He also was vice president for development for the non-profit Partnership for Public Service.
Micone is well known in our community for all the volunteer work he does with so many organizations. He helped lead the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Gaymes Inc. in 2003 in an effort to bring the Gay Games to D.C. Today he is advising those working to bring them here in 2022. Micone was recently elected vice president of the Capital Pride Alliance.
He served as chair of the District of Columbia Commission on National and Community Service, a reserve police officer for the Metropolitan Police Department and an elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner.
Vince Micone
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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