Local

Northam beats Perriello in Va. gubernatorial primary

Results of the Republican gubernatorial primary less clear

Published

9 years ago

June 13, 2017

Ralph Northam, gay news, Washington Blade

Virginia Lieutenant Gov. Ralph Northam is looking to succeed Gov. Terry McAuliffe. (Photo courtesy of Ralph Northam for Governor of Virginia)

Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam has come out on top in a contested primary to win the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s gubernatorial race, besting former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, who was endorsed by progressive leaders.

The Associated Press declared Northam the winner in the primary about an hour after polls closed in the state at 7 pm.

With 91 percent of precincts reporting, Northam had secured 55 percent of the vote compared to 45 percent claimed by Perriello.

Northam, who was endorsed by LGBT groups such as the Pride Fund to End Gun Violence and Equality Virginia, beat out Perriello despite his endorsements from progressive leaders like Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

In an interview with the Washington Blade in June, Northam said there’s still “a lot of work to do” to combat anti-LGBT discrimination in Virginia and those efforts begin with “good leadership.”

“I will be a brick wall and stand against any type of legislation that discriminates against anyone, particularly against the LGBT community,” Northam said.

As of early Tuesday evening, the results of the Republican gubernatorial primary were less clear. Former Republican National Committee Chair Ed Gillespie led with 43.6 percent of the vote, but Corey Stewart, chair of the Board of Supervisors of Prince William County, followed closed behind with 42.8 percent and State Sen. Frank Wagner had 13.6 percent. The general election is Nov. 7.

Related Topics:Ralph Northam Tom Perriello Virginia Election 2017

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Virginia

VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade

Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday

Published

9 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

17 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.