Local

TJ Gaghan dies at 56

Self-taught computer programmer worked at Department of Defense

Published

8 years ago

April 12, 2018

Joey DiGuglielmo

TJ Gagan died Jan. 31 from cancer.

Terrence “TJ” Gaghan, a retired Department of Defense computer analyst and musician, died Jan. 31 from cancer, his family said.

Gaghan is survived by his brothers Michael Patrick of Leland, N.C.; James Francis (Judy) of Mooresville, N.C.; Timothy Shawn (Mary), Falls Church, Va.; and Kevin Paul (Linda) of McLean, Va.; sisters Michele “Susie” Elizabeth (Monti) Schmitt and Valerie Ann Gaghan of Scotland, Md.; and 17 nieces and nephews and 12 grand-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Alma Llorente Gaghan and father James Francis Gaghan, Jr.

Gaghan was born on Aug. 30, 1962 and was gay. He was a self-taught computer programmer for the Department of Defense at the Pentagon and transferred to Fort Belvoir shortly after 9-11. He retired from the department in 2003 and continued working as a consultant until 2015.

Gaghan’s real passion was music, his family said. He was a talented musician and songwriter and never gave up his dream of being published. His music was a way for him to communicate his feelings and is a reflection of his life. He loved to travel, parasail, biking, hiking, swimming and had an adventurous spirit.

A funeral service is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 19 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8710 Mt. Vernon Highway in Alexandria, Va. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be sent to St. Jude Hospital. Interment will be private.

Related Topics:Fort Belvior Good Shepherd Catholic Church TJ Gaghan U.S. Department of Defense

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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.