Local

John Joseph Harmon dies at 58

Golf enthusiast loved cooking, collecting

Published

8 years ago

June 21, 2018

Joey DiGuglielmo

John Joseph Harmon, gay news, Washington Blade

John Joseph Harmon (Photo courtesy family)

John Joseph Harmon died May 29 at his Arlington, Va., home at 58 from complications associated with HIV/AIDS, according to his brother, Tom Harmon.

Harmon was born Jan. 9, 1960, in Brockton, Mass., to Leona E. (Martin) and Robert L. Harmon. He spent his childhood years in Whitman, Mass., and was a graduate of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School, graduating in 1978. He moved to Richmond, Va., in 1983 and then to Northern Virginia in 1991.

“He will be fondly remembered for the enthusiasm he showed towards his various hobbies, which include watching golf, cooking, collecting baseball caps and following the Green Bay Packers,” Tom Harmon said.

Harmon, who was gay, is survived by sister Mary Ann and brother-in-law Robert W. Corthell III of Bridgewater, Mass., and brother Thomas L. Harmon and his partner, Dr. Jose W. Melendez of Chicago. Harmon was an uncle to Mathew R. and Ginger Corthell of Lake Forest Park, Wash., and Daniel T. and Tara Corthell of Wilbraham, Mass., Adam M. Corthell of Stoneham, Mass., and Kaitlynn R. Corthell of Northampton, Mass. He was great uncle to Teagan and Gavin Corthell of Wilbraham, Mass. He is also survived by other extended family.

A memorial service and reception is slated for Saturday, June 30 at 1 p.m. at Commonwealth Baptist Church (700 Commonwealth Ave., Alexandria, Va.). Donations in Harmon’s memory may be made to any agency that supports HIV/AIDS survivors or Friends of the NIH (friendsatnih.org), which helps patients undergoing treatment at the National Institutes of Health.

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Virginia

VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade

Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday

Published

7 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

15 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.