Connect with us

Local

SMYAL names interim executive director

Daniel Penchina to lead youth services organization

Published

on

Daniel Penchina, gay news, Washington Blade
Daniel Penchina

The Board of Directors of D.C.’s LGBTQ youth advocacy organization SMYAL announced on Dec. 15 that it has named the SMYAL Board’s vice chair, Daniel Penchina, as the group’s Interim Executive Director.

The announcement says Penchina, who has close to 20 years of experience in working with nonprofit organizations involved in social justice causes, will serve as interim director while the board conducts a nationwide search for the replacement of SMYAL Executive Director Sultan Shakir.

Shakir announced earlier this month that he will step down from his executive director’s position at the end of December to pursue other endeavors after seven years of service as the SMYAL director.

“In addition to announcing long-time SMYAL Board Member Daniel Penchina as the Interim Executive Director, SMYAL’s Executive Search Committee, led by Board Member Billy Fettweis, will hire a search firm to assist in finding a new Executive Director, whom the organization plans to name by next summer,” according to a Dec. 15 statement released by SMYAL.

The statement says Penchina will step down as Vice-Chair of the SMYAL Board as he assumes his new temporary position as Interim Executive Director.

“Throughout these next few months, SMYAL’s dedicated staff will ensure that as little as possible changes in our youth-facing programs as they continue their hard work to provide LGBTQ youth with resources, spaces, and support they need to thrive,” said SMYAL Board Chair Rob Cogorno.

The SMYAL statement announcing Penchina’s appointment as Interim Executive Director says Penchina is the founder of the D.C. based consulting firm Penchina Partners, where he serves as president. It says he has worked in leadership positions with several other organizations providing assistance and management support for nonprofit groups, including the D.C. based Raben Group, a progressive public affairs firm.

“Daniel Penchina brings nearly 20 yeas of experience working with social justice organizations to assist nonprofits with management challenges, program evaluation, strategic planning, funding and communications, strategy, and government relations,” the SMYAL statement says.

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Virginia

VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade

Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday

Published

on

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)
Continue Reading

Virginia

Va. Senate approves referendum to repeal marriage amendment

Outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin introduced SJ3

Published

on

(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.”

Continue Reading

Maryland

Layoffs and confusion at Pride Center of Maryland after federal grants cut, reinstated

Trump administration move panicked addiction and mental health programs

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Popular