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Pride flags pulled down, burned in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police seek help from public in identifying suspect

Published

2 years ago

on

(Screen capture via NBC 4 News)

Montgomery County, Md., police announced they are investigating as many as 10 incidents of hate related vandalism of LGBTQ Pride flags as well as Ukrainian flags on residential streets in Silver Spring that occurred over a two-day period this week.

“The preliminary investigation has revealed that during the overnight hours of Tuesday, June 27, 2023, to Wednesday, June 28, 2023, several Pride and Ukrainian flags had been burned in the Mansfield Road, Wayne Place, Ellsworth Place, Greenbrier Drive, Pershing Drive and Deerfield Avenue neighborhoods,” according to a police statement.

“Investigators are asking for victims and/or homeowners with surveillance videos of possible suspects to call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000,” the statement says.

D.C.’s NBC 4 News reports that two men it identified as a couple, Mark Heare and Chris Middleton, said their home security video “shows someone covering his face while lighting the couple’s Pride flag on fire before running away laughing.”

NBC 4 News reported that burn marks were visible on the door frame where the couple’s flag was attached.

It also reported that at another home several blocks away one or more vandals attempted to burn a Pride flag on a pole before taking it down and etching the letters “USSR” on the flag.

The Montgomery County Council released a statement on June 28 denouncing the flag vandalism, which said a Black Trans Lives Matter flag was among the flags vandalized in Silver Spring during the past week.

“We are outraged by the numerous incidents of hate and anti-LGBTQ+ vandalism that occurred early this morning,” the statement says. “In Montgomery County, we believe in inclusion, compassion and diversity,” the statement continues.

“We stand together in forcefully denouncing acts of hate and violence in all forms, and we remain committed to protecting our LGBTQ+ neighbors and all those impacted from these awful acts,” the statement says, adding, “We must ensure everyone – including our LGBTQ+ community – is safe, seen and supported everywhere in Montgomery County.

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Maryland

Democrats hold leads in almost every race of Annapolis municipal election

Jared Littmann ahead in mayor’s race.

Published

3 days ago

on

November 5, 2025

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Preliminary election results from Tuesday show Democrats likely will remain in control of Annapolis City Hall. Jared Littmann thanks his wife, Marlene Niefeld, as he addresses supporters after polls closed Tuesday night. (Photo by Rick Hutzell for the Baltimore Banner)

By CODY BOTELER | The Democratic candidates in the Annapolis election held early leads in the races for mayor and nearly every city council seat, according to unofficial results released on election night.

Jared Littmann, a former alderman and the owner of K&B Ace Hardware, did not go so far as to declare victory in his race to be the next mayor of Annapolis, but said he’s optimistic that the mail-in ballots to be counted later this week will support his lead.

Littmannn said November and December will “fly by” as he plans to meet with the city department heads and chiefs to “pepper them with questions.”

The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.

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Maryland

Moore keeps redistricting push alive in Md. amid national map fights

Senate President Bill Ferguson opposes move.

Published

4 days ago

on

November 4, 2025

By

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks at the Human Rights Campaign's National Dinner in D.C. on Sept. 13, 2025. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

By PAMELA WOOD | Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is preserving the possibility of congressional redistricting by creating a commission overseen by a political ally that will issue recommendations for new maps.

“My commitment has been clear from day one — we will explore every avenue possible to make sure Maryland has fair and representative maps,” Moore said in a statement Tuesday outlining the new commission.

The move comes less than a week after Senate President Bill Ferguson, a fellow Democrat, threw cold water on the idea of redrawing the maps to favor their party.

The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.

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Maryland

LGBTQ Marylanders invited to participate in community needs survey

Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs conducting poll through Dec. 1.

Published

4 days ago

on

November 4, 2025

By

A Baltimore Pride 2025 float. The Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs is conducting a survey to understand the experiences and needs of LGBTQ Maryland residents. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs is conducting a survey to understand the experiences and needs of LGBTQ Maryland residents.

According to the commission, the results of the community needs assessment will shape policies, programs and resources available to the state’s LGBTQ individuals. The commission is organizing the survey in partnership with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore from Oct. 1 to Dec. 1.

Respondents can expect the anonymous questionnaire, which predominately consists of multiple choice questions, to take 15-20 minutes to complete. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and in good physical and mental health, according to the survey’s informed consent statement.

The Maryland General Assembly created the Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs in 2021 to evaluate challenges faced by the state’s LGBTQ community, shape inclusive policies, combat discrimination and establish best practices for LGBTQ inclusion. The commission functions within the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives and consists of 15 members appointed by the governor.

Those interested can complete the survey via the Survey Monkey link.

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