Maryland
Bethesda church hosts transgender, nonbinary photo exhibit
Photographer Gwen Andersen showcases community members of all ages, backgrounds

Amid the spate of anti-transgender legislation, the bullying of trans students and lack of gender-affirming care for young people across the country, photographer Gwen Andersen’s photo exhibit seeks to portray the trans and nonbinary community in a positive light.
Andersen’s āBecoming Ourselvesā exhibit that documents trans and nonbinary people will be on display at the Bethesda United Church of Christ (10010 Fernwood Road) this summer.
Andersen spearheaded the exhibit along with the Rev. Dr. Jill McCrory from Bethesda UCC. The church paid for the project with a donation it received from Stevie Neal, a trans woman who passed away and left part of her estate to McCrory.
McCrory herself has been a pillar in the LGBTQ community for decades, including while pastor at Twinbrook Baptist Church.
The congregation that McCrory closed dispersed more than $1 million to various ministries and LGBTQ organizations, founded the MoCo Pride Center, and married a same-sex couple on the rainbow stage of Capital Pride in 2010.Ā Bethesda UCC has also marked the Transgender Day of Remembrance, and hosted a renaming ceremony for a trans baptized member.Ā
āI happen to have access to a wonderful transgender womanās (Stevie) donation that she left me to do something for the transgender community,ā said McCrory over a Zoom interview. āAndersen came to Rev. McCrory in November of 2023 with the idea. āGwen knew Stevie. I thought this would be perfect because this is something that would benefit the transgender community.ā
āWIthout Stevie, this surely would not have happened. And I say that with great confidence,ā Andersen said in a Zoom interview.

āBecoming Ourselvesā debuted at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville in March.
The exhibit features photos of trans and nonbinary people from across the country that Andersen and a number of other photographers took.
The photos feature people from all ages ā from preteens to elders from all walks of life that include teachers, community leaders, and athletes. Andersen’s exhibit also showcases people who are proudly showing their top surgery scars. It also shows trans and nonbinary people in a variety of ways, from enjoying music, playing sports, and working.
The exhibit most importantly shows them being happy.
Andersonās exhibit has two main goals: Give a space for trans and nonbinary people to see others in their community in a positive way, and to shift the narrative on how people see trans and nonbinary people.
āIt was an emotional issue that won hearts and minds.ā said Andersen in reference to the LGBTQ movement to legalize same-sex marriage. āI believe we will reduce the hostility against transgender people by winning hearts and minds.”
“One of the most effective messages is to protect trans kids,” she added. “Right now the hostility has not just gone against adults, it has gone against children, and children are being harassed, beaten up, and killing themselves. In much the same way as gays and lesbians were killing ourselves 30 years ago. I think what will be effective is tugging on hearts and minds and reclaiming the narrative from hate and fear, to love.ā
Andersen wants to eventually get a more permanent location for the exhibit rather than bringing it to different venues. But until then, she plans to bring it to other churches that are interested in hosting it.
Anyone interested in supporting Andersen’s exhibit can log onto the “Becoming Ourselves” website, or directly help any of the photographers whose work is showcased. Andersen has directed folks to support photographer Liam Woods, whose online name is Analogue Papi.
Maryland
Evan Glass running for Montgomery County executive
Former journalist would be first gay person to hold office

Evan Glass is running for Montgomery County executive.
He is currently serving his second term as an at-large member of the Montgomery County Council.
Glass has been a councilman since 2018; he is the first openly gay person to hold a seat on the council. Glass has also been its president and vice president. He is now running to succeed incumbent County Executive Marc Elrich, who has reached the end of his two-term limit.
Glass on Wednesday announced he is entering the race for county executive, which, if elected, would make him the first openly gay person to lead Montgomery Countyās executive office.
In an email to the Washington Blade, Glass outlined key campaign priorities, including standing up to President Donald Trump and his āaspiring oligarchs,ā supporting vulnerable members of the Montgomery County community as federal budgets are slashed, and protecting residentsā quality of life by ensuring that āMontgomery County remains a place where people can afford to live, raise their families, and retire with security.ā
Glass is holding a campaign launch event on March 22 at 11:30 a.m. at 7 Locks Brewing in Rockville to officially kick off his bid for county executive, outline his campaign platform, and connect with supporters.
Over the past seven years, Glass has served on several key committees within the Montgomery County Council. These include the Transportation and Environment Committee, where he has worked to implement policies benefiting both public transit users and the environment, and the Economic Development Committee, which focuses on fostering and sustaining economic growth in Montgomery County.
In addition to his committee work, Glass spearheaded the creation of the Anti-Hate Task Force, which aims to āprioritize policies that promote safety and combat hate crimesā for marginalized communities, including LGBTQ residents. He also helped organize the countyās first Pride celebrations.
During his tenure, Glass has worked to reduce housing costs in Montgomery County by passing legislation to make it more affordable to build and rent homes, particularly near public transportation. He has also championed policies to address the climate crisis, including securing funding for clean energy initiatives.
Glass has helped pass numerous laws to expand grant opportunities for entrepreneurs, ensure fair wages, and increase oversight, and transparency within Montgomery County Public Schools. He also led efforts to expand the county council from nine to 11 members.
Before entering Montgomery County politics, Glass spent 12 years as a journalist for CNN, covering national politics.
Maryland
Delivery driver who fatally shot Bel Air trans woman is sentenced to prison
Brian Delen convicted assaulting Meghan Lewis, acquitted of murder

BY CLARA LONGO DE FREITAS | A food delivery driver who fatally shot a trans woman in the parking lot of her Bel Air condo community was sentenced on Monday to serve 10 years in prison, five without the possibility of parole, for second-degree assault.
Brian Delen, 49, was convicted last November in Harford County Circuit Court of second-degree assault and use of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. He was found not guilty of first- and second-degree murder.
Circuit Court Judge Yolanda L. Curtin also ordered Delen to serve a five-year concurrent sentence on the firearms charge. He will be on supervised probation for five years after release.
Delenās attorneys argued at trial that he acted in self-defense when he shot and killed Meghan Lewis, 52, a beloved advocate for LGBTQ rights and avid Grateful Dead fan.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
Maryland
Project 2025 author Kevin Roberts cancels talk at University of Maryland law school
Illness cited as reason for abrupt cancellation

By ELLIE WOLFE | Hours before it was scheduled to take place, Project 2025 author Kevin Roberts canceled his controversial speaking event at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in Baltimore.
The Monday night visit, organized by the Republican Law Society, was the subject of student outcry, counter-events and even a scheduled protest outside the law school building downtown. Though some students and university officials said the event would reinforce freedom of speech, it drew criticism from those who oppose Robertsās stances on marriage equality and abortion access.
Roberts canceled his talk due to an illness, according to a spokesperson for the law school, and itās unclear whether itāll be rescheduled.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
-
District of Columbia16 hours ago
Harvey Fierstein says he was banned from Kennedy Center
-
District of Columbia3 days ago
Suspect pleads guilty to drug sale that led to deaths of two D.C. gay men
-
World3 days ago
Advocacy group calls for WorldPride boycott
-
Books5 days ago
Bookstores full of LGBTQ-themed new releases