Local
Fairfax race to replace Cuccinelli a study in contrasts
Virginia Partisans, the state’s gay Democratic group, was slated Thursday to endorse Del. David Marsden to fill incoming Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s state Senate seat.
Marsden told DC Agenda that he was “proud to accept” the group’s endorsement.
“As a 57-year resident of Fairfax County, I get it,” he said. “Fairfax voters want leaders to concentrate on the key issues: helping small businesses create jobs, protecting our world class schools and ensuring equal justice for all Virginians — not pushing a divisive agenda based on who people are.”
Marsden is running against Steve Hunt, the Republican nominee for the 37th district seat. The former Fairfax school board member drew local LGBT community ire in 2005 after he wrote a letter in support of “ex-gays” speaking in Fairfax schools.
Hunt’s nomination had spurred the Partisans to push hard to support Marsden, said the group’s president-elect Terry Mansberger.
“Hunt is cut from the same cloth [as Cuccinelli]. He’s got an anti-gay agenda,” he said.
“The conservatives have taken over the Republican Party. They are a minority in the county, and probably in the state, but in a special election situation they will get out the vote.
“This should be clear: You’ve got an anti-gay candidate versus a pro-gay candidate and there should be no reason for gay people in Fairfax County to stay home.”
Mansberger said the only protection LGBT Virginians had from further attempts to restrict their rights was the two-seat Democratic majority in the state Senate.
“The Republicans have gone after us in schools, in adoption, on marriage,” he said. “They’ve pushed back on non-discrimination policies in the county government. This next term, the House will put forth a lot of anti-gay legislation, as they always have.”
The race could be close; Cuccinelli only held the seat in 2008 by 91 votes after a recount.
The Partisans have endorsed Marsden in each House election since he first ran for office in 2005. He has not introduced any LGBT-related legislation in that time, but voted against the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.
Virginia Log Cabin Republicans spokesperson David Lampo said the GOP’s LGBT group has not agreed to any endorsements, but feared an anti-gay agenda if Hunt were elected.
“I remember him from his days on the Fairfax school board. I haven’t seen anything to suggest he’s changed those views,” Lampo said.
Hunt later apologized for his letter, saying he was sorry for having offended school staff and breaking board policy by speaking without authorization.
“I apologize to those persons within the community, especially those of the homosexual community, that may have been given the impression that I do not respect their rights or discount them as individuals,” he said in a statement.
But Lampo and other LGBT Republicans felt the apology wasn’t strong enough then to warrant an endorsement now.
“My sense is he still comes out of that Ken Cuccinelli, anti-gay wing of the party. I sense his support is also from that side of the party,” Lampo said.
“Until I see any evidence that he’s moderated his views, I think it is a mistake to reflexively vote for someone like that. The party is in a struggle between the socially moderate and the right-wing faction that wants to pursue the culture war.”
Lampo said he blamed the Democratic Party for failing to sufficiently raise the “outrageous history” that Cuccinelli had on gay rights issues during the attorney general race, and it looked like they were making the same mistake with Hunt.
“The Democrats’ efforts were kind of weak and pathetic [against Cuccinelli]. I fear they’ll be just as apathetic against Hunt.”
Fairfax Equality, a non-partisan group, is working to get the next legislature to pass an employment non-discrimination bill barring government workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation.
“At this stage we don’t know how supported it will be, but we do have many senators and delegates that support us in Fairfax County,” Fairfax Equality president Sarah Gustafson said.
Gustafson said LGBT activists would work with whoever is elected on Jan. 12, 2010.
Democratic nominee David Marsden has agreed to be interviewed by the DC Agenda in an upcoming issue. Republican nominee Steve Hunt’s campaign has not yet responded to DC Agenda’s e-mails or calls.
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Congratulations to Jaime Christopher Pierce on their appointment to serve as a member of the Virginia Governor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. Pierce was sworn in on Sept. 3 by Greg Parks, clerk of the Alexandria Circuit Court.
Pierce currently serves as vice chair of the Alexandria City LGBTQIA+ Task Force and as a member of the Alexandria Pride planning committee. They previously served on the board of directors of Equality Virginia.
Upon being sworn in, Pierce said, “Public service has been a central part of my life for more than 30 years, and this appointment gives me an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth in a different and very personal way. My career has allowed me to work with people and communities throughout Virginia, and I hope to bring that experience, along with my own lived experience and my involvement in the LGBTQ+ community, to the work of the Board.” They added, “Having Greg administer the oath makes the occasion even more meaningful because of his own historic role as Virginia’s first openly gay elected circuit court clerk.”
Pierce also serves as Circuit Court Services Manager for the Department of Judicial Services, at the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. They began their career in Virginia’s judiciary in 1994 as a deputy clerk with the Virginia Beach Circuit Court and have since held several professional and leadership positions within the court system. Pierce is a member of the National Association for Court Management (NACM) and the Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management. At the national level, Pierce participated in the workgroup that developed the National Association for Court Management’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guide, a resource designed to help court professionals advance inclusive practices and strengthen access, fairness and belonging within the justice system.
Pierce earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Liberty University, and a certificate in Paralegal Studies from Norfolk State University.
Maryland
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
Pride Center of Maryland among recipients
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.
The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.
The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants
“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.”
“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”
Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
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Nominate your favorites for the Blade’s 25th annual Best Of LGBTQ DC Awards
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
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