News
National news in brief: November 18
Mass. passes law barring gender identity employment discrimination, Catholic Charities ceases providing foster services in Ill., Mich. poised to pass anti-bullying bill
The L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center celebrated 40 years this week in a star-studded event. (Photo courtesy Minnaert via Wikimedia)
L.A. LGBT Center celebrates 40 years
LOS ANGELES — Saturday, one of the nation’s oldest LGBT institutions celebrated its 40th anniversary at the Westin Boneventure Hotel, honoring Chaz Bono, gay actor Neil Patrick Harris and his partner, celebrity chef David Burtka.
According to Karen Ocamb of Frontiers L.A., the ceremony was hosted by comedian Leslie Jordan and included presentations by Center Board member and Queer As Folk actor Peter Paige, “Glee” star and board member Jane Lynch and actor David Arquette, whose sister is trans actress Alexis Arquette, presenting an award to fellow “Dancing With The Stars” contestant, Chaz Bono.
“Today we are living in an increasingly uncivil society. Gone are the optimistic aspirations for a New Frontier or a Great Society that would conquer the problems of ignorance and prejudice and eliminate injustice,” said Center CEO Lorri Jean. “The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center stands in stark contrast to all of that.”
Mass. legislature passes trans rights bill
BOSTON — After passing in the lower house Tuesday 95-58, and passing by voice vote in the Senate Wed., a bill that would bar employment and housing discrimination — but leaves out public accommodation discrimination — for transgender residents of Massachusetts passed the Senate in a voice vote on Wednesday. Gov. Deval Patrick (D) has said he would sign it.
It’s a bittersweet victory for some Massachusetts trans rights activists, who have criticized the lack of public accommodations language in the bill.
“We want complete protections for transgender people – including in public accommodations – but also know that in order to get there, we cannot walk away from the legislature’s first step toward achieving those full protections,” GLAD Transgender Rights Project director Jennifer Levi said in a statement.
Calif. FAIR Education law takes effect Jan. 1
SACRAMENTO — The law that mandates schools include in the curriculum important figures from the LGBT community and disabled community will take effect in seven weeks.
Opponents of the FAIR Education Act, known as SB 48, attempted to derail the legislation by collecting signatures toward a “people’s veto” ballot measure. That effort failed, and schools are now gearing up to comply with the mandate.
“Our history is more complete when we recognize the contributions of people from all backgrounds and walks of life,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said after the legislation was signed into law in July.
Supporters of the law say it will improve the self-esteem of LGBT young people and possibly curb bullying.
Ill. Catholic Charities ends foster care services
CHICAGO — Catholic Charities of Illinois has announced that it will no longer provide foster care services in Illinois as three Catholic dioceses dropped lawsuits against the state seeking to skirt state law mandating same-sex couples in civil unions be allowed in the foster care system.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the dioceses of Joliet, Springfield and Belleville sued the state in an attempt to avoid recognizing same-sex couples. However, after the state forced 2,000 foster cases to transition to non-religious agencies, and judges refused to halt the process before the Nov. 30 deadline, the dioceses agreed to the state’s terms and end adoption and foster care placement services in Illinois.
Secular agencies in the regions serviced by the dioceses have already agreed to assist in the transition.
‘Religious exemption’ in Michigan bullying bill dropped
LANSING, Mich. — Controversial language in a Michigan anti-bullying bill that would exempt from punishment those expressing “sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction,” will be stricken from the Senate bill after outrage from LGBT and Muslim groups.
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Paving the way to make the bill easier to pass, State Senator Rick Jones agreed last week to drop the language in Matt’s Law, a bill named for a young Michigan man who committed suicide in 2002 after severe bullying and harassment. Matt’s father, Kevin Epling joined with leaders from Equality Michigan and the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in denouncing the bill.
“That one paragraph, though, negates most of the things that we tried to put in,” Epling told ABCNews in regard to the religious exemption.
Michigan is one of only three states without an anti-bullying law.
District of Columbia
Hundreds of thousands expected to attend D.C. Pride events
Parade to take place on June 20
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend Pride events in D.C. this month.
The Capital Pride Alliance is marking its 51st year with a full slate of events, including a parade, festival, concert, parties, and community events across the city. This year’s theme is “EXIST. RESIST. Have the Audacity!”
“Our audacity is our collective strength. Against the forces that try to diminish us, we must remain bold, courageous, visible and heard, in a world that questions our humanity and challenges our rights. Together, let’s have the audacity to live, thrive, be joyful, and proud!” Capital Pride Alliance said in a statement.
Capital Pride’s signature weekend events will center on the June 20 parade and June 21 festival and concert.
The parade and concert will not take place on the second weekend of June, as they have in the past, to avoid conflicts with America’s 250th anniversary celebration.
The parade route is expected to begin at 14th and T Streets, N.W., and end at Pennsylvania Avenue and 9th Street, N.W. Free viewing areas will be available, though reservations are required for seating at designated locations across the route.
Leading up to the parade, a family event will be hosted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stead Park in Dupont Circle. Activities will include crafts, glitter tattoos, hair tinsel, photo ops, and an inflatable obstacle course. The event is free, but a prior reservation is required.
Crack of Noon Parade Brunch, a 21+ event featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet, will also take place earlier on June 20 at the Viceroy Washington at 1430 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.
The 17th Street Block Party, presented by Absolut, will also take place from noon to 10 p.m. on 17th Street in Dupont Circle. It will feature local food, an adult beverage garden, and other events.
On June 21, the Capital Pride Festival will run from noon to 10 p.m. on Pennsylvania Avenue The festival includes the Capital Pride Concert at Capitol Stage. The lineup of artists for the festival concert includes Maren Morris, queer rapper Leikeli47, Lisa Lisa, “Heated Rivalry” DJ Harrison, Tracy Young, and Myki Meeks.
“In a moment when LGBTQ+ people are being challenged across the country, the Capital Pride Concert is a space where our community is fully seen and heard,” said Capital Pride Alliance President Ryan Bos in a news release regarding the concert lineup.
Tickets to the concert are free, with exclusive pit and VIP experiences available for purchase.
The night will end with a “Capitol” Sunset Dance Party from 8-10 p.m., directly following the concert. It is available to all ages.
Other stages for concerts include the Monument and Dupont Dance Stage, with the artist lineup yet to be announced.
Three main parties will be available leading up to and during the parade: Riot!: The Official Pride Opening Party on June 19, featuring Bob the Drag Queen with a DJ set and headliner Myki Meeks. ELIX-Her on June 20 is a women-centered event at Decades and is 21+. On the same night, KINETIC: Toyland will feature headliner Alaska, “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 2” winner.
Before the parade and festival weekend, community events, and celebrations will take place throughout the city.
The Washington Blade will host Pride on the Pier on June 13 from 4-9 p.m. at The Wharf. The free event will feature Pride365 Radio, a drag show with Venetian, DJ Chord, and dancing.
Capital Pride will have Night of Expression on June 10 at 7 p.m. at Busboys and Pearls. The event will feature an open mic and other performances.
Capital Pride Honors
Beyond its public celebrations, the Capital Pride Alliance will also recognize community leaders through its annual Capital Pride Honors program. This year’s honorees were selected based on how their work reflected the 2026 theme of Pride.
The winners were awarded at the Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia, which is part of a fundraiser with Pride365, on Sunday.
Honorees included D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, who received the Paving the Way Award; D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who received the Key to Capital Pride Award; and the Heroes Award recipients Benjamin Coy, Charity Blackwell, Darryl Hamilton, Thea Kano, Kendall Martinez-Wright, and Lee Levingston Perine.
Dylan Drobish and Tyler Hack received the SaVanna Wanzer Visibility Award, while Patrick Magee and Judy Schloss were honored with the Bill Miles Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service.
Darrell Wood and Tyler Cargill received the Breaking Barriers: Community Impact Award, and Dai Nguyen received the Bernie Delia Award.
National
Queen Jean is Tony’s first transgender winner
Designer/activist wins for work on ‘Cats: The Jellicle Ball’
It was a historic night at the 79th annual Tony Awards on Sunday as Queen Jean won the award for Best Costume Design of a Musical, making her the first out transgender person to win a Tony.
“This experience has been monumental. We are here for the legacy of queer people, trans people,” she said. “We are taking up space in ways we have to take up space. We have to shift the paradigm. So I just want to say, thank you all so much for this incredible honor. The world right now is deeply, deeply combating so many ailments, and we know as a society that when we come together, we can make real, permanent change.”
She won the award for her work on “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” and was also nominated for best costume design of a play for “Liberation.”
In addition to her stage work, Queen Jean is the founder of Black Trans Liberation, an organization that supports trans and gender-nonconforming people in New York City.
Maryland
‘Girlfriends’ wanted for murder in Silver Spring, Md.
Montgomery County police say two charged with killing mother of one of them
The Montgomery County, Md., Department of Police announced on June 4 that it is seeking the public’s help in locating two women, who they identify as a couple, who are charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing the mother of one of them.
In a statement police identified the two women as Vanessa Tjongarero-Henderson of Clarksburg, Md., and her girlfriend Samantha Raebel of Phoenix, Ariz. The statement says the two are charged with the murder of Hilde Henderson, 67, the mother of Vanessa.
According to the statement, officers with the department’s 3rd District found Hilde Henderson deceased on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at her home at the Charter House apartments in the 1300 block of Fenwick Lane in Silver Spring after being called to check on the resident’s welfare.
“Henderson was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where an autopsy was conducted,” the statement says. “The cause of death was ruled a homicide.”
It adds, “Through the course of the investigation, detectives identified Henderson’s daughter, Vanessa Tjongarero-Henderson and Vanessa’s girlfriend, Raeble, as the suspects.” It says detectives obtained an arrest warrant against the two women, charging both with first-degree murder.
“Anyone with information regarding the location of these suspects or this crime is asked to call 911 or to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, Md. website at crimesolversmcmd.org,” the statement says, or to call the tip line at 1-866-411-8477.
“Tips with information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward from $250 up to $10,000,” it says, adding that tips may remain anonymous.
A spokesperson for Montgomery County police didn’t immediately respond to a request from the Washington Blade for information not disclosed in the police statement, including the physical-medical cause of death for Hilde Henderson and whether detectives have determined a motive for the murder.
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