News section: Metro Weekly

LGBT News

LGBT-Advocacy Group Asks McAuliffe To Reconsider Nomination

POFEV objects to past statements by Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones, likely Democratic Party chair nominee

Published on March 7, 2014, 5:56pm

People of Faith for Equality in Virginia (POFEV), a group of religious people who support LGBT rights and which often allies itself with the commonwealth's LGBT community, has written a letter to Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) criticizing his expected nomination of Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones to serve as the chairperson of the Democratic Party of Virginia. ''As a non-partisan group, we have no view as to whether Mayor Jones is the correct person to lead the Democratic Party,'' wrote the ... [Read]

GLAA Announces Distinguished Service Award Winners

Annual anniversary reception honors individuals for contributions benefiting D.C.'s LGBT community

Published on March 7, 2014, 5:15pm

The Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance (GLAA), the largest nonpartisan LGBT political group in Washington, announced Friday that it is honoring Jerry Clark, Alison Gill and Earl Fowlkes Jr. as the winners of its 2014 Distinguished Service Awards. The awards, given annually to individuals or organizations serving the LGBT community in the D.C. metro area, will be presented at GLAA's 43rd Anniversary Reception on Wednesday, April 30. Clark, a health-benefits consultant, serves as the chair of the D.C. Statehood Coalition, ... [Read]

Virginia's 2014 Session Setbacks

Despite failure of pro-LGBT legislation, Equality Virginia celebrates small signs of progress

Published on March 7, 2014, 5:03pm

As Virginia's 2014 legislative session comes to close, activists are taking stock. Equality Virginia, the commonwealth's major LGBT-rights organization, came into this year's legislative session with optimism, particularly after the swearing-in of the state's top officeholders: Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring, all of whom were vocal in their support of LGBT rights when elected last fall. But two vacant state Senate seats, affecting the makeup of Senate committees, and a Republican-dominated House of ... [Read]

Celebrating D.C.'s ''Sheroes''

Mayor's Office of GLBT Affairs to honor three women at annual awards ceremony for local leaders

Published on March 7, 2014, 5:00pm

The Mayor's Office of GLBT Affairs today announced the honorees of its third annual ''Sheroes of the Movement'' awards, given annually to lesbian, bisexual or queer women who have made significant contributions to both the LGBT movement and the District. This year's three Sheroes, nominated and selected by members of the Mayor's GLBT Advisory Committee, are Cathy Chu, Amy Nelson and Kelley Robinson. They will be honored at a reception on Friday, March 21. Chu, the youth leadership manager at ... [Read]

Gray Falls Short at Stein Club

Incumbent mayor four votes shy of LGBT Democrats' endorsement at raucous mayoral forum

Published on March 7, 2014, 12:25pm

Incumbent Mayor Vince Gray (D) fell four votes short of securing the coveted endorsement of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, the city's largest LGBT political organization, at a Thursday mayoral forum. He did, however, get closer to that endorsement than any of his challengers, and brought a strong show of support to the forum venue, D.C.'s Metropolitan Community Church, which was packed to capacity. To win the endorsement for the April 1 Democratic primary, Gray needed to earn 60 percent ... [Read]

Locals React to Clarified Coverage

Mayor Gray's statement on 2013 DISB ruling gives transgender D.C. residents access to medically necessary care

Published on March 6, 2014, 8:10am

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray (D) last week announced that the District of Columbia's Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB) would be advising health insurance companies operating in the District about the application of nondiscrimination provisions and recognizing gender dysphoria as a medical condition. The Feb. 27 announcement clarifies the District's position, as stated in a March 2013 bulletin issued by DISB, that health insurers must remove policy language that discriminates on the basis of gender identity and provide those ... [Read]

D.C. Endorsements and Ratings Issued

Gray, Wells, Evans top list in GLAA ratings, as McDuffie and Mendelson win Stein endorsements

Published on March 2, 2014, 2:14pm

With the April Democratic primary fast approaching, some of D.C.'s LGBT organizations are in the midst of vetting candidates for mayor and D.C. Council seats. The Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance (GLAA), a nonpartisan group that rates candidates for their actions on various policies affecting the lives of LGBT residents, released its biennial ratings on Feb. 13. GLAA grades candidates on a scale of -10 to 10 based partly on responses to a questionnaire that outlines the organization's list of ... [Read]

UPDATED: Ruby Corado Recounts Friday-Night Incident

D.C. activists critical of MPD actions that led to transgender woman's arrest for an expired driver's license

Published on March 1, 2014, 4:02pm

A transgender woman was arrested Friday night in the city's 16th Street Heights neighborhood after police pulled her over for an apparently over-crowded SUV and charged her with driving on an expired license. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. close to Kennedy and 13th Streets NW. The passengers in the car included three transgender women, two males and local transgender activist Ruby Corado, founder of the LGBT community resource center Casa Ruby. The seven were departing a support-group meeting that ... [Read]

Gray: D.C. Insurance To Cover Gender Dysphoria Treatments

Mayor's clarification of 2013 DISB ruling will enable transgender residents to access medically necessary care

Published on February 27, 2014, 10:42am

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray (D) on Thursday announced in a press conference at the Wilson Building that the District of Columbia's Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB) will issue a bulletin to health insurance companies in the District about the application of nondiscrimination provisions, in particular recognizing ''gender dysphoria'' as a medical condition. Thursday's announcement clarifies the District's position as stated in a March 2013 bulletin issued by DISB that instructed health insurers to remove language that discriminates on ... [Read]

Virginia Passes ''Religious Expression'' Bill

Critics say measure, which faces McAuliffe veto threat, could allow for anti-LGBT bullying

Published on February 26, 2014, 5:02pm

The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill today that prohibits schools from preventing the expression of religious viewpoints – in speech, clothing, or accessories and through student prayer groups or religious clubs. The bill, SB236, passed the House 64-34 on a mostly party-line vote. The measure passed the Senate by a 20-18 vote in January, but that was prior to the election of two Democratic senators, Jennifer Wexton (D-Loudoun, Fairfax counties) and Lynwood Lewis (D-Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Mathews, Accomack ... [Read]

Ebbin Nets Victory Fund Endorsement

National LGBT organization gives nod to one of three gay men competing for Virginia congressional spot

Published on February 26, 2014, 4:34pm

State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax counties) earned the endorsement of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund Tuesday in his bid to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.). Ebbin, who became the first openly gay member of the Virginia General Assembly in 2004, announced his candidacy last month, citing his progressive stances on various political issues, his steadfast support for equal rights, and his record of working with lawmakers of the opposite party to get things accomplished. ''Adam ... [Read]

Congressional Candidate Sickles Comes Out

Becomes third gay Democrat seeking to replace retiring Virginia Rep. Jim Moran

Published on February 25, 2014, 2:33pm

Virginia Del. Mark Sickles (D-Fairfax Co.) came out as gay in a Feb. 21 column in The Washington Post, making him the third out gay candidate running in a crowded field to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) in the state's heavily Democratic-leaning 8th Congressional District. Sickles's announcement makes him the second openly gay member of the Virginia General Assembly and the only out gay House delegate. The Assembly's other openly gay member, Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax ... [Read]

Opinion

Finding Hope in Uganda

Gay American shares his perspective on the homeland he fled

Published on March 6, 2014, 8:58am

Not long ago, things were calm and somber in Uganda. But bigoted evangelical Christians from the U.S. seeking to promote a homophobic agenda led to the drafting of the so-called ''kill the gays bill.'' The bill no longer includes the death penalty, nor is it still a bill -- it is law. Now that President Museveni has signed it, what lies ahead for Uganda's LGBTQ community? What are the new challenges to the well-being of Ugandan LGBTQ people's survival in ... [Read]

Twice as Good

America is at a cultural, social crossroads demanding a re-examination of privilege

Published on February 27, 2014, 8:08am

Feb. 5 would have been Trayvon Martin's 19th birthday. Jordan Davis would have turned 19 on Feb. 16. There are too many other cases like theirs, and they are not restricted to Florida. To be young and black in America is to be the target of an astonishing degree of savage, unearned hostility. Unlike George Zimmerman, who was acquitted after killing Martin, Michael Dunn at least was convicted for shooting up an SUV full of black teens. But saying he ... [Read]

Taking the Cake

Arizona's archaic attempt to enshrine discrimination against gays is the last-gasp measure of a secessionist mindset

Published on February 25, 2014, 5:58pm

Back in early 2007 I found myself sitting in the fondant-bedecked office of a professional wedding-cake baker in search of the perfect (yet still affordable) three-tier cake for my upcoming wedding. Early in the interview process, after providing the wedding date but before tasting samples, I gestured at Cavin and said, ''This is going to be our gay wedding. Is that going to be a problem?'' A month or so later when I saw the same baker on Food Network ... [Read]

From Feral to Forever

The experience of fostering offers its own special insights

Published on February 20, 2014, 8:21am

One of the knocks on the door last Halloween was not trick nor treat. It was a representative from the Humane Society holding the downstairs neighbor's cat in outstretched arms. ''Is this your cat?'' {Jitters (Photo by Will O'Bryan)} While, no, it was not our cat, the visit was still relevant, as the Humane Society rep explained that the organization had fielded some complaints about feral cats in the neighborhood and was setting out traps. Husband Fernando and I slapped ... [Read]

Mixed Messages

Even as it gets better for gay couples in Virginia, it pays to remember that change still comes slowly

Published on February 20, 2014, 8:20am

Leave it to Virginia to throw a wrench in my wedding plans. This was to be the year that my husband, Cavin, and I took the final step of legalizing it — getting an official license that will be recognized by the federal government and provide us with some much-needed security on issues that our legally married friends have stopped stressing over. This can be confusing as we use the word ''husband'' when referring to each other. We got married ... [Read]