Local
Va. group asks for ‘Equality’ license plate
Message would read, ‘Equality for All’
Virginia State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) said he was not contacted by Equality Virginia to be the one to introduce the legislation to create the “Equality for All” license plate, but said he fully supports such legislation and believes it will pass, despite the Virginia General Assembly’s longstanding reluctance to pass LGBT rights measures. (Photo courtesy of Adam Ebbin)
The statewide LGBT advocacy group Equality Virginia says it has arranged for members of the Virginia General Assembly to introduce legislation to create a license plate bearing its name as well as the slogan “Equality for All.”
“A number of Equality Virginia supporters have shown an interest for an equality license plate,” the group says on its website. “As a result, we are working with legislators to pass a bill this session that will give Virginians the option to put an equality license plate on their car.”
But the website message notes that under existing law, a bill expected to be introduced in January to create the license plate cannot move forward unless Equality Virginia submits 450 pre-paid applications from Virginia motorists requesting the plate. The fee for the plate is $25.
The website message includes a link to an online application set up by Equality Virginia, which says it will collect all the payments and applications and deliver them in bulk to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
“While we expect this legislation to pass, please rest assured that if it does not, you will be fully refunded,” the website message says.
Virginia State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), who’s gay, said he was not contacted by Equality Virginia to be the one to introduce the legislation to create the “Equality for All” license plate. But said he fully supports such legislation and believes it will pass, despite the Virginia General Assembly’s longstanding reluctance to pass LGBT rights measures.
“The General Assembly has passed both pro-life and pro-choice license plates in the past,” Ebbin said. “So license plates for a point of view are not new,” he said, adding that the legislature has approved more than 100 different kinds of personalized license plates. Many, he said, advocate for a cause such as animal rights.
James Parish, Equality Virginia’s executive director, said the depiction of the plate shown on the website could be modified before it is formally introduced in the General Assembly, but he expects the final product to be similar to the image published on the site. He said members of the General Assembly all know what Equality Virginia stands for and the overwhelming response by EV members and supporters to the proposed license plate has been “highly supportive.”
The online form for applying for the “Equality” license plate can be reached via equalityvirginia.org.
Baltimore
More than 15K people attend Baltimore Trans Pride
Baltimore Safe Haven organized annual event
More than 15,000 people attended Baltimore Safe Haven’s annual Trans Pride on Saturday.
“Last year we had maybe 2,500, and the year before that, we had 5,000,” Renee Lau, administrative assistant for special projects coordinator for Baltimore Safe Haven, said. “In today’s political climate, it’s absolutely amazing.”
Lau said allies and other groups “went into hiding” for about a month or two after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, but then all at once, different organizations started to reach out.
“The community has really come together to support us,” Lau said. “It was a fun, exciting day.”
Baltimore Safe Haven Executive Director Iya Dammons in a press release said the “historic turnout” showed the transgender community’s strength, as well as their unity to fight for justice and equality for all LGBTQ people.
At the event, attendees were seen waving flags and shouting “Trans Lives Matter,” showing their support for the community.
On Friday, before Trans Pride, Baltimore Safe Haven opened their new building to the public, gathering notable attendees like the Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohan, Council Member Antonio Glover, and representatives from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.
“(It) was historic in itself because … we’re the only direct service providers for people in the LGBT community,” Lau said.
Providing housing for 18- to 24-year-olds, Lau said the new building also serves as a community hub and has office spaces for workers.
With only a few hiccups of arguments between attendees and fixing street blockades during Trans Pride, Lau said the event showed what the community can do.
“It was amazing that so many people came out and had that much fun. We were all giddy by Sunday morning,” Lau said. “(It gave) Safe Haven exposure and continuity. We are not just an LGBT organization, we are an organization that supports the entire community.”
District of Columbia
Juvenile arrested for anti-gay assault in D.C.
Police say suspect targeted victim in house with Pride flags
D.C. police announced on June 16 that they have arrested a 13-year-old juvenile male on a charge of Assault With Significant Bodily Injury for allegedly throwing a rock through the window of a house in Northeast D.C. and “striking the victim in the face.”
In a statement announcing the arrest, police said the incident took place on Friday, June 6, and “LGBTQ+ flags were displayed at the front of the home.”
A separate D.C. police incident report obtained by the Washington Blade states, “Victim 1 reports he was sitting in his living room at the listed location watching television when a rock came through the front window and struck him about his left eye. Victim 1 suffered a laceration under his left eye.”
The report adds, “Victim 1 states he observed Suspect 1 running away.”
According to the June 16 statement issued by police, “On Sunday, June 15, 2025, officers located the suspect and placed him under arrest. [A] 13-year-old juvenile male of Northeast D.C., was charged with Assault With Significant Bodily Injury (Hate/Bias).”
The statement says the house where the incident occurred is located on the 400 block of 20th Street, N.E.
Similar to statements D.C. police have issued regarding LGBTQ bias-related cases in the past, the statement announcing this case says that while the case is being investigated as being potentially motivated by hate or bias, that designation could be changed at any time during the investigation.
It adds that a hate crime designation by D.C. police may not be prosecuted as a hate crime by prosecutors. Under D.C. law, juvenile cases are prosecuted by the Office of the D.C. Attorney General.
Since court records for cases involving juveniles are sealed from public access, the Blade could not immediately determine whether prosecutors designated the case as a hate crime.
It also could not immediately be determined if the juvenile charged in the case was being held in detention while awaiting trial at juvenile court or whether he was released to a parent or guardian and whether a judge set any conditions for release.
The police statement concludes by saying that the department’s Special Liaison Branch, which includes the LGBT Liaison Unit, is assisting with the investigation.
Milton, Del., will host its Pride Fest this Saturday with the theme “Small Town, Big Heart.” The town’s population of just over 3,000 is in its sixth year hosting Pride.
The event is hosted by Sussex Pride and Milton Theatre and will take place from 4-8 p.m. in the area surrounding the theater. Admission is pay-what-you-can and proceeds will support the Milton Theatre’s education wing campaign, an initiative dedicated to expanding arts education and creating spaces for the next generation of performers and artists.
The musical act schedule includes Goldstar at 4 p.m., Magnolia Applebottom and Friends at 5:30 p.m., and Mama’s Blacksheep at 6:45 p.m. There will be vendors, food trucks, and a Kids Fest with an inflatable obstacle course.
“In our little corner of the world, LOVE leads the way! Milton Pride 2025 is a celebration for EVERYONE — neighbors, families, allies, and friends — because acceptance, kindness, and community belong to us all,” Milton Theatre’s website reads. “Whether you’re here to cheer, learn, or simply feel the joy … you’re welcome exactly as you are. Let’s come together and celebrate Milton, a SMALL TOWN … with a BIG HEART!”
Madras High Court says families are possible outside marriage
More than 15K people attend Baltimore Trans Pride
Baldwin, Pocan named on alleged Minn. shooter’s target lists
Blogging my way through the Norwegian Fjords and the Arctic
Juvenile arrested for anti-gay assault in D.C.
Tel Aviv Pride parade cancelled after Israel attacks Iran
Drive with Pride in D.C.
Delawareans march in D.C. WorldPride parade
Why queer firearm ownership is a matter of survival
