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Jindal caves on same-sex marriage in Louisiana

GOP hopeful had sought to delay implementation of marriage ruling

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Bobby Jindal, Louisiana, Republican Party, CPAC, Conservative Political Action Conference, gay news, Washington Blade

Bobby Jindal, Louisiana, Republican Party, CPAC, Conservative Political Action Conference, gay news, Washington Blade

Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La.) is recognizing same-sex marriages in Louisiana. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

After fighting to the furthest extent possible against the U.S. Supreme Court, the administration of Gov. Bobby Jindal announced on Thursday it would begin to recognize same-sex marriages.

According to NOLA.com, Louisiana’s Department of Vital Records is now recognizing them after the federal district court that once upheld the marriage ban in the state reversed its decision and upon guidance from the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Washington Blade confirmed with the agency the state will now recognize same-sex marriages.

“Today the Eastern District Court of Louisiana ordered the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples who complete a marriage application at the Department’s Office of Vital Records in Orleans Parish,” Olivia Hwang, spokesperson for the agency is quoted as saying.

Jindal, who’s running for the Republican nomination for president as a social conservative, has stalled on implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage at every possible turn.

After the Supreme Court decision was handed down, he said his administration wouldn’t recognize same-sex marriages — including for tax purposes and other states benefits — until action from the Fifth Circuit, which was considering litigation directly challenging the state’s marriage ban.

But after the Fifth Circuit acted on Thursday, reversing the judgment of a district court that upheld Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage and remanding the litigation to the court, Jindal delayed implementation again, saying through a spokesperson the district court would have to issue judgment before the state would recognize same-sex marriage.

Only after U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman issued judgment in the litigation, Robicheaux v. Caldwell, did Jindal’s administration concede Louisiana was a marriage-equality state.

Kenneth Upton, senior counsel Lambda Legal and attorney for same-sex couples in the case, said Jindal dragged out implementation of the Supreme Court decision.

“While we wonder why Gov. Jindal insisted on dragging his feet in complying with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling and the subsequent very clear order from the Fifth Circuit, we are pleased for our clients and all same-sex couples in Louisiana that they will now be able to marry and have their marriages recognized by the state,” Upton said.

Jindal is facing litigation filed by American Civil Liberties Union over his religious freedom executive order allowing individuals to refuse to recognize same-sex marriage, including for the purposes of anti-LGBT discrimination. The governor signed the executive order after legislation along those lines failed in the legislature.

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Hungary

New Hungarian prime minister takes office

Péter Magyar’s party defeated anti-LGBTQ Viktor Orbán last month

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Péter Magyar votes in Budapest, Hungary on April 12, 2026. He has been sworn in as the country's new prime minister. (Screen capture via APT/YouTube)

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar took office on Saturday.

Magyar’s center-right Tisza party on April 12 defeated then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz-KDNP coalition. Vice President JD Vance less than a week before the election traveled to Budapest, the Hungarian capital, and urged Hungarians to support Orbán.

Orbán had been in office since 2010. He and his government faced widespread criticism over its anti-LGBTQ crackdown.

The European Commission in 2022 sued Hungary, which is a member of the EU, over the country’s anti-LGBTQ propaganda law. The European Union’s top court, the EU Court of Justice, on April 21 struck down the statute.

The EU while Orbán was office withheld upwards of €35 billion ($41.26) in funds to Hungary in response to concerns over corruption, rule of law, and other issues.

Hungarian lawmakers in March 2025 passed a bill that banned Pride events and allowed authorities to use facial recognition technology to identify those who participate in them. MPs later amended the Hungarian constitution to ban public LGBTQ events.

Upwards of 100,000 people last June defied the ban and marched in Budapest’s annual Pride parade.

“Congratulations to [Péter Magyar] on becoming prime minister of Hungary,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X.

“This Europe Day, our hearts are in Budapest,” she added. “The hope and promise of renewal is a powerful signal in these challenging times.”

“We have important work ahead of us,” noted von der Leyen. “For Hungary and for Europe, we are moving forward together.”

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Comings & Goings

Whitman-Walker honors Rep. Sarah McBride

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U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected]

Congratulations to Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-Del.) on being honored with this year’s Stonewall Award from Whitman-Walker Health. Amy Nelson, senior director of Legal Services, said, “Congresswoman Sarah McBride is working to make healthcare accessible to all, and this award recognizes her support of healthcare as a human right. Our legal program supports families facing unprecedented challenges to stay healthy and safe – families that Congresswoman McBride champions with a deep understanding of the issues they face and the legislative expertise of how to support them.”  

McBride, in a press release, said, “I am honored to accept this year’s Stonewall Award from Whitman-Walker Health — an organization that has spent 40 years doing vital work to ensure every person can access the dignity of care. In the wealthiest and most developed nation on earth, the ability to receive care should not be a matter of luck—it should be the law of the land. I am proud to be recognized as a partner in this work and to support Whitman-Walker Health in their mission to build a healthier society for all.”

Congratulations also to Wes Drummond who will join Clear Space Theatre Company in Rehoboth Beach, Del., as its third artistic director. Managing Director Joe Gfaller said, “This is an exciting moment of growth for Clear Space as we welcome Wes to join our remarkable team. I am confident he will be an excellent partner as we work with our entire staff, board, and committed team of volunteers, to ensure Clear Space can achieve its full potential in pursuit of our mission to unite and enrich our community through every production on stage, and every arts-based learning program we offer throughout our community.” 

On accepting the position Drummond said, “I’m honored to join Clear Space Theatre Company as artistic director, and beyond excited for what we’re about to create together. Clear Space has established itself as a vital and vibrant part of the cultural life of coastal Delaware, and I feel incredibly fortunate to step into this next chapter alongside such a passionate and dedicated team. Rehoboth Beach is a place defined by creativity and community, and I look forward to listening, learning, and building meaningful relationships across the region in the months ahead. My vision is to help Clear Space continue to grow as a bold, forward-thinking, cultural force, that champions fearless storytelling.”

Wes Drummond

Drummond served in leadership roles at Duluth Playhouse in Duluth, Minn., from 2021 to 2026, including four years as executive director followed by one year as executive producing artistic director, guiding the organization through a period of significant transformation and stability in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a director, he has worked extensively in New York City, Chicago, and at regional theaters across the country, directing both musical theater and plays with a focus on storytelling that bridges classical works with contemporary perspectives. He has collaborated with leading figures in the industry, including Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus, and Tony-nominated director Michael Greif. He is an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Wes earned his MFA in directing, Penn State University, where he studied under Tony-nominated director, Susan H. Schulman. 

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Virginia

Va. Supreme Court invalidates Democrat-backed redistricting plan

Voters narrowly approved new congressional districts last month

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Virginia Supreme Court (Photo by sainaniritu/Bigstock)

The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday struck down a Democrat-backed redistricting plan that voters approved last month.

Ten of 11 of Virginia’s congressional districts favor Democrats in the plan that passed by a 51-48 vote margin in last month’s referendum.

The Human Rights Campaign PAC is among the groups that support it. The court by a 4-3 majority invalidated the referendum results.

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