Local
AIDS Healthcare opens Temple Hills Wellness Center
Free, confidential testing for HIV, STDs
Michel ‘Mike’ McVicker-Weaver (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the nation’s largest AIDS services and treatment organization, announced this week that it is opening a Wellness Center in Temple Hills, Md., to provide free and confidential testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.
A statement released by the LGBT supportive organization says the Wellness Center will operate out of AHF’s existing Temple Hills Healthcare Center, which provides HIV/AIDS related treatment and services, at 4302 St. Barnabas Road.
“We are excited to add our Wellness Center services to our Temple Hills Healthcare Center and expand our ability to offer STD and HIV screenings for sexually active adults in a convenient, confidential environment,” said Mike McVicker-Weaver, AHF’s regional manager for the D.C.-Baltimore areas.
“With cultural changes and the rise of mobile dating apps helping to fuel the rise of sexually transmitted diseases – especially among young adults – we want people to make routine STD screenings a key component of their plans for healthy living,” McVicker-Weaver said.
McVicker-Weaver said that similar to its facilities in locations throughout the country, the Los Angeles-based AHF’s Health and Wellness Centers throughout the country provide services to a large number of LGBT clients. He said the screenings at the Temple Hills Wellness Center, which was scheduled to begin operating on May 30, will be for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and primary and secondary syphilis as well as HIV testing.
The AHF statement says the group operates an additional 20 Wellness Centers in the U.S., including in D.C. and eight states. The AHF Health Center in D.C. is located at 2141 K St., N.W., Suite 606.
Information about the times and dates for screenings at the Temple Hills Wellness Center can be obtaining by calling 301-423-1071.
Virginia
VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade
Abigail Spanberger took office on Saturday
The inaugural ceremonies for Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger were held in Richmond, Va. on Saturday. Among the groups marching in the parade were Diversity Richmond and the Virginia Pride project of Diversity Richmond.
View on Threads
Virginia
Va. Senate approves referendum to repeal marriage amendment
Outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin introduced SJ3
The Virginia Senate on Friday by a 26-13 vote margin approved a resolution that seeks to repeal a state constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
Outgoing state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) introduced SJ3. The Senate Privileges and Elections Committee on Wednesday approved it by a 10-4 vote margin.
Same-sex couples have been able to legally marry in Virginia since 2014. Outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2024 signed a bill that codified marriage equality in state law.
A resolution that seeks to repeal the Marshall-Newman Amendment passed in the General Assembly in 2021. The resolution passed again in 2025.
Two successive legislatures must approve the resolution before it can go to the ballot. Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates have said the resolution’s passage is among their 2026 legislative priorities.
“It’s time for Virginia’s Constitution to reflect the law of the land and the values of today,” said Ebbin after Friday’s vote. “This amendment, if approved by voters, would affirm the dignity of all committed couples and protects marriage equality for future generations.”
Maryland
Layoffs and confusion at Pride Center of Maryland after federal grants cut, reinstated
Trump administration move panicked addiction and mental health programs
By ALISSA ZHU | After learning it had abruptly lost $2 million in federal funding, the Pride Center of Maryland moved to lay off a dozen employees, or about a third of its workforce, the Baltimore nonprofit’s leader said Thursday.
The group is one of thousands nationwide that reportedly received letters late Tuesday from the Trump administration. Their mental health and addiction grants had been terminated, effective immediately, the letters said.
By Wednesday night, federal officials moved to reverse the funding cuts by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, estimated to total $2 billion, according to national media reports. But the Pride Center of Maryland’s CEO Cleo Manago said as of Thursday morning he had not heard anything from the federal government confirming those reports.
The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
Voiceless ‘Antony & Cleopatra’ a spectacle of operatic proportions
VIDEO: LGBTQ groups march in Va. inaugural parade
Va. Senate approves referendum to repeal marriage amendment
DNC slams White House for slashing Fla. AIDS funding
Do not forget that Renee Good was queer
Supreme Court hears arguments in two critical cases on trans sports bans
Woman arrested for anti-gay assault at Alexandria supermarket
Honoring 50 queer, trans women with inaugural ‘Carrying Change’ awards
Ruby Corado sentenced to 33 months in prison
Visible and unapologetic: MAL brings the kink this weekend
-
U.S. Supreme Court5 days agoSupreme Court hears arguments in two critical cases on trans sports bans
-
Virginia5 days ago
Woman arrested for anti-gay assault at Alexandria supermarket
-
Commentary5 days ago
Honoring 50 queer, trans women with inaugural ‘Carrying Change’ awards
-
District of Columbia4 days ago
Ruby Corado sentenced to 33 months in prison
