Local
Pastor: Sandy struck NYC after Bloomberg gave $250,000 to Md. marriage campaign
Minister noted mayor contributed $250,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality
Pastor Luke Robinson of Quinn Chapel AME Church in Frederick, Md. (Photo from Quinn Chapel AME Church)
FREDERICK, Md.—A local minister on Sunday noted Superstorm Sandy hit New York City after Mayor Michael Bloomberg donated $250,000 to the campaign defending the state’s same-sex marriage law.
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“While he was here, he got word that he needed to go back to New York because a storm was going to hit New York and he needed to go back and make preparations,” said Pastor Luke Robinson of Quinn Chapel AME Church in Frederick during an anti-Question 6 rally at Baker Park. Bloomberg appeared at a pro-Question 6 press conference with Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake in the Charm City on Oct. 26. “On Oct. 28, a storm hit New York. And one of the things that we have discussed and learned from New York is that New York is a proud city. They never close.”
Robinson said during the event Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council, state Del. Neil Parrott (R-Washington County) and a few dozen others attended that the Bible “very clearly” states “before a fall pride cometh.” Maryland Marriage Alliance Chair Derek McCoy was also scheduled to speak at the event, but he did not attend.
“So here was the mayor of New York giving a quarter of a million dollars, coming down to Maryland discussing the matter,” said Robinson. “While he’s here somebody whispers in the ear, you better go back home and protect your stock because God is sending judgment. The thing came through the area. You have to understand the season and the time. It’s almost the end of hurricane season, but God sent one of the biggest hurricanes ever.”
Bloomberg on Oct. 12 announced he had donated $250,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality. The Johns Hopkins University alum has also given $500,000 to same-sex marriage efforts in Maine, Minnesota and Washington.
Robinson acknowledged the storm that killed more than 40 people in the five boroughs and dozens of others in the United States also impacted Maryland.
“The storm came through here, but for the glory of God the storm didn’t tear us up because we got that hope for us,” he said. “There are people who are praying for us. There are people who believe in God, we [are] going to turn it around.”
Robinson further pointed out God is “holding back until we can have the final verdict” on Election Day.
“In the meantime in New York City and New York State and even in New Jersey and even up in the New England area, what happened?” he asked rhetorically. “God sent a storm that tore the place up — up in Massachusetts and all up in that lot because they have rejected the truth and the knowledge of God. So with all of… your money you still can’t win if God says he’s on our side and we are on the side that can win. And we must win and we must never — you must go back, you must go back. You must tell your neighbors. You must tell your friends. Brother Peter [Sprigg] has shared with us the consequences of this thing. It will destroy this country as we know it and we’ve got to work.”
Neither Robinson, his church, Parrott or the Maryland Marriage Alliance immediately returned the Washington Blade’s requests for comment.
Marylanders for Marriage Equality and an O’Malley spokesperson declined to respond to Robinson’s comments.
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
Rehoboth Beach
SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer
Labor Day Weekend bustling with events, including David Archuleta performance
Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer in Rehoboth Beach, but there will be no shortage of LGBTQ events, with CAMP Rehoboth’s annual SUNFESTIVAL taking over town this weekend.
Thursday (9/3)
Get your Labor Day Weekend started early Thursday night with happy hour from 5-7 p.m. at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub, followed by Naughtee Bingo hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 8:30 p.m.
After bingo, the party continues with Dancing at Diego’s from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Aqua Bar & Grill will also kick off its Labor Day Weekend festivities Thursday with a DJ spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Friday (9/4)
The weekend ramps up Friday night at Aqua, where DJ Matt Bailer will keep the dance floor moving from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Over at Diego’s, DJ Steve Sidewalk will then take over Diego’s for Freedom Friday from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Saturday (9/5)
The main event of the weekend arrives Saturday with the opening night of CAMP Rehoboth’s SUNFESTIVAL.
Billed as the ultimate party to close out the summer, SUNFESTIVAL has become one of Rehoboth’s signature Labor Day Weekend events. The annual celebration sells out each year, with proceeds benefiting CAMP Rehoboth.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments available at the cash bar while attendees are invited to socialize and find their seats.
Saturday night will feature local singer Ashley Williams as the opening performer, followed by headliner David Archuleta. The event will also feature a live auction.
Back across town Saturday, Aqua will continue its Labor Day Weekend DJ lineup from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Diego’s will also have plenty happening, with ‘Splash Party’ hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 5 p.m., followed by a Saturday Dance Party with Brett Oosterhaus from 9 p.m.- 1:30 a.m.
The Blue Moon hosts its popular Legends Show at 9 p.m. It’s an all-live singing show by the Blue Moon cast of celebrity impersonators.
Etienne Pilon has taken Rehoboth by storm this summer. Check out the talented singer/pianist at The Pines from 7-10 p.m.
Sunday (9/6)
Sunday’s SUNFESTIVAL event will shift the focus to the dance floor, with globally renowned DJs Robbie Leslie and James Anthony scheduled to perform. Doors open at 7 p.m., with dancing continuing until 1 a.m.
On Sunday, Aqua will throw its annual White Party, with DJs spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in white for the holiday weekend celebration.
Diego’s will host its Sunday High T-Dance with Pamala Stanley at 5 p.m. Later that evening, DJ Tannr will be spinning at 9 p.m.
John Flynn is on the piano from 6-8 p.m. at the Blue Moon.
Monday (9/7)
The final day of Labor Day Weekend brings one last chance to hit the dance floor before summer officially winds down.
Aqua will close out its five-day Labor Day Weekend celebration with DJ Biff from 3-7 p.m.
Maryland
Anne Arundel schools now need parent permission to call trans students by preferred names
Conservative groups challenged system’s policy
By JESSICA CALEFATI | Anne Arundel County Public Schools staff cannot use transgender students’ preferred names if their parents oppose it, according to an internal document reviewed by the Banner, a change that comes after conservative groups challenged the school system’s approach to gender identity.
Teachers union president Kristina Korona told members in an Aug. 20 email that the new guidance undermines district policy on acceptance and inclusivity and “will begin harming affected students immediately.”
Previously, the district didn’t require parental permission to use a high school student’s chosen name and pronouns corresponding to their gender identity, the internal document says. Now it does. The change comes as parents challenge the suburban school system’s gender identity policy and regulation in court and the Trump-Vance administration threatens the district’s funding.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
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