Local
Trans woman charged in carjacking of U.S. senator’s daughter
A transgender woman awaiting possible placement in a court-ordered counseling program was one of two people charged last week with allegedly carjacking a vehicle a U.S. senator’s daughter was driving in D.C.
Prince George’s County police arrested two suspects at a Taco Bell restaurant in Seat Pleasant, Md., about an hour after they allegedly pulled U.S. Sen. Bob Corker’s daughter Julia Corker, 22, from her Chevrolet Tahoe while she was stopped at a red light at Seventh and D streets, N.W., police said. The two reportedly drove away in the vehicle and later parked it outside the Taco Bell, which is located near a police station.
The transgender woman, who according to D.C. court records uses the name Gabrielle, was identified by police by her legal name, DeWalden Connor, 22, of Capitol Heights, Md. The other suspect was identified as Steven Alston, 25, of Northeast D.C. Both suspects were held this week in Prince George’s County on $75,000 bond pending their extradition to D.C.
Records in D.C. Superior Court show that at the time of her arrest, Connor was awaiting placement in a special diversion program following an Oct. 21 arrest in D.C. on a charge of sexual solicitation. The records show the diversion program is operated by Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive, which is based in Adams Morgan.
HIPS Executive Director Cyndee Clay said privacy rules prevented her from disclosing the names of participants in the program. She said the court and the U.S. Attorney’s office have retained HIPS to operate the program, which provides counseling and skills training for trans women arrested on prostitution related charges. Diversion programs call for the dropping of first-offense charges against enrollees if they successfully complete the program.
Court records show that Superior Court Judge Kaye Christian was scheduled to rule Dec. 17 on whether Connor should be accepted into the HIPS program. It could not immediately be determined if the carjacking arrest would adversely affect her chances of being accepted in the program.
According to an account released by the senator’s office, D.C. police, Capitol Hill police, the FBI, and Prince George’s County police responded within minutes of Julie Corker’s report of the carjacking. The law enforcement agencies arranged for the tracking of the vehicle through its OnStar anti-theft, global positioning device, police said, which resulted in county police finding the car.
Police charged Connor and Alston with unauthorized use of a vehicle and theft of over $500. The two could be charged with additional offenses upon extradition to D.C.
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.
Blade welcomes fall intern
PHOTOS: Miss Gay Old Bay
SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer
Anne Arundel schools now need parent permission to call trans students by preferred names
Shooting outside gay bar in Ariz. leaves three dead
San Francisco, long a queer safe haven, remains competitive for homebuyers
Calendar: August 28-September 3
‘Teenage Sex and Death’ has never been more entertaining
Actor Tim Curry dies at 80
