Local
Obituary: Steven Smith, 57
Steven Smith (Blade file photo)
Steven Smith, a D.C. resident since the early 1980s and the owner of the Capitol Hill gay bar Remington’s, died April 15 at Georgetown University Hospital from complications associated with liver cancer. He was 57.
Smith’s partner, Doug Bogaev, said Smith and then partner Dick Brandrupt bought Remington’s in July 1985 when it was called Equus. The two renamed the bar Remington’s and continued operating it as a popular gay country-Western bar that featured dancing.
Smith later enlarged the bar by expanding it into an adjacent building on the 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E., where it has operated since it first opened as Equus in 1980.
According to Bogaev, Smith was born in Miami, and grew up in Tyrone, Ga. Smith served five years in the U.S. Coast Guard before moving to D.C. in the early 1980s, Bogaev said.
Under Smith’s ownership, Remington’s has been credited with hosting numerous LGBT community events, including fundraisers for the city’s annual Capital Pride festival and parade.
Smith was praised by LGBT activists in 1997 for his handling of an incident in which five Marines stationed at the U.S. Marine Barracks located a few blocks away at 8th and I Streets, S.E., tossed a tear gas grenade into Remington’s, causing minor injuries to several customers and triggering an uproar in the gay community.
The incident, which was considered an anti-gay attack, drew national media attention and statements of condemnation by D.C. government officials. LGBT activists staged a protest demonstration outside the Marine Barracks to demand strict disciplinary action against the perpetrators of the attack.
Smith, who called on the Marine commandant to take steps to prevent future harassment against the bar by Marines, told the Blade that a barracks commander apologized and promised to take swift disciplinary action against any Marine creating problems for the bar.
While saying he was sympathetic to the activists’ protest against the barracks, Smith also told the Blade he supported the Marines and didn’t want to see the Marines’ reputation tarnished because of a “few bad apples.”
Bogaev said he will continue to operate Remington’s along with the bar’s staff.
“I feel he was an absolutely wonderful person,” said Bogaev. “He would always put a smile on your face.”
In addition to Bogaev, Smith is survived by two brothers, Bobby and James, and a sister, Sharon.
A celebration of his life is scheduled to take place at Remington’s on May 7 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the American Cancer Society and Whitman-Walker Health, the new name for D.C.’s Whitman-Walker Clinic.
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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