Local

Md. marriage advocates target black voters in new ad

NAACP chair emeritus Julian Bond endorses web ad

Published

14 years ago

July 11, 2012

Michael K. Lavers

NAACP President Benjamin Jealous (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

The campaign that seeks to defend Maryland’s same-sex marriage law on Tuesday released a web advertisement that features black supporters of nuptials for gays and lesbians.

Julian Bond, chairman emeritus of the Baltimore-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, previewed the spot that Marylanders for Marriage Equality released. He said in a statement that the video helps to further humanize the issue of nuptials for gays and lesbians.

“The new video by Marylanders for Marriage Equality shows us what the same-sex marriage debate is really about: our gay and lesbian family members, neighbors, friends, co-workers – and those who support them,” he said. “It’s this human side we cannot forget about as the campaign gets underway.”

Support for marriage rights for same-sex couples among black Americans has increased significantly since the President Obama publicly backed the issue and the NAACP National Board of Directors passed a resolution in support of nuptials for gays and lesbians in May.

An ABC News/Washington Post poll conducted days after Obama endorsed same-sex marriage during an interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts indicated that 59 percent of black respondents support nuptials for gays and lesbians—a nearly 20 percent increase from surveys that had been taken before the interview. A second survey from Public Policy Poling found that 55 percent of black Marylanders would vote for their state’s same-sex marriage law in the likely November referendum.

Bishop Harry Jackson of Hope Christian Church in Beltsville remains one of the most prominent black opponents of the state’s same-sex marriage law; but current NAACP President Benjamin Jealous is among those who continue to speak out in support of nuptials for gays and lesbians.

Marylanders for Marriage Equality continues to partner with the Maryland Black Family Alliance and other groups to build support for the state’s same-sex marriage law. Volunteers collected hundreds of signatures during last month’s Baltimore Black Pride. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was among those who attended a fundraiser in the Charm City in June that raised $20,000 for Marylanders for Marriage Equality.

“In the end, I do feel we will win,” the Rev. Meredith Moise, co-chair of Baltimore Black Pride, told the Blade as she discussed what she described as the conversations that LGBT groups of color and their allies have been having with their friends, family members, neighbors and ministers about same-sex marriage and other issues for years. “Honestly if we win the referendum or not, we still will have won because black gays and lesbians are coming out, they’re talking about their lives to their families and friends. And that in and of itself helps us expand our frame of reference. Our community is going to win. Legislatively something will happen, but ultimately we will win.”

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District of Columbia

Blade welcomes fall intern

Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida

Published

1 day ago

September 2, 2026

Staff reports

Alexis McLean (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

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

Published

2 days ago

September 1, 2026

Thomas Weaverling

David Archuleta headlines this year’s SUNFESTIVAL on Saturday in Rehoboth Beach. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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

Published

2 days ago

September 1, 2026

Baltimore Banner

Anne Arundel County Public Schools has issued new internal guidance for students who ask to be addressed by gender-affirming names and pronouns. (Photo by Eric Thompson for the Baltimore Banner)

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.