News
The Fix | Oct. 9: boxers & weathermen come out, Savage says ‘sue’
HIV testing news, ex-gay therapy ban might come to Jersey, married lesbian killed in Afghanistan, corporations called to pause Scouts donations & more
Top ‘Featherweight’ boxer from Puerto Rico, Orlando Cruz, has come out as a proud gay man, and Blabbeando has the twitter reaction from the celebroverse. (via Blabbeando)
I want to start out congratulating Good Morning America’s Sam Champion for coming out and announcing his upcoming nuptials, as was reported by many outlets, including JoeMyGod. After it happened, my mom called and couldn’t wait to tell me about it to make sure it ends up in The Fix. It’s funny which ‘comings out’ really resonate with middle America. A weather dude? OK, we’ll take it! Now here’s the news:
- On the heels of a similar ruling in Minnesota reported here, CTV reports the Canadian Supreme Court has made a major ruling on HIV criminalization, saying that HIV+ Canadians need not disclose their serostatus if they wear a condom and have a low viral load. However, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, and several other Canadian HIV advocacy groups say the ruling does not go far enough because it requires a seropositive partner to disclose his or her status even when using protection, if they have a high viral load.
- The first bloodless at-home HIV test has gone on sale this week, and the New York Times has an interesting idea for an unintended use for the test 30 minute test: screening the tricks you bring home for HIV. Don’t forget, though, a negative test result only means your trick was HIV-free three months ago at best, since it only screens for antibodies to the virus, not the virus itself.
- AmericaBlog tells us Dan Savage tells FRC’s Tony Perkins “Sue me, Tony” after the anti-gay group’s leader threatened to take the gay columnist to court after some incendiary statements. What did Dan say that was so bad? “Tony Perkins sits on a pile of dead gay kids every day when he goes to work,” and that “every dead gay kid is a victory for the Family Research Council.” Hmm. What do you think about what Dan said? Comment bellow.
- Now that California has barred ex-gay therapy for minors, New Jersey is amping up to repeat the feat, says the Huffington Post.
- My brilliant friend over at Sirius/XM OutQ radio, Michelangelo Signorile, is calling out the big brands that back the Boy Scouts: time to stop funding discrimination, and use your massive donations to press for change.
- We’re also very sad to pass on that a married lesbian service member has been killed in Afghanistan, according to California gay magazine, Frontiers L.A. Though its good that today her partner will be notified and that she was able to finish her last year in uniform serving openly, unfortunately, because of the Defense of Marriage Act, her partner cannot be seen as her legal spouse, and therefore, not her beneficiary.
VIDEO | Rachel Maddow chats with Prop 8 attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies and it’s really incredible:
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
(h/t Towleroad)
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
