Local
G-town student, 20, earns distinction in local race
Cassey just might be nation’s youngest out gay official
Georgetown University sophomore Craig Cassey says tension between students and residents inspired him to run. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
A Georgetown University sophomore was on track this week to become what he claims will be the youngest openly gay elected official in the country, running for a special ANC Commission post for Ward 2E, a campus-specific seat.
Craig Cassey, 20, ran as a write-in candidate. The Board of Elections didn’t have numbers available as of Blade press time this week, but Cassey says he was running unopposed. He knows of no one else conducting a write-in campaign for the seat. If he wins, he’ll be sworn in in January and serve with seven other members of his commission.
The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund confirmed that a Cassey victory would be unprecedented for an LGBT elected official.
“We’ve checked and can find no out elected official as young as him anywhere in the country,” Denis Dison, a spokesperson for the Victory Fund, wrote in an e-mail. A representative from the D.C. Board of Elections said this week that their office should have estimates of the number of write-ins in the race this week, but that official numbers and the names of the candidates could take weeks to confirm.
Cassey hopes to inspire young people if he wins.
“In the same way, I think being the youngest openly gay elected official will motivate others and will allow younger gay and lesbian teens to see that you can be elected as a gay person. Politics is something … you don’t have to shy away from for fear of persecution,” he said.
Cassey said he went the write-in route because the lack of students on campus during summer, when petition signatures to get on the ballot must be gathered, made it difficult to secure enough to get on the ballot. He tried but came up two short of the 25 needed. Students switching dorms made it hard to find enough during summer who knew where they’d be for fall, he said. The matter was further complicated by a redistricting process that occurred last year affecting the makeup of the district for which he’s running.
Cassey, a psychology and philosophy major, hopes to earn a master’s degree in applied positive psychology and use it to help gay teens realize their potential and role in the world.
In reference to his sexual orientation and age, Cassey has not experienced any criticism in his bid for office. Looking back on the anti-gay assaults against Georgetown students in recent years, Cassey expressed relief at the changing culture.
“In today’s campus climate, we can have an openly gay candidate run, and it’s really not a big issue.”
Cassey recently won the Victory Fund’s Onward to Victory contest, which earned him an all-expenses-paid trip to the Fund’s Candidate & Campaign Training in Long Beach, Calif., at the end of November.
“Craig is what this country needs,” said Jack Jacobson, openly gay ANC Ward 2B commissioner. “He’s young and gay, which are two underrepresented demographics. He’s standing up and giving them a seat at the table. It will make a positive impact for the entire community.”
Jacobson ran unopposed for the Ward 2 seat of the D.C. State Board of Education.
Early on in Cassey’s time at Georgetown, he noticed tension between the student body and the surrounding community. He decided to run for a seat on the ANC because he saw the potential to build a stronger sense of community between the two populations.
He hopes to promote more student involvement in the Georgetown community and encourage students to volunteer in the area. He would also like to see Georgetown University hold more events to engage young, local families.
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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