Local
Gray, HIV/AIDS service providers mark World AIDS Day
More than 100 people attended candlelight vigil in Dupont Circle
Chayla Daniels speaks at the World AIDS Day candlelight vigil in Dupont Circle on Dec. 1. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
“I’m looking forward to the day when we come together on World AIDS Day and say it is the last World AIDS Day because we have licked this disease, we have overcome it, there will be no more infections, we have found a cure for those who have it and people are practicing prevention techniques so they don’t contract this disease again in the future,” said D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray.
First held in 1988, this year’s World AIDS Day took place less than five months after the nation’s capital hosted the International AIDS Conference.
Gray noted nearly 12,000 Washingtonians have died from AIDS since the city’s first known case in 1983. The Department of Health’s latest epidemiological report indicates 15,000 D.C. residents – or 2.7 percent of the city’s population – were living with HIV at the end of 2010.
Even though new HIV infections in D.C. have dropped 26 percent between 2006 and 2010, Gray acknowledged the fight against the virus in the nation’s capital is far from over.
“Of course the most important goal is to end the epidemic — end it in the District of Columbia,” he said. “We know that anything above one percent is exceeding what would be epidemic levels. We are at 2.7 percent and frankly in terms of prevalence we will probably be at 2.7 or around it for a while because we are now able to extend life. But in terms of incidents… we’re going to see that number come down because people are getting better educated, they’re practicing better prevention techniques and just doing more to recognize that the best way to treat this disease is not to have it in the first place.”
Dr. Gregory Pappas of the DOH’s HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Disease and Tuberculosis Administration joined DOH Interim Director Dr. Saul Levin; Deputy D.C. Mayor Bibi Otero; Andrew Barnett, executive director of Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) and others at the vigil. Reverend Dwayne Johnson of Metropolitan Community Church of Washington was among those who also spoke.
“With my children growing up one day into a world that could be HIV free, that generation is now. That generation is here,” said Chayla Daniels, whose two young children served as grand marshals of the annual AIDS Walk Washington in October.
A peer educator since she was in high school, Daniels said her husband’s aunt passed away from AIDS. Several of his relative learned they were living with HIV while in the military.
“This disease does not discriminate, so don’t you fail to educate,” she said.
Don Blanchon, executive director of Whitman-Walker Health, urged those who attended the vigil to get tested if they don’t know their status. He reiterated the epidemic is far from over, but stressed the fight against HIV/AIDS has made tremendous strides over the last 25 years.
“On that first World AIDS Day a quarter of a century ago; there was still much fear, great sadness and little hope in the near-term and in the long-term,” said Blanchon. “With no effective treatments, AIDS was absolutely a death sentence for many who were infected. And many family and friends had to bury a loved one after long and painful struggles and restless nights. Now we mark World AIDS Day with much less fear and sadness and with a tremendous amount of hope.”
Dr. Gregory Pappas (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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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