Local

Gay Marylanders celebrate state’s same-sex marriage law

Equality Maryland event drew nearly 100 people to Chase Court in Baltimore

Published

14 years ago

January 11, 2013

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake hosted some of Maryland’s first same-sex weddings on Jan. 1.(Photo by Steve Charing)

BALTIMORE – Nearly 100 people gathered at Chase Court on Thursday to celebrate Maryland’s same-sex marriage law that took effect on Jan. 1.

“It’s great that we can be on the celebration side of things,” Tony Bowen, member of the Equality Maryland Foundation Board of Directors, said during the event. “It’s great that we can be saying that after Jan. 1, there are plenty of lovely couples that are now married.”

David Egan, owner of Chase Court, noted the former Christ Episcopal Church parish house has hosted commitment ceremonies for gay and lesbian couples since 2004. He became emotional as he referenced the state’s same-sex marriage law.

“We’re very proud at this point to be calling them same-sex marriages,” Egan said. “It’s a thrill for us. It’s important for me personally, to us as a business. And I want to say to so many people in our industry, the wedding industry, who are so thrilled for all kinds of reasons to see this happening.”

Maryland is one of nine states and D.C. that allow same-sex marriage, while neighboring Delaware is among the states expected to debate the issue this year.

Baltimore residents John Kyle and Peter Satten married on Jan. 1 in a small ceremony at the Blue Hill Tavern in the city’s Canton neighborhood — they chose to tie the knot on the first day same-sex couples could legally marry in Maryland, in part, because it was their 23rd anniversary.

“I feel great about it,” Kyle told the Washington Blade when asked about the law taking effect. “I worked hard for it: Fundraising, volunteering, working the polls, lobbying in the legislature. It’s great that we got this right now right here in Maryland.”

Equality Maryland Office Manager Vanessa Bowling and her partner of nearly five years plan to marry in 2014.

“Other than the fact that we love each other and want to spend our lives together, having that legal recognition and being able to take care of our property and our family and everything that the law will allow us to do is very important to us,” she told the Blade.

Bowling conceded she was “in shock” when voters in November approved the state’s same-sex marriage law by a 52-48 percent margin. She said the reality of nuptials for gays and lesbians in Maryland “didn’t really hit me until” the law took effect.

“I saw these pictures of couples and they were getting married — legally,” Bowling said. “That was the first time I cried, from excitement. I know that’s really strange, but I get calls every day, e-mails every day of people who want to know how the law will affect them, what they need to do to make sure their out-of-state license is honored. So it’s surreal to me and it is wonderful to see how many people are trying to get all the information, make sure everything is covered and they’re really excited about their marriages being legal.”

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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.