Local
LGBT education advocate to speak at MLK rally with Obama
Final event of 50th Anniversary March on Washington set for Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28
GLSEN Executive Director, Eliza Byard, will join the speakers at this weekend’s 50th anniversary commemoration of the 1963 March on Washington, where this photo was taken. (Photo by Rowland Scherman for the U.S. Information Agency courtesy of the Still Picture Records Section of the Special Media Archives Services Division)
Eliza Byard, executive director of the New York based Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), will join Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter as a speaker at the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28 for the closing rally commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the 1963 civil rights March on Washington.
A statement released by GLSEN says Byard was the only leader of an LGBT organization selected to speak at the event, which was to take place exactly 50 years after Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech at the same location.
“I am humbled and honored to represent GLSEN at the anniversary of one of the landmark moments in United States and world history,” Byard said in the GLSEN statement. “Dr. King and March on Washington organizer Bayard Rustin are personal heroes who have inspired me and influenced our work at GLSEN to create a better world for all.”
GLSEN, which has affiliate organizations throughout the country, says its mission is to eliminate anti-LGBT discrimination, including anti-LGBT bullying and harassment, in the nation’s schools from kindergarten through the 12 grade.
President Obama and former Presidents Clinton and Carter were scheduled to be the lead speakers at the Aug. 28 event, the second of two 50th Anniversary March on Washington rallies scheduled to take place at the Lincoln Memorial.
GLSEN partner organizations, mostly in the South, nominated Byard to speak at the Aug. 28 event, the GLSEN statement says. The Atlanta based Martin Luther King Center, which is one of the lead organizers of the event, selected her as a speaker, according to the statement.
At least four other LGBT rights advocates are scheduled to speak at the Lincoln Memorial rally scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 24. They include Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, and Mary Kay Henry, president of the Service Employees Union International. Both are out lesbians.
Also confirmed as out gay speakers at the Saturday event are Rev. MacArthur Flournoy, director of faith partnership and mobilization for the Human Rights Campaign, and Adrian Shanker, president of the statewide LGBT rights organization Equality Pennsylvania.
Other speakers scheduled for the Saturday rally include U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), and Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), who was a speaker at the 1963 rally at the Lincoln Memorial.
Additionally, Martin Luther King III, the oldest son of Martin Luther King Jr. is expected to take the podium, as is Rev. Al Sharpton, one of the lead organizers of the 50th Anniversary March; and members of the family of Trayvon Martin.
An LGBT continent planning to take part in a “feeder” march heading to the Saturday rally at the Lincoln Memorial is scheduled to assemble 8 a.m. at the site of the D.C. War Memorial, which is located across Independence Avenue from the Martin Luther King Memorial.
D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton are scheduled to speak at the War Memorial site on the subject of D.C. statehood and congressional voting rights for the District before the gathering — including the LGBT contingent — marches to the Lincoln Memorial for the rally there.
Several LGBT organized events between Friday, Aug. 23, and Wednesday, Aug. 28, are scheduled to be held in connection with the 50th Anniversary March, with each playing some role in commemorating the life and accomplishments of Bayard Rustin, who was gay.
March on Washington LGBT-related events
Friday, Aug. 23
- Celebrating the Legacy of A. Philip Randolph & Bayard Rustin 44th Annual A. Philip Randolph Institute National Conference. 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Hyatt Regency Hotel. 400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.
- What is the Unfinished Business for the LGBT Community? A Conversation and Reception on the Heels of the Anniversary of the March on Washington. 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Rayburn House Office Building Foyer
- Welcoming Reception for LGBT Participants 50th Anniversary March on Washington . 6–10 p.m. Us Helping Us HIV/AIDS services organization. 3636 Georgia Ave., N.W.
Saturday, Aug. 24
- LGBT March contingent assembles at D.C. Statehood Rally . D.C. War Memorial (North side of Independence Ave. between World War II Memorial and Lincoln Memorial). Mayor Vincent Gray to speak 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
- 50th Anniversary March on Washington rally 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Lincoln Memorial
Monday, Aug. 26
A Tribute to Bayard Rustin & the 50th Anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington. Sponsored by National Black Justice Coalition, American Federation of Teachers, A. Philip Randolph Institute.
6– 9 p.m.,
Lincoln Theater,
1215 U St., N.W.
Wednesday, Aug. 28
The Life and Legacy of Bayard Rustin: How an African American gay man became the lead organizer of the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington.
Panel discussion and reception, hosted by the Center for Black Equity
and sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign,
7 p.m.
in the HRC Equality Forum Hall, 1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.
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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Blade welcomes fall intern
PHOTOS: Miss Gay Old Bay
SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer
San Francisco, long a queer safe haven, remains competitive for homebuyers
Actor Tim Curry dies at 80
E-INFOSOL leaders encourage youth to pursue tech careers
Archuleta to host book signing in Rehoboth Beach
