Local

Activists to receive Stein Club awards

City’s largest LGBT political organization issues its leadership awards each year during its anniversary reception

Published

13 years ago

September 11, 2013

Nikisha Carpenter, Andy Bowen and Toby Quaranta were named as recipients of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club’s Annual Leadership Awards for 2013. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

LGBT Youth Pride Alliance leader Nikisha Carpenter, D.C. Trans Coalition organizer Andy Bowen, and former D.C. Young Democrats President Toby Quaranta were named Tuesday as recipients of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club’s Annual Leadership Awards for 2013.

The Stein Club, the city’s largest LGBT political organization, issues its leadership awards each year during its anniversary celebration and fundraising reception. This year’s event, which marks the 37th anniversary of the club’s founding in 1976, is scheduled to take place 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar on Capitol Hill.

“These awardees represent some of the brightest leaders and advocates we have in our movement and we are proud of the work they’ve done to advance our equality within the Democratic Party and across the D.C. community,” said Stein Club President Martin Garcia in a statement.

“Our community is ripe with outstanding leaders and deciding who among them to recognize was challenging,” Garcia said.

Carpenter, president of Youth Pride Alliance for the past four years, is credited with expanding the organization’s capacity to fulfill its mission of representing the city’s LGBT young people. She will receive the club’s Heil-Balin Community Service Award, named in honor of the late Stein organizers Jerry Heil and Ron Balin, who were partners in life.

Bowen is credited with coordinating the D.C. Trans Coalition’s efforts on several fronts, including shepherding through the D.C. Council legislation reforming the city’s policies for issuing new birth certificates for transgender people and providing safe shelters for LGBT homeless people. She will receive the club’s Wanda Alston Award, named after the late LGBT and women’s rights advocate Wanda Alston.

Quaranta, a former official with the Human Rights Campaign, is credited with advancing LGBT rights work within the D.C. Young Democrats and drawing more participants to the group’s projects, including its involvement in the Obama re-election campaign, during his tenure as president. He will receive the Stein Club’s Desi Deschaine Young Democrat of the Year Award, named for the late Stein Club member and youth advocate Desi Deschaine.

In addition to the awards for the three individuals, the club will present its Richard Rausch Equality Award to the D.C.-based organization TransLAW, which serves as a legal clinic providing assistance to the transgender community, including legal help in the process of changing one’s name and gender. The award is named after the late Stein Club organizer and Democratic Party activist Richard Rausch.

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District of Columbia

Blade welcomes fall intern

Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida

Published

24 hours 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.