Local
Va. group asks for ‘Equality’ license plate
Message would read, ‘Equality for All’
Virginia State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) said he was not contacted by Equality Virginia to be the one to introduce the legislation to create the “Equality for All” license plate, but said he fully supports such legislation and believes it will pass, despite the Virginia General Assembly’s longstanding reluctance to pass LGBT rights measures. (Photo courtesy of Adam Ebbin)
The statewide LGBT advocacy group Equality Virginia says it has arranged for members of the Virginia General Assembly to introduce legislation to create a license plate bearing its name as well as the slogan “Equality for All.”
“A number of Equality Virginia supporters have shown an interest for an equality license plate,” the group says on its website. “As a result, we are working with legislators to pass a bill this session that will give Virginians the option to put an equality license plate on their car.”
But the website message notes that under existing law, a bill expected to be introduced in January to create the license plate cannot move forward unless Equality Virginia submits 450 pre-paid applications from Virginia motorists requesting the plate. The fee for the plate is $25.
The website message includes a link to an online application set up by Equality Virginia, which says it will collect all the payments and applications and deliver them in bulk to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
“While we expect this legislation to pass, please rest assured that if it does not, you will be fully refunded,” the website message says.
Virginia State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), who’s gay, said he was not contacted by Equality Virginia to be the one to introduce the legislation to create the “Equality for All” license plate. But said he fully supports such legislation and believes it will pass, despite the Virginia General Assembly’s longstanding reluctance to pass LGBT rights measures.
“The General Assembly has passed both pro-life and pro-choice license plates in the past,” Ebbin said. “So license plates for a point of view are not new,” he said, adding that the legislature has approved more than 100 different kinds of personalized license plates. Many, he said, advocate for a cause such as animal rights.
James Parish, Equality Virginia’s executive director, said the depiction of the plate shown on the website could be modified before it is formally introduced in the General Assembly, but he expects the final product to be similar to the image published on the site. He said members of the General Assembly all know what Equality Virginia stands for and the overwhelming response by EV members and supporters to the proposed license plate has been “highly supportive.”
The online form for applying for the “Equality” license plate can be reached via equalityvirginia.org.
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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