Local
Leather scene active despite Eagle limbo
Local bar had been an active participant in the annual MAL event
(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Leather enthusiasts from the LGBT community in the D.C.-Baltimore area are expected to turn out in force for the 2015 Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend events this weekend.
Due to delays in its reopening, the D.C. Eagle, the popular gay leather bar that has been in business more than 30 years and has been an active participant in the annual MAL event, is not listed as a venue in any of the official events this year.
But according to postings on the D.C. Eagle’s Twitter page, the club expects to reopen soon at its new location at 3701 Benning Rd., N.E. The Eagle closed last year after being displaced from its home of many years at 639 New York Ave., N.W., due to the planned construction of a new office building.
According to leather scene observers, the Eagle’s Twitter page description of itself most likely defines many of those who participate in that scene: “Bar for D.C.’s rough, gruff, tough, hairy, pierced, tattooed, cigar-smoking, leather-clad, bear-ish, colored handkerchief-wearing men.”
Mark Clark, an official with the Chesapeake Bay Bears, whose members live in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, said the leather scene is often used as an umbrella term to include organizations and individuals associated with the gay male “bear” scene for hairy, heavy-set men and those who like them; as well as the bondage, S&M, kink-fetish scene.
Brother Help Thyself, a D.C.-based charitable organization founded in 1978 by four gay motorcycle clubs associated with the D.C. Eagle, includes representatives of some of the area’s most popular leather scene organizations on its board of directors. Among them are the Atlantic States Rodeo Association; the Centaurs, Defenders and Spartans gay motorcycle clubs; the Chesapeake Bay and D.C. Bear clubs; and SigmaDC, which describes itself as an all-male private membership organization for bondage-S&M-kink enthusiasts.
SigmaDC, which was founded in 1984, recently moved into a second-floor space at 1636 R St., N.W., across the street from the 17th Street gay bar Cobalt. It is hosting at least three events associated with Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend, including a demo event at the Hyatt Regency on Saturday afternoon.
Another local organization founded by gay event organizer Jacob Pring called CODE holds monthly parties and events for what the group says are “gear, rubber, skin, uniform and leather” enthusiasts. CODE holds monthly events at the Glorious Health Club and Art Gallery at 2120 West Virginia Ave., N.E.
The group was scheduled to hold events associated with Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend at Glorious Health Club on tonight (Friday) and Saturday.
“All of these different groups started out as leather groups but sort of morphed into a broader thing,” said Clark, who noted that many of them work with Brother Help Thyself to raise money to support LGBT and AIDS organizations.
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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Mujer trans salvadoreña es encontrada sin vida
Iceland implements gender-neutral blood donor rules
Blade Foundation to host fundraiser in Rehoboth on Sept. 12
New book examines fashionista Audrey Smaltz’s fabulous life
Gloria Steinem dies at 92
Pentagon expands testosterone screening as trans troops face hormone therapy restrictions
Swiss government backs nationwide conversion therapy ban
Calendar: September 4-10
