Local

Protester accuses Charles Village officials of homophobia

Demonstration follows Eagle liquor license flap

Published

11 years ago

June 1, 2015

Steve Charing

Brian Gaither, gay news, Washington Blade

Brian Gaither protested outside the Charles Village Festival. (Blade photo by Steve Charing)

Brian Gaither of the Baltimore Homophobia Opposition Network (HON) stood on the island on Charles Street just outside the Charles Village Festival’s footprint on May 30 donning a rainbow boa and pink-framed sunglasses, playing Erasure on his boom box and handing out fliers to festival goers.

The flier that was titled “WANTED FOR HOMOPHOBIA” included the photographs of five key individuals who went on record opposing the liquor license transfer requested by the new owners of the Baltimore Eagle—a leather bar located on the corner of Charles and 21st streets—at a key liquor board hearing in March. In April, the board denied the license transfer request. HON is not affiliated with the Baltimore Eagle and was acting independently.

Gaither also carried a bullhorn, which he used to bellow to all within earshot the following:

“The Charles Village Civic Association, despite the excuses they offer, used procedural tools to oppose the opening of a gay business in Charles Village. In so doing the Charles Village Civic Association has made it clear that businesses catering to the LGBT community are not welcome here. Opposing businesses which cater to the LGBT community makes me, a Baltimore citizen, feel less welcome and less safe in Charles Village. Expressing a personal dislike of LGBT people, whether you say it or you use the neighborhood association to do it, is the essence of homophobia. Spending your money at the festival today directly supports the homophobia of the Charles Village Civic Association.”

The protest lasted two hours though it had been scheduled for five hours each of the two days of the festival. Brendan Coyne, a board member of CVCA, approached Gaither and told him that it was not the official position of the association to oppose the bar, Gaither told the Blade. Gaither later aborted the protest.

Gaither told the Blade, “If Sandy Sparks, the president of the CVCA, (one of the five pictured on the flier) was not acting in accordance with the desires of the rest of the board when she appeared before the Liquor Board to oppose the transfer of the license, then CVCA should take corrective actions to remedy the situation and make public their official position on the re-opening of the Eagle.”

He added, “I think of Charles Village as a diverse and inclusive part of Baltimore. So it was disappointing to watch video of the president of the neighborhood association go before the Liquor Board and oppose a gay business.”

Coyne disputed that assessment.

“I know of no one on the CVCA board who is opposed to the Baltimore Eagle on the grounds of it being a gay bar,” Coyne told the Blade in an email. “While there may be opposition in Charles Village and among other organizations on liquor license and land-use grounds, ours is an inclusive neighborhood that has long welcomed members of the LGBTQ community and continues to do so.”

He continued, “Happily, American society at large is finally catching up to where we’ve been for decades and I fervently hope that Mr. Gaither and others fighting the good fight against homophobia will choose better targets in the future.”

Efforts by the Baltimore Eagle’s ownership and supporters are underway to attempt to overturn the liquor board’s decision. More than 1,000 signatures have been gathered from an online petition at TheBaltimoreEagle.com.

CLARIFICATION: This story was updated to add attribution, reflecting that Gaither told the Blade about Coyne’s comments. The Blade has invited Coyne to contribute a quote explaining his position on the Eagle liquor license dispute and has offered op-ed space to CVCA to better explain its position.

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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.