News
White House downplays GOP hopefuls’ power on LGBT rights
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Republican presidential candidates may have threatened to undermine LGBT rights during the night of the first GOP debate, but White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest cautioned Friday against placing too much weight on their ability to make good on undoing progress seen under the Obama administration.
In response to a question from the Washington Blade, Earnest said whether any of the 17 candidates — who uniformly oppose same-sex marriage — can in fact reverse LGBT advancements is a “hard thing to say” because many of the advancements stem from increased public support.
“I think that so much of the progress that has been made is progress that a substantial number of Americans have come around to supporting,” Earnest said. “I think that speaks to not just the critically important political progress that’s been made in this country on some of the issues that you just cited, but in some ways, I think you could make a pretty persuasive argument that at least as important as that is the social progress that’s been made in communities large and small across the country in which discussions of these issues are taking place outside the context any sort of political election or partisan debate.”
Earnest acknowledged some progress wouldn’t have been possible “without some political leadership and that’s why the president is justifiably proud of his record,” but attributed progress ultimately to the public.
“The real power behind this change in the views of so many Americans as we perfect our union is the power of the American people, and the significant change that we’ve seen in a relatively short period of time,” Earnest said.
On Thursday, three candidates — former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal — pledged to take unilateral action on behalf of religious liberty as president, which is seen as code for enabling anti-LGBT discrimination. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee objected to the Pentagon’s plan for implementing openly transgender service.
Many candidates pledged to undo Obama’s executive actions they say were acting as job killers, which in their minds may include his order prohibiting federal contractors from engaging in anti-LGBT discrimination.
When the Blade pointed out the president’s executive actions like this order and asked if they’d be in danger under a Republican presidency, Earnest affirmed some change resulted from “political leadership, including political leadership by the President of the United States.”
“And there’s no doubt that we would have liked to have seen Congress take some of the steps that the president has been forced to take on his own to try to make our country a little more just and a little bit more fair, but Congress has resisted,” Earnest added.
In the end, Earnest said LGBT rights supporters would be able to discern the candidate’s positions and make appropriate judgment when they go to the polls on Election Day in 2016.
“Those voters who prioritize these issues I’m confident will look carefully at the views and records of those who are running for president because there’s no denying the kind of authority that they could wield sitting in the Oval Office on these issues,” Earnest said.
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.
Blade welcomes fall intern
PHOTOS: Miss Gay Old Bay
SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer
Anne Arundel schools now need parent permission to call trans students by preferred names
Shooting outside gay bar in Ariz. leaves three dead
San Francisco, long a queer safe haven, remains competitive for homebuyers
Calendar: August 28-September 3
‘Teenage Sex and Death’ has never been more entertaining
Actor Tim Curry dies at 80
