Local
Grosso introduces youth suicide prevention bill
Majority sign on as co-sponsors
D.C. Council member David Grosso (I-At-Large). (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
D.C. Council member David Grosso (I-At-Large) said he worked with experts on LGBT youth suicide to help him draft a bill he introduced on Tuesday that requires “all school based personnel” in the city’s public school system to receive suicide prevention training.
The Youth Suicide Prevention and School Climate Survey Act of 2015 calls on the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education to adopt rules requiring that personnel in all public and charter schools receive at least two hours of suicide prevention, intervention and post-intervention training each year.
The legislation also requires all public and charter schools operating in the city to administer “school climate surveys” to all students and school personnel to determine whether an environment exists at a school that may contribute to emotional stress among students that could lead to suicide.
Grosso said in a statement that he recognized the need for the legislation following a June 23 hearing by the Council’s Committee on Education in which experts testified about the high rate of suicide attempts by D.C. middle school and high school students, especially LGBT students.
He pointed to discussion at the hearing of a 2012 survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that found 33 percent of D.C. LGBT middle school students had attempted suicide in their lifetime. The survey also found that 28 percent of LGBT high school students in D.C. had attempted suicide within the previous year.
“Throughout the summer, my office worked with advocates from the D.C. Center [for the LGBT Community], the Trevor Project, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and others” in the drafting of his bill, Grosso said. The Trevor Project specializes in LGBT youth suicide prevention.
Grosso’s statement says nine of his fellow Council members signed on as co-introducers of the bill. They include Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large) and Council members Anita Bonds (D-At-Large), Elissa Silverman (I-At-Large), Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1), Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), Brandon Todd (D-Ward 4), Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5), Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), and LaRuby May (D-Ward 8).
Grosso spokesperson Darby Hickey said Council members Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) and Vincent Orange (D-At-Large) signed on as co-sponsors for the bill.
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.
‘Here the Whole Time’ delivers queer coming-of-age comedy
Pentagon expands testosterone screening as trans troops face hormone therapy restrictions
Calendar: September 4-10
Swiss government backs nationwide conversion therapy ban
Gloria Steinem dies at 92
Beloved D.C. ‘Old Catholic’ Bishop Charles Braun dies at 86
Blade welcomes fall intern
Top Bulgarian court rules government must legally recognize trans people
Markey’s primary win deemed success for LGBTQ activists
Lou Chibbaro Jr. documentary wins award from NLGJA
-
Obituary5 days agoBeloved D.C. ‘Old Catholic’ Bishop Charles Braun dies at 86
-
District of Columbia5 days ago
Blade welcomes fall intern
-
Bulgaria5 days ago
Top Bulgarian court rules government must legally recognize trans people
-
2026 Midterm Elections4 days ago
Markey’s primary win deemed success for LGBTQ activists
