Local
Comings & Goings
A board position, new scholarship and career change
The ‘Comings & Goings’ column will chronicle important life changes of Blade readers.
Welcome to the first Comings & Goings column, where we will share the professional achievements and milestones of our LGBT readers with the community. Have you started a new job or business? Landed a new client? Looking to hire a new employee or add a member to your board? We are interested in all of that and more.
Send your tips and story ideas to us at [email protected]. Please let us know what you or your friends are doing and when exciting things happen in your career and in your life.
Paul Hazen
It has been an exciting month for Paul Hazen, executive director of the U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council. First he was elected to the board of the National Cooperative Bank. Then on Sept. 29 he spoke at the United Nations at the Sustainable Development Summit. His remarks focused on the need for legal and regulatory reform and increased financing for the solidarity economy, including cooperatives. The event was chaired by French President Francois Hollande and leaders from Ecuador, Morocco, Costa Rica, Senegal and a variety of U.N. agencies described the impact of cooperatives around the world.
Many in our community understand how hard it was to come out and be true to themselves during their college years. One respected D.C. resident has found a great way to help future generations accomplish their goals. It was announced by Ohio State University that, “Kevin Keller, CEO of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., has endowed the Kevin R. Keller Scholarship Fund for LGBTQ students from rural Ohio. It is the first scholarship of its kind in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Ohio State.” In making the donation, Keller said, “I was fortunate to have numerous opportunities and the support of my family and others within The Ohio State University community throughout my academic career. This is my way of expressing my appreciation to the University and giving back to our LBGTQ students is my passion and area of interest.”
Kevin Keller
Brett Zongker has had a busy and impressive career as a journalist. He was with the Associated Press for more than 11 years. At the AP, Brett reported mainly on art, culture and education and his work has been published by The New York Times, MSNBC and USA Today. He has now joined George Washington University as senior associate director of media relations. According to Candace Smith, assistant vice president of media relations at GWU, “Zongker will be a spokesperson for the university and will also work on media relations and strategy and other related projects.” In addition to his new position, Zongker will continue to teach classes at American University, where he has served as an adjunct professor since 2012.
Brett Zongker
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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