Local

D.C. Baptist church to vote on marriage in February

Contentious issue to be addressed at forum

Published

11 years ago

November 5, 2015

Lou Chibbaro Jr.

First Baptist Church, gay news, Washington Blade

First Baptist Church of Washington (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Members of the congregation of D.C.’s First Baptist Church on 16th Street, N.W., near Dupont Circle, are scheduled to vote on Feb. 7 on whether the church should perform same-sex marriages, according to a recent announcement in the church’s bulletin.

The vote on what some say could be a contentious question will take place about one month after a forum on the issue of same-sex marriage is expected to be held at the church.

“During a Church Forum on a January Sunday after church, to be scheduled, two leading national Christian voices on both sides of the question will present and explain the positions, with emphasis on their scriptural foundations,” the church bulletin says.

“As part of this January forum, members are encouraged to ask questions of the authorities and among themselves as well as to share their views with one another,” it says.

Rev. Deborah Cochran, the church’s acting pastor, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. D.C. LGBT rights advocate and blogger John Boushka, who has been a longtime member of First Baptist Church, said the church has a long history of having both liberal and conservative members play an active role in church affairs.

He said the liberal-conservative split has sometimes resulted in strong disagreements over church policy, with the congregation usually tilting toward progressive positions on civil rights issues in general.

“In early 2015 on several dates, members of the congregation gathered in voluntary, facilitated circle groups in light of Interim Preaching Minister Stan Hastey’s call in his August 20145 sermon to discuss the question of ‘full inclusion’ of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender persons in the church,” the church bulletin says.

“In recent years, First Baptist has officially described itself as ‘welcoming’ but not as ‘affirming,’” on LGBT people, the bulletin says.

The bulletin says a decision to hold a vote on whether the church should perform same-sex marriages was prompted by the June 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing civil same-sex marriage throughout the country.

Up Next

Lawmakers seek to help gay troops win ‘honorable’ discharges

Don't Miss

Carson: Trans people should use separate bathrooms

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

District of Columbia

Blade welcomes fall intern

Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida

Published

21 hours 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

1 day 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

1 day 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.