Local

Comings & Goings

2 locals heading to NYC for new positions

Published

11 years ago

January 24, 2016

Peter Rosenstein

Fabrice Houdart, gay news, Washington Blade

From left, Fabrice Houdart and Mark Anthony Dingbaum

The Comings and Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their businesses, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].

This week, we congratulate two members of our community who will leave D.C. for exciting positions in New York City.

First, congratulations are in order for Fabrice Houdart who on Feb. 1 will take up his position as Human Rights Officer at the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR). Houdart will work on issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

Houdart was previously country officer for the Maghreb at the World Bank where he worked for 14 years and was the president (2011-2015) of its LGBT Group, GLOBE. He also managed a “Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Development” grant that examined sexual minorities in development. The grant, launched in 2012, provided a first estimate of the economic cost of homophobia using India as a case study. It also funded a short film on the interconnection between discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and poverty. During his career at the World Bank, Houdart has worked in Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, first as a human development consultant and later as a strategy officer.

He has authored analyses on Yemen, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Tunisia. He also provided contributions to the 2012 Gender World Development Report (WDR) and the 2011 Conflict, Security, and Development WDR. He holds a bachelor’s in economics and management from Dauphine University in Paris and an MBA from American University in D.C. Houdart is on the board of Alturi and the D.C. Rainbow Theater Company. He has twin sons.

Congratulations are also in order for Mark Anthony Dingbaum who has joined the Clinton Foundation as deputy director of communications, digital engagement. After mobilizing online communities in advocacy, technology and government, Dingbaum will now focus on digital communications and enhancing awareness for the all of the foundation’s initiatives, which convene businesses, governments, NGOs, and individuals to improve global health and wellness, increase opportunity for girls and women, reduce childhood obesity, create economic opportunity and growth and help communities address the effects of climate change.

Prior to the Clinton Foundation, he served as a presidential appointee in the Obama administration, supporting White House initiatives while leading communications and digital activities at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Before joining the Obama administration, he managed campaign and communications strategy at Change.org, empowering several of the most popular petitions launched by the company’s 125 million users, including a 13-month national campaign that rallied nearly two million people to push the Boy Scouts of America to end its policy banning gay youth. Dingbaum also previously provided digital strategy and support to CREDO Mobile and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

Up Next

Italian advocates protest in support of civil unions bill

Don't Miss

‘Establishment’ criticism of HRC strikes a chord

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Maryland

Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes

Pride Center of Maryland among recipients

Published

1 day ago

September 9, 2026

Alexis McLean

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks at the Human Rights Campaign's National Dinner in D.C. on Sept. 13, 2025. His administration in the 2027 fiscal year will give $10 million in grants to the Pride Center of Maryland and other groups that work to prevent hate crimes in Maryland. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.

The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.

The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants

“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.”

“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”

Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.

District of Columbia

Blade welcomes fall intern

Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida

Published

1 week 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 week 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.