Local
Raymond Kent Fordyce dies at 72
Worked for 8 years at Lambda Rising
Raymond Kent Fordyce
Raymond Kent Fordyce died Dec. 24 at Hospice House in South Carolina from emphysema, according to his niece, Kathryn Burke. He was 72 and was a former Washington resident known in the local gay community for his work at Lambda Rising.
Raymond “Kent” was born on Aug. 28, 1943, in Cheswick, Pa., son of the late Kent and Leila Swann Fordyce. Also deceased are his partner of 26 years, Francis Kenney; sister, Joan Kay Fordyce; and brother, Edward C. Fordyce. Surviving are several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, a great-great niece, and cousins in the U.S. and Germany.
Fordyce was a 1962 graduate of Waynesburg High School in Waynesburg, Pa., and received his bachelor of arts in 1968 at Waynesburg College, where he studied English literature and European and American history. He then moved to New Haven, Conn., and worked as assistant trade book manager for the Yale Co-Op and later became manager of the Atticus Bookstore and Café at the Yale British Art Center.
In 1983, he moved to Washington and worked as a book buyer for Lambda Rising, an LGBT bookstore. During his eight years at Lambda Rising, he became known for his ability to anticipate popular books.
He later worked for the Parks and History Association where he was a buyer for all 26 Parks and History Association shops in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. He also worked as a bookseller at Reiter’s Scientific Books for several years before retiring. After retiring, he enjoyed daily social gatherings and “cookie time” at the Promenade with fellow residents. He valued the cultural diversity of Adams Morgan, where he lived for more than 30 years.
In May 2015, due to a decline in his health, he moved to Anderson, S.C., to live closer to his niece and her husband. He became a resident of Brookdale Anderson Retirement Community where he continued his love of reading. He found new interests and camaraderie with other residents.
He was an avid reader, and had a great appreciation for science fiction and history and movies of the same genre. He had a dry sense of humor, was quick witted and loved telling colorful stories. He created eccentric art sculptures and sent whimsical letters and cards. He was a beloved uncle and great friend to many and will be deeply missed by his family and friends, both old and new, his niece said.
A spring service is planned in Pennsylvania. E-mail to [email protected] for details.
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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