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Comings & Goings
Iraq vet lands new post; Movahedi teaching law in Spain

From left, Allison Jaslow, Babek Movahedi and Anthony Shop.
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 business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].
Congratulations are in order to Allison Jaslow, who has just been named director of Political and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing post-9/11 veterans and their families. Jaslow has joined the team to support IAVA’s growing D.C.-based policy operations. Jaslow is a former Army captain who served two combat deployments in Iraq.
According to IAVA founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff, “Allison is a proven leader with a wealth of diverse political experience inside and outside the Beltway. Allison’s command of the political spectrum on Capitol Hill and the campaign trail, and first-hand knowledge of veteran’s issues will be a tremendous asset to our growing, dynamic policy team.”
Jaslow’s new job will have her working to support the development of IAVA’s annual policy agenda and advocacy campaigns. She will lead IAVA’s engagement with other Veterans Service Organizations, government agencies and advocacy organizations. Jaslow has a diversity of experience, including stints on political campaigns across the country, in the White House and on both sides of Capitol Hill. She recently served as chief of staff and campaign manager for Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) and had also served as press secretary for Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), where she was involved in the veteran leader’s efforts to protect the legacy of the post-9/11 GI Bill.
On her appointment, Jaslow said, “I’m proud to be one of the one percent of Americans who can relate to those who saw combat after 9/11 and even prouder to have the opportunity to join an incredible organization that gives our entire generation of veterans a voice. IAVA’s advocacy has made an indelible impact on the lives of countless veterans and military families, and I’m thrilled to play a part in keeping us in the center of important public debates.”
Jaslow graduated from the University of Central Missouri, where she was a proud member of the Fighting Mules ROTC Battalion. She also serves on the Board of Trustees at Wentworth Military Academy and College.
Congratulations also to Babak Movahedi, a former D.C. and Miami resident now living in Barcelona, Spain. Babak is now a professor of Law and Business at ESERP Business School in Barcelona teaching MBA students. He is also working with Democrats Abroad to enroll as many Americans as possible in the Democratic Party. Democrats Abroad is given state-level recognition by the Democratic National Committee. He is a vice president of Democrats Abroad/Barcelona.
Most in the District know Movahedi from his time here as owner of MOVA on P Street, N.W. He also had two outlets of MOVA in Miami for a number of years. The one in South Beach was the ‘place to be’ for the gay community for many years. During his time in Miami, he was a Special Master/Magistrate for the City of Miami Beach and served as one of three Judicial Officers for the City of Miami Beach.
Another who should be congratulated is Anthony Shop, who is now an adjunct lecturer in the George Washington University School of Business where he received his MBA. Shop is a co-founder of the digital marketing agency Social Driver with his husband Thomas. A former journalist and press secretary, Shop is the first new media professional to be elected to the prestigious National Press Club’s Board of Governors. He founded the Club’s popular “Get It Online” digital media series, which has hosted luminaries from CNN, NASA and the White House to discuss media trends. His views on digital media have been featured by the BBC, CBS and USA Today, and he has been featured as a keynote speaker at conferences across the globe, from Singapore and London to New York and Miami.
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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