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7 gay candidates seek Clinton delegate seats in D.C.

Presidential caucus to be held May 21

Published

10 years ago

on

delegate, gay news, Washington Blade

The D.C. Democratic Party caucus is to be held May 21.

At least seven gay men are among the 60 candidates running to become delegates to the Democratic National Convention pledged to presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at D.C.’s Democratic presidential caucus on Saturday, May 21.

But a modest to strong showing by Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders in D.C.’s June 14 presidential primary could eliminate most if not all of the gay candidates, who are competing in Saturday’s caucus against 53 other would-be Clinton delegates for just 13 delegate seats.

Under the D.C. Democratic Party’s proportional voting system in presidential primaries, the city’s 13 elected delegates and one elected alternate delegate seats are allocated to competing presidential candidates by the proportion of the vote they receive in the primary.

No known LGBT people are among the 12 candidates running in the May 21 caucus who are pledged to Sanders.

Clinton is considered the strong favorite to win the June 14 D.C. primary. But local political observers say the city’s historically progressive electorate makes it likely that Sanders will receive a significant percentage of the vote.

Among the known gay candidates running for Clinton delegate positions, according to a list released by the D.C. Democratic Party, are gay Democratic activists John Fanning, Richard Lum, David Meadows, Peter Rosenstein and Mark Spengler.

All city residents who are registered Democrats are eligible to vote at the caucus, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again from 9-10:30 p.m. at the city’s Walter Washington Convention Center. Under Democratic Party rules, city residents can register as a Democrat at the site of the caucus if they bring proof of residency.

Spengler is the former LGBT outreach director at the Democratic National Committee. Rosenstein is a Blade columnist and Fanning is chair of the Logan Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission. Lum served as a member of the Platform Committee at the 2012 Democratic Convention.

Many of the other candidates running for the Clinton delegate seats are longtime community activists with significant name recognition. Party activists have long said that the key to winning delegate seats at the D.C. Democratic Caucus is to be able to bring or attract large numbers of supporters to the caucus.

The Democratic Party has allocated a total of 45 delegates from D.C. to the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia this summer. Most are automatic or “super” delegate seats assigned to party leaders and elected officials. Seven are selected by the D.C. Democratic State Committee after the caucus.

Under a non-binding affirmative action “goal” established by the D.C. Democratic Party, at least 5 out of the 45-member delegation should be members of the LGBT community. In past presidential election years, the party has appointed LGBT people as delegates to meet that goal.

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District of Columbia

Blade welcomes fall intern

Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida

Published

3 days ago

on

September 2, 2026

By

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.

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Rehoboth Beach

SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer

Labor Day Weekend bustling with events, including David Archuleta performance

Published

4 days ago

on

September 1, 2026

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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.

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Maryland

Anne Arundel schools now need parent permission to call trans students by preferred names

Conservative groups challenged system’s policy

Published

4 days ago

on

September 1, 2026

By

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.

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