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Carroll Co. schools to look at transgender policies

Follows a ‘Dear Colleague’ letter from the U.S. Department of Education

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GLSEN, gay news, Washington Blade
transgender students, gay news, Washington Blade

Carroll County Public Schools will form a committee to evaluate regulations concerning transgender students.

This summer, Carroll County Public Schools will form a committee to evaluate regulations concerning transgender students in the school system. Based on a directive contained in a “Dear Colleague” letter from the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice onMay 13 and an opinion released on May 25 from the Attorney General of Maryland, which states that Maryland public schools should comply with the directive, Superintendant Stephen Guthrie is moving forward, according to the Carroll County Times.

Guthrie wrote in an email on June 16 that the committee will “review all policies, regulations, procedures and practices to ensure that they comply with the Dear Colleague letter.” That letter states, according to the Times, “public schools must allow students to use restrooms that correspond to their gender identity or risk losing federal funding, and also addresses other related issues.”

Assistant Superintendent Steven Johnson will head the committee, which will include principals, teachers, students, parents and members of the community. A total of 60-70 people may be involved.

The Times states that Johnson plans to divide the committee into six subcommittees focusing on specific issues. Among them would be “bathrooms and locker rooms, overnight field trips, student dress codes, athletics, student records and any other policies that don’t fit into the other five categories,” Johnson said.

Joy Fisher, president of the Westminster-Carroll County chapter of PFLAG, wishes to be a member of the committee. She told the Times, “We are very pleased with what has transpired. It’s very encouraging.”

Anne Stoner, the chapter’s vice president and an instructional assistant for the district, told the Blade that she is very encouraged by the superintendent’s recent statement and email and has been asked to serve on one of the subcommittees. She had spoken to Johnson regarding the necessity to have LGBT community members and allies represented on each subcommittee.

“I have made the suggestion to Mr. Johnson that someone in the know make a formal presentation of current vocabulary, the law and the current guidelines so that all committee members have a deep understanding of what they are charged to do,” Stoner said. “This doesn’t solve all of our problems in the school system, but it will go a long way towards protecting and supporting all students.”

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World Pride 2025

D.C. liquor board extends drinking hours for WorldPride

Gay bars, other liquor-serving establishments can stay open 24 hours

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Sasha Colby performs at Pitchers in 2023. Liquor-serving establishments in D.C. will be able to remain open for 24 hours during WorldPride. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

D.C.’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board, which regulates liquor sales for the city’s bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and other establishments licensed to serve alcoholic beverages, has approved extended hours for alcohol service and sales during the days when most WorldPride events will be held in the nation’s capital.

In a May 2 announcement, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration, which works with the board, said the extended liquor serving and sales hours for WorldPride will take place beginning Friday, May 30, through 4 a.m. Monday, June 9.

Although the official schedule for WorldPride events shows the events will take place May 17-June 8, most of the large events, including a two-day Pride street festival, parade, and concert, were expected to take place between May 30 and June 8.

According to the ABCA announcement and an ABCA spokesperson, liquor servicing establishments with the appropriate license can stay open for 24 hours and serve alcoholic beverages from 6 a.m. through the day and evening until 4 a.m., with no liquor sales allowed from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. during the May 30-June 9 period.

The ABCA announcement says liquor serving establishments must apply for the extended hours option and pay a $100 registration fee by a deadline on May 27.

Sources familiar with the liquor board have said the board has for many years approved the extension of liquor serving and sales hours for important events and for certain holidays such as New Year’s Eve.

At the time it approved the extended hours for WorldPride the liquor board also approved extended hours during the time when games for a World Cup soccer tournament will be held in the city on June 18, June 22, and June 26.

It couldn’t immediately be determined how many of D.C.’s 22 LGBTQ bars plan to apply for the extended drinking hours. David Perruzza, owner of the Adams Morgan gay bar Pitchers and its adjoining lesbian bar A League of Her Own, said he will apply for the 4 a.m. extended hours option but he does not intend to keep the two bars open for the full 23 hours.

Under the city’s current alcoholic beverage regulations, licensed liquor serving establishments may serve alcoholic beverages until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends.

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World Pride 2025

Episcopal bishop to speak at WorldPride human rights conference

Trump demanded apology from Mariann Edgar Budde over post-Inauguration sermon

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The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde. (Screen capture via PBS NewsHour/YouTube)

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde is among those who are scheduled to speak at the WorldPride 2025 Human Rights Conference that will take place from June 4-6.

Budde, who is the bishop of the Diocese of Washington, in January urged President Donald Trump “to have mercy” on LGBTQ people, immigrants, and others “who are scared right now” during a post-Inauguration service that he and Vice President JD Vance attended at the Washington National Cathedral. Trump criticized Budde’s comments and demanded an apology.

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde speaks at the Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 21, 2025. (PBS NewsHour clip)

A press release the Washington Blade received notes Icelandic Industries Minister Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, UK Black Pride founder Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, and Bob the Drag Queen are among those who are also expected to participate in the conference.

The conference will take place at the JW Marriott (1331 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) and registration is open here.

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World Pride 2025

Pabllo Vittar to perform at WorldPride

Brazilian drag queen, singer, joined Madonna on stage in 2024 Rio concert

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Pabllo Vittar (Screen capture via Pabllo Vittar/YouTube)

A Brazilian drag queen and singer who performed with Madonna at her 2024 concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach will perform at WorldPride.

The Capital Pride Alliance on Thursday announced Pabllo Vittar will perform on the Main Stage of the main party that will take place on June 7 at DCBX (1235 W St., N.E.) in Northeast D.C.

Vittar and Anitta, a Brazilian pop star who is bisexual, on May 4, 2024, joined Madonna on stage at her free concert, which was the last one of her Celebration Tour. Authorities estimated 1.6 million people attended.

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