Local

Carroll Co. schools to look at transgender policies

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

Published

10 years ago

June 24, 2016

Steve Charing

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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District of Columbia

Blade welcomes fall intern

Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida

Published

19 hours 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 day 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.

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

Published

1 day ago

September 1, 2026

Baltimore Banner

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.