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Gun control rally set for site near National Mall

New gay group endorses Saturday event

Published

10 years ago

on

Gays Against Guns, gay news, Washington Blade

The D.C. chapter of Gays Against Guns has endorsed Saturday’s gun control rally. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

As many as 10,000 or more people are expected to turn out on Saturday, Aug. 13, for an “LGBTQ and Allies Rally for Reasonable Gun Control and Human Rights” at a park near the National Mall in Washington, D.C., according to its lead organizer.

New Jersey celebrity hairdresser and gay activist Jason Hayes said a Facebook page he created to promote the event drew more than 22,000 shares less than two weeks after he launched it. He said he decided to organize the rally shortly after the June 12 shooting rampage in Orlando, Fla., that claimed the lives of 49 mostly LGBT people of color at the gay nightclub Pulse.

“As a gay man, I know all too well how often people in our communities are targeted for violence,” Hayes said in a statement. “But these issues touch many people and other communities also struggle daily with the impact of hatred and violence. We understand that and want to stand together with anyone who feels disenfranchised and threatened,” he said.

“I believe that Americans have a reasonable right to guns, but we also ALL have a reasonable right to feel safe,” his statement says.

The rally, which is also being billed as an event to “Disarm Hate,” is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, in a section of West Potomac Park located between Independence Avenue and Ohio Drive near the FDR and Martin Luther King memorials. The site is sometimes used for polo matches.

Hayes told the Blade donations from supporters enabled organizers to arrange for a stage, a powerful loud speaker system and at least one large video screen. He said entertainers were scheduled to perform and several prominent speakers who he didn’t identify were expected to address the crowd.

A list of 58 organizations that have endorsed the rally, including the Brady Campaign To End Gun Violence and the Matthew Shepard Foundation, is posted on the rally’s website, www.disarmhate2016.com. The Shepard Foundation is one of just four LGBT groups that had signed on as endorsees as of Tuesday. The other LGBT groups include the Trevor Project, Gays Against Guns (from an undisclosed city), and the Stonewall Democratic Club.

The D.C. Chapter of Gays Against Guns voted Tuesday night to endorse the rally and encourage its members and supporters to attend, according to the chapter’s co-founder Phil Attey.

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District of Columbia

Blade welcomes fall intern

Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida

Published

21 hours 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

1 day 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

1 day 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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