Local
Symposium focuses on anti-LGBT violence
50 attend event at Hopkins
A panel of experts talked violence against the LGBT community at a Johns Hopkins event. From left: Dr. Chris Beyer, Monica Yorkman, Ava Pipitone and Dr. Daniel Webster. (Video by Johns Hopkins University)
More than 50 people attended a symposium on Sept. 12 at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where violence against the LGBT community and gun violence in general were discussed.
The symposium, coordinated by the LGBTQ Student Working Group at Johns Hopkins, was titled, “Violence Against LGBT Individuals: The Public Health Response.” It was in response to the massacre at Pulse nightclub in Orlando three months earlier specifically, but presenters noted that violence against LGBT individuals happen all over.
Jordan White, a Ph.D. student moderated the program. Among the speakers were Ronald J. Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University; Monica Yorkman of the Baltimore Transgender Alliance; and Dr. Daniel Webster, director of the Center for Gun Policy and Research. Dr. Chris Beyrer, an expert in epidemiology and international health and director of the Center for Public Health and Human Rights, moderated the panel discussion that took place following the presentations.
Yorkman explained that although Orlando was tragic, violence and abuse are suffered daily by women and trans women in Baltimore and beyond.
“Orlando was a horrible tragedy. It was a holocaust,” she told the audience. “For a lot of us, that holocaust was not an event. It’s a reality we live every day. Somewhere in this country, a transgender woman is killed almost every day. Violence equals erasure.”
Yorkman urges people to “come and get to know us” and is buoyed by the fact so many transgender people are leading successful lives.
Poet Kenneth Morrison-Wensdorfer recited the poem, “On That Night They Danced” he presented at a vigil in Baltimore following the Orlando tragedy. Activist Saida Agostini also recited an original poem.
Webster presented statistics on gun violence, which indicate an increase in occurrence once the assault weapons ban lapsed. He explained that, “gun availability not only makes aggression more lethal but increases suicides of LGBT people by guns.”
Besides Beyrer, Yorkman and Webster, the panel included Ava Pipitone, executive director of the Baltimore Transgender Alliance. In discussing intersectionality, Pipitone explained, “We have systemic oppression, racial oppression, gender identity. And it can’t be addressed without addressing all of the layers.”
In addition to violence, other issues discussed that impact the trans community included homelessness and joblessness.
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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