Local
Local security company hires 5 trans women
Move follows anti-trans assault at Giant Food
A security guard at the Giant Food store at 3rd and H streets, N.E., is accused of assaulting a trans woman. (Photo by Ser Amantio di Nicolao; courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
An Oxon Hill, Md., based security company has hired five transgender women as part of an outreach program established after a security guard at a Giant Food store in D.C. was arrested for allegedly assaulting a transgender woman for using the women’s bathroom.
The company, Washington Fields Protective Services, had no connection to the security guard arrested at the Giant Food store on H Street, N.E. But according to longtime D.C. transgender activist Earline Budd, one of the company’s top officials reached out to her after observing the extensive media coverage of the arrest of the guard at the Giant.
At the time of the arrest, Giant announced that the guard, Francine Jones, 45, had been hired and placed at the Giant by another security company.
D.C. police charged Jones with misdemeanor simple assault after receiving a 911 emergency call from Ebony Belcher, 32, who reported being forcibly ejected from the woman’s bathroom and shoved out of the store’s entrance by Jones.
Belcher told the Washington Blade that before physically removing her from the store, which police said constituted an assault, Jones burst into the bathroom and began hurling anti-transgender slurs at her, humiliating her on grounds that trans women were not allowed to use women’s restrooms in D.C.
D.C. officials quickly rebuked that claim, pointing out that the D.C. Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination against transgender people and allows them to use a public bathroom that matches their gender identity.
Budd, meanwhile, said an official with Washington Fields Protective Services asked her to refer prospective transgender people as candidates for the company’s training program for security guards and other security related jobs. Budd, who works as an outreach official with the local social services group HIPS D.C., arranged for HIPS to refer five trans women to the company.
They have since completed most of the training program and have been hired by the company. Budd said three would become security guards and two would work in security related administrative positions.
D.C. Superior Court records show that the U.S. Attorney’s office, which is prosecuting Jones, elevated the assault charge against her in July to a bias-related offense, which could result in a more stringent sentence if she is convicted. Court records show her trial was scheduled to begin on Dec. 6.
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.
Everton Blair makes history as first openly gay congressman from Ga.
Mujer trans salvadoreña es encontrada sin vida
Iceland implements gender-neutral blood donor rules
Blade Foundation to host fundraiser in Rehoboth on Sept. 12
New book examines fashionista Audrey Smaltz’s fabulous life
Gloria Steinem dies at 92
Pentagon expands testosterone screening as trans troops face hormone therapy restrictions
Swiss government backs nationwide conversion therapy ban
Calendar: September 4-10
