Local
D.C. Fire & EMS issues trans ‘general order’
Honoring ‘all types of diversity’
‘I think as an agency we have a responsibility … in trying to make sure we honor all types of diversity here within the agency,” said Fire and EMS Chief Gregory M. Dean. (Photo courtesy Twitter)
The D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department on June 1 issued a five-page General Order on Gender Identity and Expression that updates the department’s policy for dealing with transgender patients and employees.
Among other things, the order says Fire and EMS Department members are required to treat transgender patients and citizens with respect and without bias, including the way they address them by name.
“The Department shall ensure that all employees respect and use a transgender individual’s preferred names and pronouns, as repeated failure to do so can be considered harassment under the District of Columbia Human Rights Act and a violation of Department policy,” the order states.
“The gender identity expressed or presented by the individual shall be accepted and honored,” the order says, adding, “Transgender individuals shall not be subject to a more invasive medical exam or procedure than any non-transgender individual solely on the basis of their transgender identity.”
It says that if a transgender person’s legal name or birth gender is needed for legal or medical reasons, it must be kept confidential.
“The members shall provide to the relevant hospital staff information that is medically necessary regarding the transgender individual, so they may treat the person respectfully, while maintaining confidentiality of the information from non-relevant hospital staff,” the order says.
Concerning transgender employees at the Fire and EMS Department, the order says the department, when requested, “shall make reasonable accommodation, including medical leave, for transgender related and other health needs,” including but not limited to medical or counseling appointments, surgery, recovery from surgery, “and any other related procedures.”
Fire and EMS Chief Gregory M. Dean and the department’s Diversity Program Manager Kim McDaniel told the Blade last week that although the release of the general order at the start of LGBT Pride Month was a coincidence the department would be reaching out to the LGBT community this weekend.
Dean noted that department employees and officials, along with a fire truck, will be participating in the Capital Pride Parade on June 10. He said along the parade route paramedics would offer on-the-spot CPR chest compression training to parade bystanders as well as participants.
“I think as an agency we have a responsibility – and since Kim joined us we have been very diligent – in trying to make sure we honor all types of diversity here within the agency,” Dean said.
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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