Local
Gay man files complaint against Washington Teachers Union
Alleges bias based on orientation, age, gender
Gay Maryland resident Barry Hobson earlier this year filed a complaint with the D.C. Office of Human Rights charging the D.C.-based Washington Teachers Union with violating the city’s Human Rights Act by firing him based on his sexual orientation, gender and age.
Hobson released a copy of his complaint to the Washington Blade on Monday.
His complaint says he was subjected to what he believes was unfair and discriminatory treatment and harassment by the union’s chief of staff shortly after he was hired as a receptionist/office assistant on Jan. 15, 2017.
“I began to experience harassment by respondent’s chief of staff (Ms. Egbufor) approximately ten days after submitting my new-hire paperwork, which clearly indicated I am in a same-sex relationship,” he states in the complaint. “Ms. Egbufor abruptly ended a phone call when I told her the male listed on my paperwork is my finance,” the complaint says.
It says Egbufor falsely accused him of failing to do his job and of repeatedly showing up late for work among other alleged infractions that Hobson said were completely fabricated by Egbufor, whom at least two fellow employees told him dislikes gay people, the complaint says.
It also says Washington Teachers Union President Elizabeth Davis persuaded the union’s board to fire him on April 3 on grounds of “attendance and punctuality” while allowing a female employee with a newborn child to start work later to avoid being late for work so she could drop off her child at a daycare center. This constitutes sex discrimination, Hobson says in his complaint.
His complaint says he learned that an older employee said to be 62 years old was allowed to keep his job after allegedly making personal purchases with the union’s corporate credit card. When Hobson asked why this employee was allowed to keep his job while Hobson was about to be fired, Davis explained that the older employee “needs more guidance than [you] youngsters,” Hobson’s complaint says, prompting Hobson to accuse the union of discriminating against him because of his age.
Larry Rubin, the Washington Teachers Union’s communications director, told the Blade on Tuesday he and union officials consider Hobson’s complaint baseless, “ridiculous” and “laughable.”
He referred the Blade to the union’s attorney, Lee W. Jackson, for further information on why the union feels the complaint has no merit. Jackson couldn’t immediately be reached.
An Oct. 10 notice that Office of Human Rights Director Monica Palacio sent to the union, which Hobson released to the Blade, says the union was required to submit to the OHR its official response to Hobson’s complaint by Oct. 30. The notice also says Hobson and a union official were required to attend a mandatory mediation session on Nov. 2 to determine whether a settlement agreement could be reached.
Hobson said the mediation failed and OHR has begun a formal investigation into the complaint. Under OHR procedures the investigation, which could take several months to complete, would determine whether probable cause exists that discrimination occurred. If that finding is reached, another mediation session would be held to determine whether a settled could be reached. The case would go to a public evidentiary hearing similar to a trial if a settlement could not be reached.
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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