Local
Comings & Goings
News from Merkley’s office, WPA and Pride Fund
The ‘Comings & Goings’ column chronicles important life changes of Blade readers.
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].
Blake Mariappa Narendra
Congratulations to Blake Mariappa Narendra, who was named a Nuclear Security Working Group Fellow in the Office of Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). Narendra has an impressive background including currently serving as press lead for the U.S. Global Development Lab and Asia Bureau in the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Prior to this he served in the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance as Special Advisor for Outreach and Strategic Communications. He worked for the Ploughshares Fund as the Inaugural Hale Fellow and co-managed an outreach campaign supporting diplomatic efforts on nonproliferation negotiations with the Iranian Republic; and developed and edited informational materials including fact sheets and brochures for congressional staff and other audiences on the nonproliferation merits of a comprehensive agreement with Iran.
He has worked as a Defense Policy Analyst for SAIC and a research associate, Managing the Atom (MTA) at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. He held positions with the Obama administration including Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security at the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Nuclear Security Administration; and as a White House Associate in the Offices of Management and Administration and Presidential Personnel.
Congratulations also to Gregory Pratt, currently the Finance Coordinator at the Pride Fund to End Gun Violence. Pratt began at the Pride Fund as an intern. Pride Fund to End Gun Violence is a Political Action Committee supporting candidates who will act on sensible gun policy reforms while championing LGBTQ safety and equality.
Pratt continues his education and is a senior at American University where he is studying political science with minors in communication and theater. He is working toward certificates in Advanced Leadership Studies and Campaign Management. Prior to interning at the Pride Fund he interned at the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.
Gregory Pratt
Congratulations also to Nicholas Alexander Brown, who was named Director of Special Productions and Initiatives with Washington Performing Arts. Among other duties he will produce special productions and initiatives at the direction of the president and CEO, including the Mars Urban Arts Initiative and interdisciplinary collaborations with community, cultural, and civic organizations.
Prior to joining WPA, Nicholas spent many years working at the Library of Congress. His work there included being a program specialist in the Office of the Librarian and a music specialist/concert producer in the Library’s Music Division. He interned in the White House Social Office, Office of the First Lady.
Brown is the music director and founder of the The Irving Fine Society and a freelance musician. He made numerous appearances as a conductor including with the Boston Collaborative Orchestra, the 215th Army Band, and the King’s College London Symphony Orchestra. He has sung with the London Symphony Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, and BBC Symphony Chorus.
Nicholas Alexander Brown
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.
The mastery of love
Trans people need a politics of ordinary life
Enlarging the Supreme Court keeps making more sense
Markey’s primary win deemed success for LGBTQ activists
Top Bulgarian court rules government must legally recognize trans people
New book examines Trump cuts to LGBTQ healthcare
Immersive ‘Nation-State’ imagines a society free of authoritarianism
Poland begins to legally recognize same-sex marriages from other countries
HRC president campaigns for Chris Pappas in NH
We’re getting married but our parents object
-
Books5 days agoNew book examines Trump cuts to LGBTQ healthcare
-
Theater4 days ago
Immersive ‘Nation-State’ imagines a society free of authoritarianism
-
Poland3 days ago
Poland begins to legally recognize same-sex marriages from other countries
-
Congress3 days ago
HRC president campaigns for Chris Pappas in NH
