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Comings & Goings
AWHONN names new vice president
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].
Congratulations to David “DJ” Johnson, the new vice president of membership and volunteer engagement for the Association for Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. AWHONN is a professional society focused on promoting the health of women and newborns.
Known as “DJ” to friends and colleagues, he has helped advance the missions of nonprofit associations including the American Society of Interior Designers; Drug Information Association –– Global Center Office; National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association; and American Society of Association Executives: The Center for Association Leadership.
In 2016, DJ was selected to be a member of the 2016-2018 class of the ASAE Diversity Executive Leadership Program scholars, a program intended to help association executives that are underrepresented in the C-suite reach the senior staff or CEO level. In 2013, he gained the dual honors of being named one of Association Forum’s “40 Under 40” exemplary association executives and one of Association Trends Magazine Young & Aspiring Association Professionals.
A resident of Washington, D.C., DJ is a sought-after presenter and facilitator. He earned the Certified Association Executive credential in 2008 and holds the Institute for Organization Management recognition from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He earned his bachelor’s in journalism from Indiana University.
Congratulations also to Mike Fila the new associate director of marketing and communications for the Studio Theatre. Fila had been director of public relations for Bucklesweet, a boutique public relations and marketing firm representing national and regional arts organizations, musicians, and artists. There he led strategy on media relations, social media content creation, tour support, and marketing communications for a diverse portfolio of clients, including performing arts presenters, large-scale festivals, solo artists, conductors, and ensembles. He handled direct press efforts and managed social media for the 2018 Women’s Voices Theater Festival, a collaboration among 24 theaters in the D.C. area. Prior to that he was associate director of public relations & marketing for the Strathmore, a multi-disciplinary performing arts center.
Fila has been active in SMYAL as a member of its annual brunch fundraising committee and is a member of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington. He earned his bachelor’s in Mass Communication & Political Science, from Towson University.
Congratulations also to Peter Morgan the new executive director of theD.C. Shorts International Film Festival. He is taking over for Kimberly Bush who is joining the board of directors of D.C. Shorts and will continue to be involved in that capacity. D.C. Shorts showcases the largest collection of short films on the East Coast. Now in its 12th year they expect hundreds of filmmakers and thousands of audience members to mix, mingle and explore the world of short cinema.
The 2018 D.C. Shorts Film Festival showcased one of the largest collections of short films in the U.S. Out of more than 1,200 entries from around the globe their programmers selected 130+ unique films in 18 showcases that reflect the 30 nations they represent — and bring a worldview to D.C. Morgan is the principal/owner of Morgan Link, Marketing, LLC and is the chapter leader of Gay For Good – Washington D.C.
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.
Blade welcomes fall intern
PHOTOS: Miss Gay Old Bay
SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer
Anne Arundel schools now need parent permission to call trans students by preferred names
Shooting outside gay bar in Ariz. leaves three dead
San Francisco, long a queer safe haven, remains competitive for homebuyers
Calendar: August 28-September 3
‘Teenage Sex and Death’ has never been more entertaining
Actor Tim Curry dies at 80
