Local
Retired U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Tomi Finkle dies at 64
Volunteered with D.C. Police Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit
Sgt. Tomi Finkle, who transitioned as a transgender woman after a 25-year career as a U.S. Capitol Police officer and in retirement served as a volunteer member of the D.C. Police Department’s then Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit, died Sept. 4 from complications associated with cancer. She was 64.
Lt. Brett Parson, who oversees what is now the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s LGBT Liaison Unit, said Finkle joined the MPD’s Civilian Auxiliary as a volunteer with the then Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit in the early 2000s.
“She was the first member of the transgender community to serve the GLLU and assisted with outreach, training and education, and provided consultation on investigations and response to crime and incidents involving the transgender community,” Parson said.
“Her selfless dedication and commitment to policing and the community assisted MPD with building and strengthening relationships with some of the most underserved in our city,” he said. “She was a valued friend, colleague, and mentor, as well as a trusted adviser and confidante. Her expertise and experience helped many members of law enforcement grow and develop personally and as professionals,” he said.
Added Parson: “By living as her authentic self, she served as a role model for more people than she will ever know.”
In addition to her career as a U.S. Capitol Police officer and her years as a volunteer with the D.C. Police Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit, Finkle served as a member of a private, all-volunteer horseback riding organization that provides search and rescue missions and emergency first aide for people lost or injured in remote wooded areas inaccessible to motor vehicles, according to her daughter, Tara Finkle, who is an officer with the Alexandria, Va., Police Department.
Tara Finkle said Tomi Finkle began her association with the organization, known as TROT SAR or TROT Search and Rescue, toward the end of her career as a Capitol Police officer. She said Tomi Finkle became a skilled horseback rider some years before joining TROT SAR.
“She was a founding member of the organization and served as its commander until the time of her passing,” Tara Finkle said. “She coordinated searches.”
Tomi Finkle is survived by her daughter, Tara Finkle, and grandchildren, Chloe and David, and a son.
A Celebration of Life was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and a memorial service was scheduled to begin at noon on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Williams Funeral Home at 4270 Hawthorne Road, Indian Head, Md.
A burial service with U.S. Capitol Police and TROT SAR memorial ceremonies was scheduled to follow the memorial service at 2 p.m. that same day at Epiphany Episcopal Church of Forestville at 3111 Ritchie Road, District Heights, Md.
Tomi Finkle will be honored by TROT SAR members at the ceremony by the presence of a riderless horse, Tara Finkle said. Tara Finkle said that during the memorial service Capitol Police will present the family with an American flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in Tomi Finkle’s honor shortly after her death.
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
