Local
A Welcome Lifeline
Paul Johnson went on a mini-vacation to Puerto Rico in April 2017. But his r&r was interrupted when his then-boyfriend noticed Paul’s feet, calves and thighs were extremely swollen. His feet barely fit in his shoes on the return flight to D.C.
In the next few months, Paul underwent several medical tests to determine what was wrong. Ultimately, he was diagnosed with a rare genetic autoimmune disorder. The news was bleak—Paul would need a kidney transplant if he had any chance of living a long life.
Paul, who rapidly gained 42 pounds of fluid and could hardly breathe at times, would receive overnight dialysis treatment several times a week so a machine could filter his blood to keep him alive. Despite his condition, Paul maintained his social life to stave off the depression. Unbeknownst to him, there was someone in his circle of friends paying extra close attention to Paul.
It was 2011 when Paul first met Ryan Maddock playing on opposing Stonewall Kickball teams. “There are certain people you meet, and right away you can tell they have a good heart. Ryan was one of those people,” said Paul.
When Paul grew ill, Ryan, a hospital social worker, knew something was up. During the next year or so, Ryan would check in with Paul and ask about his condition. “He didn’t just scratch the surface. Instead, he asked meaningful questions that brought me comfort. He was my lifeline.”
One day when the two were chatting on the sidelines, Ryan offered to be Paul’s kidney donor. Paul brushed him off because several friends had already started the process to see if they could be his donor, but each backed out. Paul figured Ryan would be no different.
In August 2019, Ryan pulled Paul aside for the fifth time and said, “I want to give you a kidney. I want to do this for you.”
Paul finally realized Ryan was serious and with his blessing, Ryan began the process to determine if his kidney was a match for Paul. Both were disappointed to learn that they were not a match. However, Ryan was determined to save Paul’s life so the two signed up to participate in a kidney swap. This meant Ryan would donate a kidney to someone else whom he matched with and in exchange Paul would receive a kidney from a matching donor.
On July 14, Paul and Ryan both went into surgery at Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute. That morning, Ryan donated his kidney to an anonymous recipient in Boston. By evening, Paul received a new kidney from an anonymous donor in Cincinnati.
After Paul woke up from surgery, he had a visitor. It was Ryan, who needed to see for himself the relief on Paul’s face. “We are two good friends doing something extraordinary. We were always in this together.”
Both are recovering well after their surgeries and are already back to work. Paul plans to write a letter to show his gratitude to his kidney donor and hopes they can all meet someday.
“I don’t think there are words that are big enough to express my appreciation. This gift extended my life and changed everything for the better.”
Everyone can register to be an organ donor. Get the facts and register at BeADonor.org.
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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