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Comings & Goings

Rouse takes senior role at Victory Fund

Published

5 years ago

December 18, 2021

Martin Rouse (Photo courtesy of Rouse)

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 Martin Rouse on being chosen to serve as Victory Fund’s Senior Director of Political Programs. On accepting the position, he said, “Thanks to a solicitation from Victory Fund, I wrote my first check to a queer candidate running for office near my hometown on Long Island over 20 years ago. It is an honor to be a part of their team and help them continue to build and flex the political muscle of LGBTQ people.”

Rouse has more than 20 years of experience as a respected practitioner of civil society leadership resulting in landmark public policy victories for oppressed minorities.

He works with Catamount Consulting in North Bethesda. He served in a number of different positions with the Human Rights Campaign, including: Senior Adviser and National Field Director, Policy & Political Affairs; and as National Field Director. Prior to that he worked as Campaign Director with MassEquality. He has also served as Director of Scheduling and Advance for Secretary Donna E. Shalala at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and in a number of other political positions including Director of the Office of Gay and Lesbian Affairs, City of New York, under Mayor David Dinkins.

Congratulations also to Frederick Appel Isasi, named one of the top lobbyists of 2021 by The Hill. Isasi is the lead author of the new report “Patients, Families, and Communities COVID-19 Impact Assessment: Lessons Learned and Compelling Needs” reported in Politico, which wrote, “Life expectancy in the U.S. has fallen partly because of Covid-19, but drops were significantly greater for Black and Latinx populations than white people, according to a National Academy of Medicine report co-authored by Families USA Executive Director Frederick Isasi.”

Isasi said, “I am proud to lead Families USA as we work to achieve our vision for a nation where the best health and health care are equally accessible and affordable to all. As someone who was raised in an activist, Catholic and Cuban family, it is an honor to represent so many different people like the LGBTQ+, communities of color, and low-income communities.”

Congratulations also to Justin Nelson, co-founder and President of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, on his reappointment to the Council on Underserved Communities in the Small Business Administration. Initially established in 2010, the Council on Underserved Communities provides advice, ideas, and opinions on SBA programs, services, and issues of interest to small businesses in underserved communities. The 20-member federal advisory committee serves as an essential connection between the SBA and underserved small businesses to work toward creating new initiatives to spur economic growth, job creation, competitiveness, and sustainability across all communities.

On his appointment, Nelson said, “I am honored to be reappointed to the SBA’s Council on the Underserved Communities to ensure that America’s 1.4 million job creating, industry innovating entrepreneurs are well-represented during this critical time for small business investment. Working in close collaboration with our diverse business partners is at the core of who we are at NGLCC.”

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District of Columbia

Blade welcomes fall intern

Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida

Published

20 hours ago

September 2, 2026

Staff reports

Alexis McLean (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

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

Published

1 day ago

September 1, 2026

Thomas Weaverling

David Archuleta headlines this year’s SUNFESTIVAL on Saturday in Rehoboth Beach. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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

Published

1 day ago

September 1, 2026

Baltimore Banner

Anne Arundel County Public Schools has issued new internal guidance for students who ask to be addressed by gender-affirming names and pronouns. (Photo by Eric Thompson for the Baltimore Banner)

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.