Local

Comings & Goings

Zavos joins new firm, wins Hero Award

Published

7 years ago

April 12, 2019

Michele Zavos, gay news, Washington Blade — 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].

Congratulations to Michele Zavos who joined Delaney MCKinney LLP as a partner. They are a family law firm representing clients in divorce, child custody and other matters in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Zavos said, “In addition to admiring the quality of their legal work for many years, I chose to move to Delaney McKinney because we share a commitment to finding legal solutions that work for all families, and to preserving the dignity of individuals as they make challenging life decisions”.

She brings 40 years of experience representing all kinds of families and individuals in the metropolitan D.C. community, on issues ranging from the birth or adoption of children and family formation, through a change to the structure of a family because of divorce or dissolution of adult relationships, to estate planning and the probate of an estate. She is well known in the community for being instrumental in advancing the legal interests of LGBT families and helping to represent individuals and families with artificial reproductive technology and surrogacy legal issues. She has been named a Top Estate Planning lawyer by Washingtonian Magazine, the Family Law Practitioner of the Year by the Montgomery County Bar Association in 2013, and a top lawyer by the Blade’s Best of Gay D.C. Zavos was elected to the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys in the spring of 2005 and to the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys in 2010. It was recently announced that she will receive Rainbow Families’ first Hero Award.

Congratulations also to Eugene Resnick who joined the press office of New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer. Resnick has extensive communications and government experience in public engagement, media relations and writing. He said, “I am excited to contribute my skills and experience to Scott Stringer’s office.”

Resnick recently was Deputy Communications Director and LGBT Liaison with Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams. He developed relationships with major New York City media outlets including journalists and producers across electronic, print, television, and radio. His experience includes organizing press conferences and managing the Brooklyn Borough Hall website and managing day-to-day social media across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Prior to that he worked as a communications and advocacy senior associate with Global Health Strategies, New York.

Resnick went to school in London and worked there for Local Dialogue as an account manager. He also spent time working for APCO Worldwide in London. He was an intern in the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence.

Congratulations also to the new board of directors officers of the LGBT Congressional Staff Association. The LGBT CSA is a non-partisan, officially sanctioned organization in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Board includes: President Chris Cunningham, Legislative Assistant for Rep. Ben McAdams (Utah); Vice President Hector Colón, Legislative Assistant for Rep. Max Rose (N.Y.); Communications Director Austin Laufersweiler, Communications Director for Rep. Andy Levin (Mich.); Professional Development Director Matthew Ramirez, Outreach Adviser for Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Social Events Director Sarah Jackson, Policy Associate for Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Membership Director Lauren Hughes, Scheduler and Legislative Assistant for Rep. Sanford Bishop (Ga.); At-Large Director Howard Ou, Policy Adviser for Rep. Gil Cisneros (Calif.); and At-Large Director Catherine Jucha, Staff Assistant and Legislative Correspondent for Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (Calif.).

Cunningham said, “It’s a tremendous honor to lead the LGBT CSA Board of Directors following the election of the most diverse freshman class in the history of Congress. This year our board hopes to strengthen and expand its membership to all LGBTQ staffers, fellows, and interns on Capitol Hill with mindful inclusion of groups that are currently underrepresented.”

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Maryland

Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes

Pride Center of Maryland among recipients

Published

2 days ago

September 9, 2026

Alexis McLean

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks at the Human Rights Campaign's National Dinner in D.C. on Sept. 13, 2025. His administration in the 2027 fiscal year will give $10 million in grants to the Pride Center of Maryland and other groups that work to prevent hate crimes in Maryland. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.

The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.

The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants

“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.”

“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”

Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.

District of Columbia

Blade welcomes fall intern

Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida

Published

1 week 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 week 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.