Month: November 2019
Meet the Staff: Jazmin
Welcome Jazmin back to the DC Center! Jazmin is in charge of coordinating much of the day to day activities here at the center. Without Jazmin at the office there is no way that The DC Center would be able to function as smoothly as it does.
Jazmin has experience working to better sexual health and status neutral services, along with improving access to Ryan White Services. Jazmin also dedicates herself to community building and outreach, especially among marginalized communities and communities of color; Jazmin focuses on outreach to trans persons, non binary individuals, along with gay and bisexual males. You can meet Jazmin at the DC Center on weekdays and some evenings. Jazmin is truly a gift, we are so grateful for her positivity and hard work!
Birthdate, Astro Sign
December 6, Sagittarius
Why did you start working at the DC Center?
I started working at The DC Center because I wanted to make a difference and be a visible example to my community and the world that we all matter and have a place in the journey to equality and justice.
What has been your favorite part about working at the DC Center?
My favorite moment has been watching the peer educators grow and blossom into full fledged activists.
What is your music anthem?
Jennifer Holiday – Woman’s Got the Power
What is your favorite part about the LGBTQ+ community?
My favorite part of the LGBTQ+ community is the compassion and creativity that we provide and share with each other and the world. We have been through so much as a community but yet we love and live and support each other unconditionally.
What is your favorite spot in DC and what do you do there?
My favorite spot in DC is the Tidal Basin, with all of it’s glorious monuments. I go there to think and dream, plotting out my own legacy one step at a time.
What is your favorite queer movie?
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)
What color would you paint the White House, given the chance?
I would paint the White House white, pink and blue for the trans flag. The colors aren’t too complicated and they mean so much to me and my community.
Who do you look up to in the queer community?
There is no doubt in my mind, Earlene Budd is my personal hero! Knowing her and working with and for her down through the years has shaped my personal advocacy journey so much. Her leadership, professionalism, boldness and compassion continues to inspire me each day. Grace comes from experience and endurance, and I can only hope to be so graceful as I grow as an advocate day by day.
Meet the Staff: Dan
Welcome Daniel to the DC Center! He will be joining us at the Support Desk. Daniel looks forward to meeting and working with members of the community. You can meet Daniel at the DC Center on weekdays and some evenings. Daniel is a psychology major at George Washington University with aspirations to go to graduate school and conduct research in LGBTQ+ health as a psychologist. Daniel is a certified yoga teacher and enjoys meeting local dogs and going on hikes.
Birthdate, Astro Sign
May 12th, Taurus
Where are you originally from?
New Jersey
Why did you start working at the DC Center?
I wanted to become more involved in the LGBTQ+ community.
What has been your favorite part about working at the DC Center?
I really enjoy being able to work with such kind people.
What is your music anthem?
In My Mind by Amanda Palmer
What is your favorite part about the LGBTQ+ community?
My favorite part about the LGBTQ+ community is the potential for inclusivity of such a diverse group of people.
What is your favorite spot in DC and what do you do there?
My favorite spot in DC is a spot on the National Mall (about 50 meters from the Washington Monument), smack-dab in the middle of the Washington Monument, The Lincoln Memorial, The White House, and The Jefferson Memorial – a great spot to have a picnic or do yoga!
What is your favorite queer movie?
Mine Vaganti (Loose Cannons) is a great Italian romantic comedy.
What color would you paint the White House, given the chance?
I think the White House would look nice if the columns stayed white and the walls were painted teal.
Who do you look up to in the queer community?
I look up to Charles Silverstein, a queer psychologist who argued to remove homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM).
Statement from the DC Center Board of Directors
Update 11/3/19:
The DC Center Board of Directors have released the following statement on the search for a new Executive Director.
Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback on our search for a new Executive Director. Because community input is a crucial part of this process, we are launching a survey to get additional feedback from all of you. We would really appreciate your participation in this survey, as we will use the results to inform the selection criteria and interview questions for Executive Director candidates. Please share with your friends and across your networks. We would like to hear from as many members of the community as possible.
The job description for the Executive Director is posted here. We look forward to receiving your applications and encourage you to share the job posting widely!
To apply, please submit a brief cover letter, including salary expectations, résumé, and references as attachments via e-mail to: careers@lgbtcenters.orgwith Subject Line: DC Center ED Search
If you have any questions or comments please fill out our survey or contact the Board of Directors at jobs@thedccenter.org.
Update 9/10/19:
The DC Center Board of Directors have released the following statement on the search for a new Executive Director.
We are currently interviewing candidates for the Interim Executive Director position and we are also very excited to embark on the next stage in the DC Center’s history. Choosing an Executive Director who will lead us into the future, helping the Center and our community to grow and flourish, is an important task — one that we do not take lightly. For this reason, we have engaged CenterLink to assist in managing the search process.
CenterLink is an organization, founded more than twenty years ago, that supports the development of strong, sustainable LGBT community centers. The DC Center has been a member of CenterLink for many years, our Board members and staff have attended their conferences, and we have long found their resources to be very helpful. CenterLink has significant experience assisting with recruiting leaders for LGBT centers, and we are certain that they will be an invaluable asset as we begin our search.
Please send any comments or questions on the process to jobs@thedccenter.org.
8/27/19
The DC Center Board of Directors have released the following statement on the departure of David Mariner as Executive Director.
David has worked incredibly hard on behalf of the DC LGBT community and specifically The DC Center for over a decade and we will always be grateful for the blood, sweat, and tears he has poured into the Center to get it to where it is today. He has been a strong leader and activist for LGBTQ rights in the DC community and has demonstrated unwavering dedication to ensuring our community receives the support and resources needed to thrive. His hard work has laid an incredible foundation for us to build upon. We look forward to seeing him continue to do amazing things at Camp Rehoboth and we wish him the best of luck in all of his endeavors. We know he will continue to be a strong advocate for our fight for equality.
We are looking forward to leading the DC Center for the LGBT Community as we embark on this new chapter in its history. We understand the importance of the perspective the wider community can offer in our search for the next Executive Director of the Center and welcome your ideas and suggestions as we begin the selection process. Please reach out to jobs@thedccenter.org to share your thoughts with us!
The DC Center Board of Directors