Meet the Team : Prim

A picture of prim with a sculpture of a black squirrel

Welcome Prim to the DC Center! She will be a social media intern at our center. Prim (she/ they) looks forward to meeting all sorts of people at the DC center and becoming involved with the community. You can meet Prim at the DC Center on weekdays and some evenings. Prim is looking forward to participating in activities at the DC center and seeing the different types of things the DC center has to offer. 

Birthdate, Astro Sign

January 20th – Aquarius 

Where are you originally from? 

Cleveland, Ohio

Why did you start working at the DC Center? 

I liked how the DC Center catered to all different sorts of people, and I saw it as an opportunity to get out there, and see how a supportive community can truly help others, especially as a Psychology major. 

What has been your favorite part about working at the DC Center?

So far, everyone has been super friendly and welcoming, and I really appreciate all the help I’ve been receiving, especially as someone new to the area. 

What is your music anthem? 

Good Days – SZA

What is your favorite part about the LGBTQ+ community? 

I feel like the community is super welcoming to anyone, and honestly it was a great support to me as I was growing up and confused with myself. 

What is your favorite spot in DC and what do you do there? 

Hirshhorn Museum – I’m an artist myself, so when I visit, I love just observing the art and taking inspiration from the many different pieces.  

What is your favorite queer movie?  

The Handmaiden

What color would you paint the White House, given the chance?  

Pink – it’s my favorite color, some of my friends would even say it’s my signature color

Who do you look up to in the queer community?

Kehlani – I love how down-to-earth she is, and she has been an inspiration to me since I was a teenager

We Are Moving!!! Read Our Press Release About Our New LGBTQ+ Community Center

Street view of the outside of the DC Center's New Space

We’re so excited to share the big news!

We’re Moving!

Check out all the details about our new location in our press release and watch this space for more details to come!

This amazing next chapter in our LGBTQ+ community members lives needs your support!

Please click here and donate what you can to help support the creation of our new space!

Click here to read our press release

 

  • thumbnail of the press release

 

 

Rendition/Photo Credit: Hickok Cole, our architects on this project

DC Center’s Day of Thanks & Zoom Hangout

Image has text about the upcoming Day of Thanks event

To allow staff and board members time to reconnect and recharge, we will be offering takeout meals for Thanksgiving this year. The meals are provided in partnership with Wegmans, and we are currently planning to have them available for pickup on Wednesday, November 23rd.

REGISTRATION FOR MEALS HAS CLOSED – IF YOU RSVP’d BUT DIDN’T GET CONFIRMATION, EMAIL SUPPORTDESK@THEDCCENTER.ORG

REGISTRATION FOR ZOOM HANGOUT HAS CLOSED – IF YOU RSVP’D BUT DIDN’T GET A CONFIRMATION, EMAIL SUPPORTDESK@THEDCCENTER.ORG

If you have any questions, please email our Front Desk Team at supportdesk@thedccenter.org

Meet the Board: Ashley Gibbs

We are excited to welcome Ashley Gibbs to the Board of Directors! Read on to learn more about our newest board member.

Where are you originally from and how long have you been in DC?

I was born in New Hampshire, spent my childhood in southeastern Connecticut, and moved to DC in 2009.

What is your favorite spot in DC and what do you do there?

At the moment it’s the National Arboretum. I adopted a rescue puppy with a severe anxiety disorder in August 2021. The Arboretum is one of the few places in the city she feels safe to sniff, roll in the grass, and just be a dog. And being in nature is great for my mental health too!

What is your favorite queer movie?

That’s a difficult question, but I’m going to go with Call Me By Your Name. Spectacular scenery, a moving romance, and supportive family – it’s a great film.

Who do you look up to in the queer community?

I look up to everyone in this community who is living life on their terms, pushing the boundaries of what’s “acceptable” in our society, and showing that queer life is diverse, vibrant, and free. This includes activists and elders who have paved the way for us to have the freedoms we do today, young people who are walking out of school in defense of their classmates, those who are building a family on their own terms, and everyone who believes freedom and rights are universal, and that society is better when people can live openly, queerly—whatever that means to them as individuals.

What are you most excited about regarding the future of the DC Center?

I’m excited to see how we can adapt to the future in a way that best serves our community. The events of the past few years have changed the world, our country, and us as individuals. How do we as a queer community evolve and become even stronger? That’s the question I’m excited to work with the DC Center to answer.

Are you interested in joining the Board? Learn more here.

Case Management & Advocacy Specialist Position Available

Job Opportunity at the DC Center for the LGBT Community

THIS POSITION IS FILLED.

The DC Anti-Violence Project of the DC Center for the LGBT Community is seeking a community-based trauma-informed mental health professional to provide case management services to and advocacy for LGBTQ+ survivors of trauma, violence, and abuse in the DMV area. The position also involves community leadership in facilitating community meetings/activities and in networking with and educating survivor services providers, to strengthen the appropriate and effective response of LGBTQ+ competent service provision to LGBTQ+ trauma survivors. Exceptional interpersonal, ethical, intercultural and client care skills are required. Fluency in both Spanish and English, expertise in transgender and gender non-binary and BIPOC issues and/or clinical licensure are a plus. Familiarity with TheraNest or other EHR systems is also a plus. Experience in providing telehealth via Zoom HIPAA-compliant video platform is desired, as the position includes virtual and in-person service provision.

CMA Specialist Position summary:

Since 2002, The DC Center for the LGBT Community has implemented a mission of educating, empowering, celebrating, uplifting and connecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community of Washington, DC. The Case Management and Advocacy (CMA) Specialist position helps to achieve this mission by providing case management and advocacy support services to LGBTQ+ survivors of violence, crime, and trauma. These services are available free-of-charge to our community members due to grant funding from the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG). The CMA Specialist will work with community members and clients individually via email, phone, HIPAA-compliant Zoom and in person, and as a member of the Behavioral Health Services (BHS) team, supporting two licensed mental health clinicians in connecting BHS clients to needed services. The CMA Specialist will also facilitate the monthly meetings of the DC Anti-Violence Project (DCAVP) and related community based violence intervention, education and advocacy activities. The person who fills this position is also responsible for assisting on other related projects, such as record-keeping for the quarterly/ annual reporting and management of the OVSJG grant, outreach and education in the LGBTQ+ community, and assisting the mission, vision, and values of The DC Anti-Violence Project (DCAVP). There is limited funding available for professional development, and to assist with costs of renewing DC & MD licenses, if applicable. The CMA Specialist will assist with administrative needs as determined by the BHS/DCAVP Project Manager and report to the Executive Director. 

Special Skills:

The CMA Specialist must have at least 2 years’ experience working as a trauma-informed case manager and advocate with a diverse client population. They must have a demonstrated ability to work with LGBTQ+ adults, to work well as a team member, to problem solve and communicate at all levels verbally as well as in writing. Exceptional interpersonal, ethical, intercultural and client care skills are required. Must be self-motivated, ethical, and be able to build and maintain relationships with clients, colleagues and with key stakeholders in the larger victim-serving network of Washington, DC. The ideal candidate will have prior nonprofit experience and crisis assessment, intervention and referral experience. Fluency in both Spanish and English, expertise in transgender and gender non-binary and BIPOC issues and/or clinical licensure are a plus.

CMA Specialist Functions and Duties

  • Be the point of contact and initial assessment for requests for mental health assistance and triage the requests as appropriate for referral to BHS clinicians and case management and advocacy to relevant providers within the District networks of care
  • Provide trauma-informed and interculturally competent case management assistance to DCAVP BHS clients (LGBTQ+ survivors of trauma, violence and abuse) in accessing appropriate organizations and providers for services beyond the parameters of mental health counseling offered by the DCAVP BHS Therapists
  • Provide email/phone/drop-in and virtual response to and follow-up with LGBTQ+ clients’ requests for advocacy, info & referral and warm-handoffs to wrap-around services in the District
  • Provide LGBTQ+ clients in crisis necessary crisis intervention, consultation and referrals to appropriate support systems (safety plans, hospitalization, referrals, etc.) as well as connection into BHS individual and group counseling services as appropriate
  • Build and maintain the BHS Providers List of LGBQ, TGNC, BIPOC competent, trauma-informed, culturally diverse mental health clinicians who are affordable and accessible for low-to-no income LGBTQ+ clients seeking long-term counseling services
  • Facilitate the monthly meetings of the DCAVP and manage the DCAVP listservs and social media outreach and advocacy activities, working in partnership with DCAVP community members to further the mission, vision, and values of the DCAVP
  • Write and coordinate DCAVP response for Community Impact Statements to support hate bias cases, in partnership with the the MPD LGBTSU and USAO, and public relations response as needed
  • Coordinate and/or represent the DCAVP at LGBTQ+ expert community collaborations and consultations with the partnering organizations in the continuum of services in the District (including VAN, VPART, HBTF)
  • Be the point of contact for requests for DCAVP collaboration and expertise on community programs and policy committees (such as the VAN, VPART, DCAVP, HBTF and others) and for requests for LGBTQ+ competency education and training for community organization professionals in LGBTQ+ issues and best practices for service provision
  • Build the District’s statistical knowledge base about crimes against and effective services for LGBTQ+ residents by designing client services and events evaluation processes and performing research and analysis of statistics culled from clients and feedback to assist in program development, funding requests and requests for informational statistics
  • Assist with keeping clinical statistical data, implementing and analyzing client evaluation feedback and writing quarterly reports and other grant deliverables for the OVSJG grant throughout the fiscal year, as determined by the BHS/DCAVP Project Manager
  • Assist in the management of the Direct Client Assistance program, a fund of resources to assist LGBTQ+ survivors in securing technology, internet connectivity, training and transportation to be able to consistently and safely access support services
  • Collaborate with DC Center staff to provide community-based education and outreach opportunities in line with OVSJG DCAVP grant requirements 
  • Keep a current schedule and accurate records of all clinical and non-clinical interactions in the systems in use by the DC Center and BHS team
  • Work well with a diverse staff team to facilitate an open, supportive and warm environment for all individuals who connect with The DC Center and represent the DC Center professionally within the community.

Salary range is $48,000-50,000.

Position includes health insurance, vacation and personal leave benefits.

Position is grant-funded on an annual basis (Oct 1, 2022 through Sept 30, 2023).

To apply, please send resumes and cover letters to supportdesk@thedccenter.org.

THIS POSITION IS FILLED.

OutWrite, Washington D.C.’s LGBTQ Literary Festival, Welcomes its Next Chairperson

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Marlena Chertock, Malik Thompson, OutWrite Co-Chairs
outwritedc@gmail.com

OutWrite DC is welcoming a new Chairperson on board, local poet Emily Holland. After 2 years of service, Marlena Chertock and Malik Thompson are stepping down as Co-Chairs after the 2022 festival. They are thrilled to be passing the baton to Emily.

“As a queer writer who largely came-of-age here in DC, I am immensely excited to be the next Chairperson of OutWrite,” says Emily. “Under the expert guidance of Marlena and Malik, and also of Chair Emeritus dave ring, OutWrite has thrived as a literary festival created by — and for — the trans/queer community.”

“Malik and Marlena had the daunting task of adapting the festival during the ongoing pandemic, and their leadership was instrumental in not only shifting to an accessible virtual festival, but also championing Black writers, Indigenous writers, writers of color, and disabled writers. I have forged so many nurturing connections at past OutWrite festivals and hope to use my time as Chairperson to support trans/queer writers in the same way.”

“We are extremely excited to pass the torch to Emily!” said Marlena Chertock and Malik Thompson, the current Co-Chairs of OutWrite. “Our tenure has been a huge learning experience and it would not have been possible without the support of Kimberley Bush, Executive Director of the DC Center, dave ring, OutWrite’s chair prior to our tenure, Justin Johns, DC Center Office Administrator, Tahirah A. G., editor of our 2021 journal, as well as our Volunteer Coordinators Derrick Brown, Jacob Budenz, and John Copenhaver.”

“We chose Emily to take up the mantle of Chair because of her impressive, years-long commitment to D.C.’s LGBTQ+ literary community. We are excited to experience the future of OutWrite with Emily at the wheel,” Marlena and Malik said.

Mark your calendars for this year’s festival, which will be held August 5-7, 2022. Currently, all events are virtual; we will release more information on whether any events will be held in person or hybrid as soon as possible. Please visit outwritedc.org for more information.

More about the new Chairperson of OutWrite

Emily Holland (she/they) is a genderqueer lesbian writer living in Washington, D.C. She received her MFA from American University, where she won the Myra Sklarew Award for outstanding thesis and was the Editor-In-Chief of FOLIO. Their poems have appeared or are forthcoming in publications including Shenandoah, Black Warrior Review, Nat. Brut, DIALOGIST, Homology Lit, and Wussy. Her chapbook Lineage was published by dancing girl press in 2019. Their work has been supported by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and Sundress Academy for the Arts. Currently, she is the Editor of Poet Lore, America’s oldest poetry magazine published by The Writer’s Center.

 

 

 

 

 

About OutWrite

OutWrite is a celebration of LGBTQ literature, held annually the first weekend in August in Washington, D.C. The 2021 festival will be August 6-8, 2021. For more information, visit: thedccenter.org/outwrite.

About the DC Center

The DC Center for the LGBT Community educates, empowers, celebrates, and connects the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. To fulfill our mission, we focus on four core areas: health and wellness, arts & culture, social & support services, and advocacy and community building. We envision communities where LGBT people feel healthy, safe, and affirmed.

###

The DC Center Board of Directors Appoints Kimberley Bush As Executive Director

The DC Center Board Of Directors is excited to announce the official appointment of Kimberley Bush as The DC Center’s Executive Director.

The DC Center Board Chair Andrew Zapfel states “The Board greatly appreciates Kimberley’s steadfast & effective leadership, deep compassion and extraordinary perseverance as she has been able to successfully continue our work in such unprecedented times. We look forward to her continued leadership as we enter this new era of the DC Center.”

Click here to read our announcement in Metro Weekly Magazine

Meet Our New Board Chair, Andrew Zapfel

At the last Board of Directors meeting of 2021, Andrew Zapfel (he/him) was unanimously elected Board Chair. “Andrew has shown his deep commitment to the Center over his last few years at Board Member, Secretary, and Development Chair,” shared former Board chair, Rehana Mohammed. “I’m so excited to see the Center continue to thrive under his leadership as Chair and grateful that he has stepped up to take on this new role. I’m looking forward to continuing to support as Vice Chair and focusing on our search for a new permanent space as a part of the DC Queer Space Taskforce.”

Read the interview below to get to know Andrew!

Where are you originally from and how long have you been in DC?

I was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. Deciding that I was semi-over constant blizzards, I moved to Washington DC in 2011. I have been a resident of the city ever since.

How did you first get involved in the DC Center?

I started volunteering at condom packing parties as part of the organization’s HIV and sexual health services. From there. I started helping with our “Gay Day at the Zoo” events with fellow board member, Jonathan Gilad. Those events got me interested in doing more and signing up to be a part of the DC Center Board.

What are you most excited about regarding the future of the DC Center?

What I love about the DC Center is our overall goal to meet the needs of our diverse LGBTQ community. Going through so much in the past two years with COVID, we know that the needs of community members may look different. What do we want virtually? What do we want in person? What new social and health services need to exist to meet the challenges we all face? How are we reaching everyone? We need the community involved to help us answer these questions as best as we can! I know we will get there thanks to the dedicated staff and board of the Center.

What is your favorite spot in DC and what do you do there?

My favorite two spots (they are connected – so could count as one) would be the Smithsonian’s African Art Museum and the Asian Art Museum. I love the permanent collections as well as the amazing exhibits they put on. Both have wonderful courtyards and places to work, relax, and contemplate the history of our civilizations. I am happy to go with anyone!

What are your goals for the next year?

First, we need to make sure we are meeting the immediate needs of our community as we continue living in the COVID-19 pandemic. Next, I look forward to finding ways the DC Center can best share what it does with the community, so that more can see the services we provide and get involved. Finally, I really want to see our events grow! From our arts and cultural events to social services, we have plenty of opportunities for anyone.

What is your favorite queer movie?

I am a Shakespeare fan so I have to say “Were the World Mine.” It is based on one of my favorite Shakespeare plays,  “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.” One of the leads so perfectly sings my favorite line, “I’ll Follow Thee and Make a Heaven of Hell.” I may be a bit of a romantic.

Who do you look up to in the queer community?

I look up to the amazing leaders we have here in DC. Whether it be Kimberley Bush, the DC Center’s Interim Executive Director and incredible Arts and Culture lead, June Crenshaw leading the Wanda Alston Foundation, Alexis Blackmon as the Interim Executive Director of Casa Ruby, and more. The needs of our community are great and the organizations find ways to collaborate as much as possible to meet them. I look forward to working with these leaders!

 

 

Introducing Laya

Welcome Laya Monarez to the DC Center! She is our new Front Desk Support Team Member. Laya (she/her/hers) looks forward to helping all her LGBTQ brothers and sisters and making everyone feel safe and welcomed at the DC Center. You can meet Laya at the DC Center on Weekdays and some Saturdays.

Birthdate, Astro Sign
4/9/83 and a proud Aries

Where are you originally from?
I’m a Chicana Mexican American and very in touch with my Tepehuan and Raramuri Indigenous side.  I grew up in Herndon VA but have been living in DC for 20 years.

Why did you start working at the DC Center?
I’m a bisexual transgender woman and I want to be a part of an organization that believes in building stronger connections within the LGBTQ community.

What has been your favorite part about working at the DC Center?
Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. 

What is your music anthem?
Kickstart my Heart by Motley Crue

What is your favorite part about the LGBTQ+ community?
We look out for one another and are always there when someone needs a hand.

What is your favorite spot in DC and what do you do there?
I used to play roller derby with the DC Rollergirls and I absolutely love roller skating so Anacostia Skate Pavilion has become an absolute gem to my soul, particularly during these difficult times with Covid. 

What is your favorite queer movie?
Hedwig and the Angry Inch.  I adore how punk rock and gender queer it is.

What color would you paint the White House, given the chance?
I would paint it whatever colors the indigenous people of this land want it to be.

Who do you look up to in the queer community?
As a Bisexual Mexican Artist I have always looked up to Frida Kahlo.  If it has to be a living person then probably Danica Roem one of the first openly Transgender people elected to a US office.

DC Center Relocating by December 2022

October 27, 2021

Have you been back to the DC Center yet? We reopened our doors earlier this month, inviting community members to explore our new set up, and experience our newest Center Arts Gallery exhibit by Julian Vankim. We are once again offering access to our cyber center, library, food pantry and a new clothing closet, as well as some in person, virtual and hybrid support groups and events. The Center was also part of a successful advocacy effort to secure funding from the DC government for a new space for a community center.

As we look towards this exciting future, we are writing to share that the DC Center will relocate by December 2022, due to the renovation of the Reeves Center. The Board of Directors is working with other community leaders and organizations on a long term strategy for the permanent location of the DC Center.

While the DC Center staff and volunteers did a fantastic job providing support and services virtually for over a year and half,  the pandemic has also reminded us of the importance of gathering in person. Having a community center is essential not only as a place to congregate and experience a sense of belonging, but also as a place to distribute essential resources. 

Although we do not yet have a new address to share yet, we are confident that our new home will enable us to fulfill that purpose. We look forward to a new building that will enable us to offer our current programs — and possibly some new ones —  to the LGBTQ+ community of the DC metro area.  We will keep the community aware of any updates as they develop. 

If you have any questions or thoughts regarding the DC Center’s future home, please contact Board Chair, Rehana Mohammed, at rehana@thedccenter.org.