The DC Center’s Youth Working Group Honors Timothy Elliott and Celina Gerbic

Celina Gerbic and Timothy Elliott
Celina Gerbic and Timothy Elliott
Celina Gerbic and Timothy Elliottt

The DC Center Youth Working Group will recognize Celina Gerbic and Timothy Elliott at the Youth Working Group Reception on May 18th.

2017 Youth Champion of the Year

Timothy Elliott is a licensed clinical social worker in DC who has a passion for supporting LGBTQ youth. He has been working in the District since 2009 and currently serves as the Coordinator of LGBT Youth Mental Health Programs at Whitman-Walker Health, a federally qualified health center. Timothy developed the LGBT youth mental health program – providing low-barrier, comprehensive outpatient mental health services for LGBTQ youth and young adults affected by crime. Additionally, he provides therapy and clinical trainings through his private practice located in Northern Virginia focusing on supporting gender expansive children, youth and their families. He has previously held the role of the Program Coordinator for Rainbow Youth Alliance, an adult-facilitated, peer-to-peer support group for LGBTQ youth and their allies in Rockville, MD and currently serves on the RYA Advisory Council. As a Social Worker, Timothy strives to encourage and develop safe, affirming spaces for all LGBTQ youth and their allies. Timothy is often seen as the “squeaky wheel” in agencies and organization he works with; he tirelessly advocates for needed changes in how we are supporting our LGBTQ youth. He obtained a BSW from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and his MSW from Andrews University in Michigan. In addition, he has completed advanced training and certification programs around trauma treatment, expressive therapies, and co-occuring disorders. He works with several local universities guest lecturing on issues around youth mental health, trauma, and the specifics needs of LGBTQ youth – committed to lifting youth voices and challenging providers to do better. His experience working within schools, outpatient mental health facilities, and government agencies has provided him with a vast knowledge and respect for how multiple systems work together. He has spoken at national conferences on various topics within youth mental health and meeting the unique needs of LGBTQ youth. In his free time, Timothy enjoys running and juggling. Most of all he enjoys getting to know people and hearing their stories.

2017 Youth Advocate of the Year

Celina Gerbic served a 2-year term as Co-Chair of the Trevor Project’s DC Ambassadors Committee from 2012-2014 and has been serving as Chair of the Education & Community Outreach Committee since 2010. She has been responsible for Trevor’s outreach with local area schools and community organizations, and has managed the Lifeguard Workshop trainings and volunteer coordination for local opportunities. She has also served on the DC Public Schools LGBTQ Steering Committee since 2011, working together with other community leaders to create the Plan for Inclusivity which was approved in August 2011 and has been implemented in over 30 pilot schools. This work is now focused on creating and implementing a transgender guidance policy. She currently serves on Point Foundation’s Regional Board of Trustees, serving as Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees in 2014, and has co-chaired Point’s Annual Cornerstone Reception since 2013. She was a founding member of the GSA “Leading With Pride” Conference, working with other community organizations as a representative of the Trevor Project to create the first ever GSA conference in DC. She has served on the DC Citywide Bullying Prevention Task Force since 2013, and helped plan “It Takes A District: Tools & Tips to Prevent Bullying”. As a representative of the Trevor Project, she served on the Panel Planning Committee with Ford’s Theater Lincoln Legacy Project, assembling a panel “To Achieve and Cherish a Just and Lasting Peace: Envisioning a World Beyond Hate” in 2013. Celina has also served as a member of the DC Concerned Providers Coalition since 2010 and received their Excellence Award for Leadership & Commitment to LGBT Youth in 2013. She formerly served on the Board of UNA (Urban Neighborhood Alliance) as Advisory Committee Chairman, is a founding member of the 17th Street Festival, and has served as Arts & Entertainment chair for the festival. Celina was formerly a trial attorney focusing on employment discrimination law and a partner in a Boston firm, Thornton & Naumes. She received Boston University’s Young Lawyer Chair Award in 2000 and was named one of Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly “Up and Coming Lawyers” in 1998. Currently, Celina is the Annual Fund Coordinator at School for Friends, a Quaker preschool devoted to diversity in Dupont Circle.

About the Youth Working Group Awards and Reception

The  2017 Youth Working Group Reception on Thursday, May 18 from 6 to 8pm at Agora Restaurant at 1527 17th Street NW.  In addition to presenting our two awards, the event will have free appetizers, a champagne toast, and happy hour drink specials. There will also be a silent auction table and great several raffle prizes, too.

Tickets for $20, host committee tickets of $50, and sponsorship opportunities from $100 to $500 are at www.tinyurl.com/ywg2017.

Proceeds raised at this event will go to fully support mini-grants for gay-straight alliances and other LGBT affinity groups in middle and high schools; travel stipends for DC Center summer and fall interns; prizes and giveaways for year-round LGBT youth events; and staff support for our courageous advocacy efforts.

In previous years, our Youth Working Group Reception gave awards to Jim Graham of the DC Council; Maggie Riden of the DC Alliance of Youth Advocates; Jeff Poirier of American Institutes for Research; and Travis Wise of DENIM/Us Helping Us. Members of the group and the public submit nominations and current members of the group vote on winners.

About the Youth Working Group

In 2010, the Youth Working Group was founded at the DC Center. We are a group of 200 community members focused on creating a city where LGBTQ youth are safe, respected, and connected! Our priorities are safe shelter, freedom from bullying, affirming laws, policies, and practices, and avenues to make youth voices heard on issues affecting their lives. Since our inception, we were instrumental in supporting the passage of bills to ensure: More shelter beds for runaway youth; LGBTQ competency training for shelter workers; a ban on health providers trying to change a minor’s sexual orientation; mandatory LGBT training for all licensed healthcare providers; suicide prevention training requirements for school teachers; some of the nation’s most LGBT affirming and medically accurate health/sex education standards; and much more! We meet monthly at the DC Center.

About the DC Center for the LGBT Community

Founded in 2002, The DC Center’s mission is to educate, empower, celebrate, and connect 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.  Visit www.thedccenter.org.

 

 

 

The DC Center Testifies at DC Office on Aging Hearing

Center Aging
Center Aging
Center Aging

Adam Heller presented testimony on April 25th at the council hearing on the DC Office on Aging.  Adam volunteers with Center Aging, a program of the DC Center, by hosting the weekly Center Aging Coffee Drop in.   Adam is pictured in the far left on the photo above.   The testimony is included below:

My name is Adam Heller. I’m here as a concerned DC resident and as a representative of The DC Center for the LGBT Community to help elaborate on the need to have DC City-sponsored affinity programming for LGBT older adults.

It’s been a privilege and incredible education to volunteer at The DC Center where, for the past three years, I have helped run the community center’s program for older adults – the vast majority of whom are in their 70s and 80s. In that time I’ve gotten to know women and men who have brought laughter and joy to each other, create meaningful friendships, and been able to safely and comfortably share their rich lives including past experiences and traumas, current troubles, as well as their hopes for the future. It’s at these weekly coffee klatches and monthly potluck get-togethers at The DC Center where lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older adults have not only felt a sense of comradery, but an added source of strength in their weekly routine. Currently, we are the only ongoing public event for LGBT seniors in the city. The DC Center’s older adult program is meant to combat the social isolation experienced by a disproportionate number of LGBT senior residents relative to the rest of the older adult population. As a DC Center intern noted at a Budget Oversight Hearing one year ago, “one study found that 65% of gay and lesbian seniors surveyed reported living alone — nearly twice the rate of all seniors.”

When I initially found out LGBT older adult DC residents did not have their own city-sponsored affinity program like a congregate/group meal program for their community I was a bit sad. I was also unaware of the disproportionate social isolation of LGBT older adults relative to their non-LGBT neighbors who often have spouses, and children, and other family who can help them as they become septuagenarians. Today, LGBT families of all types are growing, however, the research still shows that 90 percent of gay and lesbian seniors don’t have children, which stands out when compared to the 20 percent of all seniors who don’t.

Later on, I was surprised to learn that city-funded affinity programming does exist for low-income older adults of other minority groups who greatly benefit socially and financially from congregate meal programs. As you probably know, there are congregate meal programs each for older adult DC residents who are Asian & Pacific Islander, Latino, or Deaf/HOH, but there isn’t one for specifically for LGBT seniors. I thought this was merely an accidental omission for a large city with a record 10% out of the closet LGBT population to not offer programming that would match those of other groups. It gave me the chutzpah to come here today to share with you that there are other passionate DC residents like me who are motivated to help create such a program, but we need your help to do so.

Upon inquiry with the city as to why LGBT older adults don’t have their own programming, they have been encouraged to partake in one of the other offered congregate meals, which are unfortunately neither specifically for LGBT seniors nor ensure an LGBT cultural competent environment. As our LGBT citizens further age and join senior living facilities and communities, often times they are forced back into the closet for fear of the same archaic prejudices from their peers they faced throughout their lives. This is why they need their own program.

And if I may tug on your heartstrings for a moment longer: I am speaking specifically of the current generation of LGBT older adults, the same ones who were part of the first generation of Americans who came out of the closet en masse fifty years ago. For a generation of women and men whose LGBT friends dropped dead weekly in the 80s and 90s whilst largely having felt the cold shun from family, I hope we can do our part to provide a space where those who need community can find it without worry of prejudice or cost. The DC Center is happy to do its part to make this happen!

Volunteers Needed: Super Fabulous Comedy Show 5/4

 

Volunteers are needed for the Super Fabulous Comedy Show presented by Grassroots Comedy DC. Volunteers would be tabling before the Comedy Show, setting up our flyers, talking to patrons, and updating the community about the DC Center and the various programs that are offered.

 

Duties would include:

  • Getting supplies from the DC Center for the tabling
  • Setting up the table
  • Answering questions about the DC Center

 

If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the form here 

What have your experiences been with the Metropolitan Police Department?

Metropolitan Police Department Community Engagement Surveye
Metropolitan Police Department Community Engagement Surveye
Metropolitan Police Department Community Engagement Surveye

The DC Anti-Violence Project, a program of the DC Center for the LGBT Community, has been invited to sit on a community policing panel organized by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). We want to hear from YOU about your experiences with the MPD.

This survey is completely anonymous. Thank you for your help!  To begin the survey, simply follow the link below:

Take the survey now.

 

 

PFLAG Metro DC Job Opening

PFLAG Metro DC

 

Parents, Families, Friends united for the LGBTQ Community

OPERATIONS Manager – Part time, non-exempt.

Metro DC PFLAG seeks a part-time staff person to manage the day-to-day functions of the

organization’s office operations and provide support to Metro DC PFLAG community

groups throughout the region.

About Us:

Metro DC PFLAG promotes the health and wellbeing of gay, lesbian, bisexual and

transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse

society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination

and to secure equal civil rights. Metro DC PFLAG provides opportunity for dialogue about

sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and

respectful of human diversity.

PFLAG is a national non-profit organization with over 200,000 members and supporters and

over 400 affiliates in the United States. This vast grassroots network is cultivated, resourced

and serviced by the PFLAG National office, located in Washington, D.C., the national

Board of Directors and 13 Regional Directors. The Metro DC PFLAG Operations

Coordinator will be responsible for Metro DC PFLAG activities with limited involvement

with the National PFLAG office.

Supervision: The incumbent will report directly to the Metro DC PFLAG Board of Directors.

Scope : The position is a 30 hour per week position, $20.00 dollars per hour with no benefits.

Specific Responsibilities:

Administrative Support

● Act as office manager by supporting logistical operations and managing technology, supplies,

telecommunications, and other tools and services that support volunteers, board members and

donors.

● Track and follow-up with volunteers, Speaker’s Bureau presenters, and support group requests

for information and supply requests; log, file, and maintain updated databases for volunteers,

donors, and community groups; and perform mail merge tasks.

● Collect and maintain organizational statistics and prepare monthly reports.

● Coordinate with the Board President, Co President and Treasurer in processing and paying the

monthly bills.

● Responsible for submitting agenda, reports (financial and other) and meeting notices to the

Board in a timely manner and attending monthly board meetings.

● Purchase office supplies as directed and within budget guidelines.

● Recruit and supervise interns and volunteers who assist in the office.

● Compile and produce the Annual Membership Report and National PFLAG annual chapter

renewal.

Financial

● Manage donation processing.

● Assist the Board Treasurer with generation of timely budget and fiscal reports.

● Maintain current development database (address changes, new records, etc.)

● Maintain copies of documentation necessary for outside accounting firm and tax forms.

● Produce responses to time sensitive requests within a 24-hour time period.

● Conduct banking for the organization as needed, usually once a week, including online PayPal

deposits.

Development

● Manage gift acknowledgements, pledge reminders and processing within one week of notice.

● Generate monthly development and accounting reports in coordination with Board Fundraising

Chair and Treasurer.

● Support Board Fundraising Chair with grant proposal writing and submission, bi-annual mail

appeals, online campaigns, and others opportunities

● Recruit, coordinate and manage special event volunteers with assistance from the Board.

● Follow up on events and maintain current records for events.

● Send thank you letters to donors and maintain communication with engagement opportunities.

Marketing / Communications

● Assist in oversight of website and electronic communications..

● Update/maintain and create Constant Contact emails, group lists, Facebook page, Twitter,

Instagram and blog accounts.

● Print brochures as needed for events, coordinate updates, and reprint brochures and flyers.

● Provides Community Support Group leaders with needed resources including volunteer binders.

● Assist with special projects assigned by members of the Board.

● Coordinate and post mailed correspondence.

● Ensure all communication systems are streamlined and up to date.

● Create and update new resources for community outreach using Adobe Creative Cloud

software.

Programming/Community Engagement

● Create opportunities for volunteers and Board of Directors to engage in check-ins, trainings,

volunteer opportunities, etc.

● Coordinate Pride tabling events at Capital Pride, Capital Trans Pride, Youth Pride, Black Pride,

Latino Pride, Northern VA Pride, and local High School Pride events..

● Attend LGBT events at local nonprofits, businesses, schools, and government agencies. Engage

them in providing Metro DC PFLAG resources and trainings.

● Establish relationships with volunteers to create and maintain successful community groups, and

support their programming for events and meetings.

● Visit community groups in order to better understand their needs and provide necessary

support.

Additional Responsibilities

● Will perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Work Product

● Ability to manage multiple projects; able to determine project urgency in a meaningful and

practical way; organizes and schedules tasks effectively and efficiently.

● Perform such tasks as collecting information, assembling information, composing

correspondence, and managing the clerical and administrative issues related to Metro DC

PFLAG.

● Ability to conduct research as necessary to prepare correspondence, analysis, studies, and reports

on a variety of subjects in support of Metro DC PFLAG’s mission.

● Manages projects that are time-sensitive and of importance to the Board of Directors and

volunteers, provides status updates regularly, and delivers quality work products.

Responsiveness to Requests for Service

● Ability to respond to requests for service in a timely and thorough manner.

● Ensures community, volunteer and Board satisfaction by prioritizing tasks, including timely

follow-ups and resolutions to requests.

● Anticipates the needs of the Board of Directors and independently sets in motion actions

necessary to meet these needs. Distributes information and materials to the entire organization

on behalf of the Board of Directors.

Attention to Detail

● Prioritizes time sensitive tasks.

● Follows detailed procedures and ensures accuracy in documentation and data management.

● Organizes and maintains current system of records.

● Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and schedule work in situations where numerous and

diverse demands and stakeholders are involved.

Flexibility

● Performs a wide variety of tasks and changes focus quickly as demands change.

● Manages transitions from task to task effectively.

Problem Solving

● Ability to anticipates problems and recognize how a problem and its solution will affect the

organization.

● Adapts well to changing priorities, deadlines and directions.

● Works to eliminate processes which do not add value.

● Willing to take action, even under pressure, criticism or tight deadlines.

● Notifies Board Chair and Co-Chair of any potential problems in a timely manner.

Communication

● Writes and speaks effectively, using approaches that are appropriate to each situation,

● Demonstrates openness, honesty, consideration for others, and tactfulness.

● Actively listens during meetings and provides feedback.

● Exercises a professional approach with others using appropriate tools of communication.

● Communicates in a timely manner.

Minimum Qualifications:

● Minimum of a bachelor’s degree and/or at least three years of experience in the field of office

administration

● Demonstrated background working with the LGBTQ community.

● Solid computer experience, including use of the internet, social media, and coordination of

databases.

● Spanish fluency preferred

● Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.), Adobe InDesign, Constant

Contact, Content Management System, Quickbooks, fundraising software, Google Apps,

Facebook and other social media outlets.

● Some website design experience preferred (WordPress, etc.)

● Knowledgeable with google drive: able to create forms, spreadsheets, documents, etc.

● Knows and/or willing to learn how to use Quickbooks, and/or knowledgeable about

bookkeeping.

Physical Abilities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform

described essential functions of this job. These physical demands are representative of the

physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions

of this job.

● The employee may frequently lift and/or move up to 25lbs. Specific vision abilities required

by this job include close vision, distance vision, precise hand-eye coordination, and the

ability to identify and distinguish colors. While performing the duties of this job, the

employee is regularly required to sit, use repetitive wrist, hand, and/or finger movement,

reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand

and walk. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.

CONTACT:

Email resume and cover letter to:

Kevin Nunley

President

Metro DC PFLAG

kwn8494@gmail.com

Email Subject Line: First & Last Name – Metro DC PFLAG Operations Coordinator Position

www.pflagdc.org | 202-638-3852 | 1518 U St. NW 2nd FL, Washington, DC 20009

Job Opening at Dignity for All

Dignity for All LGBTI Assistance Program
Dignity for All LGBTI Assistance Program
Dignity for All LGBTI Assistance Program

Dignity for All: LGBTI Assistance Program is seeking qualified applicants for a program officer position based in Washington, D.C. The job description is below.

Program Officer — Dignity For All: LGBTI Assistance Program
Location: Washington, DC
Position Summary

The Program Officer will support ongoing activities and projects of the Dignity for All: LGBTI Assistance Program which provides emergency financial assistance to human rights defenders (HRDs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) under threat around the world, with a focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) human rights. The Program Officer reports to the Program Manager for Dignity for All.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, human rights, law, or related field, Master’s degree preferred
  • Minimum 3-4 years of experience in program management, including reporting ability and knowledge of funder account requirements
  • Must have experience working on human rights and LGBTI rights globally
  • Strong ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing
  • Ability to communicate effectively in a second language preferred
  • Demonstrated experience in creating, managing and effectively reporting on budgets and program activities
  • Demonstrated ability to accurately track expenditures and maintain up-to-date financial tracking systems and all supporting documentation
  • Demonstrated ability to initiate, foster, interact, and maintain positive relationships with partners and stakeholders in diverse and cross-cultural environments, with sensitivity and a high degree of courtesy, discretion, tact, and professionalism
  • Proven knowledge of USG funding regulations is desirable
  • Proven ability to write effective proposals, reports, and procedures and maintain complete and accurate documentation
  • Detail oriented and highly organized
  • Excellent judgment in problem-solving and decision-making on a consistent basis
  • Ability to work with a small team in a fast-paced environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Assist with the design and implementation of all program aspects including work plan development, identifying consultants and sub-grantees, implementation of program activities, organizing trainings , international meetings and other activities, and monitoring and evaluation of program activities
  • Primarily responsible for reviewing budget proposals and reports by partners and communicating and ensuring financial compliance with partners
  • Develop effective professional relationships with partner organizations and assist them in increasing their capacity to meet objectives and more effectively implement their own programs
  • Substantially contribute to program reporting, including monthly and quarterly program reporting
  • As needed, manage own Dignity casework ensuring complete, accurate, and timely processing of cases; assist with overseeing cases for Dignity program being processed by other team members
  • Develop and maintain relationships with civil society, regional organizations, donor and diplomatic community, partners and grantees, policy community, other NGOs and think tanks as directed by supervisor
  • Conduct outreach to LGBTI human rights defenders and CSOs, locally, regionally, and globally
  • Cover Washington DC-based events pertaining to LGBTI human rights
  • Support and contribute to proposal writing activities, as needed, help identify new donors and partners, and draft narrative reports to funders
  • Negotiate and write contracts, grants, MOUs, LOAs, and other contractual documents, and ensure that the objectives and terms of agreements are met
  • As needed, contribute to FH publications and write web site content, press releases, briefings, policy papers, etc.
  • Other related duties as assigned

Interested candidates can apply by using the link below:

Apply for this job

Job Opening at LPAC

LPAC

LPAC

LPAC Is hiring a Political Operations Associate.  The Political Operations Associate provides executive support to the Executive Director and serves as the primary point of contact for external constituencies on all matters pertaining to LPAC. The Associate also serves as a liaison to the LPAC Board of Directors; organizes and coordinates LPAC’s outreach and external relations efforts; and oversees special political projects.

For more information, download the job announcement below

LPAC Political and Operations Assoc 4.7.17

LPAC is the first and only national values-based political action committee dedicated to building the political power of LGBTQ women. Since its founding in 2012, LPAC has focused on electing candidates who are outspoken champions for the issues that are at the intersection of women’s lives and politics: LGBT rights, women’s equality (including reproductive health and justice), and social, economic and racial justice. LPAC is building a community of engaged and activated LGBTQ women who are joining together to affect positive political change on the local, state, and national level for LGBTQ women, our families and our allies.

 

 

 

2017 LGBTQ Community Survey

LGBTQ Community Survey
LGBTQ Community Survey
LGBTQ Community Survey

The DC Center for the LGBTQ Community is proud to partner with Community Marketing Inc for the 11th annual LGBTQ Community Survey.  When you complete the survey using our unique link (tinyurl.com/lgbtqsurvey17) your survey data is shared with the DC Center.

In 2016 we had 299 individuals complete the survey.  Download this PDF File and see the complete results of the 2016 survey.

2016 LGBTQ Community Survey

Here are a few of the things we learned from the 2016 Survey.

Top 3 LGBTQ Priorities

The top three priorities identified in 2016 were:

  • 63.5% LGBT youth/anti-bullying/teen suicide prevention (connect with thedccenter.org/youth to learn more about our work in this area).
  • 58.9% Stopping anti-LGBT “religious freedom” legislation (connect with thedccenter.org/faith for faith community resources).
  • 50.5% Workplace Equality (connect with thedccenter.org/careers to learn about our work around employment)

Top 3 General Priorities

The top three general priorities (aside from LGBT Equality were) in 2016 were:

  • 79.3% Affordable healthcare (visit thedccenter.org/health to learn about our LGBT health related work).
  • 76.8% Racial Discrimination (visit thedccenter.org/poc to see information and resources for LGBTQ People of Color)
  • 75.8% Homelessness/Poverty

Demographics

Our oldest respondent was 75 years old and our youngest was 19%.  While over 60 percent of our respondents came from folks who identify as gay men, many diverse identities were reported including same gender loving, non-binary, genderqueer, pansexual, asexual, genderfluid and  genderqueer.

In terms of race/ethnicity 68% identified as White, 17% identified as Black or of African descent,  4.7% identified as mixed ethnicity, 4% identified as Latin(o/a) of of Hispanic descent, and 2.3% identified as Asian or of Asian descent.

Next Steps

We’re counting on you to make your voice heard in the 2017 survey.  Take a few minutes now and visit tinyurl.com/lgbtqsurvey2017.   We look forward to the results and better understanding our local LGBTQ community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LGBT Memorial Planned for National Cemetery

LGBT Fallen Heroes Fund Memorial

The LGBT Fallen Heroes Fund  Fund has signed the contract and made a down payment to buy the sites that we will eventually hold the LGBT Fallen Heroes Memorial at the Historic Congressional Cemetery.  The LGBT Fallen Heroes Fund works to identify and honor those fallen LGBT Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, EMS, and members of the Military who have dedicated their lives to their communities and give recognition to their survivors.

The memorial will be located in what has become a special location at the cemetery, where several LGBT community members are remembered.   The memorial is steps away from the gravesite of Sergeant Leonard P. Matlovich, a vietnam veteran remembered for bravely coming out as gay on the cover of Time Magazine in 1975.  The site is adjacent to the memorial marker for LGBT civil rights pioneer and veteran Frank Kameny.

An annual service to honor LGBT Veterans takes place every year at the cemetery on Veterans Day.

Other individuals memorialized at the Cemetery include Barbara Gittings (Daughters of Bilitis, The Ladder); Alain Locke (hailed by many as the father of the Harlem Renaissance); and Peter Doyle (believed by historians to have been the greatest love of gay American poet Walt Whitman).

While the deposit has been made on the memorial site, the LGBT Fallen Heroes Funds will be making monthly payments for the site for the next two years.  To make a donation to support this important work, visit their website at lgbtfallenheroesfund.org.

 

 

 

New Trans Health Coordinator at HAHSTA

Diedre Gray
Diedre Gray
Diedre Gray

The DC Department of Health (DOH) HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration (HAHSTA) has hired Diedre Gray to serve in a newly created role as the Trans Health Coordinator.   Ken Pettigrew, from HAHSTA, stated:

” Diedre has been at HAHSTA since June 2016 as a Health IMPACT Specialist. Now serving as the Trans Health Coordinator, Diedre will be responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with community partners from the academic, medical, governmental and community that are involved in transgender health. Diedre will further be responsible for establishing guidelines on approaches for gender affirming procedures like transitioning, hormone replacement therapy, safety and other elements that would have an impact on transgender persons overall health and wellness. Diedre will be working across the agency to inform, support and assess specific needs as it relates to transgender health.”