Women

CALLING TRANSMASC PERFORMERS/ARTISTS!

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Transmasc Open Mic

We are seeking transmasculine folx to perform at the DCAVP Transmasc Voices Against Violence open mic event, May 29, 6:45-9PM. See the FULL EVENT DEETS HERE.

Theme: The topic is Transmasculine Survivors of Violence & Abuse. This event is a registration-only Zoom event, to be able to hold intimate space where transmasculine folx can speak up/out about their experiences of violence and abuse including those that may have happened pre-transition — a timeline that many transmasculine folx do not share openly for reasons of stealth, privacy and/or danger.

3-5 minute slots. The mic will be open after the first 5 performers for anyone interested — pre-event and during-event sign up list will be 1st come 1st served for the remaining time.

5-7 minute slots: We would like to have a small line-up of experienced performers to help set the stage as a place for authenticity and courage. If you are an experienced performer interested in one of the 5-7 minute slots on stage, please contact us. We will offer a $50 honorarium/each for 5 transmasculine-identified performers.

ASL interpreters provided.

 

 

DC Center – Closed Effective 3/16/20

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Image of the Coronavirus and the works COVID-19

Taking guidance and recommendations about social distancing from the DC government and the CDC, effective Monday, March 16th, The DC Center for the LGBT Community’s office will be closed. Staff are still working remotely, and will be checking emails and voicemails multiple times each day. Please reach out to supportdesk@thedccenter.org to connect with the DC Center, as we are still able to provide services and support.

If you are interested in attending support groups remotely, please reach out to your facilitator or supportdesk@thedccenter.org and we can provide options for remote meetings using conference lines.

The situation is changing rapidly, please refer to the CDC’s website and coronavirus.dc.gov for up-to-date information on what you can do to help prevent and slow the spread of the coronavirus. 

The DC Center team will be meeting regularly to assess the situation and rest assured that we will open as soon as it is safe to do so, as we know that many of our clients and participants are vulnerable and will need support. If you are able, please consider donating and supporting organizations that provide food, medicine, and other support to marginalized populations. 

 

If you are facing a life threatening situation or seeking immediate care:

DC Mobile Crisis: 202-673-9300
DC Shelter Hotline: 202.399.7093 or 311
Maryland Mobile Crisis: 240-777-4000
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
LGBTQ under 25: Trevor Lifeline: 866-488-7386
LGBTQ National Help Center (all ages – various lines/hours): 888-843-4564 www.glbthotline.org

 

UPDATE : DC LGBTQ Health and Wellness Festival

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LGBTQ Health & Wellness Festival

*** Hello friends,
In order to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus, the DC Center is closed effective Monday, March 16th. To protect the health and safety of everyone we have decided to postpone our health and wellness festival, we will no longer have the event on March 28th , a new date will be decided in the future. Please consider how you can help delay the spread of coronavirus by consulting sites such as https://coronavirus.dc.gov/ for more information. ***

Due to unfortunate circumstances, we have been forced to reschedule our Wellness Expo. Join us on Saturday, March 28th for our first-ever DC LGBTQ Health and Wellness Expo.

Please click here for the updated event information, and if you have previously registered there’s no need to re-register. Thank you for your patience. If you have any questions please email supportdesk@thedccenter.org.

CFLS to Hold Speaker Training for Women Survivors

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Community Family Life Services will be hosting Informational Sessions for the CFLS Speakers Bureau on September 11th and September 14th. The Speakers Bureau is a paid public speaking training and professional development opportunity for women who have survived domestic violence, human trafficking, homelessness, and incarceration.

This Informational Session is an opportunity for potential applicants and members of the community to learn more about the program, hear from current members of the program, receive tips on how to strengthen your application, and ask questions. This event is open to all applicants and members of the community who are interested in learning more about the CFLS Speakers Bureau.

Please RSVP to attend:

Wednesday, September 11th at 11am: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cfls-speakers-bureau-informational-session-911-am-tickets-71082213815

Wednesday, September 11th at 6 pm: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cfls-speakers-bureau-informational-session-911-pm-tickets-71084352211

Saturday, September 14th at 11 am: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cfls-speakers-bureau-informational-session-914-am-tickets-71084727333

Please reach out to Miracle Smith with questions: (202) 750 6024 ext. 4001; mgsmith@cflsdc.org.

Meet the Staff: Alexis

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Welcome, Alexis to the DC Center! She is a Social Media and Advocacy Intern for the Summer and is looking forward to meeting and supporting members of her community. You can meet Alexis at the DC Center on Tuesdays thru Fridays. She is a rising Junior at American University majoring in Justice and Law who likes to play Ultimate Frisbee in her spare time.

 

Birthdate, Astro Sign

April 21st, Taurus

 

Where are you originally from?

San Diego, CA

 

When did you start working at the DC Center?

June 5th

 

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

I love how passionate everyone is about their work and helping the community. You can feel the excitement for the events the minute you walk into the room!

 

What is your music anthem?

“Is There Life Out There” by Reba McEntire

 

What is your favorite part about the LGBTQ+ community?

I love it when the community comes together to show support for one another. There is so much love in this community, and it never ceases to make you feel welcomed.

 

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

I love going to the National Cathedral and walking around the gardens. If it’s too cold, I’ll be in Open City sipping on some Hot Coco! But on a beautiful day, I can be caught reading a book or throwing a frisbee with some friends on the lawn outside the Cathedral.

 

What is your favorite queer movie?  

Imagine Me & You (2005)

 

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

A teal blue – like the ocean!

Who do you look up to in the queer community?
Cleve Jones was the first activist I learned about, and his work with the Names Quilt brings me chills every time I think about it. I genuinely look up to his passion for the cause and hope I can emulate his passion in my own work.

Meet the Staff: Maya

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woman with cherry blossoms

Welcome Maya to the DC Center! She is a summer health and wellness intern and looks forward to making members of the queer community smile and feel supported. You can meet Maya at the DC Center Monday thru Friday this summer! She is a rising junior at Georgetown University, majoring in Global Health. 

Birthdate, Astro Sign

23 May, Gemini

Where are you originally from?

San Diego, CA

Why did you start working at the DC Center?

I started working at the DC Center to further my exposure to community/queer health work and give back to the LGBTQ community.

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

My favorite part has been the welcoming attitudes of my coworkers. We’re all striving to help our community thrive!

What is your music anthem?

I’ve had Hippo Campus’ “Bambi” on repeat lately.

What is your favorite part about the LGBTQ+ community?

I love how much fun we can have together. Whether it’s dancing, fashion, or poetry it all makes me feel fabulously free.

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

I absolutely love to run on the National Mall. You can catch me there with my partner and our dog!

What is your favorite queer movie?  

Moonlight (2016)

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

Green!

Who do you look up to in the queer community?

Jennifer Wiggins is a queer black icon working in Georgetown’s Health Education Services. She is constantly making herself available for queer programming & has often made me smile as well as feel safe on campus. Simply put, Jenn is a loving activist through and through.

Reproductive Justice and LGBT Liberation

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Causes in Common

On December 21st, 2004 the DC Center for the LGBT Community Board of Directors voted to sign the pledge of Commitment to Causes in Common.   Causes in Common was an initiative of the LGBT Community in New York City to bring together the reproductive rights movement and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender liberation movement to identify common issues and build stronger alliances. The common ground for these two movements has a long and rich history.

The DC Center was proud to join many LGBT Community Centers around the country, and other LGBT and Reproductive Justice Organizations, in committing to the following principles:

  • We affirm the right to individual autonomy in all matters related to consensual sexuality and reproduction.
  • We affirm the rights of individuals to control over their own bodies and to intimate engagement with members of their own sex as fundamental to the liberation of LGBT people.
  • We are dedicated to effecting positive social change for the purpose of eradicating all forms of homophobia in our society and for the full attainment of the right to choose to reproduce.
  • Governmental intervention in the reproductive lives of women and men limits not only their ability to make a choice about abortion; it also limits their access to safe and affordable reproductive assistance. We affirm the right of all women
    to safe and affordable abortions and the right of all people to safe and affordable reproductive technologies and assistance.
  • The conflation of immorality and sex engaged in for purposes of pleasure or outside heterosexual civil marriage lead to the creation of policies that serve to undermine our democracy, our right to privacy and our freedom to choose the direction of our reproductive and sexual lives. It also serves to weaken what should be an unbridgeable divide between church and state as mandated by the Constitution. We affirm the necessity of a secular state to the preservation of
    democratic principles.
  • We acknowledge the detrimental impact that U.S. policy has had on the reproductive and sexual freedoms of peoples throughout the world and we situate our alliance in a global context.

To learn more about this historic initiative, click below to download the full report:

Causes in Common

 

 

Meet the Staff: Va

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VA headshot

Welcome Virginia to the DC Center! She usually goes by Va. Va is excited to provide mental health services as a part-time social worker. She is excited to work here and hopes to continue to make the lives of LGBTQ people easier. You can meet Va at the DC Center in the evenings! Va is an Army Veteran, a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW), Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT), and an LGBTQ Advocate.

Birthdate, Astro Sign
4 March, Pisces
Where are you originally from? 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Why did you start working at the DC Center? 
I started working at the DC Center because I believe everyone’s voice is important.
What has been your favorite part about working at the DC Center?
I love the community and my teammates that I work alongside. The vibe with the DC Center Staff reminds me much of family; wonky but we function.
What is your music anthem? 
Lloraras by Oscar D’Leon & My Favorite Things by John Coltrane
What is your favorite part about the LGBTQ+ community? 
The flavor, authenticity and community.
What is your favorite spot in DC and what do you do there? 
Bukom Cafe & Bossa Bistro. I love to dance salsa, merengue, bachata and afrobeats.
What is your favorite queer movie?  
Hands down “The Rocky Horror Picture Show!” I love the art, music and horror-comedy.
What color would you paint the White House, given the chance?  
White is fine #minimalism

Who do you look up to in the queer community?
I especially look up to transgender people of color as I feel they are stigmatized and treated the worst of the LGTBQ community. These beautiful people have the courage to be themselves and are met with immense difficulty. I admire their strength!

Meet the Board: Rehana

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Rehana

Help us welcome Rehana! She is a new member of the DC Center Board of Directors. She looks forward to helping support the critical work of the Center and getting more connected with all the ways they contribute to the local community.

Birthdate, Astro Sign.

March 24, Aries.

Where are you originally from?

Takoma Park, MD.

What has been your favorite part about volunteering with the DC Center so far?

Supporting the range of programming and ways that they support the LGBTQ community in the DC area. And meeting great people!

What is your favorite part about the LGBTQ+ community?

Our diversity! I love that we’re a multi-faceted community that includes very different people – I think we can all learn a lot from each other.

Who do you look up to in the queer community?

Janelle Monae.

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

Too many favorite spots to pick just one – I love walking around different neighborhoods  and trying new bars and restaurants.

What is your favorite queer movie?

Moonlight.

What is your go to restaurant and what do you order?

El Sol – beef enchiladas.

Are you more of an early bird or a night owl?

Early bird.