The Official Guide to Capital Pride 2017 by Capital Pride Alliance

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE 2017 CAPITAL PRIDE NATIONAL PRESENTING SPONSOR

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JUNE 8-11

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PRESIDENTIAL SPONSORS

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Aaron Fischbach Alan Thompson Bernie Delia Colin Stewart Danny Miller Giuseppe DeBartolo Jeffrey Horn & Cary Jasgur Mary Paradise Michelle Beneke Rachel Gleischman Raymond Panas & Robert Barndt Robert Beck Robert York SaVanna Wanzar Thomas Bower Vernon Wall Vince Micone Vicente L. Rodriguez & Ted A. Culler Page 4

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Sponsors RAINBOW SPONSORS

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PRODUCTION PARTNERS

Brightest Young Things Busboys and Poets Center Faith Cobalt Cherry Fund Distrckt C DC Front Runners JR’s LURe Nellie’s Sports Bar NOVA Pride Number Nine, Trade & Town Danceboutique The Queen Vic British Pub TAGG Magazine The Eagle Uproar THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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© 2017 Capital Pride Alliance, Inc. All Rights Reserved. “Capital Pride” is a registered trademark of the Capital Pride Alliance, Inc. All material in the Capital Pride Guide is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the Capital Pride Alliance, Inc. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers, and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representation of individuals does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of such individual. The Capital Pride Guide is supported by many advertisers, however, the Capital Pride Alliance, Inc. cannot take responsibility for any claims made by advertisers.

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CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Welcome

Although the journey for LGBTQ equality began more than 50 years ago, it was the 1969 events at the Stonewall Inn that ignited our passions and propelled us forward. The significance of Stonewall was not as much in fighting back – as important as that was – but in coming together to fight back. In unity, strength. The incredible courage exhibited by each member of that disparate group of individuals became magnified many times over because they collectively took a stand against intolerable circumstances. That course of action remains as our guide through today: as we journey forward, though we may stumble and fall, we are called to steady each other, help each other, and lift up each other – because that is what it means to be community.

BERNIE DELIA

PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CAPITAL PRIDE ALLIANCE

In the years since the first Pride festivities, we have celebrated the significant events from June 1969 as a way of commemorating those who have come before us. But, these events are also a way for many of us to visibly make our presence known – some for the very first time – and continue to stand against intolerance directed at the LGBTQ community. No matter how far we have come, we can never really forget that these celebrations sprang from those protests, and those protests remain at the heart of who we are as a community – defiant and proud. While we have achieved a measure of success in our goal toward full equality, those accomplishments do not lessen the individual and collective obligation we have to press onward until all may enjoy the benefits of our labors.

DENIS LARGERON | PHOTOGRAPHIE

We have seen this repeated many times during our history. Whether it was to battle an unseen but deadly virus or defeat forces of hate that would rob us of our equal dignity, from places around the country to the halls of Congress, when we joined together we were able to overcome these challenges and emerge stronger.

So, with permission from none and equality for all, the members of the LGBTQ community make no apologies for who we are. The power we possess springs from our great diversity and our unified voices. Remember, no matter what anyone may say, no matter what forces we have to withstand, we are not giving in, we are not giving up, and we are never going back.

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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Table Of Contents 42nd Capital Pride 2

2017 Capital Pride Sponsors

Masthead | Contributors

Table of Contents

On Stage 88 Concert Stage Headliners 91 Featured Performers 92 Concert Stage Line Up 93 Dupont and Monument Stages

Welcome To Pride 5

Bernie Delia, President, Capital Pride

Ryan Bos, Executive Director

Mayor Muriel Bowser

Selected Voices

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton

Capital Pride Board and Staff

Capital Pride ProductionTeam

UNAPOLOGETICALLY

PROUD! 24

Profiles In Pride 10 LGBTQ Leaders

Asylumn Seekers

Safe Spaces

Being Gay In No Manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Land

120

Check It

133

Discrimination Administration

140

One Dangerous Queer

Pride Information 40 67

Events Calander Braden Holtby Pride Ally Award

Pride Heroes

Pride Honorees

Capital Trans Pride Engendered Spirits

99 Parade & Festival Particpants

By Doug Rule

By By Matthew Corso, Eric Scharf, and Jake Hudson

Guest Editoral by Eleadah Clack By Nemat Sadat

By Jamil Fletcher By Mara Keisling

A Photo Exhibition At DuPont Underground By Aaron Rayburn

100 Parade Grand Marshals 144 Parade Map 148 Festival Map 160 Have Pride 365 Events Calendar

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CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Welcome NO ONE OWNS “PRIDE.” Pride is centered around one’s experience in how a person chooses to show up, engage, and be visible. This provides space for protest through marches, celebration, education, laughter, and simply being present and visible. It’s important that we accept our differences and that it’s okay to disagree, it’s okay to take divergent paths, and it’s okay to challenge one another. Everyone must follow their own path and we must allow each other to live our own truth, and be able to embrace how each other chooses to experience “Pride.”

RYAN BOS

EXECUTIVE DIREXTOR CAPITAL PRIDE ALLIANCE

We have made progress in our LGBTQ+ community and need to relish, accept, respect, and honor the individuals who and the organizations that have helped guide us through our struggles in the past. This is what provides us hope. Without hope, we won’t have the determination, respect, or capacity to keep moving forward together as a community and in solidarity for each other, respecting our diverse and intersectional identities. We must be willing to challenge ourselves in spaces that are uncomfortable in order to create opportunities for shared learning and growth. We must not let the negative forces among us tear us apart, but rather let’s join together to become louder, more determined, and more compassionate. As a community, our strength increases exponentially when we stand together, and we become more powerful, positive, and successful in reaching our shared goals toward social justice, equality, and safer spaces. The challenges I personally have experienced this past year have provided me with renewed respect for those who have lead before and inspiration from those stepping up to keep our fight moving forward. My hope has also been restored through the new relationships I’ve formed from leaders who I’ve shared newfound space to tackle these difficult conversations and issues.

DENIS LARGERON | PHOTOGRAPHIE

As a cisgender, gay, white male, I welcome you to Pride 2017 with an open heart, slightly bruised soul, and hopeful spirit. We enter this Pride season with an awakening and understanding centered on the challenges and issues that still face our LGBTQ+ community. From the awful tragedy on June 12, 2016, at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, the horrible and hurtful rhetoric during this past election cycle, threats to our existing and future rights, and the murders and silencing of the most marginalized in our community.

Pride 2017 in the Nation’s Capital and around the world will be a powerful experience and opportunity for many. Please show up in whatever ways you are most comfortable. We wish everyone a safe, impactful, empowering, and enjoyable Pride experience. In addition to participating in our traditional events, we encourage you to march for our LGBTQ+ community at The Equality March for Unity & Pride. I leave you with the following goals as you embark on your 2017 Pride experience. That we allow individuals to experience Pride in the way that is most meaningful for them, and not place value or judge. That we challenge ourselves to enter spaces that are uncomfortable to become more aware, knowledgeable, and build new and fruitful relationships. That we don’t place value on one’s experience over another. That we allow each other to fight the fight the way they know best. -#HAVEPRIDE365

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Last year, Marriott International® encouraged people all over the world to create visual expressions of love and support for the LGBTQ community. Thousands of submissions were received from nearly 100 countries worldwide to create a vibrant #LoveTravels Mosaic. This year, Marriott invites you to become a part of our incredible Mosaic by creating an expression of love – however you define it – and share it with the world. Our #LoveTravels Mosaic not only celebrates our pride, but for every piece submitted, Marriott will make a donation to Casa Ruby, an organization providing safe shelter and resources for homeless LGBTQ youth in Washington, DC. #LoveTravels unites all of us to express our pride, support and collective voices. To learn more and participate, visit www.marriott.com/lovetravels

2016

Marriott International is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of the Capital Pride Parade. Many thanks to the Capital Pride Alliance. We look forward to celebrating in Washington, DC!

2015

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CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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Selected Voices In Metro DC PHIL MENDELSON Chairman, DC City Concil “We have achieved many gains with LGBTQ rights, and I’m proud that the District has been in the vanguard, but there is still a lot of progress left to be made. Let’s take this week to celebrate, and then get back to work. Happy Pride!”

ELISSA SILVERMAN DC Councilmember At-Large “Welcome to the 2017 Celebration of Pride in the Nation’s Capital—a city that celebrates diversity, values self-expression, and enthusiastically supports LGBTQ rights and activism. The District is no stranger to fighting for equal representation. Gender identity and sexual orientation should never undermine the right to equality in all spaces—this is a constitutional right worth fighting for. I thank our LGBTQ neighbors for continuing to help make the District such a special place and wish you a wonderful, safe Capital Pride celebration. Keep up the fight!” ROBERT C WHITE JR DC Councilmember At-Large “I am incredibly proud of the LGBTQ advocates, leaders, and local organizations who are bold voices for our brothers and sisters in the community who face injustice and discrimination. Love is a beautiful thing. Nobody should be judged for loving whomever they want to love. I am working every day to be a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ community, and I will always keep my door open for those who are facing hate and bigotry. I am unapologetically proud of people who fight every day to protect the rights of the LGBTQ community.” DAVID GROSSO DC Councilmember At-Large “Welcome to Capital Pride! Every year the District of Columbia welcomes tens of thousands of people for Pride festivities and this year is no different. While we may have had some political setbacks nationally since last Pride, the District of Columbia continues to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment every day of the year. We will continue to lead the country celebrating diversity in all forms and embracing the LGBTQ community’s contributions toward a greater quality of life in the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia is happy you are celebrating Pride with us in 2017.”

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DON BLANCHON Executive Director, Whitman-Walker Health “I am personally proud to stand, walk, and march as an ally during this 2017 Capital Pride. To love openly and unapologetically is to live authentically. At Whitman-Walker Health we see our patients as individuals and affirm their lives with dignity and respect. As we celebrate the beauty, spirit, and magic in our communities, and march for the civil rights and justice for all, let us never forget that LGBTQ lives are worthy of government recognition, legal protection, and affirming representation. That is the pride we see and believe in at Whitman-Walker Health.”

AISHA C. MOODIE-MILLS President & CEO of Victory Fund and Victory Institute “Welcome to the 2017 Celebration of Pride in the Nation’s Capital—a city that celebrates diversity, values self-expression, and enthusiastically supports LGBTQ rights and activism. The District is no stranger to fighting for equal representation. Gender identity and sexual orientation should never undermine the right to equality in all spaces—this is a constitutional right worth fighting for. I thank our LGBTQ neighbors for continuing to help make the District such a special place and wish you a wonderful, safe Capital Pride celebration. Keep up the fight!” MARA KEISLING Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality “Over the last two decades, through supportive and unsupportive presidents alike, we have made tremendous progress for the rights of trans people in this country; because we always fight. Transgender people will fight to show people in their lives who we are; we will fight to show America who we are; we will fight to protect our kids; we will fight to advance justice and against attacks on any community; and we will fight relentlessly to defend every single advance we have made. We will not stop fighting, we will remain unapologetic in our resolve and justice will win.” ANTHONY BONETTI Director of Community Engagement & Program Coordication, Rainbow Families "Now more than ever, we need to stand up and stand together to show we will not give back any of the rights we've fought so hard to achieve. Our families deserve to live in a world that reflects the freedom, equality and love that we've won over decades of struggle. The best way to show our strength and solidarity is to be visible, active and unapologetically proud!" SHEILA ALEXANDER-REID Director, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs “The progress our country is making on LGBTQ equality reflects the American understanding that discrimination in any form should never be tolerated. Bolstered by recent victories in the Supreme Court, we are committed to growing the LBGT equality Welcome to the 42nd anniversary of Capital Pride. In the wake of the recent unprecedented attacks on the LGBTQ community, immigrants, people of color, and women, DC remains steadfast in its commitment to serving as a “Sanctuary City.” Recognizing the complexities of LGBTQ communities, our advocacy and support is intersectional to ensure our residents are treated with respect. We show this commitment by installing gender neutral bathrooms in our government facilities and fostering safe spaces for LGBTQ homeless youth.” RUBY CORADO Casa Ruby “If you think that your dreams become big when you dream big, they become Bigger when others dream with you, Dreams Do Come True at Casa Ruby"

CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515 ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

June 1, 2017 I extend my warmest greetings to the Capital Pride Alliance and friends gathered in our nation’s capital to celebrate Pride 2017. For years, the Capital Pride Alliance has been a stellar organization in D.C., building partnerships and working with allies to be a voice for our proud Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) residents. Through organized events and outreach, the Capital Pride Alliance continues the vital role of bringing greater awareness to important issues affecting the community while celebrating its diversity. When I make my way down D.C. streets each June, and I see the pride flag gracing countless storefront windows and apartment balconies, I am reminded of Capital Pride’s efforts and encouraged by how much D.C. stands with our LGBT community. As Pride 2017 approaches, I look forward to seeing this sight again and joining the celebration in the spirit of this year’s theme, “Unapologetically Proud.” This is an especially fitting description of our brothers and sisters who make no apologies for who they are and who they love. As we celebrate, let us also remember those who faced violence and oppression for being proud of who they were, but fought on so that we could celebrate openly today. Much work remains to be done to ensure that bigotry and discrimination are matters of the past and that equality is within reach for all Americans. I look forward to continuing in this fight alongside you. Please accept my warmest wishes, once again, as you celebrate Pride 2017. Sincerely, 







 Eleanor Holmes Norton Not printed or mailed at government expense.

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Board Of Directors & Staff 2017

TOP ROW: Bernie Delia (President), Michelle Benecke, Raymond Panas (Secretary), Sarah Booth, Ashley Smith (Treasurer), Mary Paradise, Brian Horn, Vince Micone (VP) BOTTOM ROW: Rachel Gleischman, Vicente Rodriquez, SaVanna Wanzer, Kyle Collins, Vernon Wall, Jesse Bonales, Colin Stewart, Thomas Wieczorek (VP), Robert York STAFF: Ryan Bos (Executive Director), Mike Alexander (Development Director), Rob Corbett (Operations Director), Amy Pepin (Events Manager), Peter Morgan (Marketing Director), Nicole Barnes (Finance Director), Devin Hansen (Special Projects), Megan Eimerman-Wallace (Program Assistant), NOT PICTURED: Al Pellenberg (Art Director)

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CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Production Team 2017 EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

ACCESSIBILITY Michael Creason 4 Bryan Davis 7 BEVERAGE GARDENS Matt Gillette 6 EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH Matt Kuder 14 ENTERTAINMENT Jerry Houston 18 Vernon Wall FESTIVAL Joey Allen Chelsea Bland 16 LOGISTICS Megan Eimerman-Wallace Aaron Fischbach 17 MARKETING & OUTREACH Deonte Leach 11 Sid Roberts OPERATIONS Zach Bach 10 PARADE David Arwood 2 Tiffany Royster 1 SAFETY & SECURITY Justin Ahasteen 12 SPECIAL EVENTS Jonathon Sorge 5 Natalie Thompson 8 TALENT MANAGEMENT Joshua Beeson 15 TRANS PRIDE Omar Clarke 9 Holly Goldmann 3 Bianca Rey 13 VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT J. Clarence Flanders PRODUCTIONTEAM Alex Jewel Addy Free Akins Rose Aruta Chris Avery Eddie Ayala Destiny B. Childs Christopher Barth Gregory Bates Chord Bezzera Bryan Blanchard Ophelia Bottoms Doug Bradshaw Imani Brown

Sarah Bryce Alec Buckley Michael Bumbry Dana Butler Kamaria Butler Kimberly Bush Craig Casey Conner Coleman Ruby Corado Ron Crognale Will Cruttenden Joshua Darr Latasha Deal Yadiell Deautriell David Delewski Rick Deus Joe Donnelly Tom Donohue Teal Dye Leah Edwards Richard Edwards Ted Eytan Corey Fisher Siobhan Fisher

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

13 Christine Forbes Elissa Frankle Kevin G. Rivas Michael Garcia Frankie Garner Gregory Garner Kesha Garner Michael Graham Kurt Graves Leo Guillémin Michael Hairston Kevin Hawkins Sean Holloway William Hopfer Aaron Howard Bill Huff Anna Jeanne Joy Jenkens Alyssea Johnson Ethan Johnson Keisha Johnson Todd Jones Gregory Koory Brittney “Eve” Kramer

15 Ryan Krog Denis Largeron James Leslie Jane Levy Tyler Lewis Angela Love Stephania Mahdi John Marc Randy Meck Michelle Mobley Joshua Morgan Tony Moroto Caleb Nixon Dai Nyguen Charlotte Oliver Keenan Orr Daniel Ostick Michael Owens Chad Phillips Jenn Pollom George Powell Lawrance Powell Lenin Priegozurita Courtney Ramsey

Anna-Alexandra Rojo Sarah Ross Corbin Shansky Kirk Sobell Darren Sokvary Jay Soriano Phillip Stergiou Stuart Symington Melvin Thomas Alan Thompson Brock Thompson Mild Vachananda Catalina Velasquez Tiffany Walton Jennifer Weber Justin White David Williams Ryan Williams Anthony Wisenwski Sarah Worden Charles Wright Pamela Yee Robert Zelm

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The 5th Annual

PROUD! UNAPOLOGETICALLY

PRIDE2017 OFFICIAL EVENT

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5K RUN & WALK • JUNE 9, 2017, 7PM • WASHINGTON, DC GET YOUR PRIDE WEEKEND OFF TO A RUNNING START! The DC Front Runners Pride Run, an official event of Pride 2017, is a fun 5K run & walk celebrating community and friendly competition. The chip-timed race is followed by a Finish Line Party sponsored by JR’s Bar, featuring beer for race participants, a live DJ, entertainment, awards for the race’s top performers & random prize drawings. Funds raised support SMYAL, the Team DC Student-Athlete Scholarship, and Capital Pride. Line up with friends and show you’re unapologetically proud!

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“This is a new world, a new situation that we’re under,” says June Crenshaw, LGBTQ Advisor to Mayor Muriel Bowser. She’s referring to life in the Trump Era, when hostility toward minorities has been de facto encouraged from the top down. “It requires a new level of involvement and awareness, and concern and empathy. And hopefully the energy around more people speaking up and speaking out will sustain us -and change this situation quickly.” Crenshaw does not play an official role with Capital Pride. She was simply consulted as one of 10 amazing LGBTQ leaders or leading cultural figures who, in their own, distinct ways, bring to life this year’s Capital Pride theme. From Urooj Arshad to Mitchell Gold, Pixie Windsor to Shawn Short, these are Unapologetically Proud people who aren’t afraid to get in-your-face and take an activist approach to living life as members of the LGBTQ community when the moment or time calls for it. And if any year demands that pride be more than just a big celebration, a weekend of parties and fun, this one is it. Crenshaw, a 56-year-old African American lesbian, says the current era feels “a little less safe” than even the more generally homophobic culture of her Tulsa, Okla., upbringing. Back then and there, she says, “there [was] dignity and respect in disagreeing. And it doesn’t feel like we have that anymore. There’s a…vengefulness toward it, a hurtfulness toward it…. And that feels a little different. It feels like really kind of a throwback to the extremely segregated days.” Ruby Corado, another Profile in Pride here and the founder of Casa Ruby, stresses the importance of remembering that we’re all in this together, and we’re stronger as a community. “I want to tell people this pride season,” Corado says, “that, no matter how vulnerable they feel, no matter how alone sometimes we feel, we need to be reminded that we’re part of a big community. A community of resilient people. A community of fighters. We are beautiful in our own ways. We are brilliant. We are some of the most amazing people on Earth. And together, we can overcome anything that comes our way because we’re part of the LGBTQ community. And we’ve got one another. Through history, we have gone through so much. But when we come together in community, we can fight anything that comes our way.” Page 26

CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Profiles In Pride

By Doug Rule

Moody Mustafa

PHOTO: TODD FRANSON / METRO WEEKLY

DOCTOR’S ORDERS Moody Mustafa, one of gay D.C.’s most popular doctors does it his gay way

Moody Mustafa is buoyant and flamboyant -- and the good, gay doctor wouldn’t want to be any other way. “I’ve never been shy about expressing who I am,” he says, “and practicing medicine the way I wanted to, having a facility look the way it does, dressing the way I do.” Yet when it comes to his work as a doctor in private practice -- one of the D.C. LGBTQ community’s most popular, in fact -- Mustafa does not wear rose-colored glasses -- at least not in the metaphorical sense. He sees all-too clearly the struggles his patients are going through physically, socio-culturally, financially. And nothing is coloring his view about the American health care system and particularly the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. “It’s definitely got problems,” Mustafa concedes, citing high deductibles and high out-of-pocket expenses for some enrollees. And then there’s the overall problem of the skyrocketing cost of medicine. Yet there’s a reason Republicans can’t find a cure for Obamacare to save their political lives. “It took them years to get that system in place. For Republicans to think they could just kind of come in and put in a new system, there’s no way.” “It works probably for 90 percent of the people who have it,” Mustafa continues, adding that “a fair number of my patients have Obamacare.” And because a significant portion of his clientele is living with HIV -- and sheerly by virtue of costly medications -- any change to Obamacare and their health insurance is a potentially life-threatening prospect. Particularly, as he explains it, because “a lot of the people who have Obamacare are the ones that couldn’t afford health insurance in the first place.” Of course, Mustafa’s concerns about what President Trump and the Republican-led Congress are hoping and trying to do go well beyond retrograde health proposals such as the so-far thwarted effort to repeal and replace Obamacare. “I’m angry,” he says. “It’s absolutely horrendous, what this administration has gotten away with so far.” So far at least, Trump has not gotten away with his proposed ban on travel to the U.S. from citizens of several Muslim-majority countries. While his native Egypt is not on that list, Mustafa is nevertheless “mortified” by such a development seemingly flouting one of America’s founding ideals, as being “the land of the free.” Although an immigrant since the age of seven, when he came to the U.S. with his family fleeing the Nasser regime, the 60-year-old Mustafa views himself “as an American first and foremost” and “as American as anybody.” Naturally, Mustafa is concerned about a culture increasingly driven by fear of the non-white (and non-straight) other. “Our current administration, they have made it basically okay to be a racist. It’s not about making America great again, it’s about making America white again.” Mercifully, Mustafa doesn’t live in that red-state America. “I myself have never had a problem,” he says. “I’ve never been treated badly for being Egyptian or Muslim. But I think that’s because I live here in D.C.” In the nation’s deep-blue capital, his home since medical school in the early ‘80s, Mustafa feels free to identify and express himself pretty much in any way, and in as gay of a way, as he wants, without fear. “I’ve always just tried to be myself,” he says. ‘I guess I’ve been unapologetically proud my whole life, basically.” THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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Profiles In Pride Ruby Corado

PHOTO: TODD FRANSON / METRO WEEKLY

COMMUNITY CRUSADER Ruby Corado leads a movement to help the most vulnerable

Ask Ruby Corado if she’s ever considered a career as a motivational speaker, and she turns uncharacteristically sheepish. “I have to say, sometimes I sound like a preacher,” Corado allows, before answering with the kind of uplifting, inspirational and utterly personal story you’d expect from the founder and namesake of the LGBTQ shelter and community organization Casa Ruby. “You know what it is? It’s resilience. I mean, you have no idea: I’ve been shot twice, I’ve been raped, I’ve been homeless. But every time that the world wanted to squish me and destroy me, there was a little part of me that was kept alive. And it was like I just regenerated. And I said, ‘You’re wrong!’ And I think that, when you’ve been through so much, you feel that you have an opportunity to show people, who may be facing the same things, that there is a way out, and that things will change.” A lot has changed in the life of the El Salvador native since arriving in D.C. as a homeless 14-year-old “young feminine boy.” Now a 47-year-old transgender woman, Corado is a veritable community leader, and one who is, as the theme has it, unapologetically proud -- of her adopted hometown, her community, and herself. A dozen years ago she started the organization that became Casa Ruby, a bilingual, multicultural provider of a wide range of services offered to the most vulnerable members in D.C.’s LGBTQ community. Since 2012, Corado has further realized a literal dream of hers dating to the early ‘90s. “I had a dream,” she says, “that one day I would be running a gay shelter. And in that dream, I was putting satin sheets on the beds.” Her organization now runs a 24/7 shelter in Columbia Heights, open to people of all ages and walks of life but especially dejected members of the queer community -- those who are downtrodden, downhearted, and downright deserving of being treated like a queen for once in their lives, at least for a (fort) night. “Three years ago,” she explains, “one of our supporters mailed Casa Ruby some purple satin sheets. I almost passed out!” Of course, the queenly gift was all in a day’s collection at Casa Ruby, and there’s always a need for more toiletries, food, “slightly used goods and clothing.” Additional volunteers are also always welcome to join in the community. She calls it “a beautiful community in a wonderful city…. We live in a city, although not perfect, where LGBTQ people have dignity and protection in the eyes of the law.”

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Yet she’s hardly naive. “Queer people are not strangers to violence in this city,” she says, adding that President Trump, with his incendiary rhetoric and general belligerent attitude, has only made that reality worse: “Hate crimes have doubled in our city in the last year, and that’s FBI and MPD data.” Sadly, Casa Ruby is no stranger to violence, either. The shelter was in the news this spring after being vandalized -- not for the first time, though certainly “the most visceral one.” “Wow, this is what hate looks like,” went Corado’s initial reaction. Yet the reaction from the community was even more palpable, a fervent demonstration of love and support. For starters, she points out that “the perpetrator got arrested within 24 hours because of the relationships that we’re building with law enforcement.” And then there’s the funds for rebuilding raised via community fundraisers and direct donations, not to mention the morale-boosting kindness of total strangers. It all adds up to what Corado describes as “a movement of people who take care of one another, who are still struggling to change the system so no one in our community has to face barriers and obstacles to succeed just because they are LGBTQ.” To which the only proper response is: Amen! CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Profiles In Pride Shawn Short

PHOTO: JULIAN VANKIM /METRO WEEKLY

POWERFUL MOVES Shawn Short expands notions of pride through dance

It’s hard enough coming out to yourself and to close friends and family. But to also put yourself out there professionally, publicly -- and on stage? For Shawn Short, such a big, bold step was essential to moving forward. “I was tired of friends and I having conversations about what we were going through -- in closed spaces,” Short says, “silently suffering with hurtful feelings of trauma, being alone, hopeless, or just not feeling valued. For years, I saw gay platforms, but many didn’t always speak to my specific story.” So the choreographer, a native of Prince George’s County, created his own gay platform to tell his specific story as well as those of others like him. Presented by Short’s contemporary ballet company Dissonance Dance Theatre, Black to Silver: A Black LGBTQ Experience (B2S) has, he says, “helped me put closure to my oppressed feelings of being devalued and silent as a black gay man.” The program, held every April since 2013, has achieved a whole lot more than that, of course. It has offered “a cathartic release” not only to Short but also to patrons and other dancers -- evidenced by the growth in size of the B2S audience and his company, currently featuring 12 dancers and eight choreographers in addition to Short, its Principal Choreographer. With that growth has come greater funding, including B2S grants several years running from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and greater recognition for Short -- from winning a Founder’s Award from Us Helping Us, to being featured on the cover of Metro Weekly magazine. Many of the black gay choreographic works he’s premiered at B2S have since been performed elsewhere, including the United States Conference on AIDS, the Human Rights Campaign’s ManDate Health & Wellness Conference and the D.C. public forum The Ask Rayceen Show. “We have now worked with over 50 black LGBTQ artists/supporters,” he says, “creating allies in tolerance and understanding of our communities and lives.” While significant, the event’s impact hardly happened overnight. In fact, Short wasn’t sure B2S would even get off the ground. “I was a little nervous that first year, because no one wanted to support it.” Once he got past that hurdle, the common refrain became, “I’ll support it, but I don’t necessarily want to be labeled.” A graduate of Howard University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Short, 39, has been on the faculty at Catholic University and the Washington Ballet. He continues to teach and trains aspiring dancers through his Ngoma Center for Dance, an organization that includes Dissonance, which just wrapped up its 10th performance season. Every day, Short works to help students excel through sure and steady moves that express their true selves and experiences. The greatest lessons he’s learned and teach include the importance of making honest, confident moves -- those that affirm and inspire lockstep support. Or, to put it another way, as general words of wisdom he offers to everyone in the LGBTQ community: “Be yourself and hold on to meaningful relationships with friends, family and loved ones. If your tribe is strong, you can become strong. We need all of us -- especially now -- to stop being ‘catty’ and truly be fierce, in solidarity.”

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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Profiles In Pride June Crenshaw

PHOTO: TODD FRANSON / METRO WEEKLY

FIRST RAINBOW RESPONDER June Crenshaw works to help the “forgotten and invisible” in the LGBTQ community

June Crenshaw grew up in what she refers to as “the buckle of the Bible Belt,” otherwise known as Tulsa, Okla. Despite the anti-LGBTQ outlook of the place and time -- late ‘70s and early ‘80s -- Crenshaw nevertheless came out when she was a teenager. She even dated a girl while in high school. Yet by the time she graduated from Tulsa University, Crenshaw was starting to feel pressure from her community to deny her sexual orientation and fall in line -- that is, “find a male partner, marry, have children and live happily ever after.” Instead, she opted to move to the East Coast, settling in D.C. “I knew that I needed to move away and be in a place where I could live openly and authentically and unapologetically.” Decades later, and because of the move, Crenshaw is not only still living openly, she’s also living her authentic version of “happily ever after”: She’s raising a family with her female partner. She’s happy, and she feels privileged. “And with that privilege, to me, comes a sense of responsibility -- that it’s incumbent upon me to do more.” Crenshaw has become a prominent community leader, with a focus especially on helping the “forgotten and invisible” among us. She’s a former member of the Advisory Board to the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs as well as chair and long-time member of the board for Whitman-Walker Health. She currently serves on the board of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and as board chair of the Rainbow Response Coalition, an organization she helped found a decade ago to raise awareness of intimate partner violence in the LGBTQ community. Compared to the heterosexual community, “some data shows that it’s a little higher. There’s the additional element of vulnerability, particularly for individuals that are not comfortable with being out, or around their HIV status, for example. There are so many additional elements that keep us stigmatized and further vulnerable…. Also the fact that oftentimes we don’t have models to mimic our relationships after, and the models that are there are not necessarily showing the healthiest traits or healthiest characteristics.” Earlier this year Crenshaw signed on as interim executive director of the Wanda Alston Foundation, an organization in D.C.’s Ward 7 offering transitional housing to LGBTQ homeless or at-risk youth. Data suggests that up to 40 percent of D.C.’s homeless youth, ages 18 to 24, identify as LGBTQ, and about 85 percent of those are people of color. “Most of the people who come to our facility have been rejected by their families for their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, or the partners they have selected. It’s a really impoverished population that has received the short end of the stick in sundry different ways.” “I worry about them all the time,” Crenshaw continues, “about their vulnerability, about their ability to connect to services that are going to help them thrive and keep them sustainable.” She’s impassioned about all the work -- now more than ever, as a result of, and a reaction to, President Trump. “I really feel compelled, even in the slightest of ways, not to be silent. I just really look for opportunities to really exercise my voice,” she says. “I think there are great opportunities for us to collaborate and work together. And we’ve got to do that in every way, both in standing up for folks who are being mistreated right in front of us, and also in writing our representatives and our senators, and supporting organizations that are doing the right thing, in all the big ways but also in the small ways.” Page 30

CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Profiles In Pride Mitchell Gold FAITH AND HEALING Business leader Mitchell Gold is challenging organized religion to be more pro-LGBTQ

“You’ve probably heard the statistic that LGBTQ kids are four- to six-times more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol, or suffer mental anguish, or contemplate suicide, or in fact take their lives,” Mitchell Gold says. Recently, the CEO of national furniture retailer Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, who also co-founded and co-chairs the pro-LGBTQ advocacy group Faith in America, learned a far more startling data point. “If a LGBTQ kid grows up in a condemning religious home, they are eight times more likely to contemplate suicide or to take their life.” Gold, in fact, is living proof. The Reformed Judaism tradition he grew up in may not be a condemning religion today. But in the 1960s, when Gold was a teenager, “it was not accepted, and it was considered a sin. So I grew up with this burden.” He contemplated suicide, even attempted it once. Later, while in college, Gold attempted another drastic approach: seeking a professional to help him change. This was in 1971, three years before the American Psychological Association changed its designation of homosexuality as a mental disorder. Fortunately, the psychiatrist he visited was ahead of his time. “Oh no, we’ve learned that we can’t change you, but I can teach you how to love yourself,” the good doctor responded. “So that was huge, because that got me on the road.” One major roadblock he encountered on what turned out to be a long and winding road to being out and proud: His disapproving mother. “That had a lasting, scarring impression.” A little over a decade ago, Gold was troubled by the fact that leading LGBTQ organizations were not confronting head-on the many religious and faith leaders espousing anti-LGBTQ messages. “At one point, the executive director from a major group made the comment to me: ‘You can’t change these people.’ And I remember thinking, ‘Wow, that doesn’t bode well for the future.’” Gold knew that you can, in fact, change the attitudes of the religious. He’d already seen it happen in the tradition of his upbringing. More recently he’s seen it happen in Taylorsville, the small North Carolina town that serves as the headquarters of the company, the largest employer in its county, which he started with his husband. (As an aside, Gold says D.C. holds “a precious spot in our heart” as the locale of “our very first company-owned retail store,” the “beautiful landmark building” on 14th Street.) “I’ve had people come and talk to me about their children coming out, and how thankful they are that there’s a voice in the community that taught them to accept their child.” “The biggest adversaries, the biggest hurdle to our full equality -- legal and spiritual,” Gold firmly believes, “are people who use their religious beliefs to teach that we are sinners and broken and not worthy of full and equal rights.” Gold calls on everyone to use whatever influence they might have to speak up and tell religious and faith leaders “that using outdated, ill-informed, misguided religious teachings to marginalize or cause harm to somebody is wrong.” He’ll be doing just that the weekend of Capital Pride at the Southern Baptist Convention in Phoenix, Ariz., with the “Save yOur Kids!” education campaign of his organization, Faith in America. Its main message: “When you tell a 15-year-old kid that they’re a sinner, and an abomination, that’s breaking their spirit.” It’s causing them real harm, emotionally and mentally, with potentially physical repercussions. Does Gold ever worry about his own safety for being so public, especially taking on audiences opposed to his message and even his very being? “I hate to say it, but yes I do think about that sometimes. But every time I think about that, then I think about the price of being quiet. And I’m not willing to pay the personal price to myself knowing that I could have spoken up for the kids that don’t have a voice. “And my god,” he concludes, “if I can’t, in my situation, have the courage to stand up for them, then I don’t think that says much THE OFFICIAL GUIDE about TO me.”CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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Profiles In Pride Pixie Windsor PIXIE’S FAIRY DUST Pixie Windsor isn’t afraid to lose business for supporting and being LGBTQ

“First you said you were gay, then you said you were straight,” Pixie Windsor recounts her conservative older sister telling her. “I think you need to make up your mind.” For the record, Windsor, who grew up in a small town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, has never identified as either gay or straight. “All through high school, I was with girlfriends, and running around with boys. And I just thought that was what everyone did. And that wasn’t the case at all!” In the ensuing decades, Windsor has learned not to make a big show about being bisexual. “I would say my biggest struggles have been kind of within the gay community,” she says, with lesbians who “don’t really care for that” and gay men who say “you just haven’t figured it out yet. “I really don’t even talk about it very much,” she continues, adding, “I feel sometimes a little closeted about that.” But she is an out and proud, “unapologetic” queer businesswoman, as proprietor of Miss Pixie’s Home Furnishings. Twenty years ago this year Windsor opened the store in its original location in her Adams Morgan neighborhood. The quirky store, with obvious queer touches inside and out -- painted neon pink -- has since helped spark the revitalization of 14th Street, where it’s been located since 2008. “As far as things that we do here, people have asked, ‘What if you offend somebody?’ But if I offend somebody because they don’t like us supporting gay rights, I don’t really want them in the store.” If anything, the rise of Trump has made Windsor more vocal and more unapologetic about her queer identity and progressive loyalties. She’s also stepped up fundraising, through her own personal contributions as well as using her store as a place to host other efforts. This year, Miss Pixie’s has hosted fundraisers for SMYAL and Planned Parenthood, to name two of Windsor’s favorites, and contributed to various other LGBTQ and progressive causes -- including showing support to immigrants in reaction to Trump’s thus-far thwarted ban on citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries. As a result: Miss Pixie’s has been trolled a couple of times. “She’s probably hiding immigrants in her basement,” went one such poster to the company’s Facebook page. “I was like, ‘Oh, this is how this gets started. Isn’t that crazy?’” More recently, the store was trolled for supporting Planned Parenthood. “I will never shop at your store again,” one person -- from North Carolina -- posted to Facebook. “I don’t think they ever did,” notes Windsor, who has nonetheless fought her own urges to engage with the trollers -- “I don’t want any harm to come to my employees, I don’t want a crazy person marching in here.” And so far, the disengagement seems to be doing the trick for keeping things in safe check. All in all, Windsor likes to think of Miss Pixie’s as a de-facto community center. From time to time, the store’s gently used, made-in-America furnishings are moved around to allow the large space’s use as “big living room,” hosting everything from Pride-related parties to weddings to movie nights. And she has no intention of changing that. “I’m just really focusing on making the store fun, and using it politically and as a community place as much as I can, and keep doing as much as I can.”

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Profiles In Pride Urooj Arshad

PHOTO: TODD FRANSON / METRO WEEKLY

QUEER MUSLIM CHAMPION Urooj Arshad feels more compelled than ever to be out and show up unapologetically

Orlando was a tipping point for Urooj Arshad, particularly in her volunteer work with the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity. Last year, over the same weekend as Capital Pride, Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 others at the Florida city’s gay nightclub Pulse in what was the deadliest mass shooting by a single shooter in American history. “We definitely got a lot of attention after Orlando,” Arshad says about the four-year-old alliance, “because of the importance of LGBTQ Muslims talking about how we were responding to what we saw as an attack on our own community, by someone who also claims to be part of the community: someone who was Muslim, attacking LGBTQ people.” Naturally, as “the only national organization that works for and with LGBTQ Muslims,” the all-volunteer alliance has endeavored to become even more prominent since Donald Trump’s election, pushing back against the administration’s ramping up of Islamophobia. “They use language that makes you think Muslims are inherently anti-women and inherently anti-LGBTQ,” she says, and that “Muslims are this monolithic community, and that, as LGBTQ Muslims, we don’t have a space there.” Because of all that, Arshad, 41, on a personal level, now feels compelled “to just being more out...as a queer Muslim specifically.” What that means in reality is that “I might be the only queer in a Muslim space ... and the only Muslim in a queer space…. Sometimes it’s exhausting and isolating, but I think it’s so important right now to make sure that we’re seen and that we’re bringing our perspective. Because we need to really build intersectional work and alliances.” Arshad, who was 17 when she immigrated from Pakistan with her family, works as an associate director at Advocates for Youth, a D.C.-based global policy institute focused on sexual and reproductive health rights. The Trump Administration has reinstated “the Global Gag Rule,” first initiated by Ronald Reagan in 1984, forbidding international NGOs, as a condition of receiving U.S. foreign aid, from even talking about abortion as a birth control option. “In some ways you don’t think about that in terms of being attacked directly, but you start to see a pattern inside the administration, and kind of some of the pieces that connect to larger issues on gender liberation, which is ... tied to LGBTQ liberation, too.” Despite all of that, Arshad sees hope. “It’s always mixed,” she says about progress. “But I think overall, I’m inspired by what’s going on in many parts of the world, with lots of strides around policy-level changes as well as cultural changes. I think that’s going to continue.” She also appreciates how much more the American Muslim community has been able to push back against specific governmental policies and general Islamophobia in the culture now than 15 years ago. “After 9/11, a lot of stuff happened -- people got kicked out, there was a registry that was targeting men from Muslim-majority countries ... but we weren’t ready. And it is just amazing to see how much more organized people are now, and that there is so much resistance.” Arshad stresses the importance of her being out as a queer Muslim, recalling the effect it had on her when she first started meeting others like her, and when queer Muslims first started becoming a presence in Capital Pride at the turn of the millennium. Her advice to fellow LGBTQ citizens? “I would say just look beyond your community, and get mobilized, get involved locally…. Don’t just think about being LGBTQ as a silo, but really think about how LGBTQ people are showing up as immigrants, as Muslims, and how can they sort of expand the idea of solidarity…. This moment I think is about really stepping up and saying that we exist and that we are going to show up unapologetically in spaces.” THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Profiles In Pride Jonathan Katz QUEERS (STILL) NOT ON DISPLAY Jonathan David Katz is appalled at major museums’ continued silence on queer identities and themes

Remember the National Portrait Gallery’s Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture? Jonathan David Katz cocurated that 2010 show, the first major U.S. museum exhibition exploring sexuality and gender, specifically depictions of samesex desire, in American history. That’s right, the first -- only seven years ago. And also, the last -- at least so far. “Hide/Seek was not followed by a number of other exhibitions that looked at questions of sexuality,” says Katz, an art historian and expert in queer studies. “As sort of a general queer survey, I know of nothing.” In fact, not only has there been no other gay-themed exhibition of the same size and scale in the U.S., there’s been no pushback or outrage as major museums have downplayed, denied, or declined gay themes. “Since then,” Katz explains, “there’s been show after show after show in which queers have been erased, elided, silenced, unmentioned -- and nothing. Nothing at all.” Katz cites in particular two exhibitions focused on the Robert Rauschenberg -- one two years ago at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, another currently at New York’s Museum of Modern Art -- that shortchange the artist’s relationships with artists Sy Combley and Jasper Johns as well as the overall impact sexuality had on his work. A few years ago, Katz was finalizing plans to debut another queer-themed show at another major Washington museum. “The largest AIDS show ever mounted,” Art AIDS America explored “how AIDS changed American culture.” And the Corcoran Gallery of Art had signed on to present it. Sadly, though, before that could happen, the financially burdened Corcoran was forced out of business. “As soon as I heard that the National Gallery of Art was assuming responsibility for the museum’s programming and collection,” Katz says, “I knew we were on the chopping block.” Why? “The National Gallery is profoundly conservative, to the point of homophobia…. When was the last time you saw queer anything at the National Gallery?” Rather than display art by or about American minorities of any sort, or “represent the rainbow that is this country,” the National Gallery “is all about Euro-American exhibitions, and Impressionists. The safest kind of art. It stands for everything that’s wrong in the American art world.” Obviously, the problem predates the rise of Trump and resurgent homophobia in Trump-supporting pockets of the U.S. Katz says the problem, by and large, is obsequious directors at museums primarily funded through private donations and thus driven by (auction) market forces. (Notably, the Portrait Gallery, a Smithsonian museum, is largely federally funded.) “Whether in fact major donors are politically conservative,” he explains, “museum directors assume that they are, and don’t want to do anything that would rile their donor base.” “There’s a new kind of homophobia at work,” he goes on, where “you keep their sexuality segregated from any interpretation of the work itself. So they’re gay, if you will, in their life, but their work isn’t…. I am still so troubled that the queer community has given museums a free pass in their homophobia,” he continues. “We only attend to issues of overt censorship -- when something is taken down. But of course 99 percent of the time … it’s never put up in the first place.” Katz has been appalled about the dearth of queerness at museums for decades, and finds it especially striking to compare how virtually unchanged that is with the progress at universities. Katz is a pioneering LGBTQ academic: The first tenured faculty in queer studies in the U.S., he also led the groundbreaking Larry Kramer Initiative for Lesbian and Gay Studies at Yale University last decade. “We’re starting to see the emergence of separate theoretical and historical frames of reference -- a separate disciplinary field. “The development has been slow, but it is happening,” he continues. “And I am able to chart progress in the academic world in a way that I’m not able to chart in the museum world. There are still far too many major institutions in this country that have never had a single exhibition dealing with questions of sexual difference.” THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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Profiles In Pride Jazz Jennings LGBTQ PRODIGY A veteran transgender teen activist, Jazz Jennings is clearly just getting started

Over the past year, Jazz Jennings has served as the Grand Marshal of New York City Pride and her hometown Palm Beach PrideFest, and she was also a headline participant at Come Out with Pride Orlando, which took place a few months after the city’s Pulse tragedy. Last year she also released the memoir Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen. And just this April she received an Upstander Award from HRC, which also recognized Ruby Corado (see separate Profile in Pride) for work in advancing LGBTQ rights. Not too shabby -- especially for a veteran LGBTQ activist at the ripe young age of 16. Most people, even today, aren’t yet fully out at that age. Of course, Jennings isn’t like most people. Most people don’t have the kind of inner pluck and familial love and luck that Jennings has. “My family says that I was born with this natural confidence, but really I feel that it wouldn’t have been discovered and embraced without their love and support,” Jennings told Metro Weekly in 2015. “Because they just encouraged me to be myself. Along this whole journey I was able to become a confident and happy person and therefore use my story of happiness and love, and spread that towards other people.” It was a decade ago that Jennings and her parents sat down with Barbara Walters for a 20/20 interview to reveal to the world she is transgender. That was before even Chaz Bono came to public attention, certainly before Laverne Cox and Caitlyn Jenner. In 2015, TLC began airing I Am Jazz, a sensitive, engaging reality series documenting life in the pseudonymous Jennings family of South Florida that includes Jazz, parents Greg and Jeanette, and her three older siblings. The third season, which TLC begins airing June 28, will show Jennings, who identifies as pansexual, learning to drive and starting to date, and will also capture her vulnerable reality. We’ll see her struggling a bit from the pressures of life -- as a budding adolescent girl and as the country’s leading transgender teen activist. “In sharing my story for many years,” she told Metro Weekly two years ago, “I’ve seen a lot of positive feedback and people who I’ve impacted. It’s just so encouraging. And it really motivates me to continue sharing my story. I’m proud to be a representation of transgender kids for people to see, but I feel that I’m just doing my part in trying to achieve equality for all.” And that motivation has seemingly only gotten stronger in recent years, with her increasing maturity coinciding with increasing anti-trans political agitation. Organizers of the Palm Beach PrideFest, held this past March, made plain what Jennings’ participation meant for the event. “Following the Trump Administration’s move to revoke federal protections for transgender students, Jazz Jennings will lead the parade of community members committed to protecting transgender youth.” Jennings shared a message of hope worth repeating when she served as the youngest ever grand marshal at New York’s parade last year. “Pride is about loving yourself and embracing your uniqueness,” she said at a press conference. “Admiring the triumphs that have prevailed throughout your life as well as accepting the challenges that you face. Pride is also about sharing all of those emotions of love and happiness with the community around you so we can stay connected, united and prideful of ourselves and one another.” To think, although she’s been an LGBTQ advocate for more than half of her life already, at 16, the unapologetically proud Jennings is clearly just getting started. Page 38

CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Profiles In Pride Rachel B. Tiven PINK POWER Lambda Legal’s Rachel B. Tiven has been a leading LGBTQ activist for decades

Rachel B. Tiven, one of today’s leading LGBTQ advocates, can vividly recall the moment she became “hooked on activism.” The year was 1993. Bill Clinton had just been inaugurated as the 42nd U.S. President. Tiven had become the first openly gay woman in her freshman class at Harvard University. That spring, Colin Powell, then chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was announced as the senior class commencement speaker. Students on other campuses had demanded that the school administration rescind Powell’s invitation, due to the military’s outright ban on gays at the time, but Tiven and her fellow gay and pro-gay cohorts opted instead to wage a peaceful, pretty-in-pink protest. “The night before commencement, we inflated thousands of pink balloons printed with ‘Lift the Ban,’” she recalls. “In the morning, we fanned out around the campus gates and handed balloons to all the people waiting in line to enter the ceremony. The trick was to offer every little kid a balloon. While General Powell spoke, Harvard Yard was a sea of pink rubber. Our message about the military ban made the national news.” In the decades since, Tiven has repeatedly helped make national news for the LGBTQ movement. Earlier this decade she helped turn Immigration Equality into a leading advocate for LGBTQ immigrants and asylum-seekers. Last year, she became executive director of Lambda Legal, billed as “the nation’s oldest legal organization fighting for equality on behalf of LGBTQ people and those living with HIV.” Lambda Legal has been involved in every major fight for LGBTQ equality since its founding in 1971, from serving as the architect of overturning the sodomy laws that criminalized our lives, to being instrumental in the greatest victory of the movement so far, the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision that made marriage equality the law of the land. The organization, of course, also assisted in the long, drawn out push for an LGBTQ-inclusive military -- the issue that motivated Tiven to activism in the first place. As with everyone who cares about LGBTQ equality and progressive issues more generally, Tiven is troubled by the current Trump era and all that it it signals and has already wrought. Yet she takes the long view, noting that today’s fight is of a piece with the fight since, well, time immemorial. “Our opponents today are familiar,” Tiven says. “They are not just a cabinet filled with people who hate us. Not just a president who has promised deportations, walls, religious exclusions. Not just lawmakers eager to chip away at our hard-won rights. We are fighting against fear of change. We are fighting against disrespect for those who are different. We are fighting against hateful, bullying language and violent actions. These are our biggest opponents.” But how to fight those opponents? We’re aided in our pursuit by the fact that, for the first time, “the majority of people in this country believe in our equality.” Furthermore, Tiven is confident we will persevere. “Ultimately we will win because our mission is rooted in love and acceptance -- of ourselves and of others. [We’ve] been embraced by people across the country and have inspired countless others around the world.” “So,” she concludes, “be unapologetically proud of who you are and stand up for yourself. And if you have any trouble, call Lambda Legal (Lambdalegal.org/help). We’re your lawyers and we’re here to help.”

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CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Washington, D.C.

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SATURDAY, JUNE 3 | 11A-2P

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION*

CAPITAL PRIDE ALLIANCE HOTEL PALOMAR 2121 P ST NW

SAT, JUNE 3 | 6PM

OUT/SPOKEN*

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STORY DISTRICT 9:30 CLUB 815 V ST NW

PHOTO: TMD ENTERPRIZES

TICKETED

Mandatory orientation for all volunteers supporting the community during the 2017 Pride in the Nation’s Capital, specifically the Pride Parade and Pride Festival. Food, beverages, and fun will be provided to keep up the energy as we prepare for an amazing week. NEW VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME TO REGISTER AT THIS EVENT. *ASL interpreter present

Story District returns to the 9:30 Club with Capital Pride Alliance to present its sixth annual Pride show: Out/Spoken: Queer, Questioning, Bold, and Proud. Enjoy eight hilarious and heartfelt true stories about LGBTQ life from the best storytellers in town—once dubbed “the gold standard in storytelling” by the Washington Post. Save on fees when you purchase in person at the 9:30 Club Box Office. *ASL interpreter present

Metro Red—Dupont Circle capitalpride.org/volunteer #capitalpridevolunteer

Metro: Green/Yellow—U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo Capitalpride.org/events/outspoken #capitalprideoutspoken

SATURDAY, JUNE 3 | 6P-10P

CAPITAL PRIDE WOMEN’S KICK-OFF PARTY PRESENTED BY MAUTNER PROJECT OF WHITMAN-WALKER

HOSTED BY TAGG MAGAZINE AND LURE ELIZABETH TAYLOR MEDICAL CENTER 1701 14TH ST NW

DIVERSITY CREATES

TICKETED

PHOTO: TMD ENTERPRIZES

A RAINBOW

OF BENEFITS HOW

REFRESHING

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Celebrate the queer women of D.C. at this festive dance party. There will also be fabulous live music, tasty liquor and beer drinks from local, women-owned businesses, along with Latin and BBQ-style street food.

Metro: Red—Dupont Circle capitalpride.org/events/womenskickoff #capitalpridewomenskickoff

Proud Sponsor of Capital Pride

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CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

SATURDAY, JUNE 3 | 10P - 3A

SUMMER POP-OFF & VOLUNTEER KICK-OFF

TOWN DANCEBOUTIQUE 2008 8TH ST NW

COVER

INNOVATION

THROUGH

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WHAT IF pride is a verb?

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At Navigant, we help great people turn what if into what is.

Kick off your Capital Pride experience with DJ Chord’s 5th Annual Summer Pop-Off. Get down to all your favorite pride anthems as well the best in pop, dance and a whole lot more. Capital Pride volunteers who attended the volunteer orientation will enjoy this night with free entry courtesy of Town.

Metro: Green/Yellow—U Street/ African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo capitalpride.org/events/popoff #capitalpridepopoff

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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SUNDAY, JUNE 4 | GATE: 2P GAME: 4P

DRAGBALL

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STONEWALL KICKBALL STEAD FIELD 1625 P ST NW

FREE EVENT

TUESDAY JUNE 6 | 7-9P

LESBIAN & BISEXUAL SEATED SPEED DATING IN PARTNERSHIP PROFESSIONAL IN THE CITY FINN AND PORTER 900 10 ST NW

TICKETED

RuPaul’s Drag Race has nothing on this annual tradition! When the beautiful gurls of Stonewall Kickball don drag, they’ll bring you an allout kickball battle where there is sure to be a weave snatched. Grab your best heels, maybe a new wig, and meet us at Stead Park for an afternoon you won’t soon forget.

Metro: Red—Dupont Circle capitalpride.org/events/dragball #capitalpridedragball

All lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer women are invited for a night of speed dating where guests have the opportunity to meet several new people in an intimate and romantic setting!

Metro: Red/Blue/Orange—Metro Center capitalpride.org/event/womendate #capitalpridwomendate

MONDAY, JUNE 5 | 8 - 10P DOORS OPEN 7:30P

WOMEN’S SPOKEN WORD: NIGHT OF EXPRESSION* IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BUSBOYS AND POETS

BUSBOYS AND POETS 1025 5TH ST., NW

TICKETED

Exchanging stories is powerful and that’s what tonight is about. The mic will be open for two hours to women-identified folks of all backgrounds to share their stories through words. The evening includes a DJ, live band, music, burlesque, and Spoken Word host/MC: Charity Joyce Blackwell. This event is very popular, and is returning to a FULL-STORE event. All gender identities welcome and encouraged to share their words on the mic. *ASL interpreter present

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Metro: Green/Yellow—Mt. Vernon Square/7th Street/Conv Ctr capitalpride.org/event/womenexpress #capitalpridewomenexpress

CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

NISSAN SUPPORTS EQUALITY ON EVERY ROAD YOU TRAVEL

THE 2017 NISSAN ROGUE

NissanUSA.com

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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TUESDAY JUNE 6 | 7:30-9P

INTERFAITH SERVICE*

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CENTER FAITH

CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH 755 8TH ST NW

FREE EVENT

Reveal! Respect! Resist! The 34th Annual Pride Interfaith Service is a gathering of LGBTQ People of Faith and Allies. This “integrated service” respectfully demonstrating the breadth, depth, and sincerity of our faith. Featured Speakers: Rev. Sally Sarratt and Rev. Maria Swearingen, Senior Ministers and Co-Pastors, Calvary Baptist Church *ASL interpreter present

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 7P - 9PM

GAY MENS SEATED SPEED DATING

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PROFESSIONALS IN THE CITY FINN AND PORTER 900 10TH ST NW

Metro: Red/Green/Yellow—Gallery Place/Chingatown capitalpride.org/event/interfaith #capitalprideinterfaith

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3,7,8

11TH DC LATINO PRIDE

TICKETED

Bringing intimacy and romance back to the art of fast-track dating. You’ll date for approximately one hour and meet intriguing members of the same sex as you spend a few sweet minutes with each new acquaintance. All gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer men are invited.

Metro: Red/Blue/Orange—Metro Center capitalpride.org/event/mendate #capitalpridemendate

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LA FE Saturday, June 3 6pm MCC 474 Ridge St NW Spirituality, cultural and Latino LGBTQ educational event LA PLATICA Wednesday, June 7 TBD Political and cultural panel LA FIESTA Thursday, June 8 10pm Town Dance party

http://www.latinoglbthistory.org/latinopride

CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

THURSDAY, JUNE 8 | 7 - 11P

ROOFTOP POOL PARTY

PRESENTED BY VIDA FITNESS & PENTHOUSE POOL CLUB AT THE YARD VIDA/PENTHOUSE POOL AT THE YARDS 1212 4TH ST SE

PHOTO: TMD ENTERPRIZES

TICKETED

Tonight is the night for unapologetically stunning views under the stars, fun folks, and dipping in the rooftop pool! Connect with friends and make new ones. Capital Pride Alliance volunteers, donors, and supporters love this event. Drop by and dip in.

Metro: Greenâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Navy Yard/Ballpark capitalpride.org/events/pool #capitalpridepool f

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CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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Together is beautiful. We celebrate the power and beauty of working together. It’s why Wells Fargo works with national and local organizations that serve the LGBT community to strengthen their impact. And it’s the reason we work with you — to help you realize your potential, and succeed financially. wellsfargo.com/lgbt

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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THURSDAY, JUNE 8 | OPENING RECEPTION 8P

ONE DANGEROUS QUEER

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITON THE WORK OF AARRON RAYBURN

DUPONT UNDERGROUND 1511 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE

THURSDAY JUNE 8 | 10A-4:30P

PRIDE IN THE LIBRARY

LGBTQ+ VOICES IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS COLLECTIONS PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH CPA

JEFFERSON BUILDING 10 1ST ST SE RMs L J113& 119

FREE EVENT

TICKETED

Aaron Rayburn is a contemporary artist and designer living in Portland, Oregon. A descendant of political icon Sam Rayburn, he feels a responsibility to carry his legacy of inclusion, core Democratic principles, and giving a voice to the marginalized. Rayburn believes good work is bold, and carries this as a singular creative vision for his body of work, in both art and design.

Metro: Red—Dupont Circle

A three-day display of treasures from the Library of Congress collections, showcasing the work of LGBTQ+ creators, historical figures, and LGBTQ+ life. Themes in the display include the printed word, international studies, military life, activism, HIV/AIDS, and Entertainment. Experience Leonard Bernstein’s music manuscripts, treasures from the Library’s Walt Whitman Collections and panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt.

Metro: Blue/Orange—Capital South capitalpride.org/event/loc #capitalprideloc FRIDAY, JUNE 9 | 7P

DC FRONT RUNNERS PRIDE RUN 5K

WITH CAPITAL PRIDE ALLIANCE | PRESENTED BY CHOICE HOTELS & AMERICA’S BIOPHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES

CONGRESSIONAL CEMETERY 1801E ST SE

PHOTO: TMD ENTERPRIZES

REGISTRATION

Run for a cause and show your pride. This chip-timed 5K race will be followed by a Finish Line Party sponsored by JRs Bar. The race raises funds for SMYAL, which supports and empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, and a new DC Center youth literary scholarship.

Metro: Bllue/Orange/Silver—Potomac Avenue capitalpride.org/event/womenexpress #capitalpridewomenexpress Page 50

CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

OFFICIAL OPENING PARTY

FRIDAY, JUNE 9 | 9P

RAINBOW RESISTANCE

EPISODE XXX: “THE GLAMPIRE STRIKES BACK” PRESENTED BY CAPITAL PRIDE & BYT

RAINBOW WAREHOUSE 1585 NEW YORK AVE NE

PHOTO: TMD ENTERPRIZES

TICKETED

ULTRA NATE

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

CUPCAKE

TIFFANY

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SATURDAY, JUNE 10 | 4 - 10P

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 | 11:30A-1:30PP LIQUID BRUNCH 1- 4P

BLOCK PARTY

“CRACK OF NOON” CAPITAL PRIDE BRUNCH

EVENT SPONSORS

MCDONALD’S OF GREATER WASHINGTON AND MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL

THE SHOWROOM 1099 14TH ST NW

TICKETED

15TH ST BETWEEN P & CHURCH STS NW

FREE EVENT

TOP: AZRA BRIAN JUSTIN CRUM BOTTOM: DJ SEAN MORRIS DJ STEVEN SIDEWALK

Celebrating being UNAPOLOGETICALLY PROUD, the Capital Pride Brunch will consist of two parts: the Crack of Noon full brunch, VIP meet-and-greets, and open bar, while the “liquid brunch” features DJ Matt Bailer, open brunch bar, light food, dancing, surprise entertainment, and more! Metro: Blue/Orange/Silver—McPherson Sq

RJ WHYTE event production

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capitalpride.org/paradebrunch #capitalprideparadebrunch

A Capital Pride first! The Block Party, with Event Sponsors McDonald’s of Greater Washington, DC and Marriott International, will be adjacent to the Pride Parade and include entertainment, food, and a beer garden. Entry is FREE!

Metro: Red—Dupont #CapitalPrideBlockParty capitalpride.org/parade

CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 | 4:30P

PRIDE PARADE

PRESENTED BY MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLE: 22 & P STS NW MARCH: DUPONT AND LOGAN CIRLCE NEIGHBORHOODS

PHOTO: TMD ENTERPRIZES

FREE EVENT

Join more than 125,000 people and watch the Capital Pride Parade presented by Marriott International! This landmark event is one of Washington, DC’s, favorite parades with nearly 200 contingents—floats, vehicles, walkers, entertainment—consisting of local businesses, Capital Pride Heroes and Engendered Spirit awardees, politicians, community groups, dancers, bands, and much more. This year’s Capital Pride theme is “Unapologetically Proud,” so dress accordingly! Floats will be decorated theme-appropriately and judged by local celebrities and leaders. The community is always extremely creative when it comes to the Pride theme, so come out to see how they will be Unapologetically PROUD. The annual Pride Parade steps off at 22nd & P Streets, NW, and travels 1.5 miles through Dupont Circle and 17th Street, passes by the Logan Circle neighborhood and ends along the 14th Street corridor at S Street. For a Parade map, see Page 148-149. *ASL interpreter present (Review Stand) PRESENTING SPONSOR

AUTOMOBILE SPONSOR

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

REVIEW STAND SPONSOR

Metro: Red—Dupont Circle capitalpride.org/parade #capitalprideparade Page 53

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 | 7 - 10P

SATURDAY, JUNE 10| 6 - 9P

HOSTED BY CAPITAL TRANS PRIDE

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SMYAL NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIAN CH 5 THOMAS CIR NW

TRANS POOL PARTY

PRESENTED BY PENTHOUSE POOL CLUB & LOUNGE 1612 U ST NW

FREE EVENT

YOUTH DANCE

FREE EVENT

REGISTRATION

Come party at the premiere youth event over Capital Pride weekend– the Queer & Now dance! Join us at National City Christian Church on Thomas Circle for FREE dancing, food, and *HIV testing. * Testing will be available.

Metro: Red—DuPont Circler capitalpride.org/event/youthdance #capitalprideyouthdance

SATURDAY, JUNE 10| 7:30 - 11P

HIRSHHORN SHADOW/CASTERS

HIRSHHORN MUSEUM & SCULPTURE GARDEN, PLAZA

PHOTO: TMD ENTERPRIZES

TICKETED

Join Capital Trans Pride at VIDA’s rooftop pool (U Street) after the Capital Pride Parade .Food and Beverages will be available. NOTE: FREE EVENT, but must pre-register www.capitaltranspride.org

Metro: Green/Yellow—U Street/ African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo capitalpride.org/events/popoff #capitalpridepopoff Page 54

Hosted by the Hirshhorn in partnership with Transformer, Shadow/ Casters is an after-hours performance art event featuring site-specific performances by four local artists in celebration of the summer solstice, as well as a cash bar on the Plaza and special extended museum hours starting at 7:30 p.m.

Metro: L’Enfant Plaza Green, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Silver https://hirshhorn.si.edu/bio/shadowcasters/ CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 |10P - 3A

FUSE WOMEN’S PARTY

HOSTED BY TAGG MAGAZINE & LURE HOWARD THEATRE 1620 T ST NW

PHOTO: TMD ENTERPRIZES

The largest women’s event of the year. Join the Ladies of LURe and Tagg Magazine for the annual Capital Pride Women’s Main Event at Howard Theatre. The evening includes dancers, drink specials, your favorite lady DJs, live performances, and more.

Metro: Green/Yellow—Shaw/Howard capitalpride.org/events/fuse #capitalpridefuse SATURDAY, JUNE 10 | OFFICIAL HOURS CAPITAL PRIDE 10P - 4A DOORS CLOSE 8A

DISTRIKT C MEN’S PARTY DC EAGLE 3701 BENNING RD NE

TICKETED

PHOTO: TMD ENTERPRIZES

PHOTO: CLICKS BY COURTNEY

TICKETED

The official Saturday Night Men’s Party, with the very hottest DJs including Jared Conner, Joe Gauthreaux, and Grind, will have you dancing ‘til dawn. Special performance by Inaya Day.

Metro: Orange—Minnesota Avenue capitalpride.org/event/distrktc #capitalpridedistrktc

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 | 4A- 9:30A

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 | 11P

AFTER HOURS

MIXTAPE - PRIDE EDITION

9:30 CLUB 815 V ST NW

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHERRY FUND FLASH 745 FLORIDA AVENUE NW

TICKETED

Celebrate Capital Pride just footsteps from the end of the parade route at the 9:30 Club, one of DC’s finest venues. Resident DJs Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer will be playing a mix of your favorite indie dance, electro, nu-disco and house music to keep the Pride vibe going all night. MIXTAPE is a welcoming space for all our LGBTQ family. No attitude. No pretense. Just a great night of dancing and celebration.

Metro: Yellow/Green—U Street SUNDAY, JUNE 11

PHOTO: TMD ENTERPRIZES

THE EQUALITY MARCH FOR UNITY AND PRIDE

Revelry continues at this magnetic after-hours event, featuring the tech and house beats of DJ Alex Acosta. With special wow effects and decor, get ready to ROCK well into the early morning; bar reopens at 8am. Your support of Cherry Fund and The Capital Pride Alliance at this event contributes to the efforts of passionate health and social advocates at the forefront of the LGBTQA community.

Mobilizing LGBTQ+ communities, our loved ones and our allies – with particular focus on those who have been actively silenced and neglected – in the fight to affirm and protect our rights, our safety and our full humanity.

Metro: Green—Shaw/Howard capitalpride.org/events/afterhours #capitalprideafterhours

equalitymarch2017.com

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CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 | 12P - 7P

PRIDE FESTIVAL

PRESENTED BY LIVE CASINO & HOTEL PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW BETWEEN 3ST & 7ST

PHOTO: TMD ENTERPRIZES

FREE EVENT

Join us on America’s Main Street, historic Pennsylvania Avenue, at the 2017 Pride Festival presented by Live! Casino. There’s a day full of entertainment, music, food, drink, education, inspiration, and celebration. The Festival is open to everyone, and there is no fee for entry, however, donations are very much encouraged and appreciated! The Pride Festival includes three stages of national and local talent, more than 300 exhibitors, a waterslide for kids, plus acrobatic entertainment, live art exhibits, and many surprises. The Festival is family-friendly. Due to large crowds and very hot asphalt, we recommend that pets stay at home. PRESENTING SPONSOR

MONUMENT STAGE SPONSOR

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Metro: Green—Archives/Navy Memorial/ Penn Quarter capitalpride.org/festival #capitalpridefestival Page 57

SUNDAY, JUNE 11 | 1P - 8;30P

PRIDE CONCERT

PRESENTED BY HOTT 99 | PRIDE RADIO PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW BETWEEN 3ST & 7ST

FREE EVENT PIT PASS UPGRADE VIP UPGRADE

2017 HEADLINERS MILEY CYRUS | TINASHE | VASSY | THE POINTER SISTERS

Enjoy the concert headliners – MILEY CYRUS, TINASHE, THE POINTER SISTERS, VASSY, 2 RUPAUL GIRLS AND SO MUCH MORE The annual Capital Pride Concert presented by HOT 99.5 | PRIDE Radio takes place on America’s Main Street, Pennsylvania Ave., in tandem with the Festival. The Pride Concert is free, but special access passes can be purchased. . * ASL interperters on the Capitol Stage

Metro: Green—Archives/Navy Memorial/ Penn Quarter capitalpride.org/concert #capitalprideconcert Page 58

CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

SUNDAY, JUNE 11 | 8:30=10P

SUNSET DANCE PARTY

WITH DJ TRACY YOUNG CAPITOL STAGE IN FRONT OF US CAPITOL PENNSYLVANIA AVE AT 3ST NW

FREE EVENT

SAVE THE DATE

09.19.17

SIXTH ANNUAL CHEFS FOR EQUALITY

An event to advance the fight for full LGBTQ equality through the work of the HRC Foundation.

Chefs for Equality is Washington, D.C.’s premier food and drink event featuring the capital region’s top chefs, pastry chefs and mixologists for an evening of food, cocktails and music to benefit the fight for full LGBTQ equality. The event features savory tasting and cocktail stations headed by renowned chefs and mixologists from the D.C.-area, as well as 10 private chef tables - an opportunity to dine with celebrity chefs for a lavish five-course meal in the middle of the action during the evening.

CHEFSFOREQUALITY.ORG

The celebration continues with music and dancing in the street to the unapologetically fantastic sounds of music dynamo DJ Tracy Young, as the sun sets in front of one of the most iconic American buildings, the U.S. Capitol. Special performance by TBD.

Metro: Green—Archives/Navy Memorial/ Penn Quarter capitalpride.org/sunset #capitalpridefestivalsunset THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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SUNDAY, JUNE 11 | 10P -2A

CLOSING PARTY

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COBALT COBALT 1639 R ST NW

Keep the celebration going and your dancing shoes on for the Official Closing Party of the 2017 Celebration of Pride in the Nation’s Capital presented by Hilton.

Metro: Red—Dupont Cirlcle capitalpride.org/event/closing #capitalprideclosing Page 60

CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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SATURDAY, JULY 29, 10:30A - MIDNIGHT

PRIDE SPLASH & RIDE

BALTIMORE PRIDE, NOVA PRIDE & CAPITAL PRIDE ALLIANCE SIX FLAGS AMERICA 13710 CENTRAL AVE, BOWIE, MD 20721

TICKETED

Join us at Six Flags America for the 5th annual fundraising event, Pride Splash & Ride. Enjoy this special day, all day, starting at 10:30am when the park opens. Admission tickets include six flags america, hurricane harbor, and the exclusive after-hours pride pool party. The theme park will thrill with coasters, rides, shows, attractions and special pride programming, including a drag show on the main stage. Then we’ll dance at the private Hurricane Harbor party with renowned djs from 8:00 pm – midnight, which includes water slides, cocktails and dancing!

capitalpride.org/splash #capitalpridespla

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CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 8P - 11P (DOORS OPEN AT 7:30PM)

MUSIC IN THE NIGHT

PRESENTED BY THE HAMILITON LIVE THE HAMILTON LIVE 600 14TH ST NW

TICKETED

Enjoy an engaging night of musical theater, magnificent libations, and good vibrations. Back by popular demand for a sixth year, the illustrious Joshua Morgan returns from Broadway as host and performer, and shines a spotlight on our local musical theater talent with special guest performers. *ASL interpreter present

Metro: Blue/Orange/Red/Silverâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Metro Center capitalpride.org/music #capitalpridemusic

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CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 7P – 10P

HOLIDAY HEATWAVE

SPONSORED AND HOSTED BY HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

HRC EQUALITY CENTER 1640 RHODE ISLAND AVE. NW

TICKETED

CODE: IKE-17-96

PUB/POST: 2017 Official Capital Pride

DESCRIPTION: All homes are created equal.

PRODUCTION: Barbara Wardorf

LIVE: None

WORKORDER #: 008573

TRIM: 3.625" x 4.875"

Add a dash of heat to amazingly tasty dinner and desserts, sprinkle with holiday décor and hot music, and serve with generous helpings of holiday FILE: 11A-008573-13A-IKE-17-96.indd SAPtreats #: IKE.IKEGEN.16068.K.011 BLEED: None drinks at Capital Pride’s Holiday Heatwave party, sponsored and hosted by the Human Rights Campaign. Your senses will be thrilled and your dreams holiday dreams fulfilled. Metro: Red – Dupont Circle

Capitalpride.org/heatwave #holidayheatwave

T:3.625"

©Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 2017

Focus on what’s truly important to you. T:4.875"

When your bank is dedicated to your financial well-being, you can spend more time on the things that matter most. Stop in, call 800.SUNTRUST or visit suntrust.com.

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CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

New York City awaits you! Daily bus service to NYC from DC and VA

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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PROUD PA R T N E R S 2017 CAPITAL PRIDE ALLIANCE

THIS IS MONUMENTAL.

DISCOVER MORE AT MGMNATIONALHARBOR.COM

2017 Pride Ally The Ally Award honors those who have shown leadership in helping to advance the cause of LGBT rights

Braden Holtby Goaltender, Washington Capitals

Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby has supported several LGBTQ initiatives in respect for equality for all people. In June 2016, Holtby participated in the Capital Pride Parade in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with You Can Play. You Can Play is an organization that is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect, and safety for all athletes, coaches, and fans, without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity. During the NHL’s Hockey is For Everyone Month in February, Holtby served as the Capitals official You Can Play ambassador, acting as a leader in the locker room and in the community working to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion. This season, as a part of Hockey is for Everyone Night, Holtby sported rainbow colored ‘Pride Tape’ on his mask and stick, which were then auctioned off by the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation. The autographed gear raised more than $7,000, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting You Can Play.

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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ALL PEOPLE ARE E UAL. ALL VODKAS ARE NOT.

SAVOR STOLI® RESPONSIBLY. Stolichnaya® Premium Vodka. 40% Alc/Vol. (80 proof). Distilled from Grain. Stoli Group USA, LLC, New York, NY. © 2017. All rights reserved. ® - registered trademarks of ZHS IP Americas Sàrl or Spirits International B.V.

2017 Capital Pride Heroes Capital Pride Heroes are dedicated individuals whose body of work has had a positive, significant, and lasting impact on the LGBTQA community.

Dee Curry

Dee Curry’s experience as an activist was sparked during the early days of the AIDS pandemic when Act Up shook the nation’s consciousness and highlighted the neglect that had occurred during the Reagan years in combating the disease. As a contributing minority writer for In Step magazine, she witnessed first-hand the startling disparities in care between people of color and others in America. Dee joined the Ryan White Planning Council and had the pleasure of working with extremely dedicated individuals who wanted to make the Ryan White law succeed. During this time, it became very clear to Dee that very outspoken advocates would have to usher in a new generation of people committed to getting the work done. Dee worked for one of the first AIDS organizations in Washington, D.C., the now defunct HIV/AIDS Coalition. She became the organizer of one of the premier transgender organizations known as Transgenders Against Discrimination and Defamation. Eventually that organization would evolve into Transgender Health Empowerment led by Ms. Earline Budd.

DENIS LARGERON | PHOTOGRAPHIE

Throughout her 62 years, Dee has worked and been affiliated with many organizations, including the D.C. Care Consortium, the D.C. Department of Health, the Administration for HIV/AIDS (currently known as HASTA). Among her mentors have been Dr. Patricia Hawkins, Theodore Kirkland, Thomas Gleaton, and Commander Hank Carde. Her greatest inspiration has been the determination of many national trans leaders, such as Mikal Little, Jessica Xavier, and Valerie Spencer who instilled in her that human rights have no dress code. Dee is currently working at Casa Ruby, the leading organization in the Washington DC area combating LGBTQ youth homelessness. She also promotes a wellness initiative, and hopes to open a wellness center that could be a model for the nation. As a transwomen of color she has never limited herself to only one issue. Instead, she has focused on health care, housing, employment, and building skills among her priorities for the community.

We’re a community of many communities.

Together we celebrate that being yourself is just being human. Member FDIC | TD Bank, N.A.

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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Juan Carlos Loubriel

Juan Carlos Loubriel has contributed a great deal to HIV prevention and care in both Washington, D.C. and in his home of Puerto Rico since 2000. He is currently Director of Community Health and Wellness at Whitman Walker-Health, which is the fastest growing health center providing HIV care in the DC area, and which has historically served the LGBTQ community. Juan Carlos oversees prevention and education activities, including both mobile and clinic-based HIV counseling, testing, and education initiatives, PrEP navigation, and WWH’s outreach activities. He also has general oversight of Youth prevention services and Wellness programs and has forged new partnerships with LGBTQ-oriented businesses and community organizations. Juan Carlos has worked as a health manager and a testing counselor at WWH for several years and volunteered with various organizations to conduct outreach to at-risk adults and youth.

DENIS LARGERON | PHOTOGRAPHIE

While he was a student in college in Puerto Rico, Juan Carlos took care of his father, who was bisexual and HIV positive. Juan Carlos quickly came face-to-face with stigma; and, he has spent much of his adult life trying to combat it. After his father’s HIV/AIDS diagnosis, there were family members who cut their ties to Juan Carlos and his father, and there were nurses and doctors who, out of fear, refused to provide adequate care. During this difficult period and continuing after his father’s death, Juan Carlos worked for a government program in Puerto Rico that offered HIV/AIDS counseling, testing, and education to LGBTQ individuals. He then moved to Washington, D.C. and started working at WWH. Juan Carlos is a hero to WWH, Washington, DC, and the LGBTQ community here, in particular. Throughout his career, Juan Carlos has lifted spirits and saved lives, bringing countless LGBTQ HIV positive men and women into care. He has selflessly committed himself to giving back to the LGBTQ community and broadened access to quality care. Juan Carlos was interviewed by National Public Radio (NPR) on HIV prevention among MSM of color, has appeared on several Spanish-language television and radio interviews, and has been featured in the Washington Blade’s Queery column. He represented WWH at a number of HIV/AIDS-related conferences in New Orleans, San Diego, Atlanta, and elsewhere. Juan Carlos is a health advocate not only for WWH but for D.C.’s LGBTQ community, as well.

Amy Loudermilk

DENIS LARGERON | PHOTOGRAPHIE

As a proud D.C. resident, Amy Loudermilk has advocated for some of the most marginalized members of the LGBTQ community for over a decade. She currently serves as the Government Affairs Director at The Trevor Project where she heads the DC office and directs all state and federal advocacy initiatives related to suicide and improving the lives of LGBTQ youth. Last year she spearheaded a coalition to successfully enact the first law in the nation to require suicide prevention training for school personnel that must specifically address the needs of LGBTQ youth. During Mayor Vincent Gray’s administration, Ms. Loudermilk served as Deputy Director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs. In addition to advising the Mayor on LGBTQ issues, she spearheaded the creation and delivery of culturally competent training curricula for government agencies and personally trained over 10,000 district employees on LGBTQ employee’s legal protections in the workplace. She was also instrumental in creating new District policy that prohibited health insurance companies from discriminating against transgender individuals in the provision of services, which effectively forced insurance companies to cover all transition-related healthcare services and surgeries.

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Ms. Loudermilk previously spent five years at the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence where she led advocacy campaigns on behalf of service providers and victims and survivors of domestic violence in the District of Columbia to secure and protect their rights. She also served on the Mayor’s Sexual Assault Task Force, where she filled a statutorily appointed position to serve and advise as a subject matter expert in LGBTQ sexual assault. For over five years, Ms. Loudermilk also chaired the Board of Directors of the Rainbow Response Coalition, a community-based organization that is dedicated to addressing intimate partner violence in the DMV’s LGBTQ communities. During this time, she trained hundreds of police, probation officers, judges, and service providers regarding best practices and legal protections for LGBTQ victims. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Towson University, she also has a Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in Social Change from George Mason University.

CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

2017 Capital Pride Heroes Capital Pride Heroes are dedicated individuals whose body of work has had a positive, significant, and lasting impact on the LGBTQA community.

Richard J. “Rick” Rosendall

Richard J. “Rick” Rosendall dates his gay activism to a wintry day in 1978 when he brought gay rights pioneer Frank Kameny to the campus of Villanova University to debate a resolution opposing discrimination based on sexual orientation. After graduating, he returned home to the DC area and contacted Kameny about becoming involved in local activism. A collaborative bond was formed which lasted until Kameny’s death in 2011. Rick first attended a meeting of the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA, later GLAA) in 1979. Much of the work of equality lay ahead (gay sex was still a felony in the District, for example); GAA was nurturing relationships with District policymakers and officials that laid the foundation for decades of LGBTQ advances. Rick served a stint as GAA secretary along with other activities including volunteering at the Gay Men’s Venereal Disease Clinic, which ultimately became Whitman-Walker Health.

DENIS LARGERON | PHOTOGRAPHIE

In 1981 he and two dozen others formed the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW), just as a mysterious new disease that became known as AIDS was hitting major cities. Rick’s varied service to the chorus included three years as director of promotion and publications, including for its first appearance in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in 1986. He resumed regular GLAA involvement in 1988. His vocation as a writer and interest in public policy fit well with GLAA’s emphasis on issues over personalities and partisanship. His analysis, research, and testimony as GLAA president have reflected a commitment to the founding American ideals so fiercely embodied by Kameny decades earlier. This saw him defend adult entertainment as stoutly as he worked for gay families and police reform. Rick combines a vision of equality and community with the perseverance to advance it through coalitions in a shifting landscape amid changing expectations. He is proud to see a new generation of GLAA leaders carry the struggle forward. In recent years he has spoken to student groups on LGBTQ organizing, including at Cardozo High School where his father attended high school when it was Central High. His political commentary appears biweekly in the Washington Blade.

Melvin Thomas

Melvin Thomas is a founding member of a national LGBTQIA non-profit sports organization called Stonewall Sports, the leagues of which have now expanded to 11 cities and engage the over 7,500 participants across 13 unique offerings from kickball to yoga. Each year Stonewall Sports is able to raise over $100,000 for community-based non-profits across the country. Melvin currently serves on the Stonewall Sports National Board of Directors.

This commitment extends to his volunteer service with the Hugh O’Brian (HOBY) youth development program. As an alumnus of the program, he has spent the last 10 years facilitating leadership education for high-school students – guiding them to think locally and act globally. He currently leads facilitation teams at HOBY’s World Leadership Congress, which bring together 400+ students from across the globe to engage in community-based leadership development. Melvin’s dedication to fostering inclusive communities extends to his professional career as well. He is a dedicated human capital and diversity professional, who enjoys collaborating with clients to develop custom solutions to build the workforce of the future. He has eight years of federal workforce and consulting experience, with concentrations in workforce analytics, diversity and talent management, and policy. Melvin has also dedicated his time to setting up and supporting LBGT Pride employee resource groups at three federal agencies. He is a proud alumnus of the University of Florida and the Catholic University of America. A resident of Mt. Pleasant D.C., he enjoys running and biking but mostly a good conversation with nice bottle of wine outdoors.

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DENIS LARGERON | PHOTOGRAPHIE

Melvin learned from his parents, who are first-generation immigrants, the power and need for community organizing and inclusion. Their hard work and dedication inspire his passion to build diverse communities that value each person for who they are and what their perspective brings to the table. Melvin also strongly believes that organized communities have the ability and responsibly to support others, especially those in need.

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2017 Capital Pride Special Awards The Bill Miles Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service acknowledges exemplary contributions to the annual Capital Pride celebration. DENIS LARGERON | PHOTOGRAPHIE

Jerry Houston

Jerry Houston has spent life in the Mid-Atlantic, growing up in Baltimore before moving to the Washington, DC area. His career spans 20 years as a radio DJ, Digital Program Director and now Director of Client Services for iHeartMedia. He has been a fixture on HOT 99.5 for over 10 years and has been integral in the creation of PRIDE Radio, the first radio station dedicated to serving the gay community. He has volunteered with Capital Pride’s Entertainment Team for nearly 7 years now and has been instrumental in the rise of the Capital Concert Stage to a truly national celebration. As an Entertainment Executive Producer for the past four years, he has led his team to create three distinct entertainment experiences for the Pride Festival, the crown jewel of which is our Capitol Concert Stage. A representative from Columbia Records said that, in his 20 years of experience, Capital Pride was the most professional and positive festival experience he has ever had. Because of Jerry’s skill and tireless dedication to the Pride cause, Capital Pride is now one of the most important and significant Pride celebrations in the country. Jerry has been a representative of the gay community through most of his career with iHeartRadio. As one of the first openly gay DJs on professional radio in the DC area, his work has helped pave the way for a whole host of openly gay radio professionals, both on the air and behind the scenes. After spending time in Baltimore on a Country music station (iHeart’s 93.1 WPOC), he came to DC and HOT 99.5, one of the most highly-rated stations in the region. Additionally, Jerry was a moving force behind the transformation of PRIDE Radio as we know it today, America’s first LGBTQ radio station. Jerry helped drive the development and production of the station and helped grow it from a small base to become one of iHeartRadio’s top original stations. With thousands of listeners – gay and straight – PRIDE Radio is also on major market terrestrial stations across the country. You can hear Jerry weekdays from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. The Larry Stansbury Award for Outstanding Community Service acknowledges service to the local LGBTQ community..

Brother Help Thyself (BHT)

For almost 40 years, Brother, Help Thyself (BHT) has been providing grants to non-profit organizations supporting the many needs of the LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS communities in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. In 1978, its first year, BHT gave $3,162.35 to what was then known as the Gay Men’s VD Clinic. That organization grew to become Whitman-Walker Health. In addition, during that first year, BHT gave $1,355.28 to the Gay & Lesbian Switchboard of Washington, D.C. In the 38 years since, BHT has awarded 1,063 grants totaling nearly $3.1 million to 185 nonprofits. The list of grantees is a virtual who’s who of local organizations, both past and present that have provided tremendous grassroots service to the LGBTQ community. Those organizations include: the Carl Vogel Center, the DC Rape Crisis Center, Food & Friends, Grandma’s House, the Capital Pride Alliance, Casa Ruby, the DC Center, the Mautner Project, SMYAL, PFLAG, New Ways Ministry, Us Helping Us, and many more. Just this year, BHT awarded 30 grants of over $75,000. Many first-time applicants received grants in the higher award category, including: Black, Gifted & Whole, Breaking Ground, Mary’s House for Older Adults, and Project Healthy Living. BHT is comprised of membership from social/benevolent clubs such as Levi/Leather, motorcycle, and bear clubs that pool their money, along with major fundraising events such as Pride at Kings Dominion and generous bequests left to the organization to provide these grants. In a sense, Brother, Help Thyself is a hero that helps form and sustain other heroes serving the needs of the LGBTQ community. Just as BHT strategically provided crucial funding at a critical time to Whitman-Walker in its infancy, that same scenario has played out many times throughout the years. In its tagline, BHT identifies itself as “Building Our Community One Grant at a Time.” The members feel it important to note that each grant provides vital, groundbreaking help to LGBTQ organizations touching the lives of countless people in our community. Brother, Help Thyself is legendary in both its history and in its keen ability to help new organizations gain a footing and thrive. It is particularly rewarding, and indicative of their groundbreaking work, that this year they are receiving the Larry Stansbury Award because he was BHT’s longtime Executive Director.

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CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

2017 Capital Trans Pride Engendered Spirits CAPITALTRANS PRIDE

Engendered Spirits are those individuals who have made significant contributions to the transgender community.

Stacy Karpen

Dr. Stacey Karpen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Washington, DC resident. She attended New York University, and later went on to study clinical mental health counseling at George Washington University, from which she holds both her master’s and doctorate. Dr. Karpen serves as the Senior Manager of Behavioral Health at Whitman-Walker Health. Dr. Karpen works tirelessly and passionately to build a community where transgender and gender expansive people can live authentically. She provides support to children and adults in all stages of gender exploration. Her clients range in age from five years old up through the lifespan. Dr. Karpen embraces a resilience-based framework, encouraging her clients to not only explore the challenges of transition, but also celebrate the joyful moments with authenticity and courage. Dr. Karpen also works with parents, partners, families, and schools. As both a clinician and researcher, her work focuses on the application of cultural humility in domestic and international settings, specifically with populations affected by HIV/AIDS and transgender children and adults. Dr. Karpen defines cultural humility as a deeply held commitment to lifelong learning and reflection, and the dismantling of power imbalances in medical and mental health settings. She believes that her clients are the experts in their own lives and of their own bodies. In addition to her work in D.C., Dr. Karpen has provided community and clinical HIV/ AIDS care in South Africa, Tanzania, Rwanda, Morocco, and Ghana. Dr. Karpen dedicates her time educating the community and healthcare providers on how to provide gender-affirming care. She leads trainings on how to be more inclusive and welcoming to trans and gender expansive people. Examples include defining gender expression vs. identity, introducing gender-affirming language, and consulting on the Human Rights Campaign and Whitman-Walker Health’s joint “Safer Sex for Trans Bodies” guide. Dr. Karpen has been instrumental in helping Whitman-Walker Health improve its delivery of care to transgender patients. She helped create systems related to navigating the gender affirmation process, including helping create templates for surgical letters and training providers. Dr. Karpen works to ensure the overall experience, from check-in to check-out, for all people at Whitman-Walker is a positive one. Finally, she helped implement new offerings for the trans community through Whitman-Walker’s Peer Support Program.

Hayden Mora

Hayden Mora grew up in a poor, multi-racial community in East Boston, MA. After college, he went on to serve in leadership and executive roles on campaigns, the labor movement, and the LGBTQ movement. He helped elect some great candidates, built the largest political action committee (PAC) in the United States at Service Employees International Union (SEIU), worked alongside workers to organize unions in the South and built a successful, trans-led consulting firm. Hayden is guided by the understanding that the people most directly impacted by the issues have the most insights and smartest strategies to solve those issues. In 2016, he worked with a group of trans women of color, undocumented immigrants, youth, and poor folks to found Trans United (TU) and Trans United Fund (TUF). The goal was to bring a bolder brand of advocacy, led by and for trans folks and with the support of allies, to disrupt the disproportionate fear, pain, and violence that folks with the least amount of power experience. Through TUF, Hayden has produced and co-directed a short video, Meet My Child, which features trans youth and parents pushing back against politicians who advance hateful and dangerous anti-trans rhetoric. He has also partnered with local moms and trans youth in Illinois to design and lead the first ever trans-focused independent expenditure in United States history to successfully beat three out of three school board candidates who had been running on a “hate slate” that was affiliated with a multi-million dollar Southern Poverty Law Centerdesignated hate group. Hayden lives in Washington, D.C. with his fiancé Georgie, his amazing dog River, and two fabulous and independent cats, Dwight and Moses.

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Ms. Z arrived in Washington D.C. with almost nothing. It was the start of winter and her suitcase had only clothes that were more conducive to a warm weather climate. Her story is extremely heartbreaking. She was fleeing a society that had taken away her child, killed her father, and thrown her in jail. What crime had she committed? Why was she treated so abominably? For the simple fact that she had admitted to herself and to her family that she was a lesbian. In nearly 80 countries around the world, simply admitting that you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer is enough to justify imprisonment or even death. She left her native country seeking refuge and safety, but leaving behind everything she knew. While the United States, Europe, Australia, and some countries in South America, southern Africa and Southeast Asia have successfully advanced rights and freedoms for the LGBTQ community, many countries still lag in even fundamental considerations. For instance, in eight countries an individual can be put to death for being LGBTQ. Harassment and discrimination are commonplace and even the most basic rights are lacking in many countries. For a more complete picture on the state of LGBTQ human rights check out the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (ILGA) website at http://ilga.org/ Due to the oppressive anti-LGBTQ laws and social cultures in these countries around the world, the United States is a frequent destination for LGBTQ individuals fleeing persecution in their home countries to seek protection of a new and safer life. And, while an asylum seeker could end up in just about any city in the United States, Washington D.C., with its diverse and multi-cultural communities, is a primary hub for many. SUPPORT FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS

SIGNS SEEN AT ASYLUM RALLIES ACROSS THE US AND EUROPE Page 78

When Ms. Z arrived in the United States, she had no familial connections and very little support in general. Through word of mouth, however, she eventually met with a lawyer specializing in asylum cases. Since she was Catholic, he recommended that she seek out Dignity/Washington â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a long-established community of LGBTQ Roman Catholics and their family and friends. Her first time at Mass with Dignity/Washington was overwhelming.

CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

LGBTQ ASYLUM SEEKERS She had never realized that there was a possibility that her faith could be reconciled with her sexuality. Within a short time, she became a member of the community and a regular attendee at Mass. In addition to the support and welcome provided by Dignity/Washington, there are other organizations in Washington, D.C. actively supporting LGBTQ asylum seekers. One such program is Center Global, a program of the D.C. Center for the LGBTQ Community. Center Global was formed in the fall of 2012 to address the growing needs of LGBTQ asylum seekers who are looking for a safe and better life here in the Washington, D.C. area. Center Global, like Dignity/Washington, creates a welcoming and enabling environment in the D.C. area for LGBTQ asylum seekers. It also raises funds to help support LGBTQ asylum seekers – filling a gap in existing support services; and raises awareness within the Washington, D.C. community about the ongoing human rights situation of LGBTQ people in other countries. Since 2012, Center Global has provided direct assistance and services to 157 individuals from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Russia and Ukraine, who are now in various stages of the asylum process. This has included guidance regarding the legal process, coordinating housing assistance, and providing limited financial support to these vulnerable individuals. Center Global also works in partnership with a volunteer legal advisor and other community organizations to help guide asylum seekers through the immigration process. Legal assessment and referral – Center Global has volunteer lawyers who meet with asylum seekers to conduct an assessment of their asylum claim and provide referrals to appropriate legal services; Housing assistance – in some limited cases, volunteer hosts have come forward to help in the transition for asylum seekers while they identify more permanent housing; and, Case management and other support – Center Global has made referrals for health services, language training and other social programs. Over time, a strong relationship has been built with Whitman Walker Health, Human Rights First, TASSC – Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition – and other community based organizations that work with LGBTQ asylum seekers.

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THE ASYLUM PROCESS The most important step for a person seeking asylum is putting together a legal case for asylum. This can be a very daunting and time-consuming effort. Upon entering the U.S., asylum seekers have one year to file for asylum. The person seeking asylum has the “burden of proof,” meaning it is up to them to convince the U.S. government that they deserve asylum. They have to show they are unable or unwilling to return to their home country because of persecution or a wellfounded fear of persecution on account of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Most LGBTQ asylum seekers fall within the member of a particular social group category. There are two primary ways in which a person may apply for asylum in the United States: the affirmative process and the defensive process. Both require the asylum-seeker to be physically present in the United States. Affirmative Asylum: A person who is not in removal proceedings may affirmatively apply for asylum through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a division of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If the USCIS asylum officer does not grant the asylum application, the applicant is referred to removal proceedings, where he or she may renew the request for asylum through the defensive process and appear before an immigration judge. Defensive Asylum: A person who is in removal proceedings may apply for asylum defensively by filing the application with an immigration judge in the Department of Justice. In other words, asylum is applied for “as a defense against removal from the U.S.” Unlike the criminal court system in the U.S., the Department of Justice does not guarantee counsel for individuals in immigration court, even if they are unable to retain an attorney on their own. The process for seeking asylum in the U.S. is complicated and an asylum seeker is more likely to be granted this form of protection if a good lawyer who understands the system handles the representation. For Ms. Z, the legal case for asylum proved to be difficult. Initially, there was a question as to how she had entered the United States. As with just about any immigration situation, if a person makes false claims or provides untruthful information in their application, the government may deny asylum and send the person back to their country or a third country.

Individuals have only one chance at applying for asylum. At first, Ms. Z did not have all of the necessary documentation for an asylum case. However, through the diligence of her lawyer and others, she was able to gather the necessary information. ASYLUM HEARING If you are defending yourself against removal by claiming asylum, you will present your case at a merits hearing. You will be allowed to testify on your own behalf, with your lawyer asking the questions. You will also be crossexamined by an attorney for the Department of Homeland Security. In addition, you can present witnesses and exhibits, such as photographs and sworn statements by people who know about your case, or are experts in a relevant topic area. Thus far, four individuals have become members of Dignity/Washington and made it their faith community. Members of Dignity/ Washington work to reconnect them to their religion and to help build their spirituality. When it comes time for putting together the case for asylum, Dignity/Washington prepares a letter of support, attesting to the individual’s good standing and work in the community. Dignity/ Washington members have also attended the asylum hearings before an immigration judge, which in some cases has meant testifying under oath. LIFE AFTER ASYLUM GRANTED After a person has been granted asylum in the U.S. – whether from the Asylum Office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or by an Immigration Judge in court – they are allowed to live in the U.S., accept U.S. employment, and travel and return (with a refugee travel document in place of a passport). Asylees, people who have been granted asylum, can apply for a U.S. green card after one year, and apply for U.S. citizenship after four years. Asylees are also eligible for a Social Security card, which will replace their Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and can apply for local, state and federal benefits depending on eligibility. Some aslyees also can apply to have their spouses or children under 21 come live with them in the U.S. Many go on to find employment, attend college or get advanced degrees, and become productive members of society. Co-written by Matthew Corso and Eric Scharf of Center Global, a program of the D.C. Center for the LGBTQ Community, and Jake Hudson a member of Dignity/ Washington) Page 79

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CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

safe spaces A Guest Editorial by Eleadah Clack

Times are dire. The end is near. The waters are rising. The heat is unbearable. There might be walkers, There might be tornados, cyclones, and typhoons. Maybe its just widespread fear and corruption. Maybe it keeps getting worse. Welcome to the world without safety. Without safety our world is a dark and anxious place. Our societies decay, and we become a human family that devalues humanity. Fourteen unsolved murders of black trans women in DC is not a safe place. Yet, we celebrate every year because it was not thousands of others. Because it was not us, or our circle we can continue our same routines. Taking for granted the lives lost due to our inaction, we lose sight of any accountability for these problems. IF we want more real safety – for black and disabled, and trans, and women, and children, and ourselves – we need to invest in real tangible places where our bodies and our wounds are safe. If we want more real safety now, We must not allow serious threats in the community to go unnoticed. Our current environment and a women’s march and a climate march, that garnered about a million people are just a few examples of just how unsafe, millions of people feel. That generalized anxiety will even show up this weekend. Our numbers alone make it likely that these threats will pop up. Let’s be very clear. The threat of danger is real. Our bodies are on the line daily. In a society with strict expectations of gender we bend and break the binaries of gender and identity. Since we disrupt the norm, we draw attention ire and rage, individuals feel powerful when they can punish us. When the full diversity of our community is on display, we repeat the same traumas internally. Within our communities, we must be on the lookout for ableism, racism, homophobia, and transphobia. We often come for the community, but without the necessary healing spaces to confront our internal trauma end up killing the very sense that this community is a safe one. We become trapped in cycles of dysfunction, and our community weakens. We must be aware of our own tendencies to trivialize the experiences of others, and we must become more – not less sensitive to the needs of our most marginalized members. We have to listen more and we don’t have much time to work on this. The many of us who identify with multiple minorities must find space to heal within the community. We must call in and hold accountable our white allies in ways that empower them to make a greater impact. We can’t stand for justice in some places. Second they came for our undocumented, there are guarantees and receipts that they will come for us next. We normalize the added THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

security, and fangirl ‘hot’ police in uniform, but domestic terrorism is a threat on multiple fronts. Our continued alignment with these systems is a threat to community members we seek to bond with. The threat couldn’t be more real, so we must make our stand. We cannot continue to settle for making safety a commodity. The few who can afford to live in the high rises on H street, or the waterfront, can also afford the luxury of safety – but could also be dragged from them in a moments notice. For mostly everyone else this safety is an expensive illusion. It’s never more clear that our community members live in different versions of the world. D.C. is not as safe as you think. This winter at a bar in northwest a friend got into it with at a manager in Columbia Heights. The manager who was so upset at this queer, black, masculine of center body – enjoying any attention from a beautiful woman on the dance floor – that he called the police. We left the bar and haven’t been back since. All so common as it is, I never expect it. For weeks after you’re in shock, and expecting another thing to happen. After a while nothing happens, and you feel regular, and just as you’re forgetting – it happens again. Eventually you’re unable to relax. When the threat of violence reaches a peak your flight or fight responses take over. You are living in a constant state of anxiety. If you have a community, you’re not able to contribute to it meaningfully, instead you’re seeking healing from it. This is the cycle occurs in our community, behind the scenes of our social media filters, every trauma is being pushed further inside. Our history of state-sanctioned violence, environmental dismay and social prejudice have almost predicted a SHTF situation. Society is unsafe. Nations of people are bound to infighting and conflicts of interest. It’s made more unsafe by predators. Actual real animals – humanity’s very worst and most deadly threats. Those who knowingly abuse their power to take advantage of a money-making system. Of course, we have to ask the right questions. There cannot be accountability without a shared understanding. The truth is our community is much stronger than what we’ve imagined. Our vulnerabilities make us experts on human safety and security. Since we know our weaknesses intimately we know what also makes us secure. What makes us unique is what helps humanity to thrive. In order to protect that in generations to come we must institute the value of this knowledge. Page 85

safe spaces Our safety is simply in our own hands. If we are silent about our abusers they will say that we loved them when we are killed. The threat of violence is a reality, but our communities can be a gatekeeper to that as well. We cannot hope to battle this world alone, so we must take each other’s sides. This agency is powerful, to the threat of internal division. The threat of violence from society, causes scars and internal strife that’s expressed within the community We have all internalized something, racism, colorism and capitalism, misogyny, and none are exempt. To tame these threats, and bring security to our future communities – we must build from within. We must start with our own homes, and families, and invited guests. We must renew respect for the abilities and needs of those who you care for and who are close to you. We must acknowledge those who teach, and hold us accountable in the spaces where we do feel safe. Home is the institution where we first learn to judge safety: feelings, likes and dislikes and others actions help us determine if we are safe. Home is where we first learn our roles in the world. Our roles can be based on all features that make you, you. The more comfort you’re afforded the better sense of self you’ll have. Families typically have more lenience than the outside world when it comes to those roles. In a family there is “space to stretch” otherwise known as “love.” Within the family unit one has a reasonable expectation to be able to explore interests with support. Tenderness and care and are all but guaranteed to those privileged to receive it, until about the age of four. after that – its a blue vs. pink world At four we are constantly seeking safety in corners of the world not crowded by other’s expectations. Beginning with gender performance and leading all the way up to career and family, we hold the expectations of our families and communities our entire lives. Some of us are able to embrace these expectations and adjust well enough without incident. Many take and choose what works, still others buck all expectation, and survive without the safety guaranteed from a family, society. That space is important for human development. We learn who we are in these spaces. It’s here that we develop a personality, interests, habits, humors. We begin the identity formation process early, before we have a name for trans, gender, or otherwise. As we explore these inclinations outside of the gender binary in childhood we are quickly rebuked. The minute we seek to express outside the expectations of the family that innocence is stolen. WE are made to feel guilty for the disappointment and unrealistic expectations of the family and community around us. Guilt erodes safety. Once the community can point to an outsider, that person, or child, or woman, becomes guilty. We take this guilt with us for the rest of our lives. Those who eschew society’s expectations are then made the scapegoat of problems beyond our control. The society seeking an outlet, uses our community to blame. When you are a child there is a certain degree of emotion and safety that goes with your state of childhood, your state of innocence. Innocence gives us a space free of guilt. The minute that gendered expectations are leaned upon us we are thrust into emotional chaos. When our inner Page 86

will and want contradicts with the very real expectations of our parents we are left to fend for ourselves, suddenly, in an unsafe world. The way privilege is set up, white, men, cisgender people are not guilty of being outsiders when they suppress their curiosities or embrace misogyny and transphobia. The result is a heavy, burden on the heads of LBGTQ folks across the world. It accompanies shame to various degrees. There are definitely some communities out there that are safer than others. And even that complicates the larger overall narrative, as white power nationalists prepare for war and chaos in the wake of our president. These factions of religious right-wingers will use shame and guilt and difference to attack our communities. When the ball drops will we turn on each other internally? We have had to grow up without that guaranteed support of a family institution, because of our gender, or sexuality or identity. The minute that we realize our parent’s love is conditional – our lives become that much more unsafe. The world becomes enormous and we are small pieces of it. Our every day tasks are huge , and our successes never bring their due reward. When we get honest about the level of need we all have to exist and survive each day, it become more apparent that this shit dosen’t work for anyone. WE need spaces to have these conversations. The trauma of just existing as queer, when everything around you demonstrates otherwise – the weight begins to be too much at some point. We can counteract this in our homes, with our partners, as adults and parents and close friends and allies. While we can’t turn back time we do seek to repair what is lost. Becase of those shortcomings the Family often doesn’t meet our need of community. We seek each other for the sense of shared identity and experience. Even as this completes the natural order of things – bringing about a balance of choice – society doesn’t see it that way. safe spaces do heavy lifting With the common goal to alleviate threats of danger and secure the needs of the community, those spaces should insist on meeting the needs of folks who’s safety is threatened every day. Starting with our homes means creating fortresses for those in our community in need. Defining the safe space A safe space is when individuals are free from physical or emotional harm A safe space can be anytime, anywhere, and anyone. People creating safe spaces is the most beautiful experience one can have. Most intentional safe spaces provide ground rules, to establish respect. In queer spaces that includes addressing pronouns. We have these spaces with us even if we don’t name them. The beauty of safety is that is provides peace. In that peace our creativity and our society can flourish. Without it, we are bound to crash and burn. The thing about crashing and burning, is we, all do it together. Not saying it’s up to us to put on the cape, but we need the safety the most. We’re most at risk of violence because of who we are and we have to fight back. When I first decided to fight back I didn’t think I was fighting back. I was looking for community. My quest brought me to the front lines, CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

battling gentrification and police violence in central Brooklyn. The work was centered in a way where we were led by native Brooklynites. It was crucial to acknowledge our own privilege of moving into someone else neighborhood. We hosted an annual event every summer that defined safe spaces for me: a community fair, with free childcare, food, art, music, performances and peace. Community safety was in place, opportunities to engage with healers were front and center. Children and families were safe to participate.

this work – the work of understanding and bridging the gaps of understanding – since they discovered a passion for their community. That’s where Agreements come in. Agreements are like boundaries. When a group silently agrees to avoid certain subjects, it establishes a boundary around what is and is not appropriate conversation. Agreements govern how the community members interact. Are we centering safety, concern, or authority? Is the community governed by honesty, fear, or control?

Since moving back to DC that kind of joy has been very rare to find. Feeling that safe again is a lifetime goal of mine. So I’m invested in establishing spaces where that kind of safety and community wellness can be expected.

These are important to discuss as you want to build a strong society. Our community is not going anywhere, and we are key to figuring this thing out.

As we complicate our concepts of gender and expression we also question standard definitions of safety, family and belonging. When we aren’t safe to express gender outside of a binary how can we be safe to innovate or create?

As organizers and individuals with advanced experience with the threats of violence based on LBGTQ identity, we know that it might be hard to eliminate danger. Danger will always be a real threat, as long as there are weapons of mass destruction. At the very least we cannot stand for abuse.

When our spaces only include buzz words, line items and agendas we only meet half of our needs as a community. In other spaces, on the opposite side of this spectrum, our people – brown, black and gay, and femme, are coming together to create the stability needed to not be threatened by danger. By the work of great activists and allies, we stand a fighting chance at saving our own asses.

That’s why we should always think of safe space as what a four – year – old needs. At the very least – our healing, health, and safer organizing spaces need to be prepared to address the lived trauma of being different. At most we must rage against the machine, for every injustice and every child across the world who’s light was extinguished by violence.

The beauty of my Brooklyn Chosen family was that we were intentional when we came together. Resources were distributed so that everyone who had a need or a talent was met with their direct match. Friendships formed and the number of places where I felt genuinely safe, multiplied.

Until we make a change abuses will continue. It’s time to change that. Because the truth is more dire than we’d like to truly believe. Trafficking and slavery are the realities for queer children around the world. With every sister pride, and ever new law liberating another country we see a growing need to expand our community and shore up our safety.

safer spaces Whenever I’d depart from our meeting place, or separate from the group to end my journey at home, I could feel the sudden threats of danger. Sometimes when we come together, we take for granted the very fight for safety that brought us here in the first place. That’s always a risk we take, when at every turn there’s a threat. Dissolving self – interest, we find that not only do our numbers make us strong, but our diversity makes us flexible. Queer has many definitions and identities. All of us combine to A dynamic community, and A dynamic community is a dangerous one. Safer spaces help us harness those abilities. I’m not saying we’re all gay super – heroes in disguise or training, but there is some work to be done. The work of creating these safe spaces happens at every level. Do you have a safety plan with your partner? Think of how many things can go wrong between the two of you – there’s likely some things that can be avoided if we were all a little more prepared. With friends and people you care about, do you make sure they make it home. Start with the people you know and expand your protective shield from there. Don’t forget interpersonal safety, there are many ways that your power can show up and infringe on others lives. Learn to mitigate the threat that you pose to others in the community with your privilege. The point is to set the example. Simple strategies can keep more people safe. And as we expand our definitions of what safety looks like we’ll discover more patience and rationale when dealing with outsiders, interlopers, and dangers to the community. Creating Safe Spaces on a community level looks like an acute awareness of those dangers to all members of the community. IT means centering those needs and building a platform from there. We build solidarity across identities through this work. We strengthen our front line with the experiences of LBGTQ people from all walks. Expanding the boundaries of the community is the tricky part. Helping us along are organizers, activists, and allies who have been doing

In general, the social leaders, political leaders, cultural leaders, financial foreseers, and CEOS have led the way with money and profit being foremost on their minds. This is nothing new. We have tolerated this abuse. We cannot continue to make excuses for those only looking out for their own best interest. As individuals, we can have an impact. When we learn how to use them Our voices sound an alarm against threats. When we organize for a purpose we don’t have to do all the work. Some of that burden is released once we realize the causes of the violence. Violence is the language of the suppressed, in our case. In response to our freedom, Our perpetrators lash out against our bodies which are not bound to traditional expectation. Those who take a firm stance against LBGTQ identities take a stance against freedom, individuality and safety. Right now, we’re at a crossroads of choice. Our community must come together to fight that tide of dissonance. We are responsible for ourselves and what we know. We are responsible for learning as much as we can. There are some communities that have never been safe. Those geographies are where family and community bonds are the most important. For children to succeed in the face of oppression, and to rise up in the face of adversity, we must listen for the alarm. We must acknowledge the threat we pose, and we must turn to defend our allies. We can choose to defeat ourselves with abuse and uncertainty, or we can flourish into the ideal and apex of a peaceful humanity. Eleadah Clack is the Author of The World Without Racism; A How-to Guide for White Culture. Eleadah is a queer and black organizer, writer and researcher who is passionate about creating effective change and becoming a leader in her community. You can find her writing at WriteTheWorldFree.com

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THE W O H S ERICK

RILEY

ROSE KANE

JOHN

TINASHE Tinashe does everything on her own terms. The stunning 21-yearold singer, songwriter, and performer arrives with a distinct and dynamic vision of R&B punctuated by hip-hop attitude, pop flavor, rock swagger, and electronica spark. It all comes to life vividly on Aquarius, her full-length debut on RCA Records.

acting and she went on to star in her first film. In 2011 Tinashe’s own dream came into focus clearly. “I decided to pursue my solo career with everything I could,” she recalls. “I learned how to record and tour while I was in The Stunners, but it was time for me to say something.”

That alchemical blend of genres can actually be traced back to her childhood in Los Angeles. Music surrounded the budding star at home as her father’s Shona heritage filtered into daily life, building an atmosphere conducive to creativity and art. “My dad’s family is from Zimbabwe, and it’s a very musical culture,” affirms Tinashe.

“I always want to create art that’s true to who I am as both a person and an artist. So, at that point, I bought my own studio equipment and a camera in order to capture that. I wrote and recorded music and began releasing songs and videos online.”

“From my earliest memories, music was all around me. It was part of my DNA, and I just loved everything about it. Doing music became my biggest goal as soon as I could sing!”

At the end of the day, Tinashe doesn’t hold anything back, and the world will get the opportunity to experience that honesty from every angle. “I dedicated my life to this,” she leaves off. “I’m really focused. I’m on my grind. I’m not here to play games. This is one-hundred percent who I am, and I think the music says that loud and clear.”

Getting in front of the camera for the first time, she started modeling with the encouragement of her family. Soon, that transformed into

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CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Capitol Concert Stage Headliners ALL APPEARANCES ON THE STAGES AT CAPITAL PRIDE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

MILEY CYRUS Miley Cyrus is a singer-songwriter, actress and philanthropist. With five #1 albums including her 2013 Grammy nominated album Bangerz, which went Platinum in the U.S., five sold out world tours and 16.8 million tracks sold, Cyrus is one of the most influential artists in pop culture. She is also one of the most searched artists in Internet history with over 153 million digital platform subscribers and over 2.7 billion video views. Cyrus has twice hosted and appeared as a musical guest on “Saturday Night Live”, stars in Woody Allen’s original series, “Crisis in Six Scenes,” and hosted the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards. In addition, she also served as a coach for the 11th season of “The Voice” where she first joined the series as a key advisor in spring 2016. Cyrus will be joining The Voice again as a coach this coming fall.

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

In addition to her success in music and television, Cyrus founded the nonprofit organization The Happy Hippie Foundation to rally young people to fight injustice. Since launching, the foundation has provided direct support to thousands of homeless and LGBTQ youth across the country. In 2015, amfAR honored Cyrus’ fight against HIV/AIDS with its Award of Inspiration and the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center honored her work on behalf of LGBTQ youth with its Vanguard Award. Most recently, Cyrus has been honored with Variety’s 2016 Power of Women award for all her philanthropic efforts. Miley Cyrus will be releasing her next full-length studio album this fall. The lead single off of the upcoming album entitled “Malibu” is available now.

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WALK WITH PRIDE

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Discovery priDe is proud to take part in the 2017 DC Pride Parade We’re honored to walk with the Capital Pride Alliance and other organizations that share our commitment to inclusivity

Divas Outdoors presents

Singin’ in the Rain Friday, June 16

PRIDE CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

See this classic film under the stars like nowhere else in DC! Let Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds sweep you off your feet. Come early and set out your elaborate spread for the picnic contest. (Hint: our judges love connections to the film.) 7–8:30pm: Mansion and special exhibition Spectacular Gems and Jewelry open. 7–9:45pm: Hillwood Café open for wine, beer, sandwiches, and more. Picnicking on the Lunar Lawn. 8–8:30pm: Best picnic spread judging and winners announced.

Diversity of People. Diversity of Thought.

Film begins around 8:45pm. Presented rain or shine. In the event of rain, the screening will be moved to fabulous indoor locations. Divas Outdoors is part of the Dina Merrill Film Program and is presented in partnership with Art Deco Society of Washington.

At Freddie Mac, our inclusive culture encourages and values diversity of thought. Different perspectives make us stronger and drive our success in making home possible for millions. Visit us at FreddieMac.com to learn more.

Now open every Sunday Hours: Tues – Sun 10am – 5pm HillwoodMuseum.org 4155 Linnean Ave. NW, Washington DC Free parking

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5/2/17 2:05 PM

Featured Acts

ALL APPEARANCES ON THE STAGES AT CAPITAL PRIDE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

POINTER SISTERS

VASSY

The Pointer Sisters began their formal vocal training in their father’s church, The Church of God in West Oakland, California. Their first performance in Los Angeles at the Troubadour club was hailed by critics for its versatility and range and called The Pointer Sisters “the most exciting thing to hit show business in years.” Their 1973 debut album gave us the singles, “Yes We Can, Can,” which reached #11 on Billboard magazine’s pop singles chart.

VASSY was born and raised in the tropics of Australia. You have heard her unique voice all over US television, from global ad campaigns like Hilton Hotels, Diet Sprite, and The Ladders commercial featuring her sexy song “Desire,” to hit TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), Human Target (FOX) and Ugly Betty (ABC) with her more up beat quirky anthems like “Wanna Fly”.

In 1994, the ladies received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, an event proclaimed “Pointer Sisters Day” in Hollywood. That same day, it was announced that the group would begin a world-wide tour of the Fats Waller musical, Ain’t Misbehavin’ The sisters went on to be honored on the Soul of American Music Awards and were also inducted into the Soul Train Hall of Fame. They performed a special concert at the White House for then President Clinton. In 1996, they were one of the legendary acts that performed at the closing ceremony of the Olympics in Atlanta. In recent years, the group has performed with some of the greatest symphony orchestras in the world, including San Francisco, Jacksonville, Atlanta’s symphony orchestra and the renowned Boston Pops. The Pointer Sisters were a smash hit at “Night of the Proms”, which spanned over 50 sold-out performances throughout Germany, Holland and Belgium, and has secured the group many more successful tours in Europe. In 2004, the group recorded a live CD/ DVD, which captured the energetic Pointer Sisters performing the hits that fans of all ages continue to enjoy!

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Ironically kicked out of school choir at the age of 7, VASSY now lives in LA and is a versatile singer/songwriter who, besides writing for herself, has written songs for hit television shows, motion pictures, video games, and other Pop artists like “Pin-Up Girl” for Pussycat Dollsmember Jessica Sutta, and “Wish On a Star” for t.A.T.u.’s Lena Katinawhich will be on Lena’s very first solo album called “Lost In This Dance”. In 2010, VASSY released “History.” the love of her fans propelled her to travel and perform all around the country for Pride Festivals in LA and Chicago to trendy clubs in Hollywood and New York City. VASSY has a big YouTube following with fans from all different countries requesting her to sing acoustic songs. In result of this attention she released “The Acoustics” EP in 2011 for her fans on iTunes. Known for her philanthropy work with charity groups and an advocate for civil rights, VASSY is affiliated with various foundations around the world and volunteers as a music teacher at a teenage orphanage in LA.

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ASL AVAILABLE AT DUPONT AND CAPITOL STAGES

EMCEES JERRY HOUSTON & DESTINY B. CHILDS DJ TWiN MILEY CYRUS MILEY CYRUS

ENKORE DANCE

ELLA FIZGERALD

DAMARCKO PRICE PRESENTS ENKORE ELLA FITZGERALD FREDDIES FOLLIES GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF WASHINGTON DC

FREDDIE’S FOLLIES

GAY MENS CHORUS

KRISTINA KELLY

KRISTINA KELLY & THE COBALT CAST TEAM PEACHES MR & MISS CAPITAL PRIDE THE POINTER SISTERS

TEAM PEACHES

MR & MISS CAPITAL PRIDE

MICHELLE RAYMOND BAND 2017 RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE 2 OF THE TOP 3 TINASHE THE LADIES OF TOWN

THE POINTER SISTERS

MICHELLE RAYMOND

TINASHE

MYKUL JAY VALENTINE VASSY

THE LADIES OF TOWN

MYKUL JAY VALENTINE

VASSY

Houston From Pride Radio

Page 94

Destiny B. Childs

DJ TWiN

CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Dupont & Monument Stages ALL APPEARANCES ON THE STAGES AT CAPITAL PRIDE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Please Check The Online Listing For Performace Times

ON THE MONUMENT STAGE EMCEE OPHELIA BOTTOMS AB SOTO MUSIC EMCEE OPHELIA BOTTOMS

AB SOTEO MUSIC

ROBERT BALL

ERICK BLU

ROBERT BALL ERICK BLU JORDON BOLDEN THE BOY BAND PROJECT JOHNATHAN CELESTIN

JORDON BOLDEN

BOY BAND PROJECT JOHNATHAN CELESTIN

CHEER DC

CHEER DC KENISHA COLEMAN THE DC GURLY SHOW DC FRONT RUNNERS

KENISHA COLEMAN

DC GURLY SHOW

DC FRONT RUNNERS RUSSELL ELLIOT

RUSSELL ELLIOT CRISTINA F POSH HAMMER ALISE KING HEATHER MAE

CRISTINA F

POSH HAMMER

ALISE KING

HEATHER MAE

JAYE MCBRIDE OASIS DANCE CO. BREANNA SINCLAIRÉ BILLY WINN

JAYE MCBRIDE

OASIS DANCE CO.

BREANNA SINCLAIRÉ

BILLY WINN

ON THE DUPONT STAGE DJ ANDRE GUTARRA LEMZ KEENAN ORR DJ MIKE REIMER

DJ ANDRE GUTARRA

LEMZ

KEENAN ORR

THE BARBER STREISAND VODKATRIAN

DJ MIKE REIMER

THE BARBER STREISAND

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

VODKATRIAN Page 95

Less than a week after surviving an execution by stoning, Shaheen (a pseudonym used by a 25-year old gay man in Afghanistan), contacted me via Facebook messenger. We had met virtually only a few times, but he had no one else to whom to turn. Between weeping sobs, Shaheen said goodbye to me because he feared for his life. His relatives were hunting him down for allegedly bringing dishonor to the family. Shaheen is gay and he was about to flee an honor killing. Shaheen believed that he had only two choices: either commit suicide by throwing himself in front of a fast-moving vehicle or turn himself over to his family members and accept the resulting tortuous death. Hearing his cracking voice and feeling the magnitude of his situation, I offered him a third choice: to live and go into exile. My plan was for him to obtain a visa to Turkey and take the next flight out. I knew it wasn’t going to easy or cheap, but this was his best option. The next morning, I wired him $125 from my own funds and started a GoFundMe page for him. I had never before raised money online for a specific cause or person, but with Shaheen’s life on the line, I had to hit the ground running. Indeed, considering the grave danger, we didn’t have the luxury of time. I interviewed Shaheen to clarify the details of this otherwise senseless situation. As a resident of Kabul, Shaheen had returned to his birth

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CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

BEING GAY IN NO MANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LAND By Nemat Sadat

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

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country and ancestral homeland seven years ago. Although Shaheen was born in Afghanistan’s Laghman province he lived most of his life in Quetta, Pakistan. An ambitious student, who was preparing to pursue a dual master’s degree in economic and engineering, Shaheen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Bakhtar University in August 2016. The nightmare that would throw Shaheen’s life into chaos had begun in early March when his cousin walked into his hotel room to find Shaheen being intimate with Jameel, another Afghan man. Jameel was Shaheen’s steady boyfriend, and the two had been together for more than half a year. Jameel bolted out of the room, leaving Shaheen alone to face his cousin. When Shaheen returned to his parents’ house, his uncle, father, brother, and cousin confronted him. They continuously struck Shaheen’s legs with a leather belt and whatever else they had to get him to confess to being gay and committing what they considered to be a carnal sin. He knew that loving men was a death sentence, so at first he tried to hide the truth, but that only made his family hit him harder. They wanted him to confess that he was gay in order to justify what would come next. Desperate, Shaheen blurted, “I am gay. I desire men. I want to remain this way. What is it to you? I love being this way. I want to live this life.” With tears streaming, Shaheen’s mother begged, “Please stop. Leave my son alone. What has he done wrong?” But her cries fell on deaf ears as the men took more swings at Shaheen. Since women have almost no say in Afghanistan, the beatings continued until Shaheen’s male relatives were out of breath and stopped for the night. The next morning, still reeling from the previous assault, Shaheen’s father, brother, and cousin blindfolded Shaheen by placing a bag over his face and then bound his hands and feet. Afterward, they placed him in the trunk of a car and drove away. Some time later, the car stopped in a deserted area. Three ferocious-looking men who were unknown to Shaheen were near a grave that was a meter long. While Shaheen’s brother and cousin were gathering stones while his uncle and father continued to dig a meter-long grave. They wanted to tie Shaheen’s feet to the ground and cover him up to the waist and then strike rocks against his face and head. After forcing Shaheen to the ground in the middle of nowhere, Shaheen’s uncle, in a remorseless tone, stated, “We must kill you so that we teach Afghan youth a lesson. To make sure they do not become filthy faggots like you.” Having lost everything and his hope for mercy shattered into pieces, Shaheen wearily accepted the fact that he was going to die alone knowing that no one in the world would care or know what happened to him. In a last-minute effort, right before the first stone was thrown and surging with a “do or die” adrenaline rush, Shaheen, gathered all of his available strength, bit his uncle’s hand, struggled out of his bindings and fled, sprinting for the next 30 minutes. Luckily his executioners couldn’t keep up with his mad dash for survival and the one person who could, his Page 98

athletic cousin, was far away collecting rocks. After making sure he lost his pursuers, his legs gave way and he collapsed onto the desert sand and fell asleep until later that day. After wandering around aimlessly for hours he finally made his way out of the desert. If Shaheen’s harrowing ordeal with his family and his evasion from Afghan authorities wasn’t traumatic enough, he also had to deal with Jameel, his boyfriend, breaking Shaheen’s heart immediately after this near-death experience. The last thing Shaheen’s boyfriend told him on the phone was, “Go away. You got yourself into trouble. I don’t want to go down with you.” Since that last call, Shaheen has not heard from Jameel. Shaheen was heartbroken. Since the outpouring of love and support, particularly with the donations and comments on Shaheen’s GoFundMe page, he wants to live and love again believing that there are good people in this world who care about him and the greater good of humanity. He and I appreciate everyone who has become part of this movement. When I took Shaheen’s call, I knew I was his only lifeline left in this world. I promised to help him get to a country where he can go to a UN office and seek asylum. I didn’t do this just for Shaheen. I’m doing this for all the hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, of LGBTQ people in Afghanistan, who are in a similar situation but who suffer silently. CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Currently, LGBTQ Afghans must hide from their own families, from Daesh and Taliban insurgents who consider homosexuality a crime punishable by death, and from the Afghan government, which quietly wages an LGBTQ cleansing throughout Afghanistan. Afghan law is based on the principles codified by Sharia, declaring homosexuality illegal and an offense punishable only by death. Afghans like Shaheen are trapped in a perpetual fear of death with international news organizations and governments complicit in suppressing the LGBTQ community because they treat homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia in Afghanistan as a non-issue. But this is a grave human rights matter, as anti-LGBTQ discrimination is institutionalized through the legal system in Afghanistan and across all Muslim-majority countries in the region. The entrenched homophobia in Islamic culture influences all spheres of society and could even jeopardize national security, as the massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando last year proved. Omar Mateen, who hailed from Afghan ethnic origin and whose father openly supported the Taliban, may have repressed his sexual orientation and, if true, could be considered a window into how bad life is for LGBTQ persons in Muslim-majority countries. In Afghanistan, with foreign embassies limiting the scope of diplomatic presence and foreign aid in Afghanistan and neighboring Iran and Pakistan sealing their borders, Shaheen had nowhere to go for help. Throughout Afghanistan, there is not a single place an LGBTQ person can seek refuge. There are no LGBTQ-friendly homeless shelters. When LGBTQ Afghans are persecuted, family and friends refuse to help them out of homophobia or fear. Going to the Afghan police to complain about a hate crime would be a complete waste of time because homosexuality is criminalized in Afghanistan. Ogaye Hassanzada, 25, a trans Afghan woman and her partner, Ramin Hassanzada, 23, a gay Afghan man, live in Ankara, Turkey and have offered to host Shaheen and help him with his asylum case. Ogaye says, “I have five close gay and trans friends in Kabul, who have been imprisoned because of who they are.” Ogaye and her partner left Afghanistan last year after losing their jobs and being persecuted by their families. Both hope to start a new life as legal immigrants in the United States, but they worry that the current government will slam the door on LGBTQ refugees who are from Muslim countries. As an Afghan-American gay émigré and LGBTQ rights campaigner in Muslim communities worldwide, I feel like I am carrying the weight of the gay world on my back. It’s an uphill battle to inspire change, but I will never give up. Criminalized in Muslim-majority countries where sharia is the law of the land and minorities within minorities in the West, LGBTQ individuals of Muslim descent are trapped in limbo and mostly ignored by the rest of the world. Tens of thousands of LGBTQ refugees enter Europe every year, many from Muslim-majority countries. European governments that should know better continue to deny LGBTQ asylum cases from Afghanistan. In a recent Guardian article, the United Kingdom’s Home Office deported LGBTQ Afghans back to Afghanistan and suggested that THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

they move to Kabul and pretend to be straight. Shaheen lived in Kabul and despite being closeted and secretly pursuing a same-sex affair, he was outed and nearly killed. Asking LGBTQ people to conform to a militantly patriarchal culture and risk death at any time goes against the credo of universal human rights. Having fled war in Afghanistan as a child and studying the situation from afar, I know how totalitarianism can splinter the social fabric of a nation. It unnerves me to see Muslim and ex-Muslim immigrants and refugees have nowhere to go, even as my adopted land of the Untied States threatens the very liberties upon which it was founded. I trust that we can push back against the current administration’s xenophobia and still promote an LGBTQ-affirming agenda. My life-long dream is to help emancipate the tens of millions of LGBTQ people who continue to struggle for their right to live free and equal in more than 70 countries around the world. While Shaheen is still forced to stay in a country whose citizens want him dead. I have raised enough money on his behalf to help him slip out of the country without his family or the Afghan government capturing him. Shaheen’s male relatives wanted nothing more than to murder him in cold blood to restore their family’s honor and set an example so no other LGBTQ Afghan will ever try to be free and live a meaningful life. I am determined to help Shaheen become a beacon for gay rights in Afghanistan. I have known Shaheen for over a year. He is a gracious, kind, and hard-working young man, who has big dreams for himself—he still wants to pursue that dual master’s degree in economics and engineering—and who forgives his family despite all that has happened. The people of this world who love freedom, liberty, and equality stand in solidarity with Shaheen, me, and the members of the suppressed LGBTQ community in Afghanistan. My greatest wish is for Shaheen to start a new life in the United States and to share his story with the world, so that his bravery and will to survive becomes a source of inspiration for all LGBTQ people in Afghanistan and everywhere in the world. I have no doubt about the march toward freedom and equality for all. The aspirations of the LGBTQ community in Afghanistan now rests on Shaheen. If Shaheen turns this tragedy into triumph, then there will be a shimmer of hope that one day all LGBTQ Afghans can end the oppression and tyranny in their homeland and chart their own destiny. If you would like to help with Shaheen’s relocation and recovery costs, please make a donation at www.gofundme/ rescueshaheen. Nemat Sadat is the first public figure from Afghanistan to come out of the closet and campaign for LGBTQ Rights in Afghanistan and Muslim communities worldwide. He is editing his first novel and writing his first memoir. He lives in Washington D.C. You can follow him on Twitter @nematsadat. Page 99

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Be yourself. Be human. Be #ForeverProud.

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Mandy Carter

Jim Obergefell

Mandy Carter is a southern African-American lesbian social justice activist with a 47-year movement history of social, racial, and LGBTQ justice organizing since 1968. Raised in two orphanages and a foster home for her first 18 years as a ward of the state of New York, Ms. Carter attributes the influences of the Quaker-based American Friends Service Committee, the former Institute for the Study of Nonviolence, and the pacifist-based War Resisters League for her sustained multi-racial and multi-issue organizing.

Jim Obergefell was the named plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court marriage equality case Obergefell v. Hodges, a case involving more than thirty marriage equality plaintiffs from four states. Circumstances thrust Jim into this role; after marrying John, his partner of more than twenty years who was dying of ALS, they decided to file suit against the state of Ohio to demand recognition of their lawful Maryland marriage on John’s impending death certificate.

But, it was specifically her participation in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired 1968 Poor People’s Campaign organized by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) that solidified her sustained commitment to nonviolence. Resurrection City, on the National Mall in Washington, DC, was to have been Dr. King’s most dramatic appeal to the conscience of the nation, designed to call attention to the fact that thousands of American citizens -both white and black – continued to suffer poverty in the midst of plenty, In March of this year, Ms. Carter helped organize diverse broadbased participation in the 50th Anniversary of the Selma-To-Montgomery Voting Rights Act activities that moved Congress to pass the 1965 Voting Rights Act that enfranchised hundreds of thousands of blacks across the South. President Obama and the First Family were in attendance. Ms. Carter is the national coordinator of the Bayard Rustin Commemoration Project of the National Black Justice Coalition. Bayard Rustin, key organizer of the 1963 March, received the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom (post-humously) from President Obama that was presented to his surviving partner Walter Naegle at the White House. Ms. Carter was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize as part of the 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize 2005 in order to recognize, make visible and celebrate the impressive and valuable, yet often invisible peace work of thousands of women around the world. Page 102

After the Supreme Court ruling made marriage equality the law across the entire United States on June 26, 2015, Jim has continued his work as an LGBTQ activist and embraced a career as a speaker with Keppler Speakers at events with non-profits, bar associations, government agencies, corporations, institutions of higher education, and more. Jim has co-authored the book Love Wins with Debbie Cenziper, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist with the Washington Post. Love Wins is about the lovers and lawyers in this historic Supreme Court case, and it was published by William Morrow/Harper Collins. Temple Hill Productions and Fox 2000 bought the movie rights to Love Wins and will produce a feature film based on the book. Jim also helped launch Equality Wines, the first cause-based wine label that supports organizations devoted to civil rights and equality for all. Jim has been honored with awards from organizations such as Services and Advocacy for Gay and Lesbian Elders (SAGE), Equality Florida, Equality North Carolina, the ACLU of Southern California, Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland), the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the Ohio Democratic Party, the Santa Clara University School of Law, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the City of Cincinnati, and more. Foreign Policy magazine named Jim one of its 2015 Global Thinkers, and Out magazine named Jim to its 2015 Out 100 list. CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Parade Grand Marshals

Nicole Murray Ramirez

Edie Windsor

Commissioner Ramirez has been a Latino and gay activist for almost a half a century. He is a past national board member of the Human Rights Campaign and the National LGBTQ Task Force, and is a past state president of Equality California.

The case of United States v Windsor is arguably the most influential legal precedent in the struggle for LGBTQ marriage equality. In its landmark 2013 ruling in Windsor, the Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which by its terms had excluded gay couples from all the benefits and protections of marriage under federal law. At the heart of Windsor is the principle that gay people have dignity, and that the Constitution mandates that this dignity be respected equally under the law. Since Windsor, more than forty federal district court opinions and four circuit courts have held that the U.S. Constitution requires that gay people be allowed to marry. This remarkable degree of consensus is no coincidence – it is based on the logic and language of Windsor itself.

Nicole organized and was the chair of two historic national campaigns that resulted in a U.S. postage stamp in honor of Harvey Milk, and having the Secretary of the Navy to name a vessel in honor of Harvey Milk. Nicole worked with civil rights icon Cesar Chavez in support of the farm workers and received the prestigious “Cesar Chavez Social Justice Award” presented by Chavez’s wife Helen. Ramirez also received a “Life Time Achievement Award” from the Latino Unity Coalition and Border Angels, which supports undocumented families. Ramirez has also served and advised the last seven mayors of San Diego and received a city proclamation naming him the “Honorary Mayor of Hillcrest.” In 1979, Nicole established one of the first student scholarships in the national for LGBTQ students. Currently, Nicole Murray Ramirez is the International Chair of one of the oldest LGBTQ organizations in the world, The International Imperial Court System (founded in 1965), which has chapters in 70 cities across the U.S.A., Canada, and Mexico, including Washington, D.C. He is the “Queen Mother I of the Americas.” Nicole Murray Ramirez, who holds the distinction of being the only gay activist to serve on now all six national LGBTQ marches on Washington, being elected as a National Co-Chair of three marches and served as a National Co-Chair of Stonewall 25 in New York. Nicole is very honored and humbled to be named one of the Grand Marshals of Capital Pride. THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Breaking boundaries is a common theme in Edie Windsor’s life. Beginning in 1956, she spent two decades working with mainframe computers, first as a research assistant at NYU and then, starting in 1958, at IBM where she attained the highest technical rank. She won a competitive IBM scholarship and in 1987 was honored by the National Computing Conference as a Pioneer in Operating systems. Windsor was in the trenches and in the leadership of so many LGBTQ organizations in the past 30 years that the scope of her meaningful work has touched East End Gay Organizations, the LGBTQ Community Center, SAGE and Team New York at the Gay Games in NYC in 1994. Windsor’s 42-year long engagement and finally, marriage to Dr. Thea Spyer is honored by the 2009 documentary Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement. Edie traveled extensively with the film in the United States and in Europe, using the Q & A to advocate coming out, for marriage equality, and for the joy in commitment. For more information visit Edie’s website: ediewindsor.com

Page 103

CARING COLORS LGBTQ EMPOWERMENT ORGANIZATION www.CaringColors.org Parade CARLOS ROSARIO INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL www.carlosrosario.org Parade CASA RUBY www.casaruby.org

Queer centered space addressing the social services needs of LGBTQ people facing poverty in DC. Most of our clients make less than 15K per year. We are also the largest provider in the DC Metro Area for LGBTQ Homeless beds. Pride Partner

CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING CSLDC.org Festival CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY www.cia.gov

The CIA is an independent agency responsible for providing national security intelligence to senior US policymakers. The Central Intelligence Agency’s mission: We are the eyes and the ears of the nation and, at times, its hidden hand. Festival; Pride Partner

CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON DC CITY COUNCIL www.chairmanmendelson.com Parade CHARITY TREKS, INC. www.charitytreks.org Festival CHARLES JOSEF SWIMWEAR / THE CHARLES JOSEF COMPANY www.charlesjosef.com Festival CHECK IT www.checkitenterprises.com Parade; Festival CHESAPEAKE AND POTOMAC SOFTBALL (CAPS) www.capssoftball.org Parade CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL www.choicehotels.com Parade; Festival; Sponsor CHURCH OF THE PILGRIMS (PCUSA) www.churchofthepilgrims.org Page 104 Festival

CHURCHES UNITED IN PRIDE www.mccdc.com Parade; Festival CIVIS ANALYTICS civisanalytics.com Parade CLOSET AMERICA LLC www.closetamerica.com Festival COBALT www.cobaltdc.com Parade; Production Partner COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/dc/ washington/office/dupont-logan-circle/ oid_693/ Festival; Sponsor COLOR PET PRODUCTS www.colorpet.com Festival COLUMBIA FERTILITY ASSOCIATES columbiafertility.com Festival COMMUNITY OF CHRIST www.cofchristdc.org Festival COMPASSION OVER KILLING cok.net Festival CONGREGATION ETZ HAYIM www.etzhayim.net Festival COUNCILMEMBER JACK EVANS dccouncil.washington.dc.us/council/jackevans Parade CUTCO CUTLERY Festival DARCARS www.darcars.com Parade; Festival; Sponsor DC AQUATICS CLUB Www.swimdcac.org Parade; Festival DC BLACK PRIDE

www.dcblackpride.org Year after year, more than 50,000 men and women from all over the world attend DCBP and experience the great culture and history of the Washington, DC area.

Festival; Parade; Pride Partner

DC BRAU BREWING www.dcbrau.com Parade DC CHAPTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB www.dc.sierraclub.org Festival DC COMMISSION ON THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES dcarts.dc.gov Festival DC DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, SECURITIES AND BANKING www.disb.dc.gov Festival DC FIRE AND EMS DEPARTMENT fems.dc.gov Parade DC FRONT RUNNERS www.dcfrontrunners.org Parade; Festival DC LOTTERY www.dclottery.com Festival; Sponsor DC MPD LGBTQ LIAISON UNIT slu.adminbox@dc.gov Parade; Festival DC OFFICE OF HUMAN RIGHTS www.ohr.dc.gov Festival; Sponsor DC PRIDE VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE www.dcpvl.org Festival DC PUBLIC LIBRARY www.dclibrary.org/ Parade; Festival DC PUBLIC SCHOOLS www.dcps.dc.gov Parade DC RAWHIDES www.dcrawhides.com Parade DC ROLLERGIRLS www.dcrollergirls.com Festival DC STROKES ROWING CLUB www.dcstrokes.org Parade; Festival DC’S DIFFERENT DRUMMERS www.dcdd.org

D.C.’s Different Drummers is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender music PRIDE as 2017 organization welcoming CAPITAL ALL musicians it

Parade & Festival Participants ENTRIES IN PINK SPONSORS, IN PURPLE PRIDE PARTNERS, ACCURATE AS OF PRINT DATE OF MAY 15, 2017 fosters pride, inclusivity, and engagement with the greater Washington, D.C. region through music.

Parade; Festival; Pride Partner

DEDICATED STRENGTH www.dedicatedstrengthdc.com Festival DIGNITY/ WASHINGTON www.dignitywashington.org

Dignity/Washington is the local chapter of a nationwide organization, DignityUSA, both of which celebrate the wholeness and holiness of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Catholics by providing Mass each Sunday, at 6:00 pm, at St. Margaretâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION, SILVER SPRING, MD www.ascensionsilverspring.org Parade EQUITY RESIDENTIAL www.equityapartments.com Parade; Sponsor ERIE INSURANCE www.erieinsurance.com Parade; Festival; Sponsor EXPERTLY CRAFTED WELLNESS www.expertlycrafted.com Festival

Parade; Festival; Pride Partner

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com Parade; Sponsor

DISCOVERY www.discovery.com Parade; Sponsor

FAIRNESSWV www.fairnessWV.org Festival

DISTRICT KARAOKE www.districtkaraoke.com Parade

FALLS CHURCH & ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Parade

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD www.dcnationalguard.com Festival

FAMILY & YOUTH INITIATIVE www.dcfyi.org Festival

DISTRKT C www.distrktc.com Parade; Production Partner DIXON HUGHES GOODMAN LLP www.dhgllp.com Festival; Sponsor

FCKH8 www.fckh8.com Festival FCPS PRIDE fcpspride.org Festival

DOJ PRIDE, FBI PRIDE, & BOP PRIDE www.dojpride.org Parade

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION www.fbijobs.gov Festival

DONATE LIFE- BE A DONOR! www.beadonor.org Festival

FEDERAL TRIANGLES SOCCER CLUB (FTSC) www.federaltriangles.com Festival

DULLES TRIANGLES www.dullestriangles.com Festival

FLAGGOTS OHIO www.flaggotsohio.org Parade

DUNN DENTAL GROUP www.dunndentalgroup.com Parade

FOOD LION foodlion.com Parade; Festival; Sponsor

EDWARD JONES FINANCIAL ADVISOR: PAUL SEXTON www.edwardjones.com Festival

FREDDIE MAC www.freddiemac.com Festival; Sponsor

EMBASSY OF CANADA connect2canada.com Parade THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

FRIENDSHIP HOSPITAL FOR ANIMALS www.friendshiphospital.com Parade FRIENDSHIP PLACE www.friendshipplace.org Festival GAMMA www.gammaindc.org Festival GAYS AGAINST GUNS DC www.gayagainstguns.net Parade GEICO www.geico.com Festival; Sponsor GENTLE GIANT www.gentlegiant.com Parade; Festival; Sponsor GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT www.gmu.edu/police Parade GIANT www.giantfood.com Parade; Festival; Sponsor GILEAD www.gilead.com Festival; Sponsor GLIFAA LGBTQ+ PRIDE IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS AGENCIES www.glifaa.org Parade; Festival GLMA: HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ADVANCING LGBTQ EQUALITY www.glma.org Festival GLOE - THE KURLANDER PROGRAM FOR GLBTQ OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT: THE EDLAVITCH DCJCC

www.edcjcc.org/gloe Parade; Festival

HALF/PINT PRINTING Festival HILTON www.goout.hilton.com Parade; Festival; Sponsor

FREE STATE ROLLER DERBY www.freestaterollerderby.com Festival Page 105

www.dchistory.org

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, DC

JOS. A. MAGNUS & CO. www.josephmagnus.com Parade

The Historical Society of Washington, D.C., is a community-supported educational and research organization that collects, interprets, and shares the history of our nation’s capital. Founded in 1894, it serves a diverse audience through its collections.

KAISER PERMANENTE www.healthy.kaiserpermanente.org Parade; Festival; Sponsor

Parade; Festival; Pride Partner; Sponsor

KESSLER LENDING ADVISORS www.kesslerlendingadvisors.com Festival

HONEYMOON ISRAEL www.honeymoonisrael.org Festival

KIPP DC www.kippdc.org Parade; Festival

HOPE-DC www.hopedc.org Festival

KITCHEN SAVER www.kitchensaver.com Festival

HOT 99.5 www.hot995.iheart.com Parade; Festival; Sponsor

LA CLINICA DEL PUEBLO, INC./ EMPODERATE CENTER www.lcdp.org Parade

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN www.hrc.org

The Human Rights Campaign and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation together serve as America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve LGBTQ equality. HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Parade; Festival; Pride Partner; Sponsor HUMANE RESCUE ALLIANCE www.humanerescuealliance.org Festival HYATT HOTELS AND RESORTS www.hyatt.com Parade; Sponsor IKEA www.ikea.com/us/en/ Festival; Sponsor INOVA JUNIPER PROGRAM inova.org/juniper Festival INSPIRED TEACHING SCHOOL www.inspiredteachingschool.org Parade INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON WOMEN (ICRW) www.icrw.org Parade IONA SENIOR SERVICES www.iona.org Festival Page 106

LAMBDA SCI-FI www.lambdascifi.org Festival LASIKPLUS www.lasikplus.com Festival; Sponsor LATIN SOUL DC www.latinsouldc.com Parade LATINO GLBT HISTORY PROJECT latinoglbthistory.org

The Latino GLBT History Project (LHP) is a non-profit volunteer-led organization founded in April 2000 to respond to the critical need to preserve and educate others about Latin LGBT history. LHP investigates, collects, preservse and educates the public about the history, culture, heritage, arts, social, and rich contributions of the DC Latino GLBT community.

Parade; Pride Partner

LEIDOS www.leidos.com Parade; Festival; Sponsor LESBIAN & GAY BIG APPLE CORPS MARCHING BAND www.lgbac.org Parade LGBTQ DEMOCRATS OF VIRGINIA LGBTQvadem.org Festival LGBTQ2S AND ALLIED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES Parade

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GLOBE/ SENATE GLASS/LGBTQ CSA www.loc.gov/LGBTQ Parade LMI lmi.org Parade LOCKHEED MARTIN www.lockheedmartin.com Parade; Sponsor LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS OF DC lcrdistrictofcolumbia.nationbuilder.com Festival LOGAN CIRCLE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION www.logancircle.org Parade LOWELL SCHOOL lowellschool.org Parade LULAC LAMBDA Parade; Festival LULAROE DANIELLE M BROWN Www.lularoe.com Festival LURE www.facebook.com/pg/ lurewdc Parade; Production Partner LYFT www.lyft.com/cities/washington-dc Parade; Festival; Sponsor MAJESTIC ( CRAZY TUESDAYS) Parade MARET SCHOOL QUEER-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE maret.org Parade MARKOFF’S HAUNTED FOREST markoffshauntedforest.com Festival MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL www.marriott.com/marriott/marriott-gaytravel.mi Parade; Sponsor MARY’S CENTER www.maryscenter.org Parade; Festival CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Parade & Festival Participants ENTRIES IN PINK SPONSORS, IN PURPLE PRIDE PARTNERS, ACCURATE AS OF PRINT DATE OF MAY 15, 2017

MASON’S LGBTQ RESOURCES LGBTQ.gmu.edu Festival MAUI WOWI HAWAIIAN SMOOTHIES AND COFFEE Festival MCDONALD’S OF D.C. mcdonaldsdmv.com Parade; Festival; Sponsor MD/DC STAR WARS COSTUME COMMUNITY Parade MELROSE GEORGETOWN HOTEL www.melrosehoteldc.com Parade METRO www.wmata.com Festival METRO WEEKLY www.metroweekly.com Parade; Festival; Sponsor MCC OF NOVA AND TRANSGENDER EDUCATION ASSOCIATION www.mccnova.com www.tgeagw.org Festival MGM NATIONAL HARBOR www.mgmnationalharbor.com Parade; Sponsor MICROSOFT www.microsoft.com/diversity Parade; Sponsor MORE LIGHT PRESBYTERIANS www.opendoorsmlp.org Parade N STREET VILLAGE www.nstreetvillage.org Parade NARAL PRO-CHOICE AMERICA www.ProChoiceAmerica.org Festival NATIONAL CITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH www.nationalcitycc.org

National City seeks to help everyone toward a fuller commitment to Christ by being an inclusive church family which fully embraces in its life and ministries people of every race, gender, sexual orientation, age, economic circumstances, family configuration, physical or mental condition, and all other distinctions which are the rich tapestry of God’s Creation. Pride Partner GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017 THE OFFICIAL

NATIONAL GAY PILOTS ASSOCIATION -

OUT ON THE RUNWAY www.ngpa.org Parade; Festival NATIONAL HOLISTIC HEALING CENTER www.holistichealingdc.com Parade; Festival NATIONAL PARK SERVICE www.nps.gov Festival NAVIGANT www.navigant.com Parade; Sponsor NYC PRIDE

www.nycpride.org

Heritage of Pride is a nonprofit organization that plans and produces New York City’s official LGBTQ Pride events each year to commemorate the Stonewall Riots of 1969 — the beginning of the modern Gay Rights movement.

Festival; Pride Partner

NISSAN www.nissanusa.com/blog/pride-2016 Parade; Festival; Sponsor NORDIC EMBASSIES www.usa.um.dk Parade NORTHROP GRUMMAN www.northropgrumman.com Parade; Sponsor NOVA PRIDE www.novapride.org NOVA Pride is a coalition-building org with the mission to Educate, Advocate, and Celebrate in service to the LGBTQ+ Community of Northern Virginia and its straight Allies. Parade; Festival; Pride Partner NOVASALUD, INC www.novasaludinc.org Parade; Festival OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE www.dni.gov Festival OLDE TOWNE PET RESORT www.oldetownepetresort.com Festival ONE MEDICAL www.onemedical.com Parade; Sponsor

OUTSERVE-SLDN NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION outserve-sldn.org Parade; Festival PAIGES PROMOTIONS (FOR WYNDHAM) Festival PETA (PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS) www.peta.org Festival PHUNKY www.livephunky.com Festival PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF METRO WASHINGTON PPMW.ORG Parade POLE PRESSURE www.polepressure.com Parade POTOMAC ASSOCIATION -UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST www.potomacucc.org Parade; Festival Q VIRGINIA - VIRGINIA’S LGBTQ MEDIA COMPANY www.unitevamag.com Festival QUAKERS IN THE DC METRO AREA www.bym-rsf.org/QuakersInDCArea/ Parade; Festival RAFFA www.raffa.com Parade RAINBOW FAMILIES www.rainbowfamilies.org

Rainbow Families supports and connects lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) parents and prospective parents by providing educational programs, social events, and discussion forums for LGBTQ parents and prospective parents in the DMV area.

Parade; Festival; Pride Partner

RAINBOW THEATRE PROJECT www.rainbowtheatreproject.org Festival REI CO-OP www.rei.com Parade; Sponsor Page 107

A GLAM SLAM!

“Sparkling, freSh, and lively!” —Los Angeles Time

NEW YORK POST

June 13–July 16 | Opera House

June 13–July 2 | Eisenhower Theater

July 11–August 6, 2017 EisEnhowEr thEAtEr

July 18–August 20 | Opera House

TickeTs On sale nOw! kennedy-cenTer.Org (202) 467-4600

Theater at the Kennedy Center is made possible by

Major support for Musical Theater at the Kennedy Center is provided by

Jose Llana and Laura Michelle Kelly in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I. Photo by Matthew Murphy

BROADWAY’S DEFINITIVE TONY®-WINNING MASTERPIECE

Kennedy Center Theater Season Sponsor

Comedy at the Kennedy Center Presenting Sponsor

Tickets also available at the Box Office. Groups call (202) 416-8400. For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540. Page 108

Additional support is provided by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation.

CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

The Historical Society of Washington, D.C. is proud to host the Capital Pride Heroes Gala at our headquarters, the Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square.

Promoting identity, place, and pride

Washington is known throughout the world as a monumental federal city. Less well known are the stories of its many diverse and vibrant communities. The Historical Society of Washington, D.C. makes this local history accessible to promote identity, place, and pride in Washington and preserves this heritage for future generations. Among our collections of photographs, paintings, maps, documents, and objects are the archives of D.C.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rainbow History Project. DCHISTORY.ORG

DISCOVER

The Historical Society of Washington D.C., a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is a community-supported educational and research organization that collects, interprets, and shares the history of our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital. Founded in 1894, it serves a diverse audience through its collections, public programs, exhibitions, and publications.

RELIGIOUS ACTION CENTER OF REFORM JUDAISM www.rac.org/about-rac Parade RENEWAL BY ANDERSEN www.RenewalByAndersen.com Festival RIGHTEOUSLY OUTRAGEOUS TWIRLING CORPS (ROTC-DC) Parade RISE UP! LLC www.riseupllcmd.com Festival RUMBA LATINA / ROCK HARD SUNDAY Parade SCOUTS FOR EQUALITY www.scoutsforequality.org/ Parade SCROFANO LAW PC www.scrofanolaw.com Festival SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST KINSHIP INTERNATIONAL www.SDAKinship.org Parade SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY ShakespeareTheatre.org Festival SIBLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL hopkinsmedicine.org/sibley-memorialhospital Festival SIGNATURE THEATRE www.sigtheatre.org Festival SIX FLAGS AMERICA sixflags.com/america Festival SLALOM www.slalom.com Parade; Festival; Sponsor SMITHSONIAN GLOBE si.edu Parade SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION www.si.edu Festival Page 112

SMYAL www.smyal.org

SMYAL supports and empowers LGBTQ youth in the Washington, DC metro region. Through youth leadership, SMYAL creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to build self-confidence, develop critical life skills, and engage their peers and community through service and advocacy

Parade; Pride Partner SODEXO www.sodexousa.com Parade; Sponsor [SOLIDCORE] www.solidcore.co Parade

SPORTROCK CLIMBING CENTERS www.sportrock.com Festival ST MARGARET’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH www.stmargaretsdc.org Parade ST. GEORGE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH stgeorgesglenndale.org Festival; Parade ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH www.stjohnsnorwood.org Parade ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCHLAFAYETTE SQUARE stjohns-dc.org Parade STARBUCKS PRIDE ALLIANCE www.starbucks.com/community Parade; Festival; Sponsor STATE FARM www.statefarm.com Parade; Festival; Sponsor STUDIO THEATRE www.studiotheatre.org Parade; Festival; Sponsor TACO BAMBA TAQUERIA www.tacobamba.com Festival TASTE Parade TD BANK www.tdbank.com Parade; Sponsor

TEAM DC www.teamdc.org

Team DC is the association of LGBTQ sports clubs in the greater Washington DC region and are supporting the bid to host Gay Games XI in DC in 2022.

Parade; Festival; Pride Partner TEETURTLE www.teeturtle.com Festival

TEMPLE EMANUEL OF KENSINGTON MD www.templeemanuelmd.org Festival THE ADVISORY BOARD COMPANY www.advisory.com/ Parade THE BARKER ADOPTION FOUNDATION PROJECT WAIT NO LONGER www.barkeradoptionfoundation.org Festival THE CHANGE PROJECT www.embodyprogress.org Festival THE CHERRY FUND www.cherryfund.org

The Cherry Fund, established in 1996, and located in Washington, DC, is a not-for-profit, all-volunteer organization that serves as a spark to ignite the dance music community for a greater good. The Cherry Fund actively raises funds to support the HIV/AIDS service and prevention community via charity dance events

Pride Partner; Production Partner

THE CHICAGO SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AT WASHINGTON, D.C. www.thechicagoschool.edu Festival THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE ON AGING www.dcoa.dc.gov Parade; Festival THE FIELD SCHOOL www.fieldschool.org Parade THE FLAGGOTS www.flaggots.org Parade CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

Parade & Festival Participants ENTRIES IN PINK SPONSORS, IN PURPLE PRIDE PARTNERS, ACCURATE AS OF PRINT DATE OF MAY 15, 2017

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF WASHINGTON DC

www.gmcw.org Since 1981, GMCW has been a national voice for change and equality, through our artistry and outreach. Parade; Festival; Pride Partner THE GAYME www.thegay.me Festival THE KENNEDY CENTER www.kennedy-center.org Festival THE MOTLEY FOOL www.fool.com Festival THE NATURE CONSERVANCY www.nature.org Parade THE OUTRAGE www.the-outrage.com Festival; Sponsor THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION www.PhillipsCollection.org Festival THE PRIDE ARTIST Theprideartist.com Festival THE REEF TEAM~TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY www.SellingMetroDC.com Festival; Sponsor THE TREVOR PROJECT thetrevorproject.org Parade; Festival THINKCUTER www.thinkcuter.com Festival THOMPSON CREEK WINDOWS www.thompsoncreek.com Festival

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS OF DC, MD, VA & THE WASHINGTON ETHICAL SOCIETY Parade; Festival UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA www.foundryumc.org/ Festival; Parade UPS www.ups.com Parade; Festival; Sponsor USTA MID-ATLANTIC SECTION www.midatlantic.usta.com Festival VIDA www.vidafitness.com Parade; Festival; Sponsor VIIV HEALTHCARE www.viivhealthcare.com Festival; Sponsor VIRGINIA TECH EX LAPIDE: LGBTQ+ ALUMNI SOCIETY inclusive.vt.edu/alumni/el.html Festival WASHINGTON BLADE www.washingtonblade.com Parade; Festival; Sponsor WASHINGTON BLADE FOUNDATION www.washingtonbladefoundation.org

The Washington Blade Foundation was founded in 2010 initially to fund the digitization of the full 47-year print and photo archive of the paper to make it free and publicly accessible. The Foundation is now shifting its focus to raising money to fund enterprise journalism projects in Latin America and other areas where LGBT advocacy work and visibility remain limited.

Pride Partner

WASHINGTON ETHICAL SOCIETY www.ethicalsociety.org Festival

TREKR ADVENTURES www.trekr.org Festival

WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL www.cathedral.org Parade

U.S. PEACE CORPS www.peacecorps.gov Parade

WC SMITH www.wcsmith.com Parade

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CAPITAL PRIDE 2017

WE THE PEOPLE CLOTHING www.wethepeopleclothing.com Festival WELLS FARGO www.wellsfargo.com Parade; Sponsor WHEATON COLLEGE (MA) www.wheatoncollege.edu Parade WHITMAN-WALKER HEALTH www.whitman-walker.org/

Whitman-Walker’s mission is to be the highest quality, culturally competent community health center serving greater Washington’s diverse urban community, including individuals who face barriers to accessing care, and with a special expertise in LGBTQ and HIV care.

Parade; Festival: Sponsor; Pride Partner WOOLLY MAMMOTH THEATRE COMPANY www.woollymammoth.net Festival WORLD BANK GLOBE AND IMF GLOBE www.worldbank.org Parade YRFV www.yrfv.org Parade GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY LGBTQA RESOURCE CENTER www.gallaudet.edu Parade; Festival METRO DC PFLAG pflagdc.org Parade; Festival

HELP KEEP CAPITAL PRIDE FREE Please

GIVE GENEROUSLY WHEN YOU SEE A BUCKET BRIGADE COLLECTOR Page 113

SHOWS ON SALE NOW!

JUN 11 THE B-52s

THE ROMANTICS

JUL 15 THE TENORS

NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

JUL 18 + 19 MAMMA MIA!

FAREWELL TOUR

STEVEN REINEKE, CONDUCTOR

JUL 25 DIANA ROSS

AUG 4 LA LA LAND IN CONCERT

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