D.C. government to hold ‘LGBTQIA+ Emergency Training’ event

D.C. ayor uriel Bowser s ffice of B ffairs and the city’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management gency are inviting all B I non-profit leaders, management and event production staff to attend a firstof-its-kind LGBTQ community Emergency Preparedness Event scheduled for April 5.

he event, officially called an B I Emergency Preparedness Training, will be held at the headquarters of the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency at 1015 Half St., S.E.

on-profit partners will receive a special briefing on potential crime trends and threats,” an announcement of the event issued by the mayor s office says. he reparedness Training will teach partners how to assess behavioral threats, manage risk factors such as warning signs of violence,” the announcement continues.

“Partners will also hear more information about how to apply for non-profit security grant programs to support physical security enhancements,” according to the an-

Md.

nouncement.

aper Bowles, director of the ayor s ffice of B Affairs, sent an email invitation on Tuesday, March 21, to various LGBTQ community leaders to attend the event. In his email message Bowles told of why an emergency preparedness training may be needed.

“We are a strong and diverse LGBTQIA+ community, even though we are increasingly under threat of violence for being who we are, for loving who we love, and for creating spaces for our community to do the same,” Bowles wrote. “I commend you all; we must continue to support each other and share resources!”

The training session announced by Bowles and the mayor s office was scheduled to take place about four months after D.C. police announced they were stepping up police patrols around LGBTQ events and establishments, including gay bars, following the Nov. 19 shooting incident at a Colorado Springs gay nightclub called Club Q. -year-old lone gunman later identified as nderson