Arts & Entertainment

Queery: Ryan Bos

The Capital Pride director answers 20 gay questions

Published

12 years ago

June 7, 2012

Joey DiGuglielmo

Ryan Bos (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Ryan Bos switched gears after a 15-year career working in residential life on campus at University of Maryland Baltimore County last October to take the reins at Capital Pride where he’s executive director.

“It was really a way of getting back to my passion and what I grew up with,” the 38-year-old gay Michigan City, Ind., native says. “My family had always been involved in non-profit work. For years, we coordinated a large ethnic musical festival back in northwest Indiana, so I grew up with this kind of work.”

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Bos says his new job has brought with it, as one would imagine, a learning curve, but he says now that Pride season is here, things are coming together.

“The events so far have surpassed my expectations,” he says. “I’m really excited about the weekend.”

Bos says LGBT Washingtonians have an exciting weekend in store.

“I think so many people see it as just the parade and the festival and it’s so much more than that,” he says. “It really is an opportunity to ‘be true, be you.’ … It’s a time to really celebrate, let your hair down and be yourself.”

Bos is single and says he’s content to be so. Before coming to this area — he first landed in Catonsville, Md., but has been living in D.C. the past three years — he was in Muncie, Ind., earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Ball State University.

Bos lives in the Mount Vernon Square area and enjoys swimming, softball, volunteering, running and watching TV in his free time.

For more on Capital Pride, see pages 60-68 or visit capitalpride.org.

How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?

I’ve been out to myself since 20, been out to the family since 22. It was hardest telling my parents.

Who’s your LGBT hero?

I’d have to give props to Ellen.

What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?

I miss Nation, but also really enjoyed Tracks, which was around for one more year when I moved to the area. The closing party was one of my favorite nights. Nothing like closing the place down with a breakfast buffet at the end of the night (morning) and sitting down on the dance floor eating scrambled eggs, bacon and pancakes.

Describe your dream wedding.

Not sure I’ll ever get married, but if I were it would be simple with family and close friends. Honeymoon would involve an element of nature and adventure.

What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about?

Classism

What historical outcome would you change?

The assassination of Martin Luther King. I’m curious if he’d still be alive if the LGBT movement would have made progress much quicker.

What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?

I’d have to say Michael Jackson and MTV. I can still remember the night the “Thriller” video debuted.

On what do you insist?

Non-smoking

What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?

I think I may have either severely sprained or broke my ankle.

If your life were a book, what would the title be?

“A Life of Contradiction”

If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?

Nothing

What do you believe in beyond the physical world?

That our energy is interconnected and we evolve into something else. I do believe there is something greater than us.

What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?

Don’t waste time on debating what issue to fight for next. Just fight and stand up for what you believe. There’s plenty of resources and agencies that we can support and fight from all sides.

What would you walk across hot coals for?

Dark chocolate, but also to help my family and close friends.

What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?

None really annoy me because our community is so diverse. What annoys me is when people don’t acknowledge the diversity within our community.

What’s your favorite LGBT movie?

“Broken Hearts Club”

What’s the most overrated social custom?

Shaving

What trophy or prize do you most covet?

My finishing medal from the first marathon I did.

What do you wish you’d known at 18?

That it’s OK to “Be True. Be You!” I actually wish I would have known that and had the confidence to be that much younger, especially through high school.

Why Washington?

There’s so much energy in this region. I love the diversity within the District but also the ease of travel to areas close by like Baltimore, Philly, NYC, Rehoboth, etc.

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Sign up now to join the annual Front Runners Pride Run 5K. The event is 85 percent sold out. The event is Friday, June 7 at Historic Congressional Cemetery.

Join more than 1,000 runners and walkers as they kick off Pride weekend 2024. When registering please consider donating to one of the event’s charity partners. This year’s race proceeds benefit local LGBTQ and disenfranchised youth organizations, including the Team DC Student-Athlete Scholarship, Wanda Alston Foundation, Blade Foundation, Ainsley’s Angels of America (National Capital Region), Pride365 and SMYAL. Visit DCPriderun.com to register or to donate.

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Civil rights commission to celebrate queer life

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(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights will host “Celebrating Progress and Centering Joy” on Thursday, June 6 at 12 p.m. virtually.

This event is a virtual panel discussion, as the commission celebrates the progress in LGBTQIA+ rights and center joy within the community.

This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Calendar

Calendar: May 17-23

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

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Friday, May 17

Center Aging Friday Tea Time will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults! Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, email [email protected].

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Speed Friending” at 7 p.m. at Puro Gusto. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including Allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, May 18

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Sunday, May 19

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Dinner” at 7 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

AfroCode DC will be at 4 p.m. at Decades DC. This event will be an experience of non-stop music, dancing, and good vibes and a crossover of genres and a fusion of cultures. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Monday, May 20

Center Aging: Monday Coffee & Conversation will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of their choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Go Gay DC will host “Out and About in Shirlington LGBTQ+ Happy Hour” at 6 p.m. at Palette 22. About 30 LGBTQ folk are expected. Palette 22 offers modern street food spanning the globe served in a bustling art studio & gallery atmosphere. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Tuesday, May 21

Pride on the Patio Events will host “LGBTQ Social Mixer” at 5:30 p.m. at Showroom. Dress is casual, fancy, or comfortable. Guests are encouraged to bring their most authentic self to chat, laugh, and get a little crazy. Admission is free and more details are on Eventbrite.

Bi Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting. For more details, visit Facebook or Meetup.

Wednesday, May 22

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Asexual and Aromantic Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].

Thursday, May 23

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.

Virtual Yoga with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.