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HIV org moves into ‘Real World’ house & more
HIV org moves into ‘Real World’ house
One of the nation’s largest HIV non-profit organizations is taking over the Dupont Circle home used for filming MTV’s “Real World D.C.”
HealthHIV is leasing the property at 2000 S St., N.W. and will use it to house its 20-person staff, which works to advance effective prevention, care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS or who are at risk of contracting the disease.
“It is a highly recognizable location that allows us to raise public awareness of HIV in Washington and nationwide,” Brian Hujdich, HealthHIV’s executive director, said in a statement.
“As a non-profit, our move made sense since we have a favorable lease which allows us to repurpose materials from the ‘Real World D.C.’ and use the space as not only an office, but as a community center and a modest studio for taping web-based trainings.”
An estimated 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. That number includes 15,120 people in D.C. — a total that represents 3 percent of the city’s population.
JOSHUA LYNSEN
Arrest made in trans bias assaults
The D.C. police department’s Gay & Lesbian and Latino liaison units joined forces last week to assist in the arrest of a male suspect who reportedly used a metal pipe to assault two Latino transgender people, according to Sgt. Carlos Mejia, who heads both units.
“The investigation further revealed that the suspect attacked the complainants because of their gender identity,” Mejia said in a statement. “One of the [victims] sustained injuries from the attack and received medical treatment.”
He said the suspect, who was not identified in the statement, was arrested on the scene and charged with bias-related assault with a dangerous weapon, an offense considered a hate crime under city law. The alleged incident occurred March 13 near 14th and Shepherd streets, N.W.
Mejia did not disclose in his statement whether the transgender victims were male or female.
LOU CHIBBARO JR.
Equality Maryland names trans field organizer
Equality Maryland announced March 15 the appointment of Owen Smith as its new field organizer for transgender equality issues.
A resident of Baltimore, Smith comes to Equality Maryland with experience in both teaching and advocating on behalf of the transgender community. He will work with the Equality Maryland staff to develop programming and policy efforts to meet the needs of Maryland’s transgender community.
“Owen has been involved in transgender activism and gender justice work in Maryland for many years,” said Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Equality Maryland’s executive director. “We are confident that Owen will be a valuable asset in our work to ensure that all Marylanders are treated equally under the law.”
Among the tasks Smith is slated to help with are coordinating grassroots efforts in Annapolis, developing a speaker’s bureau and continuing coalition work within the areas of homelessness and poverty work.
“I am passionate about celebrating and sustaining gender justice and equality,” Smith said. “I am also interested in examining the intersection of gender, race and sexual orientation to make connections within all social justice communities.”
Smith comes to Equality Maryland with advocacy experience. He has testified in the Maryland House of Delegates and Maryland Senate regarding discrimination based on gender identity, and was part of efforts that halted a planned change regarding gender markers on state driver’s licenses.
STEVE CHARING/BALTIMORE OUTLoud
Maryland
Layoffs and confusion at Pride Center of Maryland after federal grants cut, reinstated
Trump administration move panicked addiction and mental health programs
By ALISSA ZHU | After learning it had abruptly lost $2 million in federal funding, the Pride Center of Maryland moved to lay off a dozen employees, or about a third of its workforce, the Baltimore nonprofit’s leader said Thursday.
The group is one of thousands nationwide that reportedly received letters late Tuesday from the Trump administration. Their mental health and addiction grants had been terminated, effective immediately, the letters said.
By Wednesday night, federal officials moved to reverse the funding cuts by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, estimated to total $2 billion, according to national media reports. But the Pride Center of Maryland’s CEO Cleo Manago said as of Thursday morning he had not heard anything from the federal government confirming those reports.
The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].
Congratulations to Vida Rangel, JD/MPP on her promotion to Deputy Director of the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments. Rangel is now the highest-ranking transgender official in the history of District government. On accepting the position Rangel said, “I am proud to step into this leadership role and to continue serving my communities. Our District is full of passionate and knowledgeable people who are committed to public service, and it is an honor to help them explore opportunities to serve their neighbors.”
Rangel has previously served in this office as Director of Operations. Prior to this as Bargaining Committee Chair, Organizing Committee, NCTE United, Nonprofit Professional Employees Union IFTPE Local 70. As Policy Counsel, National Center for Transgender Equality; and Elizabeth Warren for President, lead organizer, Illinois 4th Congressional District. She has worked with, and served on boards of, The Black & Pink National, Federal City Performing Arts Assoc., and LAGBAC.
Rangel earned her bachelor’s in sociology from Sam Houston State University; master’s of Public Policy from Loyola University, Chicago; and Juris Doctor, Loyola University, Chicago.
Congratulations also to James Conlon new PFLAG vice president of Development & Philanthropic Partnerships. Upon his appointment Conlon said, “It is an absolute privilege to join PFLAG National and lead their Development & Philanthropic Partner team into a new era. Right now, LGBTQ+ people and their families are terrified of what the future might bring, and PFLAG must continue to be there. My job is to ensure PFLAG strongly endures and thrives, because never has there been a clearer time for our community to unite in fighting for the dignity and well-being of every LGBTQ+ person.”
Brian Bond, CEO, PFLAG National, said, “At a time when PFLAG National programs and participation in them have grown significantly, even as corporate giving has left a $1.3M gap in our funding, James is a critical new addition to the team. With his vast expertise, James will drive our growth and ensure that PFLAG continues meeting the needs of families and communities across the country.”
Conlon is a seasoned fundraiser who has spent extensive time working with advocates, supporters, and leaders, of the LGBTQ+ movement to understand how to effectively support the community. He began his career as an intern in the Massachusetts State House. He has helped raise more than $60 million for critical causes and candidates. Prior to joining PFLAG James oversaw LGBTQ+ investments and fundraising, with the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Prior to that he served in the same role for Harris-Walz 2024, and additionally served in senior fundraising positions for the Senate Majority PAC, as well as for Representatives Josh Gottheimer, and Conor Lamb.
Conlon earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and government from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
District of Columbia
D.C.’s annual MLK Peace Walk and Parade set for Jan. 19
LGBTQ participants expected to join mayor’s contingent
Similar to past years, members of the LGBTQ community were expected to participate in D.C.’s 21st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Peace Walk and Parade scheduled to take place Monday, Jan. 19.
Organizers announced this year’s Peace Walk, which takes place ahead of the parade, was scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. at the site of a Peace Rally set to begin at 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of Firth Sterling Avenue and Sumner Road, S.E., a short distance from Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.
The Peace Walk and the parade, which is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at the same location, will each travel along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue a little over a half mile to Marion Barry Avenue near the 11th Street Bridge where they will end.
Japer Bowles, director of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, said he and members of his staff would be marching in the parade as part of the mayor’s parade contingent. In past years, LGBTQ community members have also joined the mayor’s parade contingent.
Stuart Anderson, one of the MLK Day parade organizers, said he was not aware of any specific LGBTQ organizations that had signed up as a parade contingent for this year’s parade. LGBTQ group contingents have joined the parade in past years.
Denise Rolark Barnes, one of the lead D.C. MLK Day event organizers, said LGBTQ participants often join parade contingents associated with other organizations.
Barnes said a Health and Wellness Fair was scheduled to take place on the day of the parade along the parade route in a PNC Bank parking lot at 2031 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., S.E.
A statement on the D.C. MLK Day website describes the parade’s history and impact on the community.
“Established to honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the parade united residents of Ward 8, the District, and the entire region in the national movement to make Dr. King’s birthday a federal holiday,” the statement says. “Today, the parade not only celebrates its historic roots but also promotes peace and non-violence, spotlights organizations that serve the community, and showcases the talent and pride of school-aged children performing for family, friends, and community members.”
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