Local
Univ. of Md. gets new LGBT Equity official
Nicholas Sakurai has long worked on LGBT issues
Nicholas Sakurai will be the University of Maryland’s new associate director of the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equity.
According to a July 2 announcement from office director Luke Jensen, Sakurai has more than 10 years experience working on LGBT issues in higher education, including working as an assistant in the LGBT Resource Center at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Sakurai also was the director of the LGBT Student Empowerment Project of the U.S. Student Association Foundation, and organized the first LGBT Student of Color National Summit. As member of the Executive Board of the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, he chaired an initiative advancing greater racial and ethnic inclusion within the organization.
Sakurai previously spearheaded an effort to create a transgender-inclusive employee health insurance policy at American University, which was touted as the first of its kind at a private U.S. university and the first of its kind for any employer in the mid-Atlantic region. Before joining the University of Maryland, he was program coordinator and interim director of the GLBTA Resource Center at American University.
District of Columbia
Wanda Alston Foundation launches culinary program for LGBTQ youth
Slay & Sauté campaign seeks to raise funds for cooking utensils
The Wanda Alston Foundation, the D.C. nonprofit organization that has provided housing and support services for homeless LGBTQ youth since its founding in 2008, announced it has launched a campaign to raise $15,000 for a new culinary program to “equip our LGBTQ+ youth with cooking skills, kitchen gadgets, and a taste for joy,” according to its executive director, Cesar Toledo.
In a May 14 statement, Toledo said the Alston Foundation had been selected to receive food and shelter funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, “but due to the federal freeze, it’s unlikely those critical resources will reach us.”
He said the new program being launched is in partnership with the DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K organization, an LGBTQ runners group. The funds will be used to provide 20 Alston House residents “with air fryers, rice cookers, smoothie blenders, healthy food, and condiments,” Toledo said.
He said the campaign, which has been named Slay & Sauté, is offering donors a chance to win WorldPride concert tickets if they submit their donation before June 1. His announcement says among the concerts for which tickets could be won are Grace Jones and Janelle Monae, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Werq the World, MIXTAPE Pride, and Betty Who.
“Thanks to supporters across the District, we’re able to continue providing not just shelter but comfort and joy to LGBTQ+ youth!” Toledo said in his statement.
The Opening Reception for the 34th annual D.C. Black Pride was held at the Capital Hilton on Friday, May 23. Presenters, speakers and entertainers included Ts Madison, Monroe Alise, Billy the Goat, Kerri Colby, Apple Brown Betty, Heather Mahogani, Lyrical Mar, Lolita Leopard, Ink, and Bang Garçon. Anthony Oakes was the host.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The 2025 Silver Pride Resource Fair and Tea Dance was held at the Eaton Hotel on Wednesday, May 21.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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