Local
Blackburn, Chism wed
Keith Blackburn and Deven Chism were married in Washington on Sept. 17. They live in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., but chose to marry in the District because of their ties to the area and the lack of same-sex marriage rights in Florida.
The couple has been together four-and-a-half years. Blackburn is a native Washingtonian and was the broker/owner of Keith Blackburn Real Estate. In South Florida, he founded Rainbow Reality and is a broker associate with Weichert Realtors in Fort Lauderdale. He owns a vacation rentals website, Pink Vacation Rentals, and is the founder of Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
Chism, who is changing his last name to Blackburn, is from Santa Barbara, Calif. He works for the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association.
The ceremony was a private event at the National Arboretum followed by a small reception in Annapolis and another in Washington the next evening at Zaytinya. They also plan a small gathering in Fort Lauderdale for their friends there.
They met at a social event.
CLARIFICATION
A story in the Sept. 23 edition (“Black LGBT leaders meet for six-day confab”) reported that Spike Lee produced the film “PARIAH.” He served as executive producer; Nekisa Cooper was the producer.
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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