Local
Witeck named Arlington Human Rights Award winner
recognized as an “advocate for LGBT civil rights, particularly among corporate America”
Bob Witeck. (Courtesy photo)
Veteran LGBT rights advocate Bob Witeck, CEO and co-founder of the D.C. public relations firm Witeck-Combs Communications, has been named a recipient of Arlington County’s annual Human Rights Award.
Witeck and two others along with a community organization that were selected as this year’s winners of the James B. Hunter Human Rights Award “represent the very best in Arlington,” said Raul Torres, executive director of the Arlington Human Rights Commission.
“Through their work, they help to ensure that Arlington remains true to its vision of being a community in which each individual is important,” Torres said.
Witeck, a longtime Arlington resident, is recognized, among other things, as an “advocate for LGBT civil rights, particularly among corporate America,” a statement from the Human Rights Commission says.
Witeck’s firm has been credited with helping some of the nation’s most prominent corporations reach out to the LGBT community.
He was scheduled to accept the award at a ceremony Thursday night, Dec. 8, at the Arlington County Central Library.
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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