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Comings & Goings
Robinson named to Lambda board; Maggiano to Washington Chorus
The ‘Comings & Goings’ column chronicles important life changes of Blade readers.
The Comings and 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].
Bishop Gene Robinson has been elected to the board of directors of Lambda Legal. Robinson became the first openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire in 2003, a major step forward for the LGBT community. Robinson is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress in D.C.
Lambda Legal is the nation’s first legal organization dedicated to achieving full equality for LGBT people.
Retired Bishop V. Gene Robinson (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Congratulations also go to Chase Maggiano, who was named the new executive director of The Washington Chorus (TWC). He will begin work with TWC in July. He is currently executive director of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C.
At the Washington Chorus, Maggiano will succeed Dianne Peterson who is retiring from at the end of the 2015-2016 season after serving as the Chorus’ executive director for more than 30 years. She is the longest-serving chief administrator of a major American chorus. Speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Chorus, Board Chair Chris Denby said, “TWC is thrilled to welcome Chase to the Executive Director role. Although he has very big shoes to fill, Chase will bring tremendous leadership skills, energy, and passion to the organization. The entire Board joins me in welcoming him warmly to The Washington Chorus family.”
“I am honored to be joining The Washington Chorus family and energized to return to my classical roots,” Maggiano said. “TWC’s reputation for presenting challenging and new repertoire is a prized asset within the bountiful choral scene in Washington. I hope to honor and build on the legacy of my friend and mentor, Dianne, whose 30 years of dedication have brought TWC to national and international acclaim. As we celebrate Julian Wachner’s final season with TWC, we are well poised to find the next great maestro/a for Washington.”
Maggiano will be missed at the GMCW where he expanded the inclusivity of the mission and programming, created the first LGBTQ and allied youth chorus in Washington, and forged relationships with local and international presenters, including an historic concert tour of Cuba. Prior to joining GMCW, he served in arts education and fundraising roles at the Washington Performing Arts. Growing up locally as a classically trained violinist, Maggiano has combined his lifelong dedication to music and entrepreneurial spirit to ensure that more art happens in Washington. He remains an avid violinist and shares his perspective on the business of art at chasingtheart.com.
Chase Maggiano (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Joseph DeSanto Jones, M.Ed., has been named director of strategic initiatives at NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. NASPA’s mission is to be the principal source of leadership, scholarship, professional development, and advocacy for student affairs. As director, he will work with executive management and volunteer leaders to pursue and achieve tactical objectives of the NASPA strategic plan.
Jones has previously served NASPA as director of member engagement and community programs, where he directed various educational programs, and supported NASPA Regions, Knowledge Communities, and volunteer leaders. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park where he earned his bachelor’s in communication studies and a master’s in college student personnel.
Joseph DeSanto Jones (Photo courtesy Jones)
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].
The Comings & Goings column also invites LGBTQ+ college students to share their successes with us. If you have been elected to a student government position, landed an exciting internship, or are graduating and beginning your career with a new job, let us know so we can share your success.
Congratulations to Jaime Christopher Pierce on their appointment to serve as a member of the Virginia Governor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. Pierce was sworn in on Sept. 3 by Greg Parks, clerk of the Alexandria Circuit Court.
Pierce currently serves as vice chair of the Alexandria City LGBTQIA+ Task Force and as a member of the Alexandria Pride planning committee. They previously served on the board of directors of Equality Virginia.
Upon being sworn in, Pierce said, “Public service has been a central part of my life for more than 30 years, and this appointment gives me an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth in a different and very personal way. My career has allowed me to work with people and communities throughout Virginia, and I hope to bring that experience, along with my own lived experience and my involvement in the LGBTQ+ community, to the work of the Board.” They added, “Having Greg administer the oath makes the occasion even more meaningful because of his own historic role as Virginia’s first openly gay elected circuit court clerk.”
Pierce also serves as Circuit Court Services Manager for the Department of Judicial Services, at the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. They began their career in Virginia’s judiciary in 1994 as a deputy clerk with the Virginia Beach Circuit Court and have since held several professional and leadership positions within the court system. Pierce is a member of the National Association for Court Management (NACM) and the Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management. At the national level, Pierce participated in the workgroup that developed the National Association for Court Management’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guide, a resource designed to help court professionals advance inclusive practices and strengthen access, fairness and belonging within the justice system.
Pierce earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Liberty University, and a certificate in Paralegal Studies from Norfolk State University.
Maryland
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
Pride Center of Maryland among recipients
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.
The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.
The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants
“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.”
“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”
Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
‘Thelma and Louise’ remains landmark of unspoken queer rebellion
Comings & Goings
LGBTQ Military Happy Hour set for Sept. 15
Calendar: September 11-17
Multi-billion-dollar 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund to continue until 2090
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
Nominate your favorites for the Blade’s 25th annual Best Of LGBTQ DC Awards
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