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Comings & Goings
Beeker joins Church in Bethesda; Fyala takes over at GMCW


The ‘Comings & Goings’ column chronicles important life changes of Blade readers.
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 Rev. Jefferson C. Beeker who has begun his new ministry at Church in Bethesda. According to Beeker, “the church stands as a beacon of light for new hope and possibility that through Christ’s welcoming, unconditional and inclusive embrace we can all experience a deep and meaningful relationship with Spirit/God, as well as with one another. An open and affirming congregation, all are welcome to join in this amazing ministry.”

Rev. Jefferson C. Beeker
Beeker was born and raised in D.C., growing up with a keen interest in theater, government and a passion for American history. Prior to going into the ministry he worked in the entertainment industry in D.C., New York and Los Angeles. Growing up in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) his family members have been part of the denomination for six generations.
Beeker received his master’s in divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary in Pasadena.
“I am gay, single and excited to be living again in Washington, D.C.,” he said. “To me, it is one of the most thrilling cities I have ever lived in. Growing up gay I never thought a life in ministry would be possible.”
Congratulations to Justin Fyala, who was named the new executive director of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. (GMCW) effective Aug. 15. Fyala joins the Chorus with more than 12 years of nonprofit management experience. He spent the past five years leading the Windy City Gay Chorus and Treble Quire, The Youth Choral Theater of Chicago, and Bella Voce, focusing on fundraising and organizational growth. Rob Hall, chair of the GMCW board said, “We are delighted to have found someone with such a full complement of talents. Justin’s work in Chicago with a great LGBTQ chorus, an impressive youth group and other choirs impressed the selection committee and board leaders.”

Justin Fyala
“Choral singing has been a part of my life every day since I was 10 years old,” Fyala said. “My voice changed early and my teacher didn’t know what to do with me, so she made me the narrator. Instead of being ruffled by the experience, I began to devour recordings and books to learn all I could about this magical art form. I am deeply honored to bring my experiences to the GMCW family and to work with some of the most inspiring choral artists in the nation.”
Fyala holds a master’s in arts management from Carnegie Mellon University, studied voice at the University of North Texas, and has a bachelor’s in choral music education from the Pennsylvania State University.
And finally, congratulations are also due to Joseph Poduslo, who was recently promoted to senior vice president at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. Poduslo has earned a reputation as a leader with a genuinely caring and personal approach and has more than 12 years of experience in the D.C. Metro real estate market. Poduslo is also a 10-time top producer and is ranked one of the top real estate professionals nationwide.
When Poduslo is not working, you might find him at one of the many charities he is involved with. He enjoys golf, tennis, sailing and music.

Joseph Poduslo
World Pride 2025
Episcopal bishop to speak at WorldPride human rights conference
Trump demanded apology from Mariann Edgar Budde over post-Inauguration sermon

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde is among those who are scheduled to speak at the WorldPride 2025 Human Rights Conference that will take place from June 4-6.
Budde, who is the bishop of the Diocese of Washington, in January urged President Donald Trump “to have mercy” on LGBTQ people, immigrants, and others “who are scared right now” during a post-Inauguration service that he and Vice President JD Vance attended at the Washington National Cathedral. Trump criticized Budde’s comments and demanded an apology.
The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde speaks at the Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 21, 2025. (PBS NewsHour clip)
A press release the Washington Blade received notes Icelandic Industries Minister Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, UK Black Pride founder Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, and Bob the Drag Queen are among those who are also expected to participate in the conference.
The conference will take place at the JW Marriott (1331 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) and registration is open here.
World Pride 2025
Pabllo Vittar to perform at WorldPride
Brazilian drag queen, singer, joined Madonna on stage in 2024 Rio concert

A Brazilian drag queen and singer who performed with Madonna at her 2024 concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach will perform at WorldPride.
The Capital Pride Alliance on Thursday announced Pabllo Vittar will perform on the Main Stage of the main party that will take place on June 7 at DCBX (1235 W St., N.E.) in Northeast D.C.
Vittar and Anitta, a Brazilian pop star who is bisexual, on May 4, 2024, joined Madonna on stage at her free concert, which was the last one of her Celebration Tour. Authorities estimated 1.6 million people attended.
District of Columbia
$3.7 billion RFK stadium proposal draws support from Team DC
Washington Commanders ‘proud’ to champion LGBTQ community

Miguel Ayala, president of the D.C. LGBTQ sports organization Team D.C., has expressed support for the $3.7 billion deal reached between Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Washington Commanders football team to bring the team back to D.C. in a redeveloped site on the grounds of the city’s long shuttered RFK stadium.
With the deal calling for the city to provide $1 billion in taxpayer funds for infrastructure related costs for the massive redevelopment project — and with the Commanders to provide the remaining $2.7 billion — as of this week the deal did not have majority support on the D.C. Council, which must vote to approve it.
Ayala’s support for the project on behalf of Team D.C. raises the question of whether members of the city’s influential LGBTQ community might play some role in urging the D.C. Council to approve the project.
The proposal comes at a time when the Washington Commanders team includes a message of support for the LGBTQ community on its website. The message follows its hosting last October of its 4th annual LGBTQ Pride Night Out at the Commanders game against the Cleveland Browns.
“The Washington Commanders are proud to champion the LGBTQ+ community and its allies,” the team states on its website. “Through the unifying power of sports, we aim to create a culture where all feel welcome and celebrated.”
In a statement released to the Washington Blade, Ayala points out that the Commanders are among every D.C.-based professional sports team that hosts a Pride Night Out event, which Team DC helps to organize.
“Each year, our events have grown stronger, with vibrant tailgates, on-field celebrations, and powerful moments that shine a spotlight on our community,” Ayala said. “We can’t wait to kick off our first Night Out at the Commanders Stadium in 2030.”
He was referring to plans by the Commanders organization and the D.C. mayor’s office to have the stadium deal approved by the D.C. Council in July, with construction of the new stadium to begin then, and with a planned completion in time for the 2030 professional football season.
Ayala also points out that the RFK stadium grounds currently serve as home to LGBTQ-related sports activity, including the D.C. Gay Flag Football League and the D.C. Front Runners group. He added that the RFK grounds will serve as the playing fields for this year’s WorldPride Capital Cup sports competition, where LGBTQ rugby and soccer teams from around the world will compete.
“This new stadium will be more than just a field – it will be a powerful new addition to the vibrant, diverse, and proud communities we champion every day,” he said in his statement.
At an April 28 news conference, Bowser, Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris and other city officials provided details of the stadium project, noting that it includes a massive development of the new stadium and the surrounding 180 acres of land.
In addition to the 65,000-seat domed stadium, officials said the project would include 5,000 to 6,000 residential housing units, with 30 percent designated as “affordable” for low- and moderate-income residents. They said the project would also include parks and recreation areas, hotels, restaurants, retail, and neighborhood amenities.
“As we focus on the growth of our economy, we’re not only bringing our team home, but we’re also bringing new jobs and new revenue to our city and to Ward 7,” Bowser said in a statement
Opponents of the project, including D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large), have said they don’t believe the city should use its own funds for a stadium and the related development.
So far, just four Council members have expressed support for the project. Mendelson and two other Council members have expressed opposition, and the remaining five have not yet said whether they would vote for or against it. The project needs seven of the current 12-member Council for it to be approved.
Council member Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5), the Council’s only gay member, who initially had not taken a position on the proposal, this week said he was looking at the project more favorably, according to news media reports.
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