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D.C. has highest self-identified LGBT population in U.S.

Vermont comes in as the number one state

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Terry Stone, gay news, Washington Blade

Rise & Resist, LGBTQ History Month, gay news, Washington Blade

D.C. has the largest number of self-identifying LGBT adults in the United States, according to a recent Gallup poll.

The report found 8.6% LGBT residents in the District in 2015 and 2016, more than any state in the country. Vermont was the number one state with LGBT residents coming in at 5.3%. Followed byĀ Massachusetts at 4.9%, California at 4.9%, Oregon at 4.9% and Nevada with 4.8%.

The states with the lowest percentage were South Dakota at 2%, North Dakota at 2.7%, Idaho at 2.8%, South Carolina at 3% and Montana at 3%.

The study found that the Pacific, Middle Atlantic and Rocky Mountain regions have had an increase in LGBT residents. The Pacific region increased by 0.7 points from 2012-2013 to 2015-2016. The Middle Atlantic and Rocky Mountain regions also increased by 0.5 points.

The increase in LGBT self-identification is partly credited towards millennials coming out more.

For a complete look at Gallup’s research, visit here.Ā 

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Comings & Goings

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Joseph Poduslo

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]

Some people are especially inspiring to write about, and one such person is Joseph Poduslo. He is justly proud of his ā€œLuminary of the Yearā€ nomination, which is granted to survivors, caregivers, and researchers, by the Brain Industry Association of America (BIAA). I urge you to take a look at its website, and maybe help Poduslo raise some funds for this incredible organization. 

ā€œI have always wanted to share my journey to help and inspire others,ā€ he said. ā€œThe brain is the most amazing creation and retraining the brain takes time and effort. But Iā€™m doing it.ā€ You can read his story in his own words. You will find it as inspiring as I did.  

After spending time with his family in Texas, he is now back in D.C. He is Senior Vice President, and founding agent, the Poduslo Group. His bio notes, ā€œHis work for his real estate clients has garnered him industry-wide recognition. Joseph has been featured in the Washington Post, NBC, CNN, and in 2018, Washington Life Magazineā€™s ā€˜Most Influential Business Person Under Forty.ā€™ ā€¦ When Joseph is not redefining the real estate industry, he has invested in numerous small businesses and restaurants in downtown D.C. over the last 17 years. He founded the D.C. Progressive Dinner, an organization that helps SMYAL, a local non-profit. Joseph formerly served on the Capital Alliance Board in the DC area.ā€

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Delaware

GOP candidate in Del. House race expresses LGBTQ support

Simpler says trans residents deserve protection from discrimination

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(Image by larich/Bigstock)

Early voting is underway in Delaware and one race that has captivated the LGBTQ community is the 14th District House seat being vacated by longtime ally Pete Schwartzkopf. Claire Snyder-Hall, a lesbian, won the Democratic primary and faces Republican Mike Simpler. But Simpler says the LGBTQ community shouldn’t discount him simply because he’s a Republican.

ā€œI was kind of upset that they would even think of me being a Republican, that I would discriminate against the LGBTQ community in general,ā€ Simpler told the Blade. ā€œIt’s kind of upsetting knowing that I’m born and raised here, and I’ve had family members that way. I mean the treasurer of my campaign is a lesbian. It’s just upsetting that people feel that way about the gay community in general.ā€ 

Simpler, a lifelong resident of Sussex County and the current president of the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company said that his experience in the role has allowed him to work alongside many different types of people, including members of the LGBTQ community. 

ā€œWe probably have the most diverse fire company in the state of Delaware, when it comes to the LGBTQ group,ā€ he said. ā€œPeople need to realize that the LGBTQ [community] is no different than the rest of the people in the world.ā€

Simpler also shared with the Blade that he has had firsthand experience with a unique aspect of LGBTQ culture ā€” drag. He dressed up in drag at a fundraiser held at The Pines, a popular gay venue in Rehoboth Beach.

ā€œI was asked to volunteer for a fundraiser, and next thing you know, I find out Iā€™m going to be in drag at The Pines,ā€ Simpler said. ā€œWe had a ball! I mean, I had so much fun.ā€   

Not only did Simpler definitively say he supports the LGBTQ community in Delaware, but he added he supports legislative protections for these communities. He pointed out that providing a safe space for marginalized communities is ingrained in American history.  

ā€œProtect them,ā€ he said when asked about the potential of supporting pro-transgender legislation amid a wave of anti-LGBTQ state legislation being passed nationwide. ā€œYou’ve got to. They’re trying to escape. For example, they’re trying to escape the process like the Jews did, like the Chinese when they came here. They’re trying to move away from an issue where they’re being prosecuted against to somewhere where they can be free and enjoy their life that they want to live.ā€ 

In addition to promising LGBTQ support, Simpler says he backs smarter growth in the region by prioritizing better development and efforts to alleviate traffic. He also pledges to attract high-quality jobs to the region.

Simpler faces Synder-Hall in the Nov. 5 general election. Read the Bladeā€™s profile of her, here: https://www.washingtonblade.com/2024/09/24/claire-snyder-hall-interview/

Early voting is already underway. 

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Virginia

New Virginia license plate celebrates LGBTQ diversity

450 applications needed for it to become official option

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(Image courtesy of Diversity Richmond)

Diversity Richmond has designed a license plate that allows Virginia drivers to celebrate and raise the visibility of LGBTQ diversity. The Virginia-based LGBTQ nonprofit needs 450 applications by January for the plate to become an official state option. 

The license plate design features a group of hands stacked on top of each other in the far left corner, and the Progress Pride flag runs horizontally across the bottom of the plate. The words ā€œCelebrate Diversityā€ are prominently displayed over the flag. 

Rev. Dr. Lacette Cross, executive director of Diversity Richmond, said the design celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ community.

ā€œ[The design] reflects the diversity of the intersecting identities of our community,ā€ she said.  

Applications are available on Diversity Richmondā€™s website, and the license plate costs $25. Once completed, applicants should email the form to Diversity Richmond, not to the Virginia DMV, as Diversity Richmond will submit both the applications and fees to the DMV on their behalf.

If the organization gathers 450 applications and payments by the start of the 2025 Virginia General Assembly session in January, Del. Betsy B. Carr (D-Richmond) will sponsor the plate through the approval process to make it an official option. 

The initiative also serves as a fundraiser for Diversity Richmond, which will receive a portion of the proceeds from the license plate registration fees. 

ā€œThe ultimate benefit,ā€ Cross said, ā€œis the continual visibility of LGBTQ persons, our allies, and our supporters that are driving around the Commonwealth of Virginia, spreading the message of acceptance and of allyship.ā€

She described Diversity Richmond as the hub of the LGBTQ community in Greater Richmond, noting the organizationā€™s ā€œreally dynamicā€ work within the community. The nonprofit runs the popular thrift store Diversity Thrift, hosts the annual Virginia Pridefest in September, and exhibits the work of LGBTQ artists in its art gallery.

Diversity Richmond is planning to celebrate its 25th anniversary with a public party at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture on Wednesday, Nov. 13. 

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