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].

GLASS Caucus Board (Photo courtesy GLASS Caucus)

Congratulations to the new officers of the Gay, Lesbian and Allies Senate staff Caucus. GLASS caucus is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization open to all. Its purpose is to raise awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQ community, increase visibility and promote the welfare and dignity of LGBTQ employees of the United States Senate by providing a safe environment for social interaction and professional development.

 The new officers are: Co-chair: Robert Curis (Sen. Debbie Stabenow); Co-chair: Tré Easton (Sen. Patty Murray); Treasurer: Peter Narby (Sen. Jeff Merkley); Secretary: Trelaine Ito (Sen. Brian Schatz); Social Engagement Director: Hans Hansen (Senate Sergeant at Arms); Membership Engagement Director: Russell Page (Sen. Martin Heinrich); Communications Director: Wyatt Larkin (Sen. Mark Warner).

The new leadership team was elected by a vote of GLASS Caucus members. GLASS Caucus co-chairs Robert Curis and Tré Easton released the following statement. “We look forward to a productive year of enhancing membership engagement, creating new opportunities for our members, and serving as a resource to make the Senate a more affirming and inclusive workplace.”  They added “To that end, the GLASS Caucus will make it a priority to improve the representation of LGBTQ staffers — of queer women and people of color, in particular — on Capitol Hill. Many offices on both sides of the aisle can and should do more to make their staffs more representative of their constituencies, and we stand ready to help in those important efforts.”

The GLASS Caucus currently has two vacancies on the Steering Committee. In an effort to provide inclusive and representative leadership, GLASS encourages LGBTQ women, Republicans, staffers of color, and other underrepresented staff to apply. Staff interested in becoming involved with the GLASS Caucus can visit  glasscaucus.org or email [email protected].

Congratulations also to Michael J. Heenan who not long ago joined Quorum as a Business Development Account Executive. Quorum bills itself “as the most comprehensive database of legislative information.” This is clearly information both for-profit and non-profit organizations in the DC area will find very useful. Their clients range from Walmart to the National Restaurant Association.

Michael brings a wealth of experience to his position. Most recently he worked for the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) as Assistant Director, Communications. He was their key media lead on legislative and political issues related to higher education, infrastucture, pensions, immigration and healthcare. He has also had experience working at Burson Marsteller,  and Microsoft, Inc. He worked on the Hill working as Office Administrator for Congressman Eric J.J. Massa (NY-29) and was Assistant to the Iowa Field Director Hillary Clinton for President Campaign 2008. Michael has his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & International Affairs from The George Washington University, Washington, DC.  Michael told me Quorum is hiring so if you are in the job market take a look.

Michael Heenan (Photo courtesy of Heenan)

Congratulations also to one of our community’s icons Mitchell Gold. What a great surprise to get the Washington Post magazine this past weekend and see him on the cover. It’s great to see Mitchell‘s work receiving the recognition it deserves in a mainstream media publication in such a big way. Many in the D.C. community know Mitchell from his store Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams on 14^th Street and many have been at one of the countless events he hosts for numerous non-profit organizations. His generosity is legendary. Others know him from the stores in their communities. But this magazine article illuminated all he does in the community of Alexander County, N.C., where he manufactures his furniture and near the place he makes his home.

We know Mitchell has made a lifelong commitment to get religious groups to understand, accept and welcome the LGBTQ+ community. He believes until they do we will never receive cultural equity no matter what the law says. Recently the organization Mitchell founded, Faith in America has joined with the Tyler Clementi Foundation to end religious-based bullying.

Mitchell Gold was featured on the cover of the Washington Post Magazine last weekend. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)