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Comings & Goings
Coleman named development director of GMCW
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 André M. Coleman on his appointment as the first Director of Development with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. Upon accepting the position, Coleman said, “A commitment to equity, community, and sharing the transformative power of music guides every decision I make professionally. The work of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC sits directly at the intersection of these values, and I could not be more honored to lend my experiences and expertise as its very first director of development to help this already thriving organization take the next steps toward its goals. I’m eager to build on the incredible foundation laid by Justin and the team to further refine GMCW’s case for support and raise the organization’s profile to attract the attention of the largest national funders in the arts.”
Prior to joining the Chorus, Coleman worked as Associate Director of Philanthropy with Chorus America. He has worked for Washington Performing Arts, where he held a number of positions including Institutional Giving Officer. He began there as Choral Management Intern.
Coleman earned his bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance and master’s in Arts Management from George Mason University.
Congratulations also to Lars Anderson on joining Finsbury Glover Hering (FGH) as partner. Upon accepting the position Anderson said, “Throughout my career, I have sought challenges that help make a difference with a wide variety of people including underserved communities, like the LGBT+ community. I’m a proud member of the LGBT+ community and I’m excited that I’m joining a firm that embraces diversity. In my new role at FGH, I’ll be joining a great team and will expand my portfolio clients around the world.”
Prior to joining FGH Lars was Founding Partner of Bluedot Strategies. The firm designed and implemented communications, government relations, and thought leadership programs for non-profit and corporate clients. Lars worked for a number of government agencies including holding a number of positions at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including Counselor to the Administrator/Deputy Chief of Staff; with the Department of Defense in the public affairs area; and the U.S. Department of State as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Public Affairs (Acting) and at USAID, press director and spokesman. Anderson worked on the Hill as Communications Director for U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Communications Director for Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and also served as a captain in the U.S. Air force.
Anderson earned his bachelor’s degree in European Studies/Humanities, French, United States Air Force Academy; and his master’s degree in International Public Policy, Humanitarian Assistance at George Washington University.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
District of Columbia
Laverne Cox, Reneé Rapp, Deacon Maccubbin named WorldPride grand marshals
Three LGBTQ icons to lead parade
WorldPride organizers announced Thursday that actress and trans activist Laverne Cox, powerhouse performer Reneé Rapp, and LGBTQ trailblazer Deacon Maccubbin will serve as grand marshals for this year’s WorldPride parade.
The Capital Pride Alliance, which is organizing WorldPride 2025 in Washington, D.C., revealed the honorees in a press release, noting that each has made a unique contribution to the fabric of the LGBTQ community.
Cox made history in 2014 as the first openly transgender person nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category for her role in Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black.” She went on to win a Daytime Emmy in 2015 for her documentary “Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word,” which followed seven young trans people as they navigated coming out.
Rapp, a singer and actress who identifies as a lesbian, rose to prominence as Regina George in the Broadway musical “Mean Girls.” She reprised the role in the 2024 film adaptation and also stars in Max’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” portraying a character coming to terms with her sexuality. Rapp has released an EP, “Everything to Everyone,” and an album, “Snow Angel.” She announced her sophomore album, “Bite Me,” on May 21 and is slated to perform at the WorldPride Music Festival at the RFK Festival Grounds.
Deacon Maccubbin, widely regarded as a cornerstone of Washington’s LGBTQ+ history, helped organize D.C.’s first Gay Pride Party in 1975. The event took place outside Lambda Rising, one of the first LGBTQ bookstores in the nation, which Maccubbin founded. For his decades of advocacy and activism, he is often referred to as “the patriarch of D.C. Pride.”
“I am so honored to serve as one of the grand marshals for WorldPride this year. This has been one of the most difficult times in recent history for queer and trans people globally,” Cox said. “But in the face of all the rhetorical, legislative and physical attacks, we continue to have the courage to embrace who we truly are, to celebrate our beauty, resilience and bravery as a community. We refuse to allow fear to keep us from ourselves and each other. We remain out loud and proud.”
“Pride is everything. It is protection, it is visibility, it is intersectional. But most importantly, it is a celebration of existence and protest,” Rapp said.
The three will march down 14th Street for the WorldPride Parade in Washington on June 7.
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Laverne Cox, Reneé Rapp, Deacon Maccubbin named WorldPride grand marshals
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PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride
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WorldPride events round-up
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