District of Columbia
SMYAL faces threats after hostile article by conservative publication
LGBTQ youth group falsely accused of encouraging children to become trans

The executive director and at least one staff member at the D.C.-based LGBTQ youth advocacy organization SMYAL reported the organization has received āthreats to do bodily harm,ā according to a D.C. police report, following the publication of an article in a conservative online publication that accuses SMYAL of placing prepubescent children āon a pathway to medical mutilationā through SMYALās transgender youth support programs.
The highly critical article was published Aug. 5 in the online publication Townhall.com, which states on its website that it is part of the conservative Salem Web Network that reaches out to āaudiences interested in Christian and family themed content and conservative values.ā
SMYAL spokesperson Hancie Stokes told the Washington Blade in a statement that SMYAL was not surprised to see āhateful rhetoricā in the publicationās comment section and posted on social media. āWhile there were no specific threats against our facility or personnel, out of an abundance of caution we alerted authorities to ensure safety of our staff and community,ā the statement says.
The D.C. police report, which lists the incident as a hate crime, says that threats were reported on Aug. 7 by SMYAL Executive Director Erin Whelan, who is listed in the report as Respondent 1. āR-1 received threats that were directed toward her and her staff,ā the report says. āR-1 felt threatened by these statements and was in fear for her and her staffās safety,ā it says.
The police report also identifies another SMYAL staff member as a victim of the threats. But the report does not disclose how the threats were made other than its reference to āstatementsā reported by Whelan.
The Townhall.com article, which is 25 pages long, among other things, raises concerns over a SMYAL program called Little SMYALs that is funded in part by a $50,000 grant from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowserās Office of LGBTQ Affairs for fiscal year 2024. The article notes that SMYAL documents state that the program provides services to school kids from kindergarten through eighth grade after school hours.
According to the article,Ā Townhall.com obtained a copy of the grant application through a Freedom ofĀ Information Act request. It says the applicationĀ shows SMYAL agreed to a grant requirement that its purpose in part is to end gun violence and to place āAll Students on Pathways to Success.ā
The article says that while applying for the grant, SMYAL argued that those two objectives were achievable through SMYAL creating āa safe space where youth can express themselves without fear of judgment or discrimination,ā ācelebrating identity,ā āpromoting self-acceptance,ā and ādeveloping a positive sense of self.ā
In response to a request from the mayorās office for SMYAL to describe in writing a āprogrammatic achievementā of the project in the second quarter of the grant period, the article quotes from SMYALās response and implies that SMYAL inappropriately encouraged an eight-year-old child to become transgender.
The article states that as an example of the programās āefficacy,ā SMYAL shared a āsuccess storyā of a ālittle girl whom SMYAL, using a made-up male alias, identified as āDaniel.ā The article then asserts, āEvidently, the exalted eight-year-old, now a poster child for the programās cause, was groomed into believing sheās a boy.ā
The article states that SMYAL and the mayorās office did not respond to Townhallās requests for comment before the article was published.
In response to a request by the Washington Blade for comment from the mayorās office on the article, mayoral spokesperson Daniel Gleick sent the Blade this brief response from the mayorās office: āWashington, D.C. is proud to be a community that supports, welcomes, and loves our LGBTQ community. Weāll keep fighting for a safe and inclusive future for every Washingtonian, especially the next generation.ā
In its own statement SMYAL strongly disputes the claims made by the Townhall.com article.
āIt is important to understand that this is a heavily biased article from a notorious anti-LGBTQ outlet,ā SMYAL spokesperson Stokes says in the statement. āOur community is unfortunately very used to these discriminatory and biased attacks. Rather than addressing their complete misrepresentation and mischaracterization of our work point by point, we remain steadfast in continuing to support our community with unwavering strength,ā the statement says.
It adds, āTo be clear, SMYAL adheres to all relevant laws and regulations governing youth organizations, and we have a rigorous vetting process in place for our staff to ensure the safety of our youth participants. We actively work to create a community and space where LGBTQ+ youth and their parents and caregivers can thrive through affirming programs and services to develop critical life skills, build community, and foster a sense of belongingā¦SMYAL believes and trusts that the work we do is lifesaving.ā
SMYAL Executive Director Whelan added in the statement, āSMYAL proudly stands by our 40-year history of providing care and support to LGBTQ+ youth.ā According to Whelan, āWhen you work with the LGBTQ+ community you know there are extremists who seek to spread misinformation and politicize our work. SMYAL is aware of our detractors, and weāre committed more than ever to providing inclusive and affirmative support for LGBTQ+ youth and their parents and caregivers.ā
District of Columbia
Trans pride thriving in D.C.’s queer nightlife scene
T4T provides vital space for joy, visibility, resistance

The queer nightlife scene has long provided much needed spaces for connection, resistance, and activism. Itās fitting, then, that in 2025 ā a time when the transgender community is bearing the brunt of discriminatory policies at national, state, and local levels ā LGBTQ bars remain vital spaces of solace and celebration for a community that too often struggles to find acceptance in public life.
In honor of International Transgender Day of Visibility on Monday, March 31, the Washington Blade spoke with several prominent transgender figures in D.C.ās LGBTQ nightlife scene about their journeys into the industry, how it has shaped them, and why celebrating with other trans people in these spaces is essential to fostering support and protection for the transgender community.
Creating space for trans joy
Samson Russell, security operations manager at Crush Dance Bar on 14th Street, spends most nights scanning IDs and welcoming patrons to one of the busiest LGBTQ bars in the city. But once a month, Russell takes the stage as a DJ at T4T, a trans-centered event at Trade, another LGBTQ bar just down the street.
āI was never really into partying or nightlife,ā Russell said. āI wanted to be a part of it, but it just was too intimidating. Once everything shut down [during the pandemic], I realized life is short, and there are more reasons to be involved in nightlife than just wanting to party. Itās about bringing people together.ā
Russellās entry into the nightlife scene was sparked by an Instagram message from DJ Lemz, a Washingtonian DJ known for the queer BENT celebration at the 9:30 Club. That push led Russell to embrace performing, highlighting trans identity in nightlife and using the stage as a platform for visibility.
āI started working the door at Trade maybe a year later, and then immediately wanted to be part of the drag scene,ā Russell said. āGetting booked when you donāt have any drag experience is tough, even in a city as accepting as D.C. I wanted to highlight transness as an art form. My first time doing drag was producing my own show at Trade, and two years later, itās still a monthly event called T4T. Eventually, I learned how to DJ, and three weeks later, I started DJing for T4T. Now, itās just a mix of different art forms, all rooted in how my transness led me into nightlife.ā
Onstage, Russell doesnāt just perform; they embody trans resilience. In some acts, they inject themselves with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) onstage, turning a deeply personal moment into a public declaration of identity.
āIām not trying to act like I guided anyone into their sense of self, but itās really cool when someone sees me and feels comfortable enough to talk about transness,ā Russell said. āIāll take off my shirt and show my scars. Iāll put lipstick and blush on them to make sure people see them. My T shot is the climax of my act. I want people just getting started in their transition to see itās real, itās happening, and if I can do it in this DIY blue-collar way, then surely they can too.ā
Finding community and visibility
T4T isnāt just a performance space, itās a refuge. Brooke N Hymen, a self-described ātrans masc of bimbo experienceā drag performer, has taken the stage multiple times at the event and finds it to be a source of validation.
āItās proving to myself and the community that I belong here,ā Hymen said. āItās a way to showcase my transness and my trans art. Being seen and valued as a trans artist in the city ā itās an affirming feeling.ā
The affirming energy of T4T extends beyond the performers. Keaton Paz, a trans employee at Trade, sees the impact firsthand at the door.
āI love getting to be at the door for those events and seeing trans people walk in,ā Paz said. āYou can see the relief and joy on their faces, like, āOh, there are trans people here working and participating. I know this is going to be a safe space.ā That moment of recognition and safety brings me so much joy. Knowing weāre a second home for so many people, thatās what itās about.ā
For many trans people, LGBTQ bars offer more than just a place to grab a drink. They provide a sense of belonging. Whether through trans-specific events or simply recognizing a trans person behind the bar, these venues create spaces where trans people can exist without fear. The importance of visibility isnāt just about celebration, itās a reminder that trans people deserve to live openly, loudly and without apology.
The complexity of visibility
āTrans Day of Visibility means living and showing your authentic self,ā Hymen said. āItās about knowing that your identity is valid, even if youāre not happy with your current circumstances. Iām early in my transition, but I think itās important to be visibly loud and trans for the people who donāt have access to medical care or who are just starting their journeys.ā
Paz echoed this, emphasizing that the day is meaningful even for those who are still questioning their identities.
āItās not just for trans individuals,ā Paz said. āItās for anyone on their own gender journey. Having a day like this is powerful. It lets people see weāre here, we exist. If that visibility is taken away, itās an attempt to erase us entirely.ā
While agreeing with the sentiment, Russell expressed more complicated feelings about the day.
āIāve got mixed feelings because why is it different from any other day?ā Russell said. āWhile Iām grateful it exists, there are 364 other trans days of visibility in my book. Itās so dandy that cis people think of us every last day of March, but at the end of the day, this is my daily life.ā
For Russell, being visible as a trans person in Washington ā especially under an administration that is hostile to LGBTQ rights ā adds an even deeper layer to their presence in nightlife.
āIām in the belly of the beast ā the capital of the country under this horrible administration,ā Russell said. āSo what else am I going to do but perform in the most sincere way I can? Specifically to my transness. Itās not just about being a hot man. Itās about knowing where I came from, where weāre at, and what my part is in this fight.ā
T4T is held every second Tuesday of the month at Trade, located at 1410 14th St., N.W.
District of Columbia
First D.C. LGBTQ seniors home readyĀ to open
Maryās House for Older Adults to operate facility for 15 seniors

The first nine residents of Maryās House For Older Adults, D.C.ās first LGBTQ home for seniors, are expected to move into the newly built group home within the next week or two, according to Maryās House founder and CEO Imani Woody.
Located at 401 Anacostia Rd., S.E. in the cityās Fort Dupont neighborhood, a write-up on its website says the house includes 15 single-occupancy residential units and more than 5,000 square feet of shared communal living space.
Woody said construction of the three-story house was completed in January and leases have been obtained by the first nine of the 15 residents, with the remaining six still available for interested seniors. She points out that Maryās House, which is a nonprofit operation, is not an assisted living facility.
A large sign hanging near the top of the front wall of the Maryās House building says, āNow Leasing! Single Bedroom Communal LivingāLGBTQ+ Affirming Housing for Adults 62+ā
The sign also includes the Maryās House phone number and website address that Woody said interested seniors or those who may know a senior who would be interested should use to contact the LGBTQ supportive seniors residence.
Woody said each of the individual units or suites includes a sleeping area, living room, bathroom, and kitchenette with a sink, microwave, and refrigerator but no stove. According to the Maryās House website, the shared communal areas of the house include a āfully equipped kitchen, separate dining area and living room.ā
It says the communal area also includes a computer room, arts and crafts room, an exercise room, laundry facilities, community meeting space for gatherings, a ātranquil quiet room for relaxation,ā and an outdoor terrace with seating.
Woody said the monthly rent for Maryās House residents, depending on their income, is currently set at $812 or $886.
āOur mission extends beyond providing housing,ā a statement on the Maryās House website says. āWe strive to build welcoming communities that address affordability, accessibility, and the unique needs of LGBTQ/SGL [Same Gender Loving] older adults.ā
The statement adds, āThrough health and wellness programs, connections to community services, and advocacy efforts, Maryās House for Older Adults endeavors to ensure that all elders, regardless of identity, can enjoy fulfilling and secure lives in their golden years.ā
Woody said a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening, to be led by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is planned for early May, with a specific date to be announced soon.
Further information about Mary’s House, including a lease application, can be obtained at MarysHouseDC.org or at 240-972-2500.
District of Columbia
DC Trans Picnics event brings trans community together
Allied groups participated in March 22 gathering in Malcolm X Park

DC Trans Picnics on March 22 held a gathering in Malcolm X Park to celebrate joy and networking in the cityās transgender community ahead of Transgender Day of Visibility.
DC Trans Picnics is a collective known for offering space for trans and gender nonconforming members of the local queer community to spend time with and connect with one another. The March 22 event was geared specifically to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) individuals to help them connect with those of similar and different cultures, but anyone was allowed to come and celebrate if invited.
The gathering itself was not just one of sharing food, laughs, games and music, but a bolstering of the network of organizations, resources, and collectives in the community.
One of the volunteers for the event gave the Washington Blade a statement about some of the resources DC Trans Picnics offers in order to help as many trans people as possible. These efforts specifically target trans women who are early in their transition by connecting them with organizations that help people who are at risk of homelessness, voice training resources, and message boards with information about other resources.
Another event volunteer was a member of the Metro DC DSA, a group founded on achieving bodily autonomy and reproductive justice for queer and trans people in the DMV.
āIt’s still TDOV, but it’s Trans Day vision instead of visibility.ā the volunteer told the Blade. āThe idea with that one is that trans people have a hypervisibility right now. Like nobody hasn’t heard of trans people or like, doesn’t know, not trans people.ā
āThatās not the problem. The problem is that people don’t know the problem is they can’t see us. We’re trying to get the focus on instead of being seen, it’s about seeing trans peopleās vision and like and shifting the perspective from like, instead of looking at us to looking with us.ā
The Trans Day of Vision is taking place on Sunday, the day before Trans Day of Visibility.
Metro DC DSA is holding the event at Malcolm X Park. The group received permission to alter and use the TDOV acronym from Rachel Crandall, who founded the Trans Day of Visibility.
āTrans people actually have something unique to contribute,ā the Metro DC USA volunteer said. āOur vision as a society and where we think we’re going and that trans people just because of our lived experiences, we know how to take the situation as it seems to be and say I don’t want that. There is so much need, demand, energy, and enthusiasm for change in our society, and trans people know what that feels like to know that they feel like things have to change.ā
Other groups aside from Metro DC USA attended the event in solidarity. They include Lavender Evolutions, a BIPOC group focused on expanding their work from helping lesbian community members to supporting trans and nonconforming people in the area.
āThis inclusionary event has encouraged queer and trans POC to come out and celebrate together.ā said a Lavender Evolutions member.
The group aims to continue to work with DC Trans Picnics to help bring more events that promote unity for BIPOC members of the community to avoid any whitewashing in the future.
Another group that participated is the DC Area Transmasculine Society or DCATS, a support network that aims to provide transmasculine people in the D.C. area with resources about which they may otherwise not know in this political climate. Apart from providing binders, resources on homelessness, mutual aid networks, and other beneficial services, DCATS was taking any and all recommendations for resources that would benefit transmasculine people.Ā
DC Trans Picnics can be found on Instagram at @dctranspicnics.
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