District of Columbia
D.C. observes second annual LGBTQ+ Veterans Day celebration
Event also marks 14th anniversary of repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
About 75 people, including LGBTQ military veterans and current members of the military and their supporters, turned out on Sept. 19 for D.C.’s second annual LGBTQ+ Veterans Day celebration.
The event, held at the Spark Social House non-alcoholic bar and coffee shop, was organized by several LGBTQ veterans and military groups and received the full backing of the D.C. Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs and Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs.
Among the groups organizing the event and whose leaders and members spoke were the Modern Military Association of America, which describes itself as the nation’s largest organization of LGBTQ+ service members, military spouses, veterans, their families and allies that provides “a united voice for the LGBTQ+ military and veteran community.”
Other groups participating in the event were Transgender Veterans of America, Minority Veterans of America, and Sparta Pride, which describes itself as a “group of transgender people” who currently serve or have served in the military.
“Fourteen years ago, the discriminatory policy that barred service members from serving openly with their sexuality, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, was overturned,” a statement released by organizers of the event says. “Join us for an evening of reflection, remembrances, and community as we enter a new moment in advocating for transgender service members and veterans impacted by current events.”
President Trump issued an executive order banning trans people from serving in the military.
Among those who spoke about the progress of LGBTQ service members since the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the challenges and discriminatory policies faced by LGBTQ service members, especially transgender service members, brought about under the Trump administration, was the event’s keynote speaker, Colonel Bree Fram.
An officer in the United States Space Force, Fram, an astronautical engineer and transgender rights advocate, served in the U.S. Air Force during the Iraq War. After coming out as trans in 2016, she became the first known transgender person to be promoted to the rank of colonel and is believed to be the highest-ranking transgender officer in the U.S. armed forces. She was among many trans service members separated by Trump’s January order.
“So, to start off with, I do have to give that disclaimer,” she told the those attending the event. “You know, I am here in my personal capacity. My views don’t necessarily reflect those of the Department of Defense,” she said. “But it is a joy to be with you here tonight. It’s amazing to be here.”
She went on to tell of the challenges and accomplishments during her military career and joined other speakers in calling on LGBTQ service members, veterans, and their LGBTQ community supporters to remain united in the struggle to overcome potentially discriminatory policies during the current times.
Kathy Marcello, interim executive director of Modern Military Association, who served as moderator of the LGBTQ+ Veterans Day Celebration, among other things, introduced speakers who served or were discharged during the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” years as well as those who currently serve in the military.
The event included a period of silence for LGBTQ service members who have passed away and a “moment of remembrance” for those who served during “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Also presented and read during the ceremony was an official proclamation issued by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declaring Sept. 20, 2025, the second annual LGBTQ+ Veterans Day in the District of Columbia.
Although Modern Military Association has called on Congress to designate May 20 as an annual national LGBTQ+ Veterans Day, the Republican-controlled Congress has declined to do so. Just a few states and D.C. have designated May 20 as LGBTQ+ Veterans Day in their states and D.C.
“The whole point of this event was to be around ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and to reclaim that anniversary of repeal,” said Japer Bowles, director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, who attended the event. “It is bringing the community together to convene and talk about the fight forward, which the organizers did a great job of doing,” he said.
Ashley Cruthers, a Modern Military Association board member, appeared to capture the sentiment and emotions of many of the LGBTQ veterans and service members attending the event at a time of a hostile political climate.
“I know tonight everything looks really, really scary outside,” Cruthers said. “But tonight, at Spark House we are noticing we are among family,” Cruthers continued. “So tonight, if you want to cry, cry. If you want to laugh, laugh. If you want to tell your story, tell your story. We’re your family. It’s OK.”
The event’s program concluded with what organizers called a “special performance of celebration” by local drag performer Makayla Starr.
District of Columbia
Campaign launched to elect more LGBTQ candidates to ANC seats
Capital Stonewall Democrats behind Queering ANCs effort
The Capital Stonewall Democrats, D.C.’s largest local LGBTQ political group, announced on July 7 it has launched a campaign to help elect large numbers of LGBTQ candidates to the city’s Advisory Neighborhood Commissions.
The D.C. local government is believed to be unique among U.S. cities in currently having 46 Advisory Neighborhood Commissions consisting of 345 single-member districts in neighborhoods throughout the city in which unpaid Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners are elected for two-year terms.
The commissions are charged with considering a wide range of policies and programs impacting their neighborhoods, including traffic, parking, recreation, street improvements, liquor licenses, zoning, economic development, police protection, sanitation and trash collection, and D.C.’s annual budget, according to the ANC website.
Although the ANCs do not have authority to set or reject policies or proposals, such as applications for liquor licenses, city agencies are required to give “great weight” to ANC recommendations, according to the law creating the ANCs.
Kent Boese, a gay former ANC commissioner, currently serves as executive director of the D.C. Office of ANCs.
“We are launching the most ambitious hyperlocal LGBTQ+ candidate pipeline initiative in the country,” said Stevie McCarty, the Capital Stonewall Democrats president, in a July 7 statement that announced the Queering ANCs campaign.
“As an ANC member, I know firsthand how these seats shape our neighborhoods, from housing and public safety to sanitation,” McCarty says in the statement. “I’m proud to lead this effort to ensure more LGBTQ+ Washingtonians see themselves as leaders in their communities,” he said.
The ANC Rainbow Caucus, which was created by LGBTQ ANC members, shows on its website that there are currently 38 caucus members consisting of elected LGBTQ ANC commissioners serving in the current 2025-2026 two-year term.
The website shows there are LGBTQ commissioners who are caucus members in each of the city’s eight wards, with six in Ward 1, eight in Ward 2, one in Ward 3, six in Ward 4, five in Ward 5, three in Ward 6, eight in Ward 7, and one in Ward 8.
The Washington Blade couldn’t immediately determine how many of them will be running for re-election in D.C.’s general election in November. But McCarty said Capital Stonewall Democrats hopes to recruit many more LGBTQ candidates to run for ANC seats.
The D.C. Board of Elections website shows the deadline for filing 25 required petition signatures to be placed on the ballot is Aug. 5.
A Queering ANCs website launched this week by Capital Stonewall Democrats provides details on how to run for an ANC seat and offers help for those interested in running.
“Think of someone in your building, neighborhood, friend group, community organization, or professional network who cares deeply about D.C. and would make a strong leader,” McCarty says in his statement. “Send them QueeringANCs.org and personally ask them to consider running,” he said.
The website can be accessed at QueeringANCs.org.
District of Columbia
Mary’s House founder, CEO retires
Dr. Imani Woody played leading role in opening DC’s first home for LGBTQ seniors
The board of directors for Mary’s House for Older Adults, DC’s first official home dedicated to providing affordable housing for LGBTQ seniors, announced on July 7 that its founding president and CEO, Dr. Imani Woody, has retired.
Woody, who holds a PhD in Human Services, is credited with playing a leading role over many years in arranging both city and private funding needed to construct and operate the Mary’s House three-story building located at 401 Anacostia Road, S.E., in the city’s Fort Dupont neighborhood.
The house, which opened in March 2025, with a grand opening ceremony held in May 2025, includes 15 single-occupancy residential units and more than 5,000 square feet of shared communal living space.
“It is with profound gratitude and hearts full of celebration that the board of directors of Mary’s House for Older Adults, DC (MHFOA) announces the retirement of our visionary founder, Dr. Imani Woody, from her role as president and CEO,” the Mary’s House board says in a statement.
“Dr. Woody’s journey with Mary’s House began with her vision and a kitchen table gathering of women with a bold, urgent, and loving vision: to create safe, affirming, affordable housing for LGBTQ/SGL older adults in Washington, DC,” the statement says.
It adds, “What started as a dream has grown into DC’s first affordable LGBTQ+/SGL affirming communal living space for adults 60 and over, a 15-room community residence at 401 Anacostia Road in Southeast Washington.”
The statement says Woody will continue to serve on Mary’s House board.
“The board will be sharing information about the leadership transition process in the coming weeks,” the statement continues. “We are committed to honoring Dr. Woody’s legacy by ensuring Mary’s House continues to thrive and grow in faithful service to LGBTQ/SGL elders experiencing housing insecurity and isolation.”
District of Columbia
SMYAL receives $25,000 award for ‘courageous acts’
D.C. group provides support services for LGBTQ youth
The D.C.-based organization SMYAL, which provides services for LGBTQ youth in the D.C. metro area, including housing for homeless LGBTQ youth, announced on June 30 that it received a $25,000 award for its “courageous acts” in support of the community it serves.
The award was a monetary grant from The Courage Project, which describes itself as a “national initiative investing in acts of courage and compassion that strengthens our communities and democracy.”
A statement on its website says it was launched in May 2025 and is funded and backed by leading national foundations in the U.S.
“At SMYAL, we are deeply grateful to receive support from The Courage Project and are inspired by their bold investment in LGBTQ+ youth at such a critical moment,” SMYAL CEO Erin Whelan said in a statement. “For queer and trans young people, simply showing up as themselves each day requires immense courage, and that courage is strengthened when organizations like The Courage Project stand behind them loudly, proudly, and without hesitation,” Whelan said.
In its statement announcing the award SMYAL says The Courage Project will recognize SMYAL and other awardees and their work on July 3 at the Washington National Cathedral as part of a special interfaith service marking the U.S. 250th anniversary.
“The Courage Project is a bold initiative honoring everyday acts of bravery – the quiet, often unseen acts of heroism that reflect the best of the American spirit and strengthen democracy at the community level,” the project states on its website.
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