District of Columbia
Rachel Levine promotes vaccine awareness at Whitman-Walker forum
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health is highest-ranking trans official
Dr. Rachel Levine, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health and the federal government’s highest-ranking transgender official, called on community leaders to join her in a campaign to promote vaccinations to curtail respiratory illness at a forum organized by the LGBTQ supportive medical center Whitman-Walker Health.
Levine, a pediatrician, was joined by fellow physicians, three Whitman-Walker staffers, and an official with the LGBTQ seniors advocacy group SAGE, in a panel discussion called “Protecting Our Health In the New Year: A Conversation on Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccines.”
Among other things, Levine talked about a vaccination promotion program she is involved with at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services called “Risk Less and Do More.”
“I’m extremely passionate about vaccines and the role they play in preventing respiratory illness and keeping communities healthier,” Levine told the gathering, held at Whitman-Walker’s Max Robinson Center.
“And the success of ‘Risk Less, Do More’ is rooted in partnerships with community leaders across America who have provided reliable information to community members so that they can make the best informed decisions about their health and access one of the best tools that we have to protect our health — vaccinations,” Levine said.
She noted that separate vaccines are now available for three respiratory illnesses that can potentially be life-threatening — flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus known as RSV.
“While aiming to limit respiratory virus spread among all Americans, the ‘Risk Less, Do More’ campaign has placed particular focus on high-risk populations who are at the greatest risk for becoming seriously ill,” Levine said.
“This includes people who are not up to date on their vaccines, those who are 65 years and older, residents in long-term care facilities, pregnant people, those living in rural areas where healthcare access is limited, and racial and ethnic populations who are more at risk, including those in the Black and Hispanic community,” she said.
A “notable uptick” in the three respiratory illnesses she mentioned is now occurring across the country and in D.C., Levine added.
The others who joined Levine in the discussion were Aaron Tax, an official with SAGE; Tasliyam Adams, senior manager of Medical Support at Whitman-Walker; Danny Jaek, a pharmacist at Whitman-Walker’s Max Robinson Center; and Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, vice president of administration for the Black Women’s Agenda.
Also participating in the discussion were Whitman-Walker Health System Chair Dr. Anne Bonham, Whitman-Walker Health System CEO Dr. Heather Aaron, and Dr. Kellan Baker, executive director of Whitman-Walker’s Institute for Health Research and Policy.
At the conclusion of the forum Whitman-Walker officials presented Levine with a poster size, framed proclamation honoring her “For Distinguished Service and Leadership In Advancing Public Health and Health Equity.”
Levine, who will leave her job on Jan. 20 when President-elect Donald Trump takes office, was asked by the Washington Blade if she has any advice for her successor under the new administration.
“I really can’t comment on the new administration,” she said. “But what I can comment on is the importance of vaccinations, which again has been one of the victories of public health in the 20th and 21st centuries. And so, we are very proudly talking about our Risk Less, Do More campaign for this respiratory season.”
Naseema Shafi, Whitman-Walker Health’s CEO, said Whitman-Walker was honored that Levine participated in the vaccine forum.
“She has done so much to advance health in the community,” said Shafi, who added, “She’s been a fearless leader living authentically and we’re really proud of the opportunity to be able to spend time with her today.”
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.
Campaign launched to elect more LGBTQ candidates to ANC seats
Gay librarian to discuss new novel at Green Lantern
Calendar: July 10-16
Gay Fla. Democrat Elijah Manley sees opportunity in Trump’s second term
Ron Singer, owner of popular Mount Vernon gay bar Leon’s, dies
Turkish authorities refuse to allow gay cruise to dock in country
PHOTOS: Crush Dance Bar
As Washington shifts right, Democratic Socialists gain ground
Madonna roundup: Reviews, sales, and love for ‘Danceteria’
