Community Partners

As Capital Pride — now marking its 35th year — evolves, it has gone from the greenest of grassroots celebrations in a schoolyard to local institution, with ever more offerings, including the largest annual single-day festival in the nation’s capital.

Through these many years, different entities, such as One In Ten and Whitman-Walker Clinic, have been Capital Pride caretakers, ushering this celebration of the D.C. area’s LGBT community toward the future.

Today, you could say that Capital Pride has come full circle back to its grassroots, with 2010 marking the second year that the week of celebration has fallen under the guidance of the Capital Pride Alliance, a coalition of various organizations and individuals representing a wide cross-section of the community. Underscoring the new sense of community ownership are the Community Partners.

Community Partners first became a component of the event in 2007. Where there were 14 partners in 2007, there are 27 for 2010.

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AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a multinational, nonprofit, HIV/AIDS organization that is in the District to help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives. AHF, celebrating its first year as a Capital Pride Community Partner, provides medical care and/or services to more than 100,000 individuals in 21 countries worldwide. The newest of 17 domestic, outpatient clinics is named the AHF-Blair Underwood Healthcare Center and is located in a multi-specialty medical building at 2141 K St. NW, Suite 606.

The center offers testing and treatment for individuals of the District, Maryland and Virginia for HIV and other STDs regardless of ability to pay. The on-site pharmacy, which accepts most insurance — including ADAP — offers free delivery services. The competent and caring staff promise to go the extra mile to be sure your needs are met. Contact the healthcare center at 202-293-8680,or follow the center on Facebook at AHF Blair Underwood Healthcare Center.

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Located in Woodley Park just off Connecticut Avenue at 2300 Cathedral Avenue, All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church strives to live out the church’s name, truly offering a community for All Souls. It doesn’t matter to whether you’ve never been to church before, have been away for a while or might be a longtime Episcopalian. It doesn’t matter that you might be from another Christian tradition, from another faith altogether, or might simply be seeking a place of peace. All souls are welcome.

Marking its first year as Community Partner, many already know All Souls from the church’s popular Saturday farmer’s market. Others attend meetings in the church building, enjoy the gardens or take advantage of parish programs. Many come for All Souls’ celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Most weeks the Mass is celebrated on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Precisely because All Souls worship uses old words and ancient ritual, parishioners and clergy find that frees them to continue building a community that is diverse and loving, filled with celebration and joy. Join All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church when you can and help the church continue to welcome all souls.

Discover more about All Souls at AllSoulsdc.org, or call the church at 202-232-4244.

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The Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance (AGLA) is a grassroots membership organization that strives to improve the quality of life and meet the needs of the Arlington LGBT community through education and leadership. AGLA members are committed to creating an organization that reflects the diversity of Arlington and to building relationships with business and civic groups and community leaders.

Through vigorous nonpartisan political activities — such as joining Capital Pride this year as a Community Partner — AGLA earns the respect of community leaders and ensures that the LGBT voices remain an integral part of the local government decision-making process.

Through community service projects, AGLA reflects the group’s commitment to improving the quality of life for all Arlingtonians and demonstrating the value of LGBT people to the community. Through varied social activities, AGLA provides a safe and comfortable community for gays and lesbians.

AGLA’s visibility, commitment to effective, positive change, and the group’s internal unity combine to create a dynamic environment in which personal involvement translates into community progress toward equality for all LGBT individuals who live and/or work in Arlington County. Learn more by visiting agla.org.

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Bet Mishpachah is a congregation for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Jews who wish to participate in an inclusive, egalitarian and mutually supportive community. Since founding in 1975, the Bet Mishpachah congregation has grown to hundreds of members, joining together for weekly Shabbat services, educational events, social action/social justice community service and holidays — all affirming members’ religious and cultural heritage, and integrating gay and lesbian Jewish identities.

Marking the congregation’s first year as a Community Partner, Bet Mishpachah is proud to embrace a celebratory community of women and men who share equally in the leadership of the congregation. Special Bet Mishpachah Pride events include a Family & Friends Pride Dinner & Shabbat on June 11.

Learn more about Bet Mishpachah by visiting BetMishpachah.org.

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Brother, Help Thyself raises money that it awards to a variety of community organizations as grant. Since its founding in 1978 — when it raised $4,000 to give to a local LGBT organization — Brother, Help Thyself has awarded more than $2,250,000 in grants to small, LGBT and HIV/AIDS not-for-profit organizations in the Baltimore/Washington metro area.

One of Brother, Help Thyself’s major fundraisers is Gay and Lesbian Night at Kings Dominion, this year on Saturday, Sept. 11.

Brother, Help Thyself is hard to miss in the parade. Look for the contingent carrying a large, gay-pride flag, into which they’ll be cheering on spectators to throw money — another of BHT’s annual fundraising efforts for the community. Returning for the group’s second year as a Community Partner, BHT will also be at the Capital Pride Festival.

For more information about Brother, Help Thyself and/or the organizations that have benefited from the group’s many grants, visit BrotherHelpThyself.org.

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Returning for a second year as a Capital Pride Community Partner, the Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce explodes with energy at the Parade, at the Capital Pride Festival and in a special VIP Lounge. Look for the chamber celebrating the Capital Pride Parade with their first float and marching contingent. To join the chamber in celebrating Capital Pride, go to caglcc.org and sign up for their newsletter during the month of June for a chance to win an iPad. Or become a member and join the chamber in their PRIDELCIOUS VIP lounge where you can cool off and enjoy snacks and drinks on the day of the festival — a membership exclusive.

The chamber is committed to advocating, promoting, and facilitating the success of LGBT businesses and professionals and their allies in the region.

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The District’s Child and Family Services Agency is the local public organization authorized to protect child victims of abuse and neglect. The agency’s mission is to improve the safety, permanence and well-being of children and young people up to age 21 in the District.

As participants of the “All Children, All Families Initiative,” CFSA is committed to working with all families who are able to provide a loving and nurturing home for children in foster care and young people in foster care hoping to be adopted. Joining Capital Pride this year as a Community Partner, CFSA has been outreaching to the LGBT community with orientation sessions about becoming a foster or adoptive parent.

To borrow the agency’s phrase, “Please have a heart and give a child a new start,” by calling 202-671-LOVE or visiting cfsa.dc.gov.

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The DC Center for the metro area’s LGBT community works to celebrate, strengthen and support those it serves with a variety of offerings.

Returning as a Community Partner, The DC Center wants everyone to know about the wide range of offerings including social groups, advocacy groups, arts and cultural programs, and health and wellness programs. The DC Center offers free Internet access with the David Bohnett Cyber Center, and the center’s library has more than 1,000 LGBT Books.

Aside from its support for marriage equality, The DC Center has been crucial in fighting crystal-meth addiction in the community, challenging violence against the LGBT community, standing against the HIV/AIDS epidemic and even offering career development during these tough economic times. And that’s just for starters.

Visit theDCCcenter.org to learn about the breadth of everything The DC Center does. Sign up for The DC Center’s weekly e-mail update online, or call directly at 202-682-2245.

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D.C.’s Different Drummers is honored to be a returning Community Partner in the 2010 Capital Pride celebration. In addition, 2010 marks the 30th Anniversary for D.C.’s Different Drummers! From humble beginnings in 1980, DCDD began with nine people to provide support for LGBT musicians. It has grown to an organization supporting more than 100 diverse musicians, becoming the metropolitan D.C. area’s premier all-volunteer community instrumental music organization.

DCDD consists of the Marching Band, the Capital Pride Symphonic Band/Capital Pride Winds (the organization’s concert bands), DC Swing! (a swing/jazz band), and many small chamber ensembles. DCDD is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is open to anyone 18 years of age or older. For more information about D.C.’s Different Drummers, visit their website at dcdd.org. Membership is open year-round and inquiries can be made to or by calling 202-403-3669.

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Dignity/Washington is a community of LGBT Catholics, other Christians, and their friends and allies. Having been a Community Partner of Capital Pride since the program began in 2007, members of Dignity/Washington obviously understand the meaning of community. They celebrate that understanding every Sunday evening when they gather to celebrate Mass at St. Margaret’s Church near Dupont Circle.
Dignity/Washington members also come together to celebrate community with a range of events such as movie nights at the Dignity Center, 721 8th St. SE, on the first and third Mondays of each month, bridge and book clubs, pastoral care, holy unions and weddings.

Dignity/Washington offers an information line, 202-546-2235, for callers to hear a schedule of Masses, and to learn of social events and educational programs, or visit DignityWashington.org.

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The Episcopal Diocese of Washington returns for its third year as a Community Partner starting this year, continuing the local diocese’s strong support of the LGBT community.

Spanning the District and four Maryland counties — Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Saint Mary’s — this diocese of 95 congregations and more than 60,000 congregants includes more than dozen openly gay clergy.

Visit the Diocese online at edow.org, or call the Episcopal Church House in D.C. at 202-537-6555.

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For people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses, the battle is far from over. Food & Friends works to make sure no one has to face it on an empty stomach. Along with nutrition counseling, Food & Friends prepares, packages and delivers meals and groceries to more than 1,400 people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses throughout Washington, D.C., seven counties of Maryland, and seven counties and six independent cities in Virginia.

Since 1988, Food & Friends has delivered more than 12 million meals to more than 20,000 people. With your support, Food & Friends will continue to serve communities in need. To learn more about Food & Friends, visit FoodandFriends.org.

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Founded in 1981, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. celebrates its 30th Anniversary this season with the chorus’s largest audience yet. First and foremost a part of this community, the mission of GMCW is to entertain through excellent musical performance, to affirm the place of gay people in society, and to educate about the gay experience.

Their Capital Pride kickoff show, DIVAS, is a singing and dancing spectacular in celebration of the great women of entertainment known for being sassy, brassy and classy. From Garland to Gaga, DIVAS features a guest appearance by award-winning drag artist Christopher Peterson and will boast impersonations of more than a dozen divas, alongside show-stopping musical numbers from ”Poker Face” to ”Believe,” from ”Vogue” to ”Proud Mary,” along with gay classics like ”Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Performances take place Saturday, June 5, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, June 6, at 3 p.m. (ASL). Both performances are at Lisner Auditorium. For more information about the GMCW or for tickets to DIVAS, visit gmcw.org or call 202-293-1548.

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Established in 1976, the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club is one of the oldest and most influential Democratic clubs in the District. The club is also a founding chapter of the National Stonewall Democrats. The Stein Democrats maintain active members in each of the District’s eight wards and the group was on the leading edge of the successful marriage-equality fight in D.C.

For more about the Stein Club — particularly with an exciting election season coming up — visit the group online at SteinDemocrats.org, or send e-mail to .

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The GLBT Arts Consortium, long a part of Capital Pride, continues its commitment as a Community Partner this year to further the purpose of this voluntary collaboration of varied D.C.-area arts organizations: to raise the visibility of the LGBT community’s arts.

Look for the GLBT Arts Consortium’s Pride Arts Corner Stage at the Capital Pride Festival. You can also call the consortium at 202-547-4102 or send e-mail to .

For information about the GLBT Arts Consortium’s summer production of The Mikado, Gilbert & Sullivan’s beloved opera — and “slightly twisted” in the consortium’s hands — be sure to visit them online at dcglbtarts.org.

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GLOE — the Stuart S. Kurlander Program for Gay & Lesbian Outreach and Engagement at the Washington, D.C., Jewish Community Center – continues to be the queer Jewish heart beating in the District with programs that range from the annual Rainbow Seder to ”Breaking Down a Stonewall: 40 Years of LGBTQ Jewish Activism.” It’s no wonder GLOE returns for a third year as a Community Partner, even offering a special Pride-season concert on June 7 — Seth Rudetsky’s Deconstructing Broadway.

As the LGBT portal of the 16th Street J, GLOE engages metropolitan Washington’s LGBT Jewish community by sponsoring original programming and fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment at the Washington DC Jewish Community Center.

“GLOE provides a venue for LGBT Jews, non Jews, allies — everyone,” says Justin Lerner, director of the program.

Learn more about GLOE by calling 202-518-9400 or visiting washingtondcjcc.org.

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Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, Marjorie Merriweather Post’s former estate nestled alongside Rock Creek Park in Northwest D.C., has long provided one of the most beautiful settings for LGBT events in the District, such as Divas Outdoors (June 19 and 25, 2010) film series, produced in conjunction with One In Ten, and Gay Day, this year on Oct. 2, 2010.

The grand mansion, breathtaking gardens, and exquisite art collection offer something special for every season. Extending the legendary hospitality of its founder, Hillwood is committed to being an engaging and welcoming respite for all.

With the assistance of a LGBT advisory committee, Hillwood has been supporting and celebrating the LGBT community since 2000, including joining Capital Pride as a Community Partner in 2008. For more on what Hillwood has to offer, visit HillwoodMuseum.org or call 202-686-5807.

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While the Human Rights Campaign works to advance LGBT equality across the national landscape as the country’s largest LGBT civil-rights organization, HRC also recognizes its D.C. home, joining Capital Pride for a fourth year as a Community Partner.

Here in Washington, HRC has done double duty with first advocating and now preserving marriage equality in the District while also moving among members of Congress to push a national agenda, including the recent “Veterans Lobby Day” that brought more than 300 military veterans to lobby Congress to repeal the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law.

Apart from HRC’s headquarters at 17th Street and Rhode Island Ave. NW, which routinely offers space for local community forums, HRC also maintains one of its three Action Center/Stores in the District, just north of Dupont Circle. For more on HRC’s vast undertakings during this politically exciting time, or to get involved, visit hrc.org or call 202-628-4160.

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The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) is the leading global organization dedicated to connecting businesses in the LGBT tourism industry. Founded in 1983 with 25 founding members, IGLTA is today strong and growing organization of more than 1,600 gay, lesbian and community-friendly travel professionals in more than 75 countries.

Although IGLTA has its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, the organization’s commitment to D.C. is shown not only with staff and board representation in the District, but IGLTA joining Capital Pride as a Community Partner.

For more information about IGLTA, a valuable resource for both travelers and tourism professionals, visit iglta.org.

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The Log Cabin Republicans work toward lower taxes, limited government, a strong defense, free markets, personal responsibility and individual liberty. Working within the Republican Party to advocate equal rights for all Americans, Log Cabin Republicans are also working within Capital Pride as a Community Partner.

“We have made a very concerted effort the last few years to get more involved in the community,” says Robert Turner, president of the D.C. chapter of LCR, joined by both the Virginia LCR chapter and the D.C. Republican Committee in that effort.

For more about the D.C. chapter, visit DCLogCabin.org or send e-mail to with “LCR/Pride” in the subject line. Visit the Virginia chapter at ViginiaLogCabin.org, or send e-mail to .

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Mautner Project: The National Lesbian Health Organization is committed to improving the health of women who partner with women, including lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, through direct and support services, education and advocacy.

With deep understanding of the importance of community, Mautner Project is proud to be a Capital Pride Community Partner. As the only national lesbian health organization, the Mautner Project continues to develop strong national, regional and local visibility as it increases its advocacy, education, research, training and support-services.

Some of the organization’s milestones include providing the largest local services program for lesbians with cancer in the U.S., training more than 6,000 healthcare professionals nationwide in the accredited cultural competency program, Removing the Barriers, as well as founding S.H.E. Circle, a national health education program focusing on African-American women who partner with women, which fully utilizes the multidimensional influences of culture and sexuality.

To learn more about Mautner’s important work for the community, call 202-332-5536, visit Mautner Project online at MautnerProject.org or send e-mail to .

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Since 1982, the Metro D.C. chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) has been promoting the equality and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, their families and friends through support, education and advocacy.

PFLAG works to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity, and keeping families together is the mission of PFLAG. The family values of this beloved, longtime Community Partner stress education, understanding, acceptance and support, but most of all love, thereby empowering our children — straight and gay — to lead happy and productive lives.

Listen for the cheers and it will be easy to spot the Metro D.C. PFLAG contingent during the Capital Pride Parade. Visit the group’s Festival booth for some genuine loving support, or visit the group online for more information at pflagdc.org. Call them at 202-638-3852. There’s also a helpline at 301-439-FLAG.

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When you think of HIV/AIDS in our community, Metro TeenAIDS (MTA) may not be the first name you think of. And yet, MTA has been working quietly, building the momentum to ensure that future generations defeat this preventable disease.

Of course youth still don’t trust anyone older than 30, so MTA employs more than 40 young people from neighborhoods throughout the city. HIV-positive, HIV-negative and the children of HIV-positive parents, these youth leaders are truly leading the way.

MTA’s star is burning bright, respected in the nonprofit as well as the business community. MTA has been racking up awards for the organization’s excellence in nonprofit management and effectiveness.

MTA is proud to be at Capital Pride, joining this year as a Community Partner, and invites everyone to stop by the booth MTA will be sharing with Booz Allen Hamilton at the Capital Pride Festival. Visit MTA online at metroteenaids.org, or call the main office at 202-543-8246.

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For more than 40 years, Metropolitan Community Churches around the Beltway and around the world have been a spiritual home to the LGBT community and their straight allies. This year is the third year in which the MCCs from the District, Maryland and Northern Virginia, have come together to celebrate pride and share their message of God’s all-inclusive welcome and love for all.

In the metro area, there are eight MCC churches. In Maryland, there are churches in Boyds, Chesapeake, College Park, Hagerstown and Laurel. In Virginia, there are churches in Fairfax and Fredericksburg. The eighth is in the District’s Shaw neighborhood.

This year also marks the first year that MCC is joined by their sisters and brothers in faith from “The Fellowship,” a coalition of Christian churches and ministries with a mission to become a catalytic resource agent for the unity and support of churches and ministries who desire to celebrate and proclaim the radically inclusive love of Jesus Christ. Representing two faith communities right here in the District, The Fellowship and MCC will come together in late June at their joint Global Conference in Acapulco, Mexico, under this year’s theme, “Imagine.”

For more information or to find the MCC church nearest you visit Jesus.com, or find the nearest church of The Fellowship at TheFellowship.org.

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Though she’s called D.C. home for many years, Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, has her eye on the entirety of the country right now, keeping the grassroots-focused organization on track to advancing LGBT equality and building the political power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

”We should truly celebrate our pride as a community this year,” says Carey. “LGBT people and our straight allies are more energized than ever to win equality in towns, cities and states across the country and to push the federal government to honor our lives, our dignity and our contributions to society.”

Join the Task Force, a returning Community Partner, by visiting theTaskForce.org or calling 202-393-5177.

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The Open Doors Chapter of More Light Presbyterians (OD/MLP) works tirelessly for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of faith in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

OD/MLP has a membership of eight churches in the National Capital Presbytery and many individuals in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area: Clarendon, New York Avenue, Church of the Pilgrims, Oaklands, Takoma Park, Rockville United, Western and Westminster, DC. Since founding in 2001, OD/MLP have been proud participants in Pride Week celebrations, including coming on this year as a Community Partner.

To learn more about More Light Presbyterians, visit mlp.org.

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Team DC serves as the umbrella organization for the region’s 26 LBGT sports clubs and is pleased to be a Community Partner again this year.

In addition to sponsoring the largest LGBT event in Major League Baseball — “Night OUT at the Nationals,” this year on June 22 — Team DC will begin the new traditions of the “Night OUT at the Mystics” (Aug. 20) and the “Night OUT at the United” (Sept. 25) in 2010.

Another relatively new commitment to the community is Team DC’s sponsorship of a college-scholarship program that supports gay and lesbian student athletes, as well as the annual Champions Awards recognizing local sports leaders and teams.

Learn more about joining a specific sports club and all of the many Team DC activities at TeamDC.org.