DC Center Names Award Recipients
LGBT community center will honor three leaders for contributions at annual fall reception
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will honor three local community leaders for their contributions to the Washington-area LGBT community at its ninth annual fall reception, slated for Thursday, Sept. 18.
This year’s honorees are: Sterling Washington, the director of the Mayor’s Office of GLBT Affairs; Pete Cahall, the recently out principal of Woodrow Wilson High School who oversaw the school’s second successful LGBTQ Pride Day celebration and the student-led counter-protest against the Westboro Baptist Church; and Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant Jessica Hawkins.
The fall reception, which serves as the Center’s annual fundraising event, is sponsored by a number of local busineses and organizations. Food and beverages from local restaurants will be served, Chord Bezerra will serve as guest DJ, and NBC 4’s Richard Jordan will act as emcee.
Eddy Ammeen, David Phillips, and Bob Summersgill, the fall reception’s host committee members, issued a statement touting the event and extending an invitation to the wider community.
“Your attendance at our ninth annual celebration helps The Center achieve its mission and goals of providing a safe environment for all LGBT individuals in the Greater Washington, DC Metropolitan Area as well as supporting much needed community-based programs and services,” the statement reads.
David Mariner, the executive director of The DC Center, also encouraged people to attend the reception, which caps off what he sees as a successful year for the LGBT community center.
“The past year has been amazing, not just for The DC Center, but for the larger D.C. community,” Mariner said. “I think our honorees this year reflect that, and this is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve all come together.”
The DC Center’s 9th Annual Fall Reception will be held Thursday, Sept. 18, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the City Market at O, located at 880 P St. NW. Tickets cost $60 if purchased online beforehand, and $75 at the door. Student and senior discounts are also available. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit thedccenter.org/supporters_fallreception.html.
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