District of Columbia
Taste of Point returns at critical time for queer students
BIPOC scholar to speak at Room & Board event on May 2

The Point Foundation will kick off May with its annual Taste of Point DC event. The event will be hosted at Room & Board on 14th Street and feature a silent auction, food tastings, a speech from a scholar, and more.
Pointās chief of staff, Kevin Wright, said that at Taste of Point, the scholars are the star of the show.
āPeople never come to an event to hear Point staff speak, they come to hear from the people most impacted by the program,ā he said. āAt its core Taste of Point is designed to center and highlight our scholarsā voices and experiences.ā
This year, a Point BIPOC Scholar, Katherine Guerrero Rivera will speak at the event.
āIt is a great opportunity to highlight the scholars out there on the front lines making impacts in almost every sector and job field,ā Wright said.
Wright pointed out that this year especially is a pivotal time for LGBTQ students.
āIn 2023, there were 20 states that passed anti-LGBTQ legislation,ā he said. āAlready at this point in 2024, more anti-LGBTQ bills are being considered than there were in all of 2023.ā
Wright said the impacts of those legislative attacks are far reaching and that Point is continuously monitoring the impact they have on students on the ground.
Last month, The Washington Post reported that states with anti-LGBTQ laws in place saw school hate crimes quadruple. This report came a month after a non-binary student, Nex Bennedict, died after being attacked at school.
āSo, we see this as a critical moment to really step up and help students who are facing these challenges on their campus,ā Wright said. āOur mission is to continue to empower our scholars to achieve their full academic and leadership potential.ā
This year Point awarded nearly 600 LGBTQ students with scholarships. These include the Flagship Scholarship, Community College Scholarship and the BIPOC Scholarship. When the foundation gave its first scholarships in 2002, there were only eight scholarships awarded.Ā
Dr. Harjant Gill is one of those scholars who said the scholarship was pivotal for him. Gill said he spent his undergraduate years creating films and doing activism for the LGBTQ community.
As a result, his academic record wasnāt stellar and although he was admitted into American Universityās graduate program he had no clue how he would fund it.
Upon arrival to American he was told to apply for a Point scholarship and the rest was history.
āIt ended up being the one thing that kept me going otherwise I would have dropped out,ā he said. āPoint was incredibly instrumental in my journey to becoming an academic and a professor.ā
More than a decade later, Gill serves on the host committee for Taste of Point and is a mentor to young Point scholars. He said that he donates money yearly to Point and that when he is asked what he wants for a gift he will often tell his friends to donate too.
To attend the event on Wednesday, May 2, purchase tickets at the Point website. If you canāt attend this yearās Taste of Point DC event but would like to get involved, you can also donate online.
District of Columbia
Wanda Alston Foundation names new executive director
Longtime LGBTQ rights advocate Cesar Toledo to succeed June Crenshaw

The Wanda Alston Foundation, the D.C.-based organization that has provided housing and support services for homeless LGBTQ youth since its founding in 2008, announced it has appointed longtime LGBTQ rights advocate Cesar Toledo as its new executive director.
In an April 22 statement, the organization said that as part of a planned leadership transition launched in November 2024, Toledo will succeed June Crenshaw, who Alston Foundation officials and LGBTQ community activists say has led the organization with distinction in her role as executive director for the past nine years.
In a statement released last November, the foundation announced Crenshaw was stepping down from her role as executive director after deciding to āto step into her next chapter.ā
āJuneās leadership has been truly transformative,ā said Alston Foundation Board Chair Darrin Glymph in the groupās April 22 statement. āWe are immensely grateful for her dedication and equally excited for the energy and experience that Cesar brings to lead us into this next chapter,ā Glymph said.
āA seasoned LGBTQ+ advocate, Cesar brings over a decade of experience leading national campaigns, shaping public policy, and building inclusive communities,ā the statement released by the group says. āMost recently, he served as the National LGBTQ+ Engagement Director for the Harris for President Campaign and has built a career focused on advancing equality and equitable education,ā it says.
Biographical information about Toledo shows that immediately prior to working for the Harris For President Campaign, he served since April 2023 as deputy director for Democrats for Education Reform DC (DFER DC), a political group that helps to elect candidates for public office committed to quality education for all students, including minorities, people of color and LGBTQ youth.
Before joining DFER DC, Toledo served as political director for the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, where he assisted in electing out LGBTQ candidates to all levels of public office across the U.S.
āIām really excited about joining the Wanda Alston Foundation,ā Toledo told the Washington Blade. āAfter a decade of working at the intersection of politics and policy and advancing political candidates and equitable education here in D.C., I wanted to shift my career to direct services to the most vulnerable folks in the LGBTQ+ family and our homeless youth,ā he said.
Among other things, he said he would push for increasing the Alston Foundationās visibility and mainlining its services for LGBTQ youth at a time when the national political climate has become less supportive.
A statement on its website says the Alston Foundation was founded in 2008 āin memory of Wanda Alston, a fierce LGBTQ+ activist, national advocate, and government official who was admired by District residents.ā
The statement adds, āThe foundation opened the first housing program in the nationās capital in 2008 providing pre-independent transitional living and life-saving support services to LGBTQ+ youth.ā
In a separate statement, the Alston Foundation announced it would hold a āthank youā celebration of appreciation for June Crenshaw from 6-8 p.m. on May 20 at Crush Dance Bar located at 2007 14th Street, N.W. in D.C.
āLetās come together to celebrate her dedication and commitment for everything she has done for the LGBTQIA homeless youth population,ā the statement says.
District of Columbia
New DC LGBTQ Center to celebrate grand opening
Permanent location in Shaw debuts with Saturday celebration

After more than 20 months of demolition, construction, and development, Washington finally has a brand new LGBTQ Center. On Saturday, April 26, the doors will officially open at the DC LGBTQ Center for the first time following the groundbreaking in June 2023.
The new DC LGBTQ Center, located one block from the Shaw Metro station, aims to educate, empower, uplift and celebrate Washingtonās LGBTQ community. Spanning 6,671 square feet of intentionally designed space, the center will offer a wide range of resources for LGBTQ individuals in need – including mental health services, job readiness programs, cultural events and community support groups, all under one roof.
The space, located in The Adora building at 1828 Wiltberger St, N.W., has a food pantry, STD and HIV testing space, therapy room, boutique with a clothing closet, an ADA-accessible shower, a mailroom to help those without an address receive mail, and a large kitchen.
The new DC LGBTQ Center will also house office space for nine local LGBTQ organizations. Groups like SMYAL, which supports and uplifts LGBTQ youth, and the Wanda Alston Foundation, which provides transitional housing and support services for homeless or at-risk LGBTQ youth, are central to the centerās mission: to educate, empower, uplift, celebrate, elevate and connect Washingtonās LGBTQ community. The center will also become the new home of the Capital Pride Alliance, the organization behind Capital Pride and this yearās WorldPride celebration.
The Reeves Center, the former home of the DC LGBTQ Center, is slated for redevelopment. Located at 14th and U streets, N.W., the building is expected to become a mixed-use hub featuring the NAACPās national headquarters, a hotel, restaurant, comedy club, housing and more.
On Saturday, the new DC LGBTQ Center will celebrate its grand opening with a full day of events designed to showcase the spaceās potential and mark its long-awaited return. The āFriends & Family Dayā celebration begins with a brunch at 10 a.m., followed by an open house featuring tours, team introductions, and a look at how the center came to life. The day concludes with a āHoney, Iām Homeā cocktail celebration at 5 p.m.
Some events are open to the public, while others, such as the brunch, require an RSVP. To RSVP, visit this link or email [email protected] with any questions.
District of Columbia
Gay Menās Chorus of Washington to celebrate Spring Affair honorees
‘Their work inspires our music and deepens our mission’

For 44 years, the Gay Menās Chorus of Washington (GMCW) has served as a powerful voice for love, unity, and pride among Washingtonās LGBTQ community and its allies. Since its first performance in 1981āat the opening of the National Gay Task Forceās Washington office (later becoming the National LGBTQ Task Force)āGMCW has built a politically engaged and culturally significant legacy as one of the nationās foremost LGBTQ performing arts organizations.
As its music and mission evolved, GMCW deepened its involvement in supporting LGBTQ individuals and allies alike. In 2004, the chorus launched its first Spring Affair fundraiser. This annual event not only generates financial support for the inclusive choral group, but also honors individuals and organizations in the Washington community who exemplify GMCWās mission of unity, equity, and empowerment through music.
Each year at the Spring Affair gala, the chorus honors one community leader, one external organization, and one GMCW member. For the 2025 gala, GMCW will recognize Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, Atlas Performing Arts Center, and GMCW member Keygan Miller.
āThese honorees remind us why we sing,ā said Thea Kano, artistic director of the Gay Menās Chorus of Washington, DC, in an email. āIn moments when our community has needed strength, theyāve offered hope. Whether itās a brave voice from the pulpit, a tireless advocate for our youth, or an organization that opens its doors to every storyāeach has chosen to lead with love, truth, and courage. Their work inspires our music and deepens our mission.ā
GMCW will honor Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the first woman elected to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, as its 2025 individual award recipient. A longtime champion of equity and inclusion, Bishop Budde gained national prominence during the Inaugural Prayer Service at Washington National Cathedral, where she spoke directly to newly sworn-in President Donald Trump.
āHave mercy, Mr. President,ā she implored, lifting the hopes of the most vulnerable Americans targeted by Trumpās policiesāparticularly LGBTQ and immigrant communities. Her bold words signaled to the nation that she remains a genuine and outspoken voice for justice, unity, and truth, inspiring compassion and faith within and beyond her religious community.
GMCW will present the Harmony Award for an Organization to the Atlas Performing Arts Center, located in the historic H Street, N.E. corridor. In 2024 alone, Atlas hosted more than 400 events and provided $1.6 million in free and discounted tickets, arts education, community programming, and space use. Through this work, Atlas has amplified āartistic voices that reflect the full diversity of our community.ā
The center has long partnered with GMCW, offering space for open mic nights, cabarets, GenOUT Chorus events like the Youth Summit, and even memorial services such as that for Bobby T. Boaz. Atlas exemplifies GMCWās mission of storytelling, equity, and civic connection through programs like the INTERSECTIONS Festival and City at Peace.
āWe are absolutely thrilled and deeply honored that the Atlas Performing Arts Center has been named a recipient of the GMCW Harmony Award! This recognition is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to uplifting voices, fostering inclusive creative expression, and building a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and celebrated,ā said Jarrod Bennett, Executive Director of the Atlas Performing Arts Center.
āAt the Atlas, our mission is rooted in the belief that the arts are for everyoneāand that through performance, dialogue, and community, we can help shape a more just, compassionate world. To be acknowledged by the Gay Menās Chorus of Washington, DCāan organization that has long stood at the forefront of championing equality and advancing the well-being of the LGBTQ+ communityāis a profound and humbling honor. We continue to be inspired by GMCWās work and are proud to stand alongside them in this shared vision. Thank you, GMCW, for this beautiful recognition. We carry it forward with gratitude and renewed energy for the work ahead.ā
Finally, GMCW will honor Keygan Miller, a chorus member since 2017, for their leadership, advocacy, and commitment to equity both onstage and off. Within GMCW, Miller served as Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, led conversations to expand trans inclusion, authored the āDay Oneā pledge, and played a critical role in shaping inclusive programming.
Outside the chorus, Miller serves as Director of Public Training for The Trevor Project, a national nonprofit focused on crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth under 25. They previously worked as an Advocacy Manager at the Trevor Project, where they championed policies protecting LGBTQ+ youth at every level of government.
As GMCW continues its mission to uplift and unite through music, the organization encourages new voices to join its ranks. GMCW welcomes all singersāregardless of gender identity or sexual orientationāwho can sing in the lower vocal registers.
The 2025 Spring Affair Gala will take place on May 17, 2025, at The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. This annual benefit supports GMCWās artistic and educational programming. For tickets, audition information, and more, visit GMCW.org.