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D.C. LGBTQ youth groups face funding ‘crisis’ from Trump anti-trans policies

SMYAL, Wanda Alston Foundation seek community support to avert program shutdowns

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SMYAL Executive Director Erin Whelan speaks at the organization's annual Fall Brunch in D.C. on Sept. 21, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The D.C. based LGBTQ youth advocacy and support groups SMYAL and the Wanda Alston Foundation, which among other things provide housing for homeless LGBTQ youth, have stated in recent messages to supporters that they face a potential funding ā€œcrisisā€ from Trump administration policies.

In fundraising messages sent to supporters by email, the two groups say Trump’s executive orders threatening to cut off all federal funding for organizations that provide services to transgender people, especially trans youth, could prevent them from providing what they call life-saving services to trans youth as well as all LGBTQ youth in D.C.

ā€œRight now, the Wanda Alston Foundation’s youth and staff are facing unprecedented attacks, and we are grappling with one of the most challenging funding crises in our history,ā€ the group states in a Feb. 6 email message to supporters.

The message notes that the Trump administration policies threatening to cut off funding for trans related youth programs were occurring at the same time that D.C. government agencies have ā€œseverely delayed paymentsā€ to groups like the Alston Foundation that rely on D.C. grants.

ā€œThis bureaucratic chaos is happening while LGBTQ+ youth—already disproportionatelyĀ affected by homelessness and mental health crises—face increasing hostility in the political and social climate,ā€ the Alston Foundation message says.

In its own fundraising message sent to supporters in a Jan. 31 email, SMYAL says the potential outcome of the Trump policies, including recent executive orders, could result in SMYAL losing as much as $88,000 every month.

ā€œThese funding cuts would have devastating consequences, limiting access to vital programs, mental health services, housing initiatives, and family support programs for queer and trans youth,ā€ the message states. ā€œWe must come together to protect these essential resources and stand against policies that seek to erase and undermine our community,ā€ it says.

Officials with both groups have since acknowledged that court rulings have forced the Trump administration to temporarily postpone the plan to immediately cut off all federal grant funding for programs related to trans youth. But the groups, along with national LGBTQ rights organizations, say the Trump funding cuts could very well take place in the near future.

In a statement to the Washington Blade, SMYAL Executive Director Erin Whelan said the group’s fundraising email came shortly before a federal court ruling required the U.S. Office of Management and Budget to temporarily rescind its Trump ordered policy of cutting off grant funds to groups like SMYAL.

ā€œWhile the OMB memo has since been rescinded and is being challenged in court, we know that this is not the administration’s last attempt to cut federal funding for programs that impact the issues SMYAL works on,ā€ Whalen said.

ā€œAlready, one of SMYAL’s federal funders cut off a grant early, resulting in an immediate $20,000 revenue loss for SMYAL each month,ā€ Whalen said. ā€œIf further federal funding is frozen or rescinded, SMYAL’s analysis shows that we stand to lose an additional $68,000 every month—funding that directly supports housing and family support programs for queer and trans youth.ā€

Kurt Vorndran, a member of Alston Foundation’s board of directors, told the Blade the group also was initially concerned that Trump’s executive orders targeting diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) programs ā€œwould compromise, eliminate, or reduce our grants that we receive.ā€ He said the Alston Foundation was relieved that the court orders halting the funding cuts at least temporarily have not resulted in the group losing any of its grant funds so far.

ā€œWe still feel that this administration has the potential for threatening our grants,ā€ Vondran said. But he added that the fundraising appeal in its earlier email message drew a generous response from the community.

ā€œIt was the largest response ever that the Wanda Alston Foundation has received on an email appeal,ā€ Vorndran said. ā€œIt was a great response from our community.ā€

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District of Columbia

Wanda Alston Foundation names new executive director

Longtime LGBTQ rights advocate Cesar Toledo to succeed June Crenshaw

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Cesar Toledo is the new executive director of the Wanda Alston Foundation. (Photo courtesy of the Wanda Alston Foundation)

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 ā€œto step into her next chapter.ā€

ā€œJune’s leadership has been truly transformative,ā€ said Alston Foundation Board Chair Darrin Glymph in the group’s April 22 statement. ā€œWe 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. 

ā€œA 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. ā€œMost 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.

ā€œI’m really excited about joining the Wanda Alston Foundation,ā€ Toledo told the Washington Blade. ā€œAfter 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 Foundation’s 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 ā€œin memory of Wanda Alston, a fierce LGBTQ+ activist, national advocate, and government official who was admired by District residents.ā€

The statement adds, ā€œThe foundation opened the first housing program in the nation’s 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 ā€œthank 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.

ā€œLet’s come together to celebrate her dedication and commitment for everything she has done for the LGBTQIA homeless youth population,ā€ the statement says.

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District of Columbia

New DC LGBTQ Center to celebrate grand opening

Permanent location in Shaw debuts with Saturday celebration

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"The DC LGBT Center moved out of its longtime home in the Reeves building." (Washington Blade file photo by Lou Chibbaro, Jr.)

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 Washington’s 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 center’s mission: to educate, empower, uplift, celebrate, elevate and connect Washington’s LGBTQ community. The center will also become the new home of the Capital Pride Alliance, the organization behind Capital Pride and this year’s 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 NAACP’s 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 space’s potential and mark its long-awaited return. The ā€œFriends & 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 ā€œHoney, I’m 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.

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District of Columbia

Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington to celebrate Spring Affair honorees

‘Their work inspires our music and deepens our mission’

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The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington performs 'Passports' at the Lincoln Theatre earlier this year. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

For 44 years, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington (GMCW) has served as a powerful voice for love, unity, and pride among Washington’s LGBTQ community and its allies. Since its first performance in 1981—at the opening of the National Gay Task Force’s Washington office (later becoming the National LGBTQ Task Force)—GMCW has built a politically engaged and culturally significant legacy as one of the nation’s 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 GMCW’s 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.

ā€œThese honorees remind us why we sing,ā€ said Thea Kano, artistic director of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, in an email. ā€œIn moments when our community has needed strength, they’ve offered hope. Whether it’s a brave voice from the pulpit, a tireless advocate for our youth, or an organization that opens its doors to every story—each 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.

ā€œHave mercy, Mr. President,ā€ she implored, lifting the hopes of the most vulnerable Americans targeted by Trump’s policies—particularly 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 ā€œartistic 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 GMCW’s mission of storytelling, equity, and civic connection through programs like the INTERSECTIONS Festival and City at Peace.

ā€œWe 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.

ā€œAt the Atlas, our mission is rooted in the belief that the arts are for everyone—and that through performance, dialogue, and community, we can help shape a more just, compassionate world. To be acknowledged by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC—an organization that has long stood at the forefront of championing equality and advancing the well-being of the LGBTQ+ community—is a profound and humbling honor. We continue to be inspired by GMCW’s 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 ā€œDay 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 singers—regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation—who 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 GMCW’s artistic and educational programming. For tickets, audition information, and more, visit GMCW.org.

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