Local
Comings & Goings
Beeker joins Church in Bethesda; Fyala takes over at GMCW
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The ‘Comings & Goings’ column chronicles important life changes of Blade readers.
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].
Congratulations to Rev. Jefferson C. Beeker who has begun his new ministry at Church in Bethesda. According to Beeker, āthe church stands as a beacon of light for new hope and possibility that through Christ’s welcoming, unconditional and inclusive embrace we can all experience a deep and meaningful relationship with Spirit/God, as well as with one another. An open and affirming congregation, all are welcomeĀ to join in this amazing ministry.ā
![Jefferson C. Beeker, Justin Fyala](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2016/08/Jefferson_Beeker_insert_courtesy_Beeker.jpg)
Rev. Jefferson C. Beeker
Beeker was born and raised in D.C., growing up with a keen interest in theater, government and a passion for American history. Prior to going into the ministry he worked in theĀ entertainment industry in D.C., New York and Los Angeles. Growing up in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) his family members have been part of the denomination for six generations.
Beeker received his masterās in divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary in Pasadena.
āI am gay, single and excited to be living again in Washington, D.C.,ā he said.Ā āTo me, it is one of the most thrilling cities I have ever lived in. Growing up gay I never thought a life in ministry would be possible.ā
Congratulations to Justin Fyala, who was named the new executive director of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. (GMCW) effective Aug. 15.Ā Fyala joins the Chorus with more than 12 years of nonprofit management experience. He spent the past five years leading the Windy City Gay Chorus and Treble Quire, The Youth Choral Theater of Chicago, and Bella Voce, focusing on fundraising and organizational growth. Rob Hall, chair of the GMCW board said, “We are delighted to have found someone with such a full complement of talents. Justin’s work in Chicago with a great LGBTQ chorus, an impressive youth group and other choirs impressed the selection committee and board leaders.”
![Justin Fyala](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2016/08/Justin_Fyala_insert_courtesy_Fyala.jpg)
Justin Fyala
“Choral singing has been a part of my life every day since I was 10 years old,ā Fyala said. āMy voice changed early and my teacher didn’t know what to do with me, so she made me the narrator. Instead of being ruffled by the experience, I began to devour recordings and books to learn all I could about this magical art form. I am deeply honored to bring my experiences to the GMCW family and to work with some of the most inspiring choral artists in the nation.ā
Fyala holds a masterās in arts management from Carnegie Mellon University, studied voice at the University of North Texas, and has a bachelorās in choral music education from the Pennsylvania State University.
And finally, congratulations are also due to Joseph Poduslo, who was recently promoted to senior vice president at TTR Sothebyās International Realty. Poduslo has earned a reputation as a leader with a genuinely caring and personal approach and has more than 12 years of experience in the D.C. Metro real estate market. Poduslo is also a 10-time top producer and is ranked one of the top real estate professionals nationwide.
When Poduslo is not working, you might find him at one of the many charities he is involved with. He enjoys golf, tennis, sailing and music.
![Joseph Poduslo](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2016/08/Joseph_Poduslo_insert.jpg)
Joseph Poduslo
Virginia
Parades, community events held to mark Pride Month in Va.
Upwards of 30,000 people attended PrideFest in Norfolk on June 22
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Activists across Virginia last month held a series of events to mark Pride Month.
Hampton Roads Pride, a volunteer-run organization founded in 1997, held 37 different Pride events throughout the region in June.
Their biggest event, PrideFest, which is part of their larger three day event, Pride Weekend, celebrated its 36th anniversary on June 22. Pride Weekend took place from June 21-23 and began with a block party at NorVa in Norfolk.
PrideFest took place at Town Point Park, and an estimated 30,000 people attended. More than 70 venders participated, while Todrick Hall and Mariah Counts are among those who performed.
Another PrideFest event with a DJ in the afternoon and live music at night took place in Virginia Beach on June 23. Congressman Bobby Scott and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) are among those who attended Pride events in Suffolk on June 30.
Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander, along with members of the Norfolk and Virginia Beach City Councils, also attended the Pride events in their respective cities. Jamar Walker, the first openly gay federal judge in Virginia, also took part.
āYou know people all throughout Pride Month, at all of our various events, tell me all kinds of stories about their own experiences and the past of this community … and some of our older folks especially, remember when we couldn’t have this,ā Hampton Roads Pride President Jeff Ryder told the Washington Blade on Monday during a telephone interview.
āIt was a great year,ā he added. “It was a big achievement for us to have unique celebrations in each of our seven communities. Each of these cities is so different from one another, but to be able to create a Pride celebration that’s unique in each of those places was really great, and I think really well received by folks who may not have felt represented previously. We’re always trying to do better, to embrace every aspect of our community, and take a big step forward there this year.ā
State Dels. Adele McClure (D-Arlington County) and Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington County) are among those who spoke at Arlington Pride that took place at Long Bridge Park on June 29. The Fredericksburg Pride march and festival took place the same day at Riverfront Park in Fredericksburg.
Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on June 10 hosted a Pride Month reception in Richmond.
Youngkin in previous years has hosted Pride Month receptions, even though Equality Virginia and other advocacy groups have criticized him for supporting anti-LGBTQ bills.
The Republican governor in March signed a bill that codified marriage equality in Virginia. Youngkin last month vetoed a measure that would have expanded the definition of bullying in the state.
Baltimore
Baltimore street named in honor of trans activist
Iya Dammons is founder of support groups Safe Haven in Baltimore, D.C.
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Baltimore city officials and LGBTQ activists participated in a ceremony on June 29 officially dedicating the renaming of a street in honor of transgender woman Iya Dammons, who founded and serves as executive director of the LGBTQ services organization Maryland Safe Haven.
A section of Baltimoreās 21st Street at the intersection of North Charles Street, where the Maryland Safe Haven offices are located, has been renamed Iya Dammons Way.
The ceremony took place six years after Dammons founded Maryland Safe Haven in 2018 and one year after she launched a Safe Haven operation in D.C.in 2023 located at 331 H St., N.E.
A statement on its website says Safe Haven provides a wide range of supportive services for LGBTQ people in need, with a special outreach to Black trans women ānavigating survival modeā living.
āThrough compassionate harm reduction and upward mobility services, advocacy support, and community engagement, we foster a respectful, non-judgmental environment that empowers individual agency,ā the statement says. āOur programs encompass community outreach, a drop-in center providing HIV testing, harm reduction, PrEP, medical linkage, case management, and assistance in accessing housing services,ā it says.
Among those participating in the street renaming ceremony were Baltimore City Council member Zeke Cohen, interim director of Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scottās Office of LGBTQ Affairs Alexis Blackmon, and Dominique Morgan, an official with the national foundation Borealis Philanthropy, which provides financial support for transgender supportive nonprofit organizations, including Safe Haven.
āThis is a significant achievement and historic moment for our city,ā a statement by Maryland Safe Haven announcing the ceremony says. āIya Dammons has been a tireless advocate for transgender rights and has worked tirelessly to provide safe spaces and resources for transgender individuals in our city,ā it says. āThis honor is well-deserved, and we are thrilled to see her contributions recognized in such a meaningful way.ā
Baltimore
Despite record crowds, Baltimore Prideās LGBTQ critics say organizers dropped the ball
People on social media expressed concern about block party stampede
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BY JOHN-JOHN WILLIAMS IV | This yearās Baltimore Pride Week attracted 150,000 people ā record attendance that far exceeded initial projections of 100,000.
But some see room for improvement and want organizers to address safety issues and make changes so the annual event that celebrates the LGBTQ population is better run.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
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