Capital Pride Heroes
2010 CAPITAL PRIDE SUPER HERO
Deacon Maccubbin
Gay activist L. Page “Deacon” Maccubbin, with his husband of 32 years Jim Bennett at his side, has played a pivotal in building and supporting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in the District. Deacon is not only the former owner of Lambda Rising Bookstore - a DC institution for decades - but was one of the founders of Capital Pride in 1975.
After joining the Gay Liberation Front - DC, Deacon took over a “craftshop” on 20th St, NW in 1971 which became Lambda Rising in 1974. While a leader the Community Building, the organization supported community groups such as the Washington Blade, off our backs, Roadwork and many other youth and community organizations. Wearing his Lambda Rising hat, he founded the Lambda Literary Awards which honors outstanding gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender authors from across the country. (1)
Heroes
Marta Alvarado brings visibility to the Latino LGBT community not only as Assistant Director of the Creating Change conference but also working on high profile events such as the Grammys, VMAs and others. She began her work with LLEGO, hosting dialogues on domestic violence.
Destiny B. Childs (a.k.a. Ric Legg) has racked up a lot of titles in her short years of life as a female impersonator: Miss Gaye Dreamgirls, Miss International Gay Rodeo Association, Miss Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association, Miss Zodiac and most recently, Miss Gaye America DC. She is proud to host the annual fundraiser Courtney Lovelace Pediatric AIDS Fundraiser with Freddie’s Follies. As much time as she devotes to title competitions, what ultimately distinguishes Destiny is her tireless commitment to the community.
Rev. Elder Darlene Garner serves on the Board of Elders for the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) and leads the MCC Conference for African-American Leaders. She has worked as the executive director of the Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on Sexual Minorities, has served as the chaplain for an AIDS hospice, and as President of the Board of Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry. Rev. Garner is also credited with helping to found the National Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays. On Tuesday, March 9th, 2010, she wed her partner Rev. Lorilyn “Candy” Holmes as one of the first couples to legally marry in Washington, D.C.
DC Clergy United for Marriage Equality represents a diverse group of more than 200 affirming and welcoming clergy and religious leaders in the District of Columbia who support marriage equality for LGBT people. Their work in the media and among their congregations to spread the understanding that there are many churches and synagogues in D.C. that celebrate and affirm LGBT couples who wish to marry significantly impacted the marriage debate in the District. They have worked together over many years for peace and justice and declared that their faith called them to affirm marriage equality for loving same-sex couples.
DC for Marriage is a group of local residents committed to winning and keeping marriage in the District. DC for Marriage ran an aggressive grassroots public education campaign to build support for marriage that included media advocacy, online organizing, and canvassing. DC for Marriage volunteers engaged in thousands of conversations with District residents about why marriage matters to gay people and their families.
Engendered Spirits
Anthony Hall has been Transgender Health Empowerment’s Executive Director for the last 6 years. Mr. Hall has over 15 years of experience working with adjudicated youth and child and family services.
Pastors Ruth and Brian Hamilton have been the Co-Pastors of Westminster Presbyterian Church since February 1996 and Westminster held the first Trans Pride in 2007. They continuously uphold and fight for the rights of the Transgender community.
Sadie-Ryanne Baker is a leading member of DC Trans Coalition. She is a passionate activist for transgender rights. She consistently puts herself out in the public view to help win victories for the transgender civil rights movement.
Thomas Coughlin is the Patient Advocate for Transgender-related health care Whitman-Walker Clinic and as such, assists transgender patients in navigating services. Thomas also has years of volunteer experience within the transgender community leading DCATS (DC Area Transmasculine Society) and coordinating True Spirit and the IFGE conference.
Leandrea Gilliam has served as a staff member of the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) for the past four years, currently holding the position of Care Advocacy Manager. In her time at SMYAL, Leandrea has supported countless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people on their path to becoming happy, healthy adults.
(1) Special thanks to the Rainbow History Project for providing some historical information on Deacon Maccubbin.
—30—
Capital Pride is produced by the Capital Pride Alliance, Inc. a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Capital Pride is a volunteer-based organization that is open to all members, supporters, and allies of the GLBT community. For more information about Capital Pride,including how to make a tax-deductible donation and to volunteer with the organization, please visit www.capitalpride.org.
Click here to read the press release announcing 2009 Capital Pride Heroes.
2009 Capital Pride Super Heroes
Dr. Frank Kameny
Dr. Lilli Vincenz
2009 Capital Pride Heroes
Andrew Abell, a.k.a. “Blair Michaels”
David Lett, a.k.a. “Lena Lett”
Ellen Kahn
Margaret Murray
Donna Payne
Bob Witeck
To view the 2008 Capital Pride Heroes, click here.
View the 2007 Capital Pride Heroes here.
View the full list of all Capital Pride Heroes.
