Queer Changemakers

Building Communities of Nonviolence with Francis Gortaire

Francis Gortaire (they/them) is changing their community by encouraging nonviolence in our communities through the DC Peace Team. DC Peace Team provides training and services in active bystander intervention, unarmed civilian protection, and restorative justice. In this conversation, we discuss their journey into working for the DC Peace Team, the variety of those services and topics, as well as how those themes can be used in our personal lives and workplaces.  To learn more about the DC Peace Team, their monthly trainings and information, connect with them here:  * Email: info@dcpeaceteam.org [info@dcpeaceteam.org]  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dcpeaceteam/ [https://www.instagram.com/dcpeaceteam/]  * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DcPeaceTeam [https://www.facebook.com/DcPeaceTeam]  * Website: https://www.dcpeaceteam.org/ [https://www.dcpeaceteam.org/]

Inclusive Healthcare and Building Community with Dwight Venson

Dwight Venson is changing the world and our community by promoting the inclusive health services provided by Whitman Walker. With multiple locations in DC, Whitman Walker is a federally qualified health center offering the full range of primary care, dental, pharmacies as well as some legal services (name/gender marker and immigration support), and insurance navigation.   In this conversation, Dwight shares his journey into this role, the people and opportunities in DC who helped him grow and get more involved and connected with the community. He highlights the opening of the Max Robinson Center and deepening work in Ward 7 and 8, while discussing challenges like resource allocation and Whitman-Walker’s complicated history minority communities, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging past harm and course-correcting, in order to grow and build a future with more inclusion, connection and community.    To learn more about Whitman Walker services and locations visit their:  * Website: https://www.whitman-walker.org/ [https://www.whitman-walker.org/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitmanwalker/ [https://www.instagram.com/whitmanwalker/]    You can connect with Dwight in the following ways: * Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwight-venson-03914721a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwight-venson-03914721a/]

What's Next for The Modern Military Association of America with Ashley Carothers and Cathy Marcello

The Modern Military Association of America is changing the world by serving, supporting and connecting LGBTQ+ current service members, veterans and their family members.  According to their website, “Modern Military works to uphold and expand the civil rights progress made on behalf of LGBTQ+ service members, veterans, and their families through education, advocacy, support networks, and discrimination tracking.”   In part 2 of this conversation, we hear from the NEWLY named Executive Director…. Ashley Carothers, as Cathy Marcello passes the baton of leadership. We talk about Ashley’s vision for the continued success and future of the organization. We also discuss a variety of ongoing  programs and collaborations, and going back to their roots of legality, advocacy, and policy as an organization. We also discuss the power of community storytelling, and how listeners can support their vital work.   Visit their Website and sign up for their newsletter to stay tuned for all their events and programs: https://modernmilitary.org/ [https://modernmilitary.org/]  Donate to Modern Military through their website or the Combined Federal Campaign. Their CFC number is 12111   You can connect with Modern Military in the following ways: * Email: info@modernmilitary.org * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lgbtq_military/ [https://www.instagram.com/lgbtq_military/]  * FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/modernmilitary/ [https://www.facebook.com/modernmilitary/]  * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/modernmilitary/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/modernmilitary/]  Website: https://modernmilitary.org/ [https://modernmilitary.org/]

Service, Community and Collaboration with the Modern Military Association of America

The Modern Military Association of America is changing the world by serving, supporting and connecting LGBTQ+ current service members, veterans and their family members.  According to their website, “Modern Military works to uphold and expand the civil rights progress made on behalf of LGBTQ+ service members, veterans, and their families through education, advocacy, support networks, and discrimination tracking.”   In part 1 of this conversation, we sit down with Cathy Marcello, the interim Executive Director, as well as Ashley Carothers, who is serving on the Board. We talk about how the organization came to be, stories and some of the previous victories, as well as some of the challenges that are faced by LGBTQ+ service members and their family communities.     You can connect with Modern Military in the following ways: * Email: info@modernmilitary.org * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lgbtq_military/ [https://www.instagram.com/lgbtq_military/]  * FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/modernmilitary/ [https://www.facebook.com/modernmilitary/]  * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/modernmilitary/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/modernmilitary/]  * Website: https://modernmilitary.org/ [https://modernmilitary.org/]    Stay tuned for part 2 next week!

Community Care with Jocelyn Jacoby

Jocelyn Jacoby, she/her, is changing the world by serving as  a Program Director and Psychotherapist. At the DC LGBTQ+ center, her team provides free behavioral health services and survivor advocacy to LGBTQ+ and community individuals.  In this conversation, we talk about the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center's expanded new location, themes of mental health and other challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and how our community can come together to support one another.    Jocelyn is hosting a free therapist-facilitated conversation on mental health and community support on November 5th from 7pm - 8:30pm. This offering is an opportunity to be in community as we grapple with fear, anger, sadness, hope, and share where we find joy. In a time of increasing isolation, The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center wants to remind you that you are not alone and your community has your back.    The DC Antiviolence Project (DCAVP) is hosting an open mic event on December 5 at 7pm: Queer Voices: Unwavering. This will be a space that allows us to honor our queer siblings of all communities, mourn those lost, and celebrate the power and love in our community.  Jocelyn is also actively seeking  Volunteers for the DC Antiviolence Project (DCAVP) to lead community organizing, recruitment, and communications efforts. The DCAVP meets monthly (quarterly in person, every other month online).    You can connect with the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center, where Jocelyn works, in the following ways: For Trauma-Informed Casework, Individual/Group Therapy, or DCAVP Volunteer Chair Interest: Email: counseling@thedccenter.org For General Information, Peer Support Groups, or Volunteering (Front Desk, Clothing Boutique, Food Distribution): Email: info@thedccenter.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedccenter/ [https://www.instagram.com/thedccenter/]   Website: https://thedccenter.org/ [https://thedccenter.org/]