[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 17, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E485]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE GAY AND LESBIAN ACTIVISTS ALLIANCE OF WASHINGTON, DC 
                                 (GLAA)

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 17, 2013

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, every spring since 1991, when I became a 
member of Congress, I remind the House of Representatives I have the 
honor and pleasure of representing the oldest continually functioning 
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organization in the 
United States, the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, DC 
(GLAA). I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
celebrating GLAA's 42nd anniversary and wishing it well as it continues 
in the struggle for equal rights for the LGBT community.
  Since its founding in April 1971, GLAA has been a respected and 
tireless advocate for full and equal rights for the LGBT community in 
the District of Columbia, and has been at the forefront of efforts to 
strengthen enforcement of the landmark D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977. 
One of GLAA's most significant achievements, on which it worked with 
coalition partners, D.C. elected officials, and District residents, was 
enactment of the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality 
Amendment Act of 2009, which permits same-sex couples to marry in the 
District.
  In addition to its leadership on LGBT rights in the District, GLAA 
has always provided leadership on a wide range of civil rights issues, 
such as family rights, police accountability, and access to condoms in 
prisons and D.C. public schools. GLAA also emphasizes effective public 
health strategies and accountability in the fight against HIV/AIDS in 
the District.
  At GLAA's 42nd anniversary reception on April 25, 2013, the 
recipients of its 2013 Distinguished Service Awards will be recognized, 
including:
  Diana Bruce is Director of Health and Wellness for the District of 
Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), and leads DCPS's school health office, 
developing policies, programs, systems and partnerships that enable 
local schools to provide school health services and supports for 
students. In this capacity, Diana initiated the development of DCPS's 
efforts to make its schools welcoming and inclusive of lesbian, gay, 
bisexual, transgender and questioning students, staff and families. She 
also leads the community engagement process to develop DCPS's framework 
and approach to preventing, identifying and responding to bullying.
  Clarence J. Fluker is the editor of Substanceandstyledc.com, an art, 
culture, entertainment and lifestyle blog. Clarence's articles have 
been featured in SWERV and The Life magazines, and he has served as the 
Next Generation editor for Arise. He served as Program Manager of the 
D.C. Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs from 2008 
to 2012, and previously served on its Advisory Committee. In 2002, he 
was elected the youngest member of the Board of Directors of Black 
Lesbian & Gay Pride Day, Inc., and served as its board president in 
2006.
  Brent Minor is executive director of Team DC, established in 2003 to 
educate the LGBT community on the benefits of individual and team 
sports. Brent chaired the Metropolitan Washington Gaymes bid committee 
for the 2014 Gay Games. He is a member of the Alexandria Commission on 
HIV/AIDS. He served on the President's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS 
under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. He also served as 
Director of Public Policy at the Whitman-Walker Clinic of Northern 
Virginia and as Director of Community Relations at Food & Friends.
  Peter Rosenstein has been a tireless activist in politics, government 
affairs, and the arts for more than 30 years. He is president of the 
Campaign for All DC Families. He is founder and president of Arts in 
Action, and was Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University 
of the District of Columbia. He served on Whitman-Walker Clinic's 
Health Development Committee, and chaired the host committee for the 
Food & Friends annual dinner for 9 years. He writes regularly for many 
publications, including the Washington Blade.
  Jason A. Terry is a conflict resolution and human rights advocate 
dedicated to educating others about how to build a more peaceful world, 
locally and globally. He is training manager at the National Council 
for International Visitors, with responsibilities for regional and 
national meetings, webinars, and curriculum design. He is also an anti-
violence organizer with the DC Trans Coalition, coordinating advocacy 
and educational campaigns to reduce anti-transgender violence, and 
serves as treasurer on the board of the Association for Gender 
Research, Education, Academia and Action.
  I ask the House to join me in honoring the recipients of GLAA's 2013 
Distinguished Service Award and in celebrating GLAA's 42nd anniversary 
of contributions to the LGBT community in the District of Columbia.

                          ____________________