44th Anniversary of the Gay and lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, DC
Floor Speech
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Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the 44th anniversary of the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, DC (GLAA), a much-valued human rights organization that has long been a local leader in the struggle for equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
Since its founding, in April 1971, GLAA has been a respected and tireless advocate for full and equal rights for 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 District of Columbia Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act, which permits same-sex couples to marry in the District.
GLAA has also stoutly defended the District's comprehensive human rights law; has been an outspoken advocate for LGBT youth and seniors; has stood up for the rights of LGBT consumers; has upheld the rights of transgender people, including equal treatment by police and access to culturally competent healthcare; and has built and nurtured coalitions with other constituencies to advance these causes and defend the District's autonomy.
At GLAA's 44th anniversary reception on April 23, 2015, the recipients of its 2015 Distinguished Service Awards will be recognized, including:
Alexandra Andrea Beninda serves as a member of the D.C. Commission on Human Rights. She is a dedicated transgender advocate and community volunteer. She has also served as a board member for Equality Virginia, Treasurer of the Virginia Partisans Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club, Treasurer of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, and a board member for the DC Center for the LGBT Community. She has represented the Stein Club on the D.C. Democratic State Committee. She is an active member and Assistant Treasurer at All Souls Unitarian Church.
Chuck Hicks is a longtime specialist in Black history and strong supporter of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. He is founder and chair of the DC Black History Celebration Committee, and collaborated with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities in last year's multimedia production on Bayard Rustin and James Baldwin, and this year's production on Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis. He is founder and chair of Bread for the Soul. He has also served on the board of the Whitman-Walker Clinic. He led creation of a local host committee for the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and served on the D.C. Mayor's Committee on the 50th Anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington. He currently serves on the Commission on Aging, D.C. Commission on African-American Men and Boys, Commission on African-American Affairs, and the MLK Holiday Commission.
Anne Phelps is a former D.C. Council Committee Director for the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, serving under then-chairman Tommy Wells. Before that, she was Committee Director for the Committee on Libraries, Parks, Recreation, and Planning, and General Counsel for the Committee on Transportation and Public Works. During her tenure on the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, the following bills supported by GLAA were passed: the Marriage Officiant Amendment Act of 2013; JaParker Deoni Jones Birth Certificate Equality Amendment Act of 2013; Marriage License Issuance Amendment Act of 2013; Civil Marriage Dissolution Equality Clarification Amendment Act of 2014; Repeal of Prostitution Free Zones Amendment Act of 2014; and Human Rights Amendment Act of 2014. During her previous committee post, she shepherded the Youth Bullying Prevention Act of 2012. She continues to work on LGBT issues as Legislative Director for Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen.
I ask the House to join me in honoring the recipients of GLAA's 2015 Distinguished Service Award and celebrating GLAA's 44 years of contributions to the LGBT community in the District of Columbia.
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