See who the three finalists are for the 2013 Coverboy of the Year issue, on newsstands this Thursday (12/12/13). Be sure to watch the behind the scenes video announcing the winner!
Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders (SMYAL), a support group for LGBT and questioning youth in the D.C. area, will bring together more than 200 youth and allied professionals to celebrate its second annual ''SMYAL for the Holidays'' event Thursday, Dec. 12.
Organized by SMYAL's volunteer Young Donors Committee, the fundraiser benefits SMYAL and helps the organization expand its work to reach more youth. During its first 18 months since being launched in the summer of 2012, the Young Donors Committee has helped raise more than $16,000 from 800 individual donors.
''It's always wonderful this time of year to help bring SMYAL, our mission, and our work to more people,'' Andrew Barnett, the group's executive director, said in a statement. ''Following our most successful Fall Brunch ever, it's great to see growing excitement for what we do among young professionals in the city.''
In June, the Young Donors Committee helped launch SMYAL Allies, a group of young professionals – many of whom also identify as LGBT – who support SMYAL's work and support the organization through personal donations.
''SMYAL Allies has been an exciting new way for young professionals to engage with and learn more about SMYAL,'' Billy Fettweis, chair of the Young Donors Committee and member of SMYAL's board of directors, said in a statement. ''The group also provides opportunities to build new social connections through social events and volunteer opportunities.''
This year's ''SMYAL for the Holidays'' celebration will be held at Local 16, at 1602 U St. NW, Thursday, Dec. 12, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $15 in advance, $25 at the door. 21 and older, only. For more information, call 202-546-5940 or visit smyalholidays.eventbrite.com.
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Justin Goforth, the director of community relations at Whitman-Walker Health, the community health center specializing in HIV/AIDS and LGBT-centric care, and a registered nurse with more than 20 years of experience in treating those with HIV/AIDS, was elected last week as community co-chair of the Metropolitan Washington Regional Ryan White Planning Council. The community co-chair is the council's sole elected position.
As co-chair of the council, Goforth will serve as the primary liaison to community organizations that provide services to those with HIV/AIDS, and to various communities affected by the disease. The planning council, which is made up of government officials, community health providers and HIV/AIDS advocates, sets priorities for the delivery of HIV/AIDS services and allocates about $30 million in federal resources each year for HIV care and support services in the D.C. region.
''It's a great honor for me to not just serve on the Planning Council but to also be a leader in the fight against HIV here in the D.C. metropolitan area, including suburban Maryland, Northern Virginia and parts of West Virginia,'' Goforth said in a statement. ''The Council plays a critical role in devising strategy and allocating resources to ensure that our efforts to treat people with HIV are effective and efficient. And by getting people into treatment, we can continue to reduce the rate of both new HIV infections and AIDS deaths in the D.C. area. This is the cause I have dedicated my life to and I'm proud to have this opportunity.''
Goforth, who himself is HIV-positive and was recently named to POZ Magazine's ''POZ 100'' – a list of HIV-positive individuals making significant contributions in the fight against HIV/AIDS – has experience overseeing Whitman-Walker Health's nurse case management, nutrition and treatment adherence programs in various capacities, as well as social services and referrals to health providers outside of Whitman-Walker. He also previously served as director of the Gay Men's Health and Wellness Clinic, the longest-running program at Whitman-Walker, which provides STD testing, treatment and sexual-health counseling.
Goforth is also specifically credited by Whitman-Walker as having played a role in creating Whitman-Walker's ''Red Carpet'' program giving newly diagnosed HIV patients an opportunity to meet their entire care team – from doctors and nurses to lab technicians and counselors – during their first visit to Whitman-Walker. The ''Red Carpet'' program is considered a model for treating those with HIV and is credited with helping reduce the number of AIDS cases in the city by linking those infected with treatment and support services as early as possible.
Whitman-Walker Health Executive Director Don Blanchon issued a statement praising Goforth's selection as co-chair of the planning council.
''We are very proud of Justin,'' Blanchon said. ''He has devoted not just his career but his life to the fight against HIV and AIDS. His commitment doesn't end when he leaves his office at the end of the day; it extends into his volunteer efforts. Justin's work has and will continue to have a lasting impact on the epidemic here in D.C.''
...moreIn NBC's Olympics coverage, journalist and historian David Remnick will likely touch on the situation of LGBT Russians under the nation's 'gay propaganda' law.
James 'Wally' Brewster, a Chicago business executive and political activist, aims to strengthen U.S. ties with the Dominican.
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