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Go Red For Women ™ presents: 'Just a Little Heart Attack' - YouTube

2011-10-09T20:23:00.000-04:00

Go Red For Women ™ presents: 'Just a Little Heart Attack' - YouTube:

'via Blog this'

Bus Ride to Kings Dominion

2011-09-07T07:45:00.001-04:00

Gay Night at Kings Dominion

Sat Sep 10 2011 at 08:00 pm

Venue : Kings Dominion, 16000 Theme Park Way, , ,

Created By : Uhu Programs

Description:

Once again UHU is planning our Annual trip to the Official Gay Night at Kings Dominion and we have some great ways to get tickets for reduced price:

First: If you come in and take an HIV Antibody test, you will get $20 off your ticket price so all you would have to pay is $13!!! Of course if there is space available on the bus you would be more then welcome to ride with us!

Second: If you choose not to take advantage of the other 2 offers, you can pay for your ticket here at Us Helping Us for the price of $33

DON’T FORGET:

Kings Dominion Gay night starts at 8:00 pm and Ends at 1:00 am on September 10th 2011

We will be leaving the UHU office at 6:00 pm SHARP!!

For more information you can contact:

Kenya Hutton

Khutton@uhupil.org

202-446-1100

C.O.M.M.A.N.D. MC Fetish Ball

2010-09-12T23:59:00.002-04:00

C.O.M.M.A.N.D. MC will hold their annual Fetish Ball on Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, at Club Hippo, 1 W. Eager St., Baltimore, Md. 21201. The doors will open at 10 p.m. and admission will be $8. All profits from the event will go to Brother Help Thyself. BHT is a certified non-profit charitable organization under IRS section 501(c)3. C.O.M.M.A.N.D. MC is proud to assist BHT in its 32nd year of renowned service and support for the GLBTQ community in our region. So come dressed in your favorite fetish wear and ready to dance the night away. The guest DJ for the night will be DJ Steve Henderson of Chicago. He is the resident DJ of IML, IMR and Capital Pride. Chained Desires will have a fetish/leather mart on site. For more information about the dance and to purchase your tickets on line visit www.commandmc.org today. Don’t miss this wonderful dance!

C.O.M.M.A.N.D. MC 22nd run and Mr. Maryland Leather 2011 contest

2010-09-12T23:28:00.003-04:00

C.O.M.M.A.N.D. MC will be celebrating the 22nd Anniversary of the club and the 21st Mr. Maryland Leather contest on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2010, at 1 p.m. The contest will be held at Club Hippo, 1 W. Eager St., Baltimore, Md. 21201. The host hotel for the weekend will be the Hotel Brexton, 868 Park Ave., Baltimore, Md. 21201. Festivities include a meet-and-greet at the hotel on Friday night from 8-10 p.m. and a public social greeting with the contestants at the Baltimore Eagle from 11 p.m.-1 a.m. During the weekend there will be a number of cocktail parties sponsored by various other fellow leather clubs such as The ShipMates of Baltimore, DC Boys of Leather and many more.

Saturday will begin with eye openers cocktail at the hotel followed by brunch at Singer’s Restaurant. Then off to Club Hippo were you will find C.O.M.M.A.N.D. MC’s annual silent auction and Mr. Maryland Leather 2011 contest. The afternoon will conclude with a catered dinner by Biddle Street Caterers. Dinner tickets are included in the full registration or individual tickets must be reserved by Oct. 29. Saturday night’s celebration will be a victory celebration for Mr. Maryland Leather 2011 at the Baltimore Eagle. Then back to the hotel for late night cocktails and fellowship.

Among the judges this year will be the current Mr. Maryland Leather 2010 Justin Terry-Smith, Mr. Michigan Leather 2004 Bob Rose, Manager or the DC Leather Rack Chaz Dean and Mid-Atlantic Leather SIR 2008 Andy Lu. The MC for this year’s contest will be CJ Smith, Mr. Club XS Leather 2008 and Mr. Woods Leather 2007.

COMMAND members invite you to come join in this great leather weekend. This will be an event you will not want to miss. For more information and to purchase you tickets online, visit www.commandmc.org, pay pal is set up for your convenience or check them out on Facebook at COMMAND MC. You can also call 443-296-2198.

Thrill Seekers

2010-09-03T00:56:00.006-04:00

Brother Help Thyself's annual outing to Kings Dominion takes place next Saturday, Sept. 11

By Doug Rule in Metro Weekly
Published on September 1, 2010

Planet Snoopy will be closed next Saturday night, Sept. 11, during Brother Help Thyself's annual outing at Kings Dominion.

"[That section] is for the kids... and people who are really into furries," says BHT's Tim Woody, quickly adding about bears like himself, "Not that kind of furry."

Don't worry, that kind of furry will definitely be in attendance -- and not just Woody, this year's BHT events chair, who promises to be "bright-eyed and bushy-tailed" most of the night greeting patrons. The annual trek to Kings Dominion, about 20 miles north of Richmond, is one of the largest fundraisers for BHT, the all-volunteer local alliance of leather, Levi, drag, bear and fetish communities. The private, nighttime event attracts well upward of 2,000 thrill-seeking people from all walks of gay life, plus straight allies.

And Planet Snoopy has nothing on this year's real draw, the new Intimidator 305, said to be the fastest and highest roller coaster on the East Coast. Of course, the park was no slouch in the coaster-enthusiast department before the Intimadator 305, with 15 different coaster rides to give you thrills, from the classic, wooden Rebel Yell to the Volcano Blast Coaster to the Dominator.

After the rides shut down around 11 p.m., Cherry presents DJ Steve Henderson, a regular at Secrets and Capital Pride. Henderson will spin for a dance party at the park's main entrance area, International Street. Beer and mixed drinks, as well as food, will be served all night at the park.

Beyond supporting the community through BHT, Woody ticks off the advantages of the event, from the manageable lines in accessing the rides, to having the park "open just for us," to "the nighttime thrill of riding a rollercoaster in the dark."

A coaster enthusiast, Woody hopes he's able to "sneak away" to ride one of the coasters. If not, at least maybe he can find himself a furry to have fun with. Yes, that kind of furry.

BHT's Annual Gay and Lesbian Night is Saturday, Sept. 11, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Kings Dominion, Doswell, Va. Tickets are $32 in advance, $35 at the gate. Call 202-347-2246 or visit brotherhelpthyself.org.

DJ Steve Henderson to perform at Gay & Lesbian Night at King's Dominion

2010-06-22T19:10:00.005-04:00

DJ Steve Henderson will be performing at Brother, Help Thyself's annual Gay & Lesbian Night at King's Dominion from 11 p.m.-1 a.m. on Sept. 11.

Steve has been a professional club DJ since 1987. Originally from Baltimore and Washington DC, he now resides in Chicago. He spins monthly at Ziegfelds/Secrets and also can be seen at 930 Club, Apex/Badlands, Cobalt, Edge, Wet, Nation, Fur, Love, Zei Club, Chloe, The Vault and Fifth Column in DC. For the last several years, he has been the main stage DJ at Capital Pride. He also performs at Club 1722, Grand Central, Hippo, Allegro, PT Flaggs, Cignel, The Depot, The Spot, Paradox, Redwood Trust, Equinox and Club Midnite in the Baltimore area.

To purchase tickets in advance for $32, click here and enter the corporate code "gaynight." Tickets at the gate will cost $34.

ASGRA sponsors Whisky & Wii Party

2010-06-22T19:01:00.001-04:00

2010 grant applications are now available

2010-05-05T11:47:00.002-04:00

Applications for the 2010 grants is now available on our website.

The 2010 application deadline is July 30, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.

To be considered for a 2010 grant, you must be able to prove that your organization meets the following criteria:

Have IRS 501(c)(3) status or receipt of an IRS application for non-profit statusl
Be physically located in the Metro Baltimore/Washington, D.C., area (including Northern Virginia;
Have revenue of less than $2 million.

All grant documents must be submitted electronically.

Grant hearings will be held on September 25-26, 2010, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Brother, Help Thyself offices in the Dignity Center Washington, 721 8th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003, or on October 2, 2009, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Metropolitan Community Church, 401 W. Monument Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

To download grant instruction or an application, click here.

Grants will be awarded at a ceremony on January 29, 2011, in Baltimore. In case of snow, the ceremony will be held on February 5, 2011, in Baltimore.

BHT bar nights at the DC Eagle

2010-04-15T11:58:00.004-04:00

Come out and support Brother, Help Thyself for two bar nights at the DC Eagle.
On May 28 and Aug. 20, BHT officers and directors will be serving draft beer and Jello shooters, and will have a raffle for Leather Rack Play Dollars and other prizes.

The DC Eagle is at 639 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC, between 6th & 7th Streets, just two blocks north of the Gallery Place Metro Station and two blocks south of the Mt. Vernon Square Metro Station

Save the date for Gay & Lesbian Night at Kings Dominion

2010-04-15T11:39:00.005-04:00

Gay and Lesbian Night at Kings Dominion has been set for Saturday, Sept. 11, from 8 p.m.-1 a.m.

Ride the new Intimidator 305, the tallest and fastest roller coaster of its type on the East Coast! Only the second Giga-coaster ever built in North America, the lift hill stands a towering 305 feet at its highest peak; descend 300 feet at an 85 degree-angle and thunder along the track at speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour during its three minute race to the finish.

The park's rides will be open from 8-11 p.m. after regular guests leave. Then International Street will be turned into a giant dance floor with a DJ spinning tunes from 11 p.m.-1 a.m.

To purchase tickets in advance for $32, click here and enter the corporate code "gaynight." Tickets at the gate will cost $34.

2010 officers elected

2010-02-17T23:29:00.003-05:00

Brother, Help Thyself elected its 2010 slate of officers at its Feb. 17, 2010, meeting. JoAnn Kokindo of the Highwaymen TNT was reelected president, Bradley "Thumper" Hill of the District of Columbia Bear Club was reelected vice president and Mark Clark of the Chesapeake Bay Bears was reelected treasurer. Peter Delate of SigMa was elected secretary replacing Beth Brockleman, ASGRA representative and president, who did not seek reelection.

Awards Ceremony canceled again

2010-02-11T21:10:00.005-05:00

Checks available at Feb. 17 meeting or by mail

We have had an unfortunate week. With weather conditions, street closings and public transportation in an undecided state, the thought is that it is better to cancel then to have a reception where few could attend.

We will give out the awards at Wednesday's re-scheduled board meeting and send the checks to our grantees once we have a valid e-mail address and a person's name who can sign a return receipt. Grantees can also attend the board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 17 beginning at 8 p.m. at the Dignity Center, 721 8th St. SE, Washington, to pick up checks then if they prefer.

JoAnn Kokindo
President, Brother Help Thyself

Neighborhood Investment

2010-02-11T18:38:00.003-05:00

Brother Help Thyself announces recipients of its annual giving

By Yusef Najafi in Metro Weekly
Published on February 10, 2010

This year Brother Help Thyself (BHT) is giving more than $120,000 to 27 different organizations -- but its annual Grants Award Reception, originally scheduled for Jan. 31, has been postponed to Feb. 13 due to inclement weather.

Tom Yates, executive director at BHT, says if another storm hits metropolitan Washington this weekend, the event will be cancelled and checks will be sent out to recipients.

''If the weather holds out, it will be on,'' Yates says, adding that the event was originally scheduled to be held at Baltimore's Hippo, but is now planned to take place at D.C.'s Dignity Center.

This year's grant amounts range from $500 for the GLBT Arts Consortium to $12,930 for Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive (HIPS).

''They really fight for the community and are out on the frontline,'' Yates says of HIPS. ''They're not getting money from conventional sources because they're really doing work for sex workers, specifically for people in the LGBT community. It's not the sort of thing that church groups or traditional charities work for.''

BHT is a community-based organization that provides financial other support for LGBT- and HIV/AIDS-related efforts in the Baltimore-D.C. area. During the past 30 years, BHT has raised more than $2.1 million for 130 organizations.

Yates says the money comes from endowments, as well as money raised by BHT directly at events such as the annual Gay and Lesbian Night at Kings Dominion, usually held in the fall.

Other 2010 grant recipients include the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League with $2,135; Metro TeenAIDS with $8,353; The Center, D.C.'s LGBT community center, with $3,494; and Transgender Health Empowerment with $7,552.

Brian Watson, director of programs at THE, says the organization will use the money for its youth services that were affected by the city's budget cuts last year.

''Every little amount helps,'' Watson says. ''We probably lost about $40,000, so this is a little bit. It's nowhere near where we need to be to be whole again, but we're appreciative.''

BHT's Grant Award Reception is scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Dignity Center, 721 8th St. SE. For any cancellation notice, or for a full list of grant recipients, visit brotherhelpthyself.org.

Grant awards reception rescheduled

2010-02-03T23:00:00.002-05:00

February 13
1 p.m.
The Dignity Center
721 8th Street
Washington, DC 20003

It was very unfortunate that the snow kept us from celebrating what a great job BHT has done this year and giving out the much earned recognition awards.

We’ve been able to obtain the Dignity Center's main meeting room for a somewhat scaled back reception at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 13.

At this new reception the grantees will receive their checks. Food will be served and we will have the opportunity to toast one and all with wine beer and soft drinks.

I hope that you all can attend and bring your club presidents and others from your club and community.

We will be finished in time to attend Scarlet's bake sale, which begins at 5pm.

Best regards,

JoAnn Kokindo
President, Brother Help Thyself

BHT awards more than $120,000 in grants

2010-02-03T00:26:00.005-05:00

Brother, Help Thyself, a community-based organization that provides financial and other support to non-profit organizations serving the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered/questioning and and HIV/AIDS community in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. metro area, recently awarded grants totaling $120,472.33 to 27 organizations.

BHT was founded in 1978 by four gay motorcycle clubs and is one of the first organizations in the United States to provide funding for GLBTQ health, cultural, and social services. The first fund drive by The Capital Area Board of Leather and Levi Motorcycle Clubs raised $4,518. BHT was formed to award that grant to the Gay Men's VD Clinic, which was having financial difficulties at that time. Not only did this grant make it possible for the clinic to continue to provide health services, but also made it possible for it to separate from the Free Clinic. This separation lead to the creation of the Whitman-Walker Clinic, which expanded its services to the lesbian community at that time.

BHT has grown and diversified over the years. In response to the AIDS crises in our community, we financially support many AIDS service providers. During the past 30 years, we have raised over $2.1 million and distributed it to more than 130 groups in our community. Brother, Help Thyself raises funds throughout the year and then disburses direct and matching funds, partners with grantees on fundraisers and other events, acts as a clearinghouse for donated goods and services, and serves as an information resource to the GLBTQ community.

Grant recipient and the amounts they received for 2009 include:
AIDS Action Baltimore, $5,518.33;
ARRIBA Center, Washington, $2,165;
Charlie's Place, Washington, $6,425;
Damien Ministries, Washington, $6,500;
Ellington Fund/Wayne M. Nesbitt, Washington, $2,210;
Emmaus Services for the Aging, Washington, $3,185;
Equality Maryland Foundation, Baltimore, $1,115;
GLBT Arts Consortium, Washington, $500;
Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore, $5,870;
Health Options and Positive Energy Foundation (HOPE), Washington, $2,600;
Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive (HIPS), Washington, $12,930;
Interfaith Fairness Coalition of MD, Baltimore, 4,335;
Lesbian and Gay Chorus of Washington, 2,000;
Mautner Project, Washington, $2,490;
Metropolitan DC GLBT Community Center, $3,494;
Metro Teen AIDS, Washington, $8,353;
Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry, Falls Church, Va., $1,720;
Pediatric AIDS/HIV Care, Washington, $6,135;
PFLAG of Metro Washington, DC, $5,510;
Pets-DC, Washington, $9,055;
Positive Voices of Baltimore (POZVOX), $4,420;
Prevention Works, Washington, $4,030;
Rainbow Youth Alliance of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, $5,895;
Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL), Washington, $2,135;
Third Millennium Ensemble, Washington, $845;
Transgender Health Empowerment, Washington, $7,552; and
Washington Renegades Rugby Football Team, $3,485.

Awards Ceremony canceled due to snow

2010-01-30T11:16:00.003-05:00

The Grant Awards Ceremony, scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30, in Baltimore, has been canceled due to inclement weather.

2010 Grants Award Ceremony

2010-01-29T18:02:00.003-05:00

Brother, Help Thyself will award over $100,000 in grants to HIV/AIDS and GLBT non-profit organizations on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Hippo, 1 W. Eager St., Baltimore, Md. Doors will open at 1 p.m. for a silent auction. There will also be cocktails and hors d'ouvres. The awards ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. Please come out and support BHT and the deserving charities that do so much for our community.

Brother, Help Thyself's office is moving

2009-12-15T00:22:00.003-05:00

Brother, Help Thyself's offices are moving as of Jan. 1, 2010. We will now be located in the Dignity Center, 721 8th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003. Our email address and phone number will remain the same. Also, correspondence should continue to be mailed to Brother, Help Thyself, PO Box 77841, Washington, DC 20013-8841

One Man's Mark

2009-11-12T12:29:00.005-05:00

Larry Stansbury offered decades of service to the LGBT community

by Yusef Najafi
Published on November 12, 2009, in Metro Weekly

During his final days Larry Stansbury didn't quite resemble the dedicated community activist and organizer so many in the D.C. area remember. Lying in a bed at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the District, he was immobile, his eyes and mouth closed. Each day included a barrage of about 45 pills that would help Stansbury survive to the next day as comfortably as possible.

Yet there was a quality Steve Blum, Stansbury's roommate and close friend of nearly 30 years, recognized a certain look on Stansbury's face, facial expressions hinting at his determination to fight the ailments resulting from a broken hip the 61-year-old suffered after falling from his bed eight weeks earlier. It was the same look of determination Stansbury had given him in the 1990s when he was diagnosed with diabetes.

''I would stand over him and tell him, 'Hi Larry, it's Steve,'" says Blum. "[I would] stroke his arm and his eyebrow would move up a little bit, so he was aware I was there. But he was very sick at that time.''

For Stansbury, a two-time kidney transplant recipient, the diabetes diagnosis was a turning point in the wrong direction because he knew the condition would make him less eligible for successful transplants in the future.

''Once he developed diabetes, he kind of knew that they wouldn't want to give him a transplant, because it's going to reject,'' Blum says. ''Then he started to develop a cyst that caused his kidney to fail, which started to develop on his liver too. It wasn't until the very end until the liver went. He managed to control that with some aggressive treatment.''

Stansbury was already familiar with his ailments, as he had already watched his mother and sister die of similar illness.

''He was born with that,'' Blum says of Stansbury's renal problems. ''It's hereditary genes, and he would say, 'I'm going to have to battle this all the way.'''

Stansbury, who died on Saturday, Oct. 31, was prominent in the local LGBT community as the first executive director of the gay philanthropic group Brother Help Thyself (BHT). He was also a founding board member of Capital Pride, and a member of the Spartan Motorcycle Club.

According to Blum, Stansbury became an activist as a result of his inability to work shortly following his first kidney transplant in 1984. Blum met Stansbury just a few years before that after moving to Alexandria from Harrisburg, Pa., in 1980.

Stansbury was working at the DC Eagle at the time and the two, along with Stansbury's then-partner James Kenner, became roommates. Though Kenner died from AIDS-related complications many years ago, Blum and Stansbury remained roommates. Before working at the DC Eagle, Stansbury served in the United States Navy from 1969 to 1973.

''He was in the medical field, so he went to work for hospitals,'' Blum says. ''He was what they call the materials guy -- he was the purchaser for the hospital. He did that for years.

''When he stopped working, he got involved with one organization after another,'' Blum says. ''He went to Whitman-Walker Clinic, then BHT. He was already active with the Spartans, and he started doing charity work. He just wanted to keep busy.

"He wasn't all that sick," Blum continues. "He was able to function very well, but he wasn't able to go out and get a job, so he just dedicated his life [to volunteerism]. And he was relentless.''

As an example of what could be accomplished with Stansbury's dedication, Blum points to BHT's budget. The group awarded only a few thousand dollars per year in grants when Stansbury first got involved. Under Stansbury's leadership, the number grew to approximately $100,000 per year in awarded grants.

Mark Meinke of the Rainbow History Project says Stansbury has played an important role in D.C.'s local LGBT community since the 1960s.

''He was very active with the leather community," says Meinke. "He was very active with BHT, from its beginnings. He was active in the Pride celebrations from the late '70s on. He did security after he retired, because of his disability. He liked having a good time. He was one of the organizers of Gay Day at King's Dominion each year. Larry never struck me as a man who sat still very long. He was always doing something."

While Stansbury's dedication to the community was unwavering, Blum says there was one goal that went unaccomplished: an HIV/AIDS memorial monument or park in the District.

In a directive Stansbury entrusted to Blum, Stansbury asked that those wishing to remember him in some way upon his death should make donations to BHT, the Capital Pride Alliance, or the Spartan MC. Stansbury also directed that his remains be cremated.

A memorial celebration of Stansbury's life has been set for Saturday, Dec. 12, at 1 p.m. in the lobby-level reception room of the Alexandria Knolls West condominiums, 6101 Edsall Road, Alexandria.

Larry Stansbury, longtime D.C. activist, dies at 61

2009-11-06T13:28:00.003-05:00

Co-founded Brother Help Thyself, supported Capital Pride and D.C. Center

By Rebecca Armendariz
in the Washington Blade, Nov. 6, 2009

Larry Stansbury, the first executive director of Brother Help Thyself and a Capital Pride Alliance founding board member, died Saturday in D.C. of complications stemming from a broken hip, according to Steve Blum, Stansbury’s roommate of 29 years. Stansbury was 61.

He first came to the District from Richmond, Va., in the 1970s after a four-year stint in the U.S. Navy ending in 1973. He worked at the D.C. Eagle, where he eventually became manager, and became involved in local LGBT activities largely through his memberships to the Centaur and Spartan gay motorcycle clubs, the latter of which he served in several roles, including president.

Stansbury had a kidney transplant in 1984, a development that allowed him to receive federal disability benefits and use his time to volunteer for LGBT nonprofits, Blum said.

Blum called Stansbury his “lifelong friend.” Stansbury’s partner of 12 years, James Kenner, died in 1990.

“He had a very limited family,” Blum said. “But he was my mother and my sister and my brother and everything else.”

In 1978, Stansbury helped create Brother Help Thyself, which provides funds for LGBT health, cultural and social services, said current executive director Tom Yates. After stepping down as the group’s director in 2006, Stansbury served on the organization’s board of directors as the Spartan representative.

Groups that have received donations from Brother Help Thyself include the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League, the Whitman-Walker Clinic and the Mautner Project.

“He was the one who answered the phone, he got the mail, he was the point person,” Yates said. “When people needed to get a hold of Brother Help Thyself, they got a hold of Larry. He was the eyes and ears of the organization.”

Under Stansbury’s direction, Brother Help Thyself grew from an organization collecting $2,000 in grants to one bringing in more than $2 million, according to Rainbow History Project.

Stansbury also served on the Alexandria Task Force on AIDS, was vice president of the D.C. Center, and was involved with Capital Pride for more than 30 years.

Most recently, Stansbury served on the Capital Pride Alliance, which formed from a handful of Capital Pride organizers in 2008 and took over the task of planning the annual celebration from the Whitman-Walker Clinic.

“Larry was a fiery, passionate, dedicated individual who truly understood what it meant to be a servant leader,” said Capital Pride Board of Directors President Michael Lutz in a statement.

Lutz said that Stansbury sat on Pride’s planning committee, served on the board, and acted as an historian and head of security.

Blum said as Stansbury’s eyesight began to fail him this year from diabetes-related complications, he became less active in his charitable endeavors, but still served as the board’s treasurer.

Michael Sessa, the D.C. Center’s current volunteer president, said he worked with Stansbury and knew him through the leather community.

“He was executive director of [Brother Help Thyself] for 20 years, which I’m sure took skill and patience,” Sessa said. “He was definitely someone who liked volunteering in the community, and he could have given his time elsewhere. No one can deny his lasting commitment to the LGBT community.”

Paul Rose, a fellow Spartan Motorcycle Club member and a Brother Help Thyself founder, said he knew Stansbury for more than 25 years.

“When I stepped back after eight years, Larry filled in and developed [Brother Help Thyself] beyond whatever I had envisioned, and I was thrilled with that,” Rose said. “The organization will and has sorely missed him.”

Stansbury was elected as one of the Rainbow History Project’s Community Pioneers in 2007. The Community Pioneers program honors those who have shaped the District’s LGBT community.

“He was always busy,” said Mark Meinke, chair of the Rainbow History Project. “When you want to get something done, you don’t go to somebody who has time to do it. You go to somebody who has no time, but knows how to get it done. He was one of those kinds of people.”

In honor of Stansbury, Meinke published a memorial page on the Rainbow History Project’s web site.

A memorial service will be held Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. at Stansbury and Blum’s shared residence, Alexandria Knolls West Condominiums, 6101 Edsall Rd., Alexandria, Va. In lieu of flowers, Blum asked that donations be made to Brother Help Thyself.

Brother Help Thyself supporter dies

2009-11-04T15:30:00.005-05:00

Larry Stansbury helped create group in 1978

By REBECCA ARMENDARIZ, Washington Blade
Nov 2 2009, 4:02 PM

Larry Stansbury, the first executive director of Brother Help Thyself and a founding board member of the Capital Pride Alliance, died Saturday from complications following a kidney transplant, according to Brother Help Thyself.

Stansbury first came to the District from Richmond, Va., in the 1970s and began working at the D.C. Eagle, where he eventually became manager. He became involved in local LGBT activities largely through his memberships to the Centaur and Spartan gay motorcycle clubs, the latter of which he served in several roles, including president.

Stansbury helped create in 1978 and eventually directed Brother Help Thyself, which provides funding for LGBT health, cultural and social services, according to current executive director Tom Yates. After stepping down in 2006, he served on the organization's board of directors as the Spartan representative.

"He was the one who answered the phone, he got the mail, he was the point person," Yates said. When people needed to get a hold of Brother Help Thyself, they got a hold of Larry."

Stansbury also served on the Alexandria Task Force on AIDS, was vice president of the DC Center, and was involved with Capital Pride for more than 30 years.

"Larry was a fiery, passionate, dedicated individual who truly understood what it meant to be a servant leader," said Capital Pride Board of Directors President Michael Lutz in a statement.

Stansbury was elected as one of the Rainbow History Project's Community Pioneers in 2007. The Community Pioneers program honors people who have shaped the District's LGBT community.

"He was always busy. When you want to get something done, you don't go to somebody who has time to do it. You go to somebody who has no time but knows how to get it done. He was one of those kinds of people," said Mark Meinke, chair of the Rainbow History Project.

"I can't imagine what it's going to be like without him because he's been such a part of our history," Meinke said.

Community Mourns Stansbury

2009-11-03T15:46:00.004-05:00

Local gay activist and former head of BHT dies

By Will O'Bryan

Published on November 3, 2009 on www.metroweekly.com

Longtime gay activist Larry Stansbury, 61, died Saturday, Oct. 31, following a weeks-long struggle at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the District.

"It was an ordeal," says Steve Blum, Stansbury's roommate and friend of many years, responsible for making medical decisions on Stansbury's behalf. "It started about eight weeks ago when he fell and broke his hip. They didn’t want to do surgery till he stabilized. Then he got an infection. Eventually his kidney and liver shut down."

Stansbury had a history of renal problems, Blum says, including two kidney transplants.

Blum says that on the advice of Stansbury's physicians he allowed them to cease "all aggressive treatment," save for those efforts that served to keep Stansbury comfortable, last Tuesday, Oct. 27.

"It seemed everything we were doing was making him uncomfortable," Blum says. "It was futile."

Stanbury's deep community roots include volunteering for decades with Capital Pride, as well as serving as a founding board member of the Capital Pride Alliance, which took responsibility for the annual event in 2009; heading Brother Help Thyself, a gay philanthropic group, for several years; and being a member of the Spartans MC of Baltimore, Md., and Washington, D.C.

Stansbury earlier wrote a directive that in the case of his death he would like those three organizations to be remembered in his name.

Blum says that, per Stansbury's wishes, his remains will cremated. Blum adds that a memorial celebration of Stansbury's life has been set for Saturday, Dec. 12, beginning at 1 p.m. in the lobby-level reception room of the Alexandria Knolls West condominiums, 6101 Edsall Road, Alexandria.

An extensive biography of Stansbury has been posted on the Rainbow History Project website, rainbowhistory.org. Stansbury is among RHP's list of "community pioneers" for his longtime devotion to and action within the local LGBT community.

To read our 2001 feature interview with Larry Stansbury, please click here.

Larry Stansbury, Community Pioneer

2009-11-01T00:11:00.003-04:00

Larry Stansbury was named a Community Pioneer by the Rainbow History Project in 2007. This is from the Rainbow History Project's Web site:

Larry Stansbury has worn many different "hats" in DC’s gay community: health educator, manager of the Eagle, stalwart of the leather community and gay motorcycle club scene, Pride organizer and the energetic director of DC’s gay community foundation, Brother, Help Thyself (BHT). Working long days and nights for the community he has seemed indefatigable and is representative of the leather community’s tradition of community support. He has played a large part in helping fledgling community groups to organize and thrive.

Before settling here, Larry Stansbury was a frequent visitor because of his involvement in the Centaurs motorcycle club. He later became a member of the Spartans. In Richmond, his home, he had been a gay activist, a DJ, a bouncer and worked in club administration. He began working at the Eagle in DC in 1977 while still living in Richmond. He recalls that when the Eagle opened there wasn’t anything comparable in DC. Don Bruce wanted a home for the leathermen and bikers.

Six months after starting at the Eagle he was made comptroller. He later became manager of the club. He recalls that Bruce believed no one should be home alone at the holidays: the Eagle offered a Thanksgiving dinner and a Christmas Eve dinner to all comers each year.

From Brother, Help Thyself’s first days, Stansbury was involved with fundraising and organizing events. He has seen the foundation grow from a $2,000 a year organization to one making over $2 million in grants. He has worked for BHT for over a quarter century, retiring as Executive Director in 2006, beginning as the Spartan’s representative.

His day job in the health community gave him contacts and backgrounds that served him well during the worst of the AIDS epidemic. He served on the Alexandria (VA) Task Force on AIDS until early 1993.

Stansbury’s involvement with producing annual Pride celebrations began in the 70s and continued for 30 more years. He has organized security and events for Pride throughout its long history and has long been seen behind the scenes ensuring that all goes smoothly.

Resources on Larry Stansbury:
Oral history in the Rainbow History collection (contact Rainbow History)

In Memory of Larry Stansbury

2009-11-01T00:03:00.003-04:00

It is with sadness that we inform you of the death of one of our long time supporters, Larry Stansbury. He died early Saturday, Oct. 31, after a nearly one-month stay in the ICU at the VA Hospital in Washington, DC, after a struggle with a broken hip, a blood infection and the shut down of his transplanted kidney.

Larry served as the first executive director of BHT and has served many years on the board of directors representing the Spartan MC. He was also a long-time part of CAB and worked as a volunteer and on the board of Capital Pride.

Further information concerning services will be posted as it is made known.

Religious Events during the National Equality March

2009-10-07T16:15:00.002-04:00

A list from the Task Force Institute of Welcoming Resources

TOWN HALL MEETING ON THE GLBT COMMUNITY AND FAITH, Friday, Oct. 9, 7 p.m.
Join religious leaders and faith groups from all traditions for a very open and frank discussion on the role of faith in the GLBT Community. Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C., 474 Ridge Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001(202)638-7373

SEXUAL MINORITY YOUTH ASSISTANCE LEAGUE (SMYAL) LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE "STAND UP! GET LOUD!" Saturday, Oct 10, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Help youth from DC and beyond learn how to be leaders in their communities and advocate for equal rights and treatment. Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C., 474 Ridge Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001

ECUMENICAL PRAYER SERVICE, Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m.
Organized by DignityUSA. Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, 1725 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

WREATH LAYING AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Saturday, Oct. 10, noon.
Join MCC founder Rev. Elder Troy Perry at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to commemorate the service of all past and present LGBT veterans. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.

WORKSHOP ON FAITH COMMUNITIES & LGBT JUSTICE CAMPAIGNS, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2 p.m.
Join MCC, the Unitarian Universalist Association,and Foundry United Methodist Church for this workshop and panel discussion on how communities of faith can become effective advocates for LGBT civil rights. Featuring MCC Moderator, Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson and Rev. Pat Bumgardner, pastor of MCC-NY. Foundry United Methodist Church, 1500 16th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036-1402

WORKSHOP ON RELIGION AND SEXUALITY, Saturday, Oct. 10, 3–4:30 p.m.
Join leader Annette Marquis of the Unitarian Universalist Association and panelists to discuss the important relationship between religion and sexuality and how to open a dialogue. This workshop will run: Embassy Suites, D.C. Convention Center, Atrium of Finn and Porter Restaurant, 900 10th St NW, Washington, D.C.

EQUALITY TO END AIDS, HIV/AIDS RALLY AND VIGIL, Saturday, Oct. 10, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Featuring an inspiring roster of speakers and performers (mostly HIV+), culminating in a candlelight vigil. MCC Moderator Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson will lead the closing prayer for the candlelight vigil. The Ellipse, adjacent to the White House.

QUEER SIMCHAT TORAH CELEBRATION, Saturday, Oct. 10, 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Through celebration, food and dancing, Simchat Torah marks both the end and beginning of the annual Torah reading cycle. Come celebrate Simchat Torah with other LGBT Jews and allies in Washington, D.C. Everyone is welcome. Tickets are FREE, but an RSVP is required. Please visit the website below or call to reserve tickets. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW, Washington, D.C. washingtondcjcc.org/gloe

OFFICIAL INTERFAITH SERVICE, Sunday, Oct. 11, 8 a.m.
Come join this early morning celebration of equality and faith. This service features host pastor Rev. Graylin S. Hagler, preacher Rev. Dr. Irene Monroe, with special music by legendary R&B singer Tony Terry. Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, 5301 North Capitol St. NE, Washington, D.C. (Directions via public transportation: 4 blocks from Metro station–get off at Fort Totten).

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE, Sunday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m.
Preacher: MCC Moderator Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson with a prayer service for MCC founder Rev. Elder Troy Perry. Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C., 474 Ridge St. N.W., Washington, D.C.

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE, Sunday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m.
Preacher: MCC Moderator Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson. Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C., 474 Ridge St. N.W., Washington, D.C.

NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH, Sunday, Oct. 11, 12 noon.
Join with pro-LGBT people of faith from around the country as we march through the streets of Washington down to the rally point on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, 15th & I (“eye”) Street.

NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH RALLY AT THE CAPITOL, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2 p.m.
The Rally will start off with a “calling of the names” from MCC Founder Rev. Elder Troy Perry. All clergy and religious leaders are invited to join Rev. Perry onstage. Come and hear speakers address the crowd on a host of topics, all focusing on the March's goal of simple equality for LGBT people in all 50 states. West Front of the U.S. Capitol (side facing the Mall).

National Equality March on Washington THIS Sunday at Noon!‏

2009-10-06T10:13:00.002-04:00

Leather Contingent

Join US

We're meeting at the Starbucks (1455 K Street, NW) on the northeast corner of 15th & K Streets, NW at 11:30 a.m. Look for a group of Leather Pride & Bear Pride flags. It is one block from the McPherson Metro Stop (Blue & Orange lines) which is located at 15th & I ("Eye") Streets NW.

Baltimore Grant Hearings Schedule

2009-09-28T22:11:00.004-04:00

Gloves Come Off

2009-09-26T01:22:00.003-04:00

Community delivers blunt commentary at HIV/AIDS meeting

by Yusef Najafi

Published on September 24, 2009, in Metro Weekly

Silence filled the auditorium at the University of the District of Columbia Monday evening as about 200 attendees and a panel of speakers waited and looked around for D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty to say something, anything, about HIV/AIDS.

"Go ahead Mayor Fenty," Matthew Kavanagh, an audience participant representing DC Fights Back, said loudly into a microphone.

But Fenty was not at the Sept. 21 HIV/AIDS community discussion called by the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, and Kavanagh asked for 30 seconds of silence to emphasize his absence.

"I am tired of waiting for the plan in Washington, D.C., that's going to be at least as robust as the plan in Zambia," he said.

"I am tired of the fact that the mayor isn't here," he said, receiving the night's loudest cheers from the audience. "I'm tired of the fact that the mayor, if this room were full of developers, would be sitting in the front row … and there would be an emergency plan."

Christopher Dyer, director of the Mayor's Office of LGBT Affairs, explained the next day, however, that Dr. Shannon Hader of the D.C. Department of Health HIV/AIDS Services was sent to represent the mayor and the administration at the event.

Before Jeffrey Crowley of the Office of National AIDS Policy opened the floor to the audience and moderator Wallace Corbett of D.C.'s Ryan White Planning Council, Hader and others spoke to the audience.

The meeting, the second in a series of 14 around the country, was called for as a discussion about President Barack Obama's plan of developing and implementing a National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) and the audience was asked to express suggestions, questions and concerns.

"I am here to listen and to be one of the many voices in D.C.," Hader said.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), also made an appearance and talked about the history of HIV/AIDS and the importance of needle-exchange programs, though she did not stay to hear the audience speak.

Audience participants included Matt Bamford, Mr. Capital Pride Leather 2009 and a spokesperson for DC ToolKit, a program developed by members of The Center's HIV Working Group, which provides safer-sex kits throughout D.C.

"I don't come before you with a plethora of information. I come before you with a question: What will Obama's administration … do for our community when we have no funding?" he asked. The Center, the local GLBT community center, lost city funding in recent budget cuts.

David Phillips, of Prince George's County, said it's time for "frank, adequate and explicit" HIV education.

"I'm not a 'MSM'," he said, referring to the acronym for "men who have sex with men," a clinical category.

"I'm a gay man. I want to suck cock. I want to fuck another man. Tell it to me that way. … Before we call for testing on a massive scale in any community, there need to be the resources to support people and connect them to the education to sustain their lives and keep them healthy."

Bradley Hill, vice president of Brother Help Thyself, asked for more than one-time grants to grassroots organizations.

"I wanted to thank you for your one-time grant," he said. "It's cute. And if it's all you have for us, we will take it.

"But it's not what we need. What we need is a self-sustaining system for distributing condoms and safe-sex kits. We need a long-term contract with the condom manufacturers and the United States government to distribute safe-sex kits in every bar and every liquor store in the District of Columbia."

Melanie Reese, of Baltimore, spoke about the importance of age-appropriate HIV/AIDS education in reducing the number of infections, and how the virus does not discriminate.

"I was a 40-year-old divorced woman, violently raped by a blind date," she said. "HIV can happen to anyone and education is the way to reduce HIV incidence."

For more information about the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, visit www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/onap/.

DC Grant Hearings Schedule Set

2009-09-17T02:52:00.002-04:00

King's Dominion is 100% fit for queens (for a night)

2009-09-04T01:19:00.013-04:00

By Doug Rule
Published on September 3, 2009 in Metro Weekly

During Kings Dominion's annual Gay and Lesbian Night, Tom Yates is generally too busy tending to the park's entrance to enjoy the rides. "They usually let me out of the ticket booth just before the rides end," says the executive director of the all-volunteer Brother Help Thyself, organizer of the popular GLBT event for over a decade.

The evening is meant as a way to raise awareness -- as well as money -- for the work of BHT. Yates expects about 2,500 people at this year's event, set for next Saturday, Sept. 12.

"A lot of people associate us with AIDS charity, but Brother Help Thyself actually predates AIDS," says Yates. In fact, the charity consortium has been around for more than three decades. "It was a way of supporting gay groups back when gay groups and gay-friendly groups weren't part of things like the United Way. The idea was we were going to have to help ourselves."

While BHT still lends financial support to AIDS organizations, it also awards money to many GLBT arts and culture groups and gay sports organizations.

BHT grantees will be represented at the Kings Dominion event, but the ultimate focus of the night is entertainment. The night's main draw are the amusement park's many thrill rides -- from the Volcano Blast Coaster to the Dominator to the Drop Tower -- open from 8 to 11 p.m. The evening ends with a two-hour dance party, where DJ Drew G will spin happy house tunes from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.

As for Yates, he'll try to cop a thrill once his official duties at the park's entrance are done.

"If I run to the other end of the park, I get to ride one rollercoaster," he laughs.

That certainly calls for a Rebel Yell.

BHT's Annual Gay and Lesbian Night is Saturday, Sept. 12, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Kings Dominion, Doswell, Va. Tickets are $30 in advance, $34 at the door. Call 202-347-2246 or visit www.brotherhelpthyself.org.

Drag Bingo in Laurel benefits BHT, Beltway Bear's Share-A-Bear Project

2009-09-01T01:37:00.003-04:00

Drag Queen Jello Wrestling to benefit BHT

2009-08-28T17:58:00.003-04:00

Join Mr. & Ms. Capital Pride Leather 2009 Matt Bamford & Jackie Thompson for a fundraiser with special guest co-host Regina Jozet Adams for a night of Drag Queen Jello Wrestling, $1 Jello Shots, $3 Cover 18+ to party.

The Drag Queen Jello Wrestling will be from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at the EFN Lounge, 1318 9th St. NW, Washington, DC, on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Sponsored by Gun Oil Lube and The Leather Rack.

Watch your favorite queens Ophelia Bottoms, Tatiyanna Voche, Ann Michaels, Veronica Blake, Shelby Stephyns and a special guest queen for one night only Sharon Husbands with a few more surprises. These girls will be wrestling for the title of Ms. EFN Jello 2009 and a beautiful crown!!!

The event benefits Brother, Help Thyself and DCFUKIT!

DJ Drew G to spin at BHT's Gay & Lesbian Night at King's Dominion

2009-08-13T12:42:00.005-04:00

Daring DJ
Inspired to the turntables by a dare, Drew G sees himself part of a ''new wave'' of DJs

by Doug Rule
Published on August 13, 2009 in Metro Weekly

Drew Montalvo took up DJ-ing on a dare, following a night of clubbing in New York. To prove them wrong, he impulsively spent his savings on two turntables and a mixer.

It took some time for Drew get the hang of it. “We’ve heard this song 15,000 times,” he remembers his then-boyfriend complaining, as Drew regularly practiced at home for long stretches at a time. He eventually landed his first gig at New York’s Stonewall bar. Now, after four years of DJ-ing professionally under the moniker DJ Drew G, the 26-year-old spins regularly at various clubs in his home base of New York, including Fire Island. But D.C. is practically his second home. He spins here monthly at Cobalt, including this Friday, Aug. 14. And on Sept. 12, he’ll spin the Annual Gay and Lesbian Night at King’s Dominion for the second year in a row.

“D.C. somehow smuggles more time than every place else,” says Montalvo, explaining that Washington became something of a refuge after a recent breakup. As a former marketing representative for Snow Queen Vodka, Montalvo had gotten to know the city pretty well.

“I would move to D.C. now, but it’s a little hard with my producing schedule,” he says. Currently he’s in the studio with D.C.-reared hip-hop singer Mya, working on her next album, tentatively scheduled for a fall release. He’s also been working on a slew of remixes for the likes of Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks and Ciara, all with his remixing partner Abe Clements.

“I didn’t really like dance music [when I was younger],” he says. “I was a rock kid [and] used to play in bands and stuff. I really struggled with dance being the norm for gays.”

It’s this passion for rock that Montalvo believes sets him apart from the norm. “Since day one I have experimented with mixing some rock into dance music. I think I really represent the new wave of people who want to hear something different.”
-------------------------------------------------
Gay and Lesbian Night at King's Dominion on Sept. 12 from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. benefits Brother, Help Thyself. Rides will run from 8-11 p.m. followed by a dance on International Drive from 11 p.m.-1 a.m. with DJ Drew G. Cost is $30 in advance and $34 at the gate. Tickets are available at Lambda Rising or online. To purchase tickets online, click on the link on our home page. Be sure to enter the code "gaynight" to get the special price!!

Grant Deadline Is This Friday!

2009-07-20T01:40:00.003-04:00

If you plan on applying for a grant this year, the deadline is at 3 p.m. this coming Friday, July 24.

All grant applications must be submitted electonically. LATE submissions will NOT BE ACCEPTED!

To be considered for a 2009 grant, you must be able to prove that your organization meets the following criteria:

Have IRS 501(c)(3) Status or receipt of an IRS application for non-profit status;
Be physically located in the Metro Baltimore/Washington, D.C., area (including Northern Virginia);
Have revenue of less than $2 million.

If you are not certain that your organization meets these criteria, please contact BHT's Grant Chair, John Redmond by email or via phone at 443-738-9421 or 443-421-9091.

To download grant instructions or an application, click here.

BHT is beneficiary of Hoedown 2009

2009-07-02T15:33:00.005-04:00

Brother, Help Thyself is one beneficiary of Hoedown 2009, the 16th annual convention of the IAGLWDC being held in DC July 3-5.

The convention is being held at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Events will be held at Freddie's Beach Bar & Grill in Pentagon City, Nellie's Sports Bar on U Street, the EFN Lounge near 9th & N Streets NW and the DC Eagle on New York Avenue NW.

There will also be workshops, forums, exhibitions and a championship dance competition.

The local host are the Capital Country Dance Club. Other beneficiaries include the Mautner Project and GLSEN.

For more information, visit http://www.hoedown2009.com/wdc/.

2009 Grant Deadline Nearing

2009-06-23T17:15:00.003-04:00

The deadline to apply for a 2009 grant from Brother, Help Thyself is only about a month away.

Click here for grant information or to download the 2009 application.

The 2009 application deadline is July 24, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. EST. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.

To be considered for a 2009 grant, you must be able to prove that your organization meets the following criteria:

Have IRS 501(c)(3) status or receipt of an IRS application for non-profit status
Be physically located in the Metro Baltimore/Washington, D.C., area (including Northern Virginia;
Have revenue of less than $2 million.

All grant documents must be submitted electronically.

Grant hearings will be held on September 26-27, 2009, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Brother, Help Thyself Offices, 1111 14th Street N.W., Suite 350, Washington, DC 20005, or on October 3, 2009, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Metropolitan Community Church, 401 W. Monument Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

DJ Drew G returns for Gay & Lesbian Night at Kings Dominion

2009-06-23T16:58:00.004-04:00

DJ Drew G will return to Gay and Lesbian Night at Kings Dominion sponsored by Brother, Help Thyself on Saturday, Sept. 12.

The park will be open from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. after regular guests close. Rides will continue running from 8-11 p.m. then DJ Drew G will spin tunes during a dance from 11 p.m.-1 a.m. on International Street.

To purchase tickets, click here and enter the corporate code "gaynight" for $30. Tickets at the gate will cost $34.

Buy your tickets now online and save $4.

Baltimore Pride 2009

2009-06-17T12:37:00.008-04:00

Join Brother, Help Thyself at the Baltimore Pride parade this Saturday, June 20, beginning at 4 p.m. on Charles Street between Madison and Chase Streets.

Please help BHT help GLBT and HIV/AIDS organizations by throwing your spare change and bills into the big gay pride flag we will be carrying. Your donations will help us give grants to organizations helping those in need in our community.

Happy Pride!

Board of Directors Meeting

2009-06-09T11:10:00.002-04:00

June 10, 2009

Conference Room

1111 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC

All are welcome to attend...call 703-915-3505 so that we can come downstairs and open the door.

Capital Pride 2009

2009-06-08T22:18:00.004-04:00

Support Brother, Help Thyself.

Look for BHT in the 2009 Capital Pride Parade on Saturday, June 13. Once again, we will have volunteer carrying the big gay flag. Please show your support by throwing your spare change or bills into the flag. All the money you donate will go to help GLBT and HIV/AIDS organizations.

We will also have a booth at the Capital Pride Festival on Pennsylvania Avenue on Sunday, June 14. Stop by and get more information on BHT and what we do, Gay and Lesbian Night at Kings Dominion or make a tax-deductible donation.

Happy Pride!

Leather Pride schedule

2009-06-05T10:55:00.002-04:00

Boys Night Out w/ the DC boys of leather
Thursday June 4, 2009
11 p.m. @ DC Eagle

Mr. & Ms. Capital Pride Leather Contest
Friday June 5, 2009
10 p.m. @ Cobalt
produced by Cocker Productions LLC, an official event of Capital Pride

Educational Seminars & Classes
Saturday June 6, 2009
11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. @ Remingtons
produced by MTTA, Inc.

All Colors Night, HotAshDC Cigar Smoker Social, Community Service Awards
Saturday June 6, 2009
9 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m. @ DC Eagle

Leather Tea Dance
Sunday June 7, 2009
5 p.m. – 11 p.m. @ Green Lantern
sponsored by ONYX-DC

Dignity Catholic Mass
Sunday June 7, 2009
6 p.m. @ St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church
sponsored by Defenders LLC

Beneficiaries for DCLeatherPRIDE are Brother Help Thyself (BHT) and The DC Center.

All events are FREE OF CHARGE.
21+ with proper ID (check specific venue for info)
Donations are appreciated.

Leather Pride

2009-06-05T10:33:00.003-04:00

DCLeatherPRIDE is very pleased to announce that Peter Lloyd, Master Taino, and Remingtons will be honored with Community Service Awards for their outstanding service to the Metro DC Leather Community. Awards will be presented during All Colors Night Saturday June 6, 2009 at the DC Eagle.

In 2007, Community Service Awards were presented to the DC Eagle, the Scarlet’s Foundation and the Spartan MC. In 2008, Community Service Awards were presented to Neil Alexander, Patrick Grady and the DC Boys of Leather.

Events kick-off tonight at 11 p.m. with Boys Night Out! – The DC Boys of Leather are hosting Bar Night at the DC Eagle. Come out to meet the boys, hear about their upcoming annual run and learn about DC’s leather community. DCLeatherPRIDE includes the Mr. & Ms. Capital Pride Leather Contest to be held tomorrow night at 10 p.m. at Cobalt, interviews start at 8:30 p.m. The Mr. & Ms. Capital Pride Leather Contest, produced by Cocker Productions, LLC, is an official Capital Pride event. Winners will be presented during All Colors Night and will march in the Capital Pride parade, while Mr. Capital Pride Leather will compete in the Mid-Atlantic Leather Competition in January 2010.

On Saturday June 6, 2009, Educational Classes will be held from 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. at Remingtons. Educational classes, produced by MTTA, Inc., will include 16 sessions for those new to the leather lifestyle as well as intermediate and expert. Come learn how to add some kink to your relationship in a safe, sane, and consensual environment. Session descriptions and speaker bios are posted on www.DCLeatherPRIDE.com.

Saturday night at the Eagle includes All Colors Night, HotAsh Cigar Smoker Social and Community Service Awards.

DCLeatherPRIDE concludes on Sunday June 7 with a Leather Tea Dance hosted by ONYX at the Green Lantern from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. and with a Dignity Catholic Mass at 6pm at St. Margarets Episcopal Church, sponsored by the Defenders LLC.

Now in its 4th year, DCLeatherPRIDE’s mission is to celebrate the rich leather history of the Metro DC region, to provide education of the leather lifestyle in a safe and healthy setting, and to create a welcoming environment into the leather community and leather clubs for those interested or new to leather and the leather lifestyle. All events are 21+ with proper ID (check specific venues for additional information) and FREE OF CHARGE with donations appreciated and collected where appropriate.

Beneficiaries for DCLeatherPRIDE are Brother Help Thyself (BHT) and The DC Center.

Partners include: Black Rose, CAB, Centaur MC, Cobalt, DC Boys of Leather, DC Eagle, Defenders, Green Lantern, HighwayMen TNT, Master/slave Conference, ONYX, Remingtons, and SigMa.

Sponsors/Producers include: Cocker Productions LLC, DC Crystal Meth Working Group, and MTTA Inc.

Cobalt (www.CobaltDC.com) 1639 R Street NW
DC Eagle (www.DCEagle.com) 639 New York Ave NW
Green Lantern (www.GreenLanternDC.com) 1335 Green Court NW
Remingtons (www.RemingtonsWDC.com) 639 Pennsylvania Ave SE

For more information, please visit www.DCLeatherPRIDE.com.

Join Brother, Help Thyself at Kings Domioion

2009-06-01T13:13:00.000-04:00

Click here to purchase your tickets now and save! Enter the code "gaynight" to get the tickets for the Annual Gay & Lesbian Night sponsored by Brother, Help Thyself and save $4 off admission at the gate.

2009 Grant Applications Now Available

2009-05-31T02:01:00.000-04:00

Applications for the 2009 grants is now available on our website.

The 2009 application deadline is July 24, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. EST. Application will not be accepted after the deadline.

To be considered for a 2009 grant, you must be able to prove that your organization meets the following criteria:

Have IRS 501(c)(3) status or receipt of an IRS application for non-profit statusl
Be physically located in the Metro Baltimore/Washington, D.C., area (including Northern Virginia;
Have revenue of less than $2 million.

Gay and Lesbian Night at Kings Dominion

2009-05-31T01:55:00.000-04:00

Welcome to BHT's new website

2009-05-30T23:34:00.001-04:00

We hope you enjoy our new website design. We have posted more information on the new site. Also, check back here on the "News" page often for events, grants announcements and other important information.

Let us know what you think about our new space on the Internet.