Meet The Staff: Lani

Welcome Lani Nelson (any pronouns) to the DC Center! Lani will be joining as the Case Worker and Advocacy Specialist for the Anti-Violence Project at the center. Lani is passionate about equity and access for people of all shapes, sizes, shades, backgrounds, and abilities. Having grown up in the DMV area and spending many years in D.C. Lani is eager to offer support and alleviate the burden of the harm that can come with navigating the world as a queer person.

Birthdate, Astro Sign

December 27th, Capricorn.

Rising: Gemini Sun: Capricorn Moon: Leo

 

Where are you originally from?

I’m West African, however I lived in North Carolina as a young child until my mom and I moved to Maryland so I could start school.

 

Why did you start working at the DC Center?

I wanted to serve and enrich the lives of people from my community that look like me and navigate the world in the way that I do.

 

What has been your favorite part about working at the DC Center?

Getting to know the rest of our wonderful staff and community members.

 

What is your music anthem?

“Home”- Mj Rodriguez & Billy Porter (As performed on “POSE”)

(Bonus: Hold yuh – Gyptian Ft. Nicki Minaj).

 

What is your favorite part about the LGBTQ+ community?

All of the beautifully unique ways we express ourselves! From our clothes, Hair (or lack thereof), accessories, dance moves, music, humor and our multifaceted  creativity!

 

What is your favorite spot in DC and what do you do there?

I’m tied between Live- K karaoke, Thurst Lounge, and His and hers.

What is your favorite queer movie?

“Moonlight”.

 

What color would you paint the White House, given the chance?

Mahogany brown , for the African Americans both enslaved and free that built it and many other government monuments and buildings in the city.

Who do you look up to in the queer community?

Langston Hughes.

VPART Violence Prevention and Response Team

Are you an LGBTQ+ community member who has been a victim of violence?  Do you know someone who’s been a victim of violence?

If so please reach out to us and we can connect you with our VPART Violence Prevention and Response Team.

 

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center VPART Intake Form

You can either call The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center at 202-682-2245
Email us at [email protected]
Or meet us in person @ 2000 14th Street NW, Suite 105, Washington, DC 20009

 

The Violence Prevention Response Team also known as VPART is a collection of community organizations and government agencies that work together to address, reduce, and prevent crimes (particularly hate-bias) within and against the LGBTQ+ Community in the District of Columbia. The team members effectively respond to instances of violence, they create awareness, educate the community, connect victims to resources, provide training and enhance responses to crimes.  Along with offering trauma-informed therapy and casework, The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center directly supports LGBTQ+ survivors with our vast slate of life and human services as well connects LGBTQ+ survivors to legal assistance, mental health services, shelter assistance, and other resources victims of violence may need. If you are LGBTQ+ and are a victim of violence, or know someone who is, you can refer them to the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center and we will make sure they are supported and connected to the resources they need. 

The VPART Program is supported by the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Are Moving!!! Read Our Press Release About Our New LGBTQ+ Community Center

Street view of the outside of the DC Center's New Space

We’re so excited to share the big news!

We’re Moving!

Check out all the details about our new location in our press release and watch this space for more details to come!

This amazing next chapter in our LGBTQ+ community members lives needs your support!

Please click here and donate what you can to help support the creation of our new space!

Click here to read our press release

 

  • thumbnail of the press release

 

 

Rendition/Photo Credit: Hickok Cole, our architects on this project

SEEKING: Co-facilitator Position for Queer All Genders Working Through Trauma Group

Job Opportunities at the DC Center for the LGBT Community

Queer All Genders Working Through Trauma Groups Co-facilitator Position Open at the DC Center for the LGBT Community: Contract Therapist 

March 2022 by Christina Cappelletti, LGSW

Are you a trauma-informed, licensed mental health clinician interested in working for an established LGBTQ+ community organization in Washington DC? Do you have expertise in LGBQIA+ TGNC2S BIPOC clinical issues? Are you available 3 hours one evening per week for 12 weeks starting in late April or early May? The DC Center for the LGBT Community is seeking to contract with a clinician to co-facilitate our Queer All Genders Working Through Trauma group. Currently, the group is offered remotely via Zoom. If the pandemic conditions shift toward reliable public safety, groups would be held in-person at The DC Center’s location in Northwest Washington, DC (street parking or one block from U St Metro station). The Contract Therapist will co-facilitate the group with a full-time licensed DC Center Staff Therapist.

Special Skills:

The Contract Therapist must have the appropriate licensure to practice in DC (LGSW, LICSW, LPC) and have at least 2 years’ knowledge and experience working as a clinician with LGBQIA+ TGNC2S BIPOC client populations. Bilingual in Spanish a plus. 

Functions and Duties:

  • Co-facilitate one 90-minute weekly Queer All Genders Working Through Trauma psychoeducational therapy group, one evening a week (either Mondays or Tuesdays as determined by facilitation team), utilizing curriculum provided by DCC Behavioral Health Services. Groups are closed membership, consisting of 8-10 clients. Intakes will be conducted by the DC Center Staff Therapist.
  • Meet with the co-facilitator pre-and-post group for prep and debrief each week.
  • Meet with the co-facilitator for a preliminary meeting the week before the group begins to review curriculum and group member intake information, and after the group ends, to debrief the group and review participant evaluations.
  • Comply with DC government COVID vaccine requirements for government-funded service providers.

Apply: Please send qualified resumes and cover letters to Christina Cappelletti, LGSW, [email protected]

Compensation: $1,440.00 for the project

Binder Donation Project

The DC Center is excited to continue their partnership with GC2B Transitional Apparel! GC2B has reached out to many organizations in the DC area and provided free binders for them to give away, and the DC Center is fortunate enough to be one of them.  This program is ending soon though so get your Binders soon.

Everyone and anyone is welcome to come by the DC Center at any point during regular office hours (12-6 pm Monday through Friday and 11-3PM on Saturday) and get fitted for a free binder!

Sizes range from XS to 5X depending on what we have available

We have received 50+ binders from GC2B! If your size is unfortunately not available you can order one directly from GC2B

This is a no-gatekeeping event. Whoever you are, whatever you look like, whatever you need your binder for, come by the DC Center and pick up what you need for FREE!

Questions? Call the DC Center at 202-682-2245 or email [email protected]

Also please visit the GC2B website here and support them by buying their merch if you can or spreading the word.

DC Center Reopening FAQ

As we reopen, the DC Center is doing our best to meet the needs of our community while creating a safe environment for our staff, volunteers, and visitors. Please see below some of the information available about our space, our meetings, and other questions. We will update this information as necessary as the situation changes or we understand better what information people are looking for.

 

What are The DC Center’s hours of operation?

  • Mondays through Fridays from 12pm to 6pm
  • Saturdays from 11am to 3pm
  • Sundays are closed

After 5 pm on weekdays or on Saturdays, please enter from the side of the building (facing U Street) and state that you’re coming to the DC Center to the security team, who will let you in.

 

Are support groups/meetings meeting in-person, virtually or hybrid?

Based on surveys and conversations with peer group facilitators and participants, we are offering a hybrid (physical with webstation for Zoom), completely virtual, and in-person only, at each groups’ discretion. The information is available on the event sign-up for each group (easily found via: thedccenter.org/calendar)

 

Which groups/meetings, and when, are offering a hybrid (in-person with webstation) meeting option? (This list subject to change as groups choose to return to the DC Center’s offices)

2nd Fridays: WiTT from 8 – 9 pm

2nd Saturdays: GenderQueer from 1 – 3 pm (in-person only)

4th Wednesdays: Job Club from 6 – 7 pm.

4th Wednesdays: Ace/Aro Peer Support Group from 7 – 8:30 pm.

 

Which groups/meetings, and when, are offering a virtual (Zoom) only meeting option?

Any groups not listed above are meeting virtually.

 

Can I just walk-in to participate in a hybrid support group/meeting?

Currently, the Center is unable to accommodate walk-ups for peer support groups. Registration in advance will be required for peer support group meetings. Information in this regard will be circulated among peer support group leaders and participants as well as be listed on the Center’s website. This is to help make sure the room is not over-crowded.

 

Are therapy meetings still being offered at the Center?

At this time mental health therapy groups and sessions are available virtually (via HIPAA compliant Zoom) or in person. Therapy locations will be chosen based on conversations between clients and therapists, based on comfort/safety and availability.

 

When is the Center expected to open back up and what are some of the processes?

  • Monday through Friday 12 to 6pm; Saturday 11 to 3pm.
  • CyberStations are available via three computers.
  • Mental Health services are available either virtually or in-person based on client/therapist decisions.
  • New and expanding clothing closet and food pantry for those in need of clothes and food.
  • The Art Gallery is opening while the office is open.

Now that the Center is reopening again, what kind of opportunities are available for those in the community who would like to get involved?

  • The best way to stay current with the Center’s activities is to subscribe to our newsletter via our website which comes out every week. This includes volunteer opportunities, information about art installation, monthly programs, and all different social media accounts to get news updates.
  • Volunteers wanting to become a support group facilitator are provided with the necessary training.
  • Joining a support group is the best way to stay connected to the Center and others in the community.
  • There is an events volunteer list to help in events like help preparing to open before events.
  • Members of the community can also join a board committee to help and learn how the Center works.

 

What will be the mitigation efforts to reopen the Center back safely?

  • The DC Center asks that if you are feeling ill, please wear a mask in our space.

Are masks required at the Center?

  • The DC Center asks that if you are feeling ill, please wear a mask in our space.

 

What kind of sanitation procedures will be implemented to prevent the spread of the COVID-19?

  • A sanitation station that includes wipes/sanitizer and masks are available to community members.
  • Air purification system will be provided for various spaces within the Center.

 

If rates of COVID continue to rise in DC will the Center remain open?

  • Federal and local guidelines will be closely monitored and adhered to, up to and including closing the Center due to an increase in COVID cases in the DC area to ensure the safety of our employees and constituents.

DC Center reopens to the Public

Relaying information about the DC Center's reopening

The DC Center Reopens to the public Monday, October 4th!

 

The DC Center is excited to announce that we are reopening to the public effective Monday, October 4th. After providing services virtually nonstop since March 2020, we are overjoyed to welcome the community back into our space. We are going to be modifying how we provide services, please check out some of the information below to know how we’re keeping the community safe, as well as how we are asking the community to help protect the staff and others at The DC Center.

 

Hours of Operation

The DC Center will resume our normal office hours of 12 pm – 6 pm Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 11 am – 3 pm. We are still located at the Reeves Center, 2000 14th Street NW, Suite 105.

Expectations

As grantees of the DC government, The DC Center staff fall under Mayor Bowser’s vaccine mandate, so all staff are required to be vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID testing. While we are not mandating vaccinations from our participants, we are asking people to wear masks that cover mouths and noses securely (disposable masks are available at the entrance to the DC Center), and self-screen for common COVID-19 symptoms (fever/shakes, recent loss of sense of smell, congestion, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, etc) and ask for assistance outside the DC Center’s offices if they aren’t feeling well.

FAQ

Services available

The DC Center will be making some changes to the way we operate, especially in how we have our peer support groups. Please click here for Hybrid Peer Support Group information. Otherwise services are listed below with a quick summary of changes in how we operate

Cyber Center: Reduced capacity, 3 people at once. If someone is waiting to use the services, we will discuss what makes sense with everyone trying to use the Cyber Center.

Mental Health Services: Mental Health Services will be remote for the time being. If you are interested in receiving services, you can email [email protected] to get started.

Lounge: Our lounge has been rearranged to help promote social distancing, as has our Meeting Room Space.

Clothing Closet: Our Clothing Closet has been relocated and better organized to help people more easily access it.

Food Pantry: Our Food Pantry is being restocked, as much of the donated food had expired during the pandemic.

Referrals/Service Linkages: These are happening in person or can be accessed by calling our Main desk at (202) 682-2245, or via email at [email protected]

 

 

Queer Women Working Through Trauma Therapy Group Oct 13-Dec 15, 2020

Queer Women Working Through Trauma

The Queer Women Working Through Trauma group invites individuals to focus on processing trauma as a group through a variety of therapeutic techniques, learning to manage triggers and painful memories, and other behavioral processing activities. Participants will also focus on the mind-body connection throughout the course of the group, engaging in art and expression activities, mindful meditation/visualization, deep breathing, and other tactile exercises to help process through trauma responses while creating accessible coping strategies.

The group is held weekly for 10 weeks on Tuesday evenings from 5:45 pm – 7 pm. The next cycle of the group will start on October 13 and will meet remotely via Zoom. If you are interested in being a part of an upcoming cycle of the group or getting on the waiting list for the next one, please contact our staff therapist, Christina Cappelletti, LGSW, to set up a time for a telecounseling intake session: [email protected]

This group is offered at no cost to clients, thanks to a grant from the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants.

Navigating Professional Settings as a Nonbinary Person

Navigating Professional Settings as a Non-Binary/Trans* Person

Coming out as non-binary or trans* can be uncomfortable in straight, cis-normative settings – especially the workplace. At work, we may not feel we can speak up when we are uncomfortable, defend ourselves from inappropriate comments, or express ourselves in the same way would if we were off the clock. We may not have LGBTQ+ colleagues or friends at work who can relate to our experiences or allies we can turn to for support when we need help. We may fear potential consequences of coming out such as discrimination, harassment, or disciplinary action.

Coming out has been an important and deeply personal part of my journey to live an authentic and meaningful life, and when I share this aspect of my identity with others, I hope to feel respected and embraced. I have recently had the privilege to work for an organization that prioritizes diversity, but even then, introducing and normalizing non-binary pronouns has been a challenge. As a non-binary person with fluid gender expression, I find myself coming out over and over again as I continue to meet new people. Because my physical features tend to appear feminine no matter how I express myself, many of my non-LGBTQ+ colleagues have needed ongoing reminders and explanations to help them learn my pronouns.

The emotional labor and weight of having to repeatedly come out at work, correct colleagues when incorrect pronouns are used, or serve as a token non-binary or trans* person can feel hurtful and exhausting at times. Most of my youth and adult life has been lived trying to navigate being queer in straight and cis-normative spaces. Perhaps you can relate. Having navigated professional settings as a non-binary trans* person many times, I’ve finally found a few strategies that have greatly helped remove some of this burden from my shoulders, and I hope they might benefit you too.

Wearing a Pronoun Pin

Wearing a pin or button has been the most helpful strategy I have used to help encourage my colleagues to remember to use my pronouns at work. Some days, mine will say “They/Them” and other days it will say “Non-Binary”. Sometimes I wear it on my suit jacket or shirt, and other times I’ll wear it on my lanyard if I’m wearing my ID badge. Pins have been a discreet, professional, and effective way to provide others a visual clue to use correct gender pronouns. Pins are also affordable and can be ordered easily online, but they only work when you’re speaking to your colleagues in person.

Listing your Pronouns on your Email Signature and Business Cards

Including your pronouns in your email signature is a helpful way to both let your colleagues know what your gender pronouns are when you’re working virtually and normalize diverse gender pronouns within your organization. You can use this same principle by printing your pronouns on your business cards. Businesses can benefit from implementing this as a routine practice to help current LGBTQ+ employees feel safer and to help the organization be more inclusive to new employees and the clientele it serves.

Welcoming Images and Items in your Personal Office Space

Displaying LGBTQ+, non-binary, or trans* imagery in your personal workspace can help show others that you are supportive and welcoming of LGBTQ+ clients and colleagues, and often inspires allies to follow suit. It can also remind others that you personally identify as LGBTQ+ and can help serve as a visual reminder of your pronouns if you have come out at work.

Make a Small Lending Library Available to Your Colleagues

Having books and reference guides available to be borrowed can be an accommodating way to help colleagues who may feel too shy or don’t have the time to have a lengthy conversation with you about how to help make LGBTQ+ people feel safer in the workplace. A text they can bring home can help them learn privately and at their own pace. One text I personally like to keep on my desk for this purpose is  A Quick and Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns. I wouldn’t say it’s a perfect text, but it’s written as a graphic novel and uses a casual and humorous tone, which I like because it makes for a quick and easy read for busy people. If you choose to start a lending library at your office, make sure you’ve read the entirety of each text you make available to ensure the content is appropriate for the workplace.

State Your Pronouns When You Introduce Yourself

Each time you have the opportunity to introduce yourself to a new person or even a group of familiar people, take the opportunity to state your pronouns – even if no one follows your lead at first. This helps remind the group of your pronouns, models how to be inclusive of diverse gender identity, and invites them to help normalize diverse gender pronouns in the organization and perhaps even in their personal lives.

Correct Others When They Misgender You 

This can be a tough one. If you feel comfortable and safe enough to do so, correct others when they misgender you – to the extent possible. You can choose to do this immediately after it happens, or privately at a later time. However, sometimes being mis-gendered can happen so many times a day that it may not feel possible or reasonable to correct every person you come across. Only do what feels right and is comfortable for you.

If An Ally Wants to Support You, Let Them Know What You Need

Having allies at work can be tremendously helpful to make the workplace safer for LGBTQ+ people. However, sometimes allies may not know how to support non-binary or trans* people, and may have questions they’re too nervous to ask. They may be unsure how to respond when they overhear a peer use incorrect gender pronouns, or what they should do if they mis-gender someone by accident. Asking these questions can be so uncomfortable for some that it can be easier not to engage or show support at all.

In these situations, I have found success in being vulnerable and inviting about asking uncomfortable questions from the start. When someone expresses support for me, I thank them and let them know how happy and safe it makes me feel when they help me correct my peers about my gender pronouns. I let them know precisely what I would be comfortable with them sharing about me if they find themselves in a situation where they want to help correct others about my pronouns, and let them know that if they ever have questions, they may feel free to ask me about it. I also let them know that it’s okay to mess up, because what matters most to me is just a consistent effort to get it right.

While I recognize the strategies I listed above may not be applicable or possible in all work environments, I hope that they bring you some relief and tangible tactics to help improve your experience at work. I also recognize we may not always feel safe or generous enough to want to help our colleagues learn about how to be more inclusive toward LGBTQ+ people, and would sometimes prefer others take initiative to do the research on their own. If one thing is certain, however, it is that we all deserve to feel safe, respected, and valued at work and in our personal lives. To my surprise, I have been fortunate to find more allies and friends by coming out at work than I had originally expected.

 

Information sourced from https://myumbrella.co/

We Are Closed In Observance Of Juneteenth

 

The DC Center will be closed on June 19, 2020 in observance of Juneteenth

and

to support the #StrikeForBlackLives. #BlackLivesMatter

If you are facing a life threatening situation or seeking immediate care:

DC Mobile Crisis: 202-673-9300
DC Shelter Hotline: 202.399.7093 or 311
Maryland Mobile Crisis: 240-777-4000
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
LGBTQ under 25: Trevor Lifeline: 866-488-7386
LGBTQ National Help Center (all ages – various lines/hours): 888-843-4564 www.glbthotline.org