For Immediate Release
Feb. 16, 2007                                                              

CAPITAL PRIDE WELCOMES COMMUNITY PARTNERS

2007 Theme: ‘Together We Can … Together We Will’

WASHINGTON - Thirteen lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations have stepped forward to join Whitman-Walker Clinic in producing this year’s Capital Pride, Clinic officials announced today.

“Our plan to increase community involvement in the production of Capital Pride is showing the first signs of success,” said David Mallory, director of Capital Pride for Whitman-Walker Clinic. “We believe that the commitment of our community partners will help to make this year’s Capital Pride enjoyable and memorable for everyone.”

The 13 community partners are: the Human Rights Campaign; The Center; the National Youth Advocacy Coalition; Capital Area Interweave; DC Black Pride; Dignity/Washington; the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington; The Mautner Project; Metro DC PFLAG; Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry; One in Ten; the Radical Faeries; and the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Each of these organizations has committed at least $1,000 to help present this year’s festival. In return, they will have their contributions repaid through corporate sponsorships. They will also share in any extra revenue the festival may generate.

“The Center is actively participating in pride because pride synchronizes perfectly with The Center’s mission, ‘to celebrate, strengthen, and support community among the GLBT residents and organizations of metropolitan Washington, D.C.,’” said Michael Sessa, executive director of The Center. “It’s time to return pride to its origins and we encourage all GLBT groups to join together and help Whitman-Walker Clinic make pride a true community event.”

In January, the Clinic invited all D.C.-area GLBT organizations to join in planning and presenting Capital Pride. Any organization that contributed at least $1,000 would become a community partner. All organizations were also invited to send a representative to the Capital Pride Planning Committee. Although the deadline for organizations to become community partners has passed, the planning committee will continue to welcome representatives from community organizations.

“The Pride Planning Committee will organize the festival and seek corporate support for it,” said Mallory. “The committee will also look at additional sources of revenue to help produce a better festival for the community.”

Working with community partners gives the 2007 theme, “Together We Can … Together We Will,” additional meaning, he added.

“The theme was chosen to show the unity of the GLBT community in its fight for equality,” said Mallory. “It also represents the ability of these community organizations to join together to produce the festival.”

Established in 1973, Whitman-Walker Clinic is a non-profit, community-based provider of health care and social services in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Through three sites, in the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia, the Clinic offers primary medical and dental care; mental health and addictions counseling and treatment; HIV education, prevention, and testing; legal services; case management; and a food bank. Whitman-Walker Clinic is committed to meeting the life needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community and people living with HIV/AIDS. 

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