Dignity/Washington Defenders Celebrate Their Twentieth Anniversary

On January 15, 2012 at a special Mass the Dignity/Washington community honored its Defenders for their outreach and service to the local leather/levi community over the past twenty years.  As part of this anniversary celebration and at the end of Mass, Fred Bowers, Defender President, presented a total of $3,816 in checks from funds raised at their bar nights at the DC Eagle and their sale of Christmas ornaments.

Dignity/Washington Defenders stand in the sanctuary at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (Jan. 15, 2012)

Damien Ministries, a faith community who identifies with and supports those abandoned or isolated in suffering with HIV/AIDS, particularly the poorest of the poor, received $700.  Brother Help Thyself, a community-based charity that provides financial and other support to non-profit organizations serving the g/l/b/t/q community in the Baltimore/Washington area, also received $700.  Dignity/Washington President, Allen Rose, received a $700 check for the community’s ministries.  Finally, Northern Virginia Aids Ministry (NOVAM), a non-profit organization that works to educate the public about HIV/AIDS and services those living with it, received $1,716 from the Defenders’ sale of Christmas ornaments.  After Mass the Defenders enjoyed a fantastic dinner at a popular local Washington restaurant, reminiscing about their years together and looking ahead to many more years of camaraderie and service.