D.C.’s first shelter for LGBTQ adults — set to provide trauma-specific resources, case management and substance use disorder services to residents — will open this month.
Content categorized as Civil Rights

Mayor’s office cuts ribbon on DC’s first adult LGBTQ shelter

The gig economy’s latest adversary: inflation
During a period of inflation, people are motivated to join the gig economy for extra income to cover rising expenses. Inflation simultaneously engenders and exacerbates fiscal obstacles for gig workers.

National Alliance to End Homelessness lays out new priorities
The National Alliance to End Homelessness’s new leadership pledged to end homelessness by centering racial justice and lived experience at the organization’s annual conference.

USICH encampment engagement guidance critiqued for promoting site closures
USICH created seven principles of encampment engagement to assist communities that are hoping to address encampments. USICH’s guidance operates under a flawed rehousing system and promotes encampment closures.

D.C.’s domestic workers can’t take the abuse any longer. They might not have to.
A bill before the D.C. Council would protect domestic workers from discrimination, exploitation, and abuse at work.

LGBTQ vendor/artist spotlight
Three of our LGBTQ vendors and artists tell us about their experiences as LGBTQ people, and what Pride means to them.

Pride celebrations are over, but queer youth still need help
As Pride month ends, service providers for unhoused queer youth remind us of the work left to be done.

Anti-discrimination bill returns to the council for a third time
On June 28, the D.C. Council passed the Human Rights Enhancement Amendment Act to amend the Human Rights Act of 1977, adding homelessness as a protected class.

DC misreports number of hypothermia-caused deaths
The Emergency Response and Shelter Operations Committee of the Interagency Council on Homelessness revealed there had been an error in the number reported of unhoused individuals whose main cause of death was hypothermia in 2021.

DC might create a Juneteenth Commission. Here’s what it will look like
A bill before the D.C. Council would create a Juneteenth Commission, coordinating celebrations for next year.

Poor People’s Campaign continues calls for White House meeting
This is the third time the group has called for a meeting with Biden.

Tossed in the trash: Residents at Union Station stripped of their belongings
The National Park Service cleared the 35-resident Union Station encampment on June 1, throwing away belongings and involuntarily committing one resident.

Hundreds of young people in DC do not have a place to live. Here’s how one nonprofit is trying to raise awareness.
About 40 people gathered in downtown D.C. on May 19 to take part in an overnight event to raise awareness of the growing plight of young people experiencing homelessness.

Earth Day doesn’t have to be a guilt-trip: Here are some things you can do this weekend
On Friday, April 22, organizations all around D.C. will celebrate Earth Day.

Residents elect Kenneth Council and Denise Blackson to DCHA board
Public housing residents elected Kenneth Council and Denise Blackson to the DCHA oversight board.

Despite rule change, DCHA is not allowing identity self-certification
After passing a resolution to allow people applying for vouchers to self-certify their identity, DCHA released regulatory guidance that banned that practice.

What kind of support do youth experiencing homelessness need to find stable employment?
Workforce development programs in D.C. aren’t helping youth experiencing homelessness, causing many youth to turn away from the programs.

What role should police have in protecting people living in encampments?
Due to concerns for their immediate safety, some encampment residents have expressed a desire for greater police presence around encampments. However, homeless rights advocates advise that the police force is fundamentally unsuited for meeting the safety, resource and housing access needs of unsheltered residents.
Backwards revolving door
Chris Cole writes a poem titled “Backwards revolving door.”

How the House of Ruth helps women, children and families
Artist/Vendor Jackie Turner interviews Sandra Jackson, president and CEO of the House of Ruth.