 Anyone who knows me knows I have been a HUGE supporter of Capital Pride for years If you have looked at either the front cover of the Pride Guide or within its pages or on its website, with in the Advocate.com, You've seen just some of my hard work capturing the many celebrations of Capital Pride the last five years as one of its Official Photographers. I have donated all of time, I have covered all my expenses & have even purchased cameras to capture Pride in ways that they ever have. For instance every year I have created a time-lapse video highlighting the work that is being done during the parade on the other side of town - the prep for the Pride Concert and festival. I have got to know Ryan and much of the board why? Because I have always been around them during their events. They know the time I have given back to my community by offering my professional services to the organization. So it pains me greatly to express my deepest disappointment for their lack of anything really of this years World AIDS Day. No programming, No mention on their Twitter feed, between the four asks for money of our community they posted a link from one of the local LGBT publications listing the several events marking the day, That was it. No personal message about WAD, no programming in fact they were not even mentioned in the link once as them doing anything for WAD. With this said, I'll also highlight that The Cherry Fund which raises money each year specifically for local HIV/AIDS organizations made no mention of it at all. Maybe they are too busy figuring out next years event - I'm still wondering why they did not refund 100% of the cancelled tickets from this years event. They held money back citing expenses and contracts - well let me tell you something - Cherry you list every contact or person who held you to a contact during a World Wide Pandemic because they should be publicly shamed and called out. However I have to wonder if this is really the case. Now... Back to Capital Pride - I'd say they are one of the most publicly visible organizations in DC How could they overlook, yes overlook World AIDS Day. They could have easily put together some virtual Zoom event. I could have reached out to Dr. Fauci for them to discuss how Covid19 was affecting those infected and maybe how they as an organization could help support those who are positive during this time. Instead they ask four times on that day for money from that same community, all on this one day typically saved for reflection on the lives lost. I am profoundly insulted and disappointed that the HIV community was overlooked. When Ryan, the Executive Director saw my original posting a few days later he responded to my post by issuing a half ass apology which made it sound like they did a whole heck of a lot (some of which I can not confirm) making excuses and standing up for the efforts they did make which was NOTHING. See original post here  So rather than putting this apology on all their social media platforms and sending out an email to its list-serve Ryan responds to my post, I suppose to keep their "falling short" and their apology quiet. Now I have been living with HIV for close to twenty years, I personally find this short coming not only heartbreaking but their private apology insulting. Ryan, where are Capital Prides Priorities? In a stressful time such as this with this years Pride cancellation and with many of us frightened to contract Covid-19 where is the support of Capital Pride for our community, Capital Pride could have supported us in many ways with the vast network you folks had you could have simply checked in with our community asked if our community needed anything I am confident someone could have helped someone if they needed. That aside how could you folks overlook World AIDS Day, frankly its embarrassing. This is in my opinion a grave mistake, one that the Board of Directors headed by Ashley Smith should look at and determine whether your priorities are still with the LGBT community. Yes, its that bad and everyone should ask themselves how Capital Pride could let this happen and then to try to keep it private only issue an apology to those who had read the original post and not apologize to the entire HIV/AIDS community. After the five years of working to help make Capital Pride better, It saddens me to have to question your ability to continue to lead this organization. It pains me and hurts me personally, but it pains and hurts me for all within my community who thought better of Capital Pride I know I for sure did. Tom Donohue Official Photographer Capital Pride Alliance Supporting every brother and sister who is positive and in remembrance of all those who have gone before us we refuse to continue to be  |
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