Dignity/Washington Defenders Celebrate Their Twentieth Anniversary

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

Damien Ministries, a faith community that 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 LGBTQ 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 supports 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.