(With regards to challenges) I’d say issues around self-acceptance. Which I’m fortunate to have moved forward and triumphed.

I love living in DC. It’s a big city filled with small towns, and the gay community intersects every neighborhood within – making ours a united and present force in an ever evolving city. DC is large enough to find a community you’re comfortable with, yet small enough not to be overwhelmed. When I arrived as your typical bright eyed intern and later returning for good, the focus was being out in the office – being present and upfront with your colleagues around your everyday life. To see so much change in 15 years – where Supreme Court Justices, cabinet secretaries and members of Congress reference their gay and lesbian staffers in changing their hearts and minds around issues of equality -shows the power of being present. It’s often the advice I give new residents – Be Present. This isn’t a city where the community greets you when you arrive, it’s up to you to reach out, connect and get to know others.

(With regards to coming out) Completing an internship, I was giving a tour of the city to a group visiting from Nigeria. We arrived in downtown DC in the midst of a traffic jam and I was forced to scramble to avoid any delays, so we trekked to Pennsylvania Ave., blocks away from the White House. I had no idea the traffic jam was due to DC’s large and popular Gay Pride parade – a first for me, and certainly the first for 30 West African youth workers experiencing their first full day in the United States.

I guided the group to our destination; awkwardly explaining drag queens, dykes on bikes and PFLAG to DC’s newest visitors. Arriving at our destination and later returning to our tour bus, three members of our party broke out into tears, sharing with me and their colleagues what a fortunate gift they were given in arriving to this country on this day. Seeing the truest form of American liberty, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly in a way no aged document or glowing monuments could every do.

The coming out process happened in a slow and segregated manner for me, on a personal and professional level. Today, I am a married man, and while I often have to correct the assumption I am married to a woman, It’s exciting to be part of the paradigm shift from marriage being between a man and a woman to marriage is the union of two individuals. Professionally, from the days when everyone “knew” and waited for me come out, I am the owner of a gay owned and operated business. It doesn’t make me a better design professional, it speaks to integrity: I do not hide this part of who I am, so by association my clients have more to trust.

The LGBT community in DC is savvy, powerful and influential. I have the honor of serving as President of the Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce; The Chamber. It’s been a life affirming experience through the relationships with the individuals I’ve met in the organization, other LGBT community leaders and our Allies. The time I’ve invested in this organization pales in comparison to the bounty of what I’ve received in return.