AGLA founded the scholarship in 2001 during its 20th anniversary year. By providing some of the resources necessary to attend college, AGLA has helped numerous Arlington high school students with a demonstrated commitment to LGBT equality.

In order to continue our commitment of providing scholarships for worthy APS seniors, AGLA will hold a reception on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 from 6-8:00 p.m. at the splendid Arlington home and backyard of Hamish Park and Roland Watkins (1507 23rd Street South, Arlington, VA, up the road from Freddie's near Crystal City). This is a must-go affair regardless of where you reside! Many community leaders will be there. The catering last year was exquisite, with many sumptuous desserts. More...

Freddie’s was recently voted the Best Virginia Bar for the 10th consecutive year by Washington Blade readers and its 15th Blade Best Of award overall.

Don’t like a smoky bar? You are covered: Freddie’s is a smoke-free establishment. (Ashtrays are provided outside the building if smoking is ‘your thing’).

No cover charge. Casual attire. Name tags and Hershey Kisses will be provided. Remember to bring your ID, as everyone who enters is carded.

Freddie is going all out, with a love potion drink, and 10% off food on Romantic dining for AGLA members (reservations recommended to ensure a table). Tip: You can join or renew AGLA membership in advance online. The social will be open to everyone, but when AGLA members arrive they will receive a special dining discount slip to present to the waiter. There will be candle lit dining, valentines day dish specials, white linens, and kind of an all around romantic mood.

If you do make a reservation for dining, please make it in your own name of course, as there will be no specific group table. Call 703-685-0555 to make a dinner reservation. (Tip: Do so now rather than later, as seating is limited.) www.freddiesbeachbar.com

As community service at this event, please bring a heart healthy perishable food donation for Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC): apples, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cucumbers, grapefruit, onions or potatoes. It will be delivered right away to AFAC. (You can conveniently purchase produce at the nearby Costco on your way to Freddie’s.)

Freddie’s is located at 555 South 23rd Street
 in Crystal City. See this map for directions.

Congratulations, and thank you for serving your community.

This judging committee has reviewed the nominations that were submitted and selected the following recipients for their work to advance equality for Arlingtonians.

Individual – John Clisham

Mr. Clisham was selected because of his long-time support and work with students in the Arlington Public School.

Reading from the nomination “creating a supportive school environment and community for Arlington glbt youth has always been an AGLA core principle — John embodies that through and through”.

Congratulations Mr. Clisham

Organization – Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) was selected because of their tireless efforts to see through the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.

Reading from the nomination “SLDN has not only been on the forefront of the work for DADT repeal, they have been a long-time partner of AGLA and our local efforts”

Congratulations SLDN

Also as has become tradition, AGLA will once again be collecting boxes of cereal at the event to donate to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC).  This time of year AFAC many times sees an increase in those needing food assistance; this is another great way that AGLA helps our community.

Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be provided.  Additionally as has become tradition we will have a number of raffle prizes.  All of this for the low price of $10 for members and their guests, and $15 for others (which will also pay their AGLA dues through June 2012).  All will receive 10 raffle tickets for our fabulous prizes and 1 ticket for a non-alcoholic drink.

Each year AGLA presents two Equality Awards, one to an individual and one to an organization that have demonstrated a record of improving LGBT equality in Arlington.

This judging committee has reviewed the nominations that were submitted and selected the following recipients for their work to advance equality for Arlingtonians.

Individual – John Clisham

Mr. Clisham was selected because of his long-time support and work with students in the Arlington Public School.

Reading from the nomination “creating a supportive school environment and community for Arlington glbt youth has always been an AGLA core principle — John embodies that through and through”.

Congratulations Mr. Clisham

Organization – Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) was selected because of their tireless efforts to see through the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.

Reading from the nomination “SLDN has not only been on the forefront of the work for DADT repeal, they have been a long-time partner of AGLA and our local efforts”

Congratulations SLDN

Aside from a fabulous party this event also provides members (and potential members – so bring your friends your are not members yet) an opportunity to provide direct input to the board about the direction and activities of AGLA, the primary function of the annual meeting is to elect the board for the upcoming year.  Nominations will be accepted from the floor at the annual meeting.  To date the following individuals have been placed into nomination for the 2012 AGLA Board of Directors (in alpha order):

Jarrad Davis, Merle Decker, Everett Fisher, TJ Flavell, Bernie Hartman, Tiffany Joslyn, Gary Korach, Hamish Park, and Mike Rankin

Congressional Cemetery

1801 E Street, Southeast

Washington, D.C. 20003

Via metro:  Take the Orange/Blue line to Potomac Avenue Station, walk three blocks east from 15th and Potomac to front gate at 18th and Potomac.

Continuing a tradition started years ago, AGLA will once again hold its LGBT Veterans’ Memorial Service at the gravesite of Leonard Matlovich in Congressional Cemetery.  On Leonard’s grave reads the poignant phrase “They gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one”.  Thankfully as of September 20, 2011 Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is no longer a stain on this nation; however, AGLA will continue to recognize those LGBT individuals who have served and continue to serve their nation to this day.

All are invited to attend, veterans’ are encourage to come in uniform.

To nominate an individual or organization simply send and email to president@agla.org or mail a write-up to PO Box 100324, Arlington, VA 22210.  The write-up does not have to be a book, simply a sufficient amount to describe why the individual or organization that you are nominating should be selected.  You can nominate in both categories.  Nominations will be accepted through November 1st.

The awards will be presented at the 2011 AGLA Holiday Party to be held on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant.  Please contact Daniel Hays for information about AGLA’s annual holiday party, as well as information about past award winners, listed below.

Previous Award Recipients

• 2010: Sally Baird and Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant
• 2009: Hon. David Englin and Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington
• 2008: Kris McLaughlin and Virginia Partisans
• 2007: Cheryl Spector and Arlington County Public Library
• 2006: Jay Gandy and Equality Virginia
• 2005: Hon. Adam Ebbin, Virginia State Delegate and Clarendon Presbyterian Church
• 2004: Rhonda Buckner, Executive Director, Washington, DC Metro Area PFLAG and Log Cabin Republicans of Virginia
• 2003: Author Alex Sanchez and the Arlington Public Schools’ Student Services Department
• 2002: Arlington County Board member Jay Fisette and Whitman-Walker Clinic/Northern Virginia

The forum will consist of a “Meet and Greet” from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., with the forum starting at 7:00 p.m.

National Rural Electric Cooperative Conference Center

Room CC2

4301 Wilson Blvd

Arlington, VA  22203

Part of the Arlington Gay & Lesbian Alliance’s mission is to provide nonpartisan political awareness to LGBT and allied Arlingtonians.  One of the ways that we accomplish this is by holding candidate forums when we have contested general election races.

This year we will be holding a candidate forum on Tuesday, October 18th at 7:00 p.m. for the 30th District Senate race and the one contested House of Delegate race (District 48).

Approximately 30 minutes will be devoted to each race during each forum.  Each candidate will be given a chance to make a 2 minute opening statement.  This will be followed two questions posed by the moderator (each candidate being given 2 minutes to respond) and the remainder of the time being devoted to questions from the audience (each candidate will be given 1 minute to respond to the audience questions).  To rsvp or ask questions please email Daniel L. Hays at president@agla.org.

We will have drinks and cookies available starting at 6:30 to provide a meet and greet period prior to the forum.

Hard Times Cafe’ Social