Q. You are well-known in the “Washington, DC” area. How would you introduce yourself to readers who are outside of DC?

I am an event host, community advocate, and lifelong Washingtonian who was elected and served as a Ward 5 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner. I’m also known as the High Priestess of Love, Queen of the Shameless Plug, Empress of Pride, and Goddess of DC.

Q. How do you identify on the 2 Spirit LGBTQA+ spectrum?

I identify as DC’s original gender-blender. I feel a kinship to
Two-Spirit peoples, the Māhū and Fa‘afafine of the Pacific Islands, the Chibados of what is now Angola, the Khanith of Oman, men in various cultures who embrace roles as nurturers and matriarchs, and all those individuals who encompass both the masculine and the feminine. I am the father of five and mother to many.

Q. Can you share more about your role in the DBIWP events?

I am very honored to have been invited to speak at the closing reception, which is at one of my favorite DC venues, Atlas Performing Arts Center.

Q. Why is it important to you to be part of the DBIWP events?

First, I am eager to participate in any event which is curated with the obvious level of care, intentionality, professionalism, dedication, and enthusiasm that DBIWP has received. Long before DEI became a term misused for political gain, I always had the ambition to interact with diverse groups of people in spaces that are as inclusive as possible. It is important that there’s not just ethnic diversity, but people from different age groups and various backgrounds. But in terms of ethnic diversity, Indigenous people are almost always left out, especially in the Mid-Atlantic region. I want to support and amplify DBIWP however I can and meet the talented people who are participating in it. Lastly, as do many African Americans, I have multi-ethnic ancestry; this includes my great-great-great grandmother and her sister, who were both Blackfoot Indian [Niitsitapi]. I see DBIWP as an opportunity to honor their legacies and keep my family’s memories of them alive.

Q. As someone who has hosted many LGBTQ+ events, can you speak to the value in having an event like DBIWP that is specific to the Indigenous community?

Over the past few decades, I have hosted events presented by almost every Pride organization in DC: Youth Pride Day, Silver Pride, Capital Pride, DC Black Pride, DC Latinx Pride, Trans Pride, and District of Pride. That’s why I’m the Empress of Pride. I hope to do something with Asian and Pacific Islander Pride one day and whatever else someone creates in the future. Being included in DBIWP is truly an honor and the value of it happening this year cannot be exaggerated, not just because of WorldPride DC, but because in this time of political turmoil in this country, we need to consider the original people of this land and all that those ancestors experienced, suffered, endured, and achieved. Representation matters and I hope DBIWP inspires future generations as much as it inspires me.

Q. Considering the current political climate in the “U.S.”, could you reflect on what it means to organize Pride events in the nation’s capital at this time?

I don’t think most U.S. citizens or many people who don’t live here understand the precarious position of the residents of Washington, DC. We have Home Rule, but the US Congress is able to interfere in local affairs. Since we are not a state, we are not protected the way that other major US cities are protected from federal intervention. Having Pride events in DC becomes bigger than the local communities, neighborhoods, or opportunities to celebrate with our neighbors in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and beyond. It is showing the entire nation, and indeed the world, that LGBTQ people are not just tolerated here, but we are celebrated. We are a political and cultural force. We support our transgender, intersex, and nonbinary siblings. We are unified and resilient.

Q. Do you have one take home message for 2SLGBTQIA+ Indigenous folks who are attending DBIWP?

Be proud of this event and that members of your community overcame all the obstacles that made it a challenge to bring it all to fruition. Please share your appreciation and praise with the organizers. What they do isn’t easy; most people who advocate for their communities don’t expect accolades, but it feels really good when people share gratitude. Please give them their flowers!

Q. Do you have one take home message for allies who are attending DBIWP?

Being an ally isn’t a notion, it’s an action. Being indifferent or neutral is not being an ally. Being silent or passive isn’t being an ally. To be an ally, you need to do the work or support the people who are doing the work. Social media engagement is terrific, but it is just about literally the least that you can do. Find out how you can support causes with your time, talent, and money. Talk to people and find out what you can do to help them be successful. Be a volunteer. Help them network and make connections. If you can’t do that, scrounge up some money and make a donation.

Q. Are there any upcoming projects that you are working on?

I always have something upcoming, and I am the Queen of the Shameless Plug, so for the latest, please follow me on social media—especially the fabulous new platforms, including Bluesky and Substack. I’m looking forward to Silver Pride 2025 events on May 21st and 27th, upcoming District of Pride events with the DC Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, and I hope to announce my involvement in WorldPride DC soon. Team Rayceen Productions is currently on hiatus, but we have over 900 videos available to watch on YouTube. Please visit www.Rayceen.com for all of those links.

Q. Any final thoughts?

I want young people especially to remember that social media can be an excellent tool, but it is not real life. Posts and comments are not as indicative of what most people’s opinions are as you might think. Connect with people and create bonds and alliances. This is a time for building bridges. These bridges need to be intergenerational. To my peers, to other elders, I want to encourage them to interact with young people; mentor them, encourage them, and include them. When there’s a community project, the youngest people at the meeting shouldn’t be over age 50. Be proactive and inclusive. There should almost always be people under 30 and over 60 included in the process.