The Next Generation Leadership Foundation (NGLF), the local nonprofit dedicated to mentoring and fostering potential LGBT leaders in various fields, is accepting nominations for the 2015 Next Generation Awards, presented by Metro Weekly.
Now in its seventh year, the Next Generation Awards honor young LGBT leaders or activists under the age of 30 who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievement in both their career and in their contributions to their community. Past award winners include leaders in the labor movement, equal rights advocates, business leaders, community activists and professionals in various fields. All award winners are chosen from a pool of nominations submitted by community members. Nominations can be submitted online through Friday, April 10th.
“We’re very excited for this year’s awards,” said Sean Bugg, the executive director of NGLF. “It’s always an honor for us to be able to recognize such amazing young LGBT leaders in such a prominent way through Metro Weekly.”
The awards were first launched by Metro Weekly in 2009. The magazine announces and profiles each winners — four in total — in a special edition of the magazine, this year slated to hit newsstands on April 30. The awards inspired the formation in 2013 of the independent NGLF, best known for its Leadership Institute — a national program that brings LGBT high school students to Washington during the summer for leadership training and networking opportunities.
“We’re proud to not only continue our support of the awards but to support the work of NGLF,” said Randy Shulman, publisher of Metro Weekly. “As always, we look forward to creating a unique showcase for these outstanding LGBT youth and young adults.”
The Next Generation Awards will be presented on Thursday, May 7, at the Beacon Bar and Grill, 1615 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Tickets can be purchased online at NGLF’s website for $55, or are available for $60 at the door. Nominations may be submitted online through Friday, April 3 via nglf.org/nga-nominations. For more information on NGLF, visit nglf.org.
To celebrate our 31st Anniversary, we present, for the first time since 1994, the interview that launched Metro Weekly magazine.
Introduction and Interview by Randy Shulman
May 11, 2025
It's no secret among those who work alongside me that I have a strange, love-hate relationship with anniversary issues. Almost to the point of stifling.
I can't explain it other than to say that, while I am in awe of Metro Weekly's past, in constant amazement of its present, and always looking forward to its future, the idea of growing older along with the magazine psychologically weighs on me.
Still, anniversaries happen. They are unstoppable, inevitable, undeniable.
For our 20th year, we put out a humdinger of a celebratory issue -- back when we were still in print. We may attempt to repeat that ungodly feat one day, but for now, I thought, what could we do that would have an impact for the magazine, for the LGBTQ community it serves, and for the individual reader, both longtime and new?
"This kind of theater is what I live for," says Bruce Randolph Nelson. "High comedy, high camp, ridiculous, outrageous, the more the better."
Donning an assortment of wigs and frocks and false teeth to perform multiple roles, Nelson is currently starring alongside Zack Powell in Everyman Theatre's vigorous and hilarious production of Charles Ludlam's quick-change horror spoof The Mystery of Irma Vep. He starred in Everyman's first go at the play, a hit 2009 production directed by Ludlam's partner, Everett Quinton.
Recently released data from a national survey of transgender and nonbinary individuals reveals that detransitioning is not as common as opponents of transgender rights assert, and that the overwhelming reason for detransitioning is rooted in social stigma and lack of support.
Recently released data from a national survey of transgender and nonbinary individuals finds that detransitioning is far less common than anti-trans activists claim. When it does happen, it’s largely due to external pressures like stigma and lack of support, not regret over transitioning.
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
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