Supporting DC’s LGBTQIA+ Community

Rashida “has an extensive record of leadership [on LGBTQIA+ issues], demonstrating great depth of experience and knowledge…” Don’t just take her word for it - those are the words of GLAA DC, which advocates for equality and liberation for LGBTQ and affiliated communities in our city. GLAA DC gave Rashida a 10/10 rating - one of only four candidates in all District primary races to receive a perfect score.

Ward 1’s greatest strength is its people and its diverse, vibrant and progressive communities, a vibrant tapestry of long-time residents, immigrants, and activists. Rashida values Ward 1’s diversity and knows the LGBTQIA+ community is essential to our civic fabric.

As a social worker, she has spent her career fighting for children and families, including helping LGBTQIA+ parents navigate adoption hurdles and redefining what a family looks like. She is prepared to apply her passion to the urgent issues facing LGBTQIA+ neighbors, including youth homelessness, underemployment, housing insecurity, and healthcare access.

Rashida is committed to ensuring an affordable, inclusive community for all. She’ll address the housing crisis by establishing LGBTQIA+-focused initiatives, community land trusts, and "chosen family" tenant protections. She’ll strengthen TOPA, and increase affordable housing units, building on her experience with the Kenyon Street Co-Op, Park Morton-Bruce Monroe (456 units), and McMillan projects. She’ll secure targeted funding for affirming shelters like Sasha Bruce Youthworks to combat LGBTQIA+ youth homelessness. By centering community assets, she will navigate complex developments to protect residents from displacement and ensure long-term affordability. And she will prioritize workforce development, supporting small businesses, and creating career pathways, specifically for LGBTQIA+ residents facing discrimination.

WHAT RASHIDA’S DONE

As an adoption and foster care social worker at the Barker Adoption Foundation, Rashida advocated for LGBTQIA+ families and saw firsthand the discrimination they face when building their families. This experience fuels her commitment to ensuring every resident feels supported and valued.

As Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, she has proudly stood in solidarity at Pride events and supported transgender youth through anti-bullying initiatives. While she was saddened by the closure of Casa Ruby in Ward 1, she is encouraged by organizations like SMYAL and their Latinx programming. 

WHAT RASHIDA WILL DO

Protecting and expanding LGBTQIA+ rights requires strong policy, robust institutions, and defending our right to self-govern. Rashida is dedicated to ensuring D.C. remains a safe, inclusive haven through the following priorities:

  • Stabilizing the District’s trans workforce program by transitioning it from the Department of Human Services to the Department of Employment Services, to ensure sustainability and long-term career pathways. 

  • Safeguarding access to gender-affirming care, working with the Office of the Attorney General to craft legislation protecting parents, hospitals, and healthcare providers who provide medically appropriate care.

  • Funding and broadening cultural competency training developed by the Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs, making it mandatory across the entire public safety cluster and all agencies interacting with vulnerable residents.

  • Collecting comprehensive LGBTQIA+ data across health, housing, employment, and education systems. DC doesn’t consistently disaggregate LGBTQIA+ identity, especially for trans and non-binary residents, which limits tailored policy responses.

  • Fighting for statehood so our community’s rights and priorities can no longer be overridden by federal interference.

  • Addressing uncertainty in federal HIV/STI and sexual health funding by being ready to backfill funding to protect condom distribution, PrEP/PEP access, and community-based prevention programs administered through HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Administration, should the feds delay or reduce funding.

  • Restoring a dedicated LGBTQIA+ community grant program to ensure community-based programs remain stable and responsive.

  • Ensuring nursing homes and assisted living facilities respect gender identity, chosen family, and affirming care.

  • Providing designated housing for LGBTQIA+ seniors, who often face isolation or discrimination in traditional senior housing.

  • Mandating coverage for fertility treatment, surrogacy, and adoption support for LGBTQIA+ families (current insurance coverage can be inconsistent).