Testimony On Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs

Cesar Toledo
Testifying before Public Works and Operations Budget Oversight Hearing

Good afternoon, Councilmember Brianne Nadeau and members of the DC Council,

My name is Cesar Toledo, newly appointed Executive Director of the Wanda Alston Foundation, one of a few queer-led organizations in DC that provides gender-affirming housing and support services to LGBTQ+ youth. I’m here today to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs and ask for your continued support.

The Foundation was founded in 2008 to honor the life and legacy of Wanda Renita Alston, a fierce LGBTQ+ activist, feminist, and organizer. Wanda dedicated her life to fighting for justice, never backing down. Thanks to her leadership, the LGBTQ+ community secured greater representation on DC’s local governing boards and launched the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs. 

When the office was created under Mayor Williams, the mission and objectives of the office were to:

• Serve as liaison between the Mayor, government agencies, City Council, and the LGBT community

• Identify areas of need for the LGBT community

• Advise the Mayor on policy issues affecting the LGBT community and the District government

• Collect and disseminate research on the impact of public policies and legislation affecting the LGBT community and make recommendations to the Mayor regarding these policy and legislative issues

Two decades later, the office has lived up to the values it was established to uphold. The community has greatly benefited from this office’s services and leadership in the community. 

Today, it serves as the:

• Largest LGBTQ+ focused grantmaker solely focused on the District 

• Serves as the central hub for support and resources to the community. 

Just this weekend, WorldPride was hosted in DC, where we witnessed an unprecedented turnout, generated more than half a billion dollars in economic impact, had a historic increase in metro ridership, and hosted hundreds of events. As the gayest city in the world, the queer community is a powerful economic engine. 

DC has long served as a beacon of hope across the country, providing refuge for those facing anti-LGBTQ attacks. It’s because of this office and the critical resources it provides that organizations like the Wanda Alston Foundation can offer life-saving support to the community. 

Thank you for your time and allyship. 

Cesar Toledo 
Executive Director
Wanda Alston Foundation