Biographies

This month, we'll be showcasing the LGBTQIA Resource Center at Bowie State and several LBGTQ+ Americans who are making history in many different ways. 

Bowie State University LGBTQIA Resource Center

Established in April 2012, the LGBTQIA Resource Center fosters an open, safe and inclusive environment for people of all sexualities and gender identities. The LGBTQIA Resource Center has resources for anyone who is interested in learning about LGBT people, issues, and the intersections of race, gender identity/expression, and social class.

The LGBTQIA Resource Center works with faculty, staff and students to increase awareness and affirmation of LGBTQIA individuals to reduce discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In addition, the center collaborates with faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members to develop programs to promote knowledge and awareness. The center was highlighted on NPR as the first HBCU with a LGBTQIA Resource Center. 

Anthony "Tony" Christopher Woods

Tony Woods is an American politician serving as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs since January 2023. He was appointed by Governor Wes Moore. He was a U.S. Army officer deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Woods was discharged in 2008 for violating the military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy.

In 2009, Woods ran for U.S. Congress in California's 10th congressional district to fill a vacant seat, in a bid to become the first openly gay African American in Congress. He placed 4th, receiving 8% of a special election vote on September 1, 2009, behind John Garamendi, Mark DeSaulnier, and Joan Buchanan. He was part of the 2011-2012 Class of White House Fellows. 

Dana Beyer

Beyer is an American transgender rights advocate and the executive director of Gender Rights Maryland, a civil rights and advocacy organization serving Maryland's transgender community. She is a transgender woman. Beyer graduated from Cornell University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1978 as a Doctor of Medicine. In 2008, Beyer completed Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government as a David Bohnett Foundation LGBTQ Victory Institute Leadership Fellow.

She is executive director of Gender Rights Maryland. She is a former member of the board of directors for Equality Maryland. In 2014, she sat on the board of directors for LGBT employment equality advocacy group, Freedom to Work. She is on the board of the national Jewish LGBT organization, Keshet. 

Victor Blackwell

Blackwell is an American television news anchor who currently co-hosts the weekend edition of CNN This Morning with Amara Walker on CNN. Early life and education. Blackwell came out as gay on CNN on December 21, 2013, in an on-air conversation with co-anchor Pamela Brown. 

He earned a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from Howard University in Washington, D.C. While in college, he worked at Howard University’s public television station WHUT-TV. After college, Blackwell worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor at WHAG-TV in Hagerstown, Maryland. He also worked as a reporter and weekend anchor at WTLV/WJXX in Jacksonville, Florida. Blackwell was the first black main anchor at WPBF in West Palm Beach, Florida. Blackwell joined CNN in 2012 as a correspondent, based at CNN’s southeast bureau. In 2013, Blackwell’s exclusive reporting on the mysterious death of Georgia teenager Kendrick Johnson led to investigations by the Office of Secretary of State of Georgia and the US Attorney for Georgia’s Middle District. In January 2014, Blackwell was promoted to co-host of New Day Saturday and Sunday with Christi Paul. On April 19, 2021, he began co-hosting a two-hour afternoon block of CNN Newsroom with Alisyn Camerota. On March 25, 2023 Victor anchored CNN This Morning with Amara Walker. He announced that this was a permanent assignment. 

Joanna Christie Lohman

Lohman is a retired American professional soccer midfielder/defender who last played for the Washington Spirit of the American National Women's Soccer League. 

She previously played for the Washington Freedom and Philadelphia Independence. In addition, she served as the general manager of the Washington Freedom Futures, the Washington Freedom Soccer Club's W-League team. Lohman is a former member of the United States women's national soccer team and author of the book Raising Tomorrow's Champions: What the Women's National Soccer Team Teaches Us About Grit, Authenticity and Winning that was released on March 3, 2021 by Inspire Digital Media. 

Amazin LeThi

LeThi is a keynote speaker, LGBTQ advocate, athlete, cultural change leader, published author and commentator. She is currently the first and only Asian LGBTQ Athlete to simultaneously hold multiple LGBTQ sports ambassador roles in the world.

As a globally recognized expert in diversity, equity and inclusion she is an in-demand guest speaker and advisor to fortune 500 companies, governments and international organizations such as the United Nations and The Prince’s Trust where she provides advocacy, guidance and support on human rights, DEI, sports and LGBTQ initiatives. As a cultural change leader, through impactful conversations shares her personal journey of homelessness to becoming one of the most visible and influential LGBTQ advocates in the world.