Staffer for Charles Allen Wins LGBT Leadership Award

Anne Phelps, a top staffer for Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen, is being recognized for her service to the District’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

Phelps, Allen’s legislative director, will accept a Distinguished Service Award from the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington on April 23. She is one of three people set to get the award at GLAA’s 44th anniversary party.

During the past council period, Phelps served as director of the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, working on several GLAA-supported bills. The measures included the JaParker Deoni Jones Birth Certificate Equality Amendment Act and the Marriage Officiant Amendment Act, which both passed the council in 2013.

The Birth Certificate Equality Amendment Act allows transgender D.C. residents to get new birth certificates if they get statements from doctors saying they have undergone a “medically appropriate treatment for a gender transition.” The Marriage Officiant Amendment Act allows couples to designate any adult as a “temporary officiant” to perform their marriages. Previously, only judges and clergy could wed couples in D.C.

Allen said he was proud of her.

“As Council staff, she frequently works behind the scenes for the Council and elected officials,” Allen said in a statement. “But this notable recognition appropriately highlights the integral role she has played in some of the District’s most progressive legislation that impacts the rights and lives of every District resident.”

Phelps, who continues to work on LGBT issues under Allen, didn’t immediately respond to an inquiry.

Photo via Twitter/AnnePhelps