Washington Blade - December 2, 2005
Lou Chibbaro, Jr.

Williams, who introduced Nipper at his weekly news conference, sought to counter concerns raised by some gay activists that Nipper was unknown to most of the city's gay leaders and organizations and did not appear to have been involved in gay issues.

A biography released by the mayor's office says Nipper worked in a volunteer and consulting capacity for several gay and AIDS organizations during the past 15 years, including the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League, the Mautner Project for Lesbians with Cancer and the Inner City AIDS Network.

In her professional career, Nipper worked in 2004 as executive director of the Black Entertainment Television Network Foundation and in 2001 as vice president of public education for the National Mental Health Association. During the past year, she has worked as a health advocacy consultant, according to the biography released by the mayor's office.

"Her professional and academic accomplishments coupled with a solid personal commitment to the challenges facing minority and at-risk populations will help us to address the concerns of the LGBT community with great sensitivity," Williams said.

With her parents sitting in the audience, Nipper told the gathering of reporters and members of local gay groups that she has been out as a lesbian nearly her entire life. She introduced her domestic partner of more than nine years, Katrinia Higgins, who works as deputy director of operations for the National Youth Advocacy Coalition, an umbrella organization for gay youth.

"I think one of the best ways that I've had to demonstrate my commitment to the LGBT community is as a person who represents myself authentically in whatever role I've been in," Nipper said at the news conference. "I'm proud to say I am who I am."

Nipper replaces lesbian activist Wanda Alston, who held the LGBT office position for less than a year before she was murdered in her home in March during a robbery that police said was unrelated to her sexual orientation.

Nipper's appointment came after the LGBT affairs post remained vacant for more than eight months and after gay activists complained that the mayor's office was taking too long to fill the position.

LGBT Office permanent?

The appointment also came one month after the D.C. Council voted to table a bill introduced by gay Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) to enact the LGBT Affairs Office into law, making it a permanent part of the city government. Williams created the office by executive order in an arrangement that would allow another mayor to abolish it or leave the director's position unfilled.

The council's decision to table Graham's bill came after the Gay & Lesbian Activists Alliance lobbied against the measure, saying the office would become a political patronage operation for an incumbent mayor. GLAA, a small but vocal group of longtime activists, has argued that such an office was not needed because the gay community is well organized politically and can lobby on its own for gay-related issues.

Graham has countered that an LGBT Affairs office would serve as an advocate for gay issues within the city government much as the city's offices of Latino Affairs and Asian-Pacific Islander do. D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams, who introduced Darlene Nipper at his weekly news conference, sought to counter concerns raised by some gay activists that Nipper was unknown to most of the city's gay leaders.

Graham urged Williams at the Nov. 30 news conference to support his bill, which Graham said he hopes to bring back for a vote at the Dec. 6 council session.

"I think it's very important that we give Darlene a statutory office and that we get her into the statute, where we can assure her more resources, greater visibility and permanence," Graham said.

Williams, noting that he has received conflicting signals from the gay community on the office, saying, "I support it. I have always supported it."

The mayor did not specify whether he was referring to the office itself or the Graham bill. Graham said later that he interpreted the mayor's comments to pertain to his bill to enshrine the office into law.

The biography of Nipper released by the mayor's office says she served as national director of Multicultural & International Outreach for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, beginning in 2001. She was appointed chief operating officer for NAMI in 2003.

From 1994 to 2000, she served as director of community living at the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute, a community residential services facility for adults with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, the bio says. She also worked for Koba Associates, Inc., a firm that the D.C. government uses to administer various programs, including HIV/AIDS and substance abuse programs.

Nipper received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Howard University and a Master of Science degree in public administration from Trinity College, according to the bio. It says she is currently training to become an ordained interfaith minister.

Nipper said she and her parents are lifelong D.C. residents. She currently lives in Ward 4.

At least three others who were interviewed for the LGBT Affairs post included lesbian activist Shiela Alexander Reid and gay activists Brad Lewis and Christopher Dyer. All three said they wish Nipper well in her new post and would help her in any way they could.

051202
WB051202

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .