Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Washington Blade - May 10, 2006
Janelle Zara
On Sat. May 13, eight local men will celebrate their May birthdays with a glamorous, Monte Carlo-themed casino night at the Thurgood Marshall Center, 1816 12th St., NW. While the party promises to be both extravagant and fabulous (formal attire is suggested), one distinguishing characteristic sets the Men of May apart: instead of birthday presents, guests are asked to bring donations for Us Helping Us, a local HIV/AIDS service organization that targets people of color.
The Men of May celebration is an annual event that dates to 1999, when four men met at a mutual friend's birthday party and found that they shared the same birth month. They planned to throw a joint birthday party of their own, but one that would benefit the community.
"We wanted to give back to the community," said Zachary Gillis, Men of May treasurer, about the group's original inspiration. Concerned with the disproportionately high rates of HIV and AIDS among black men and women, the Men of May began hosting annual celebrations whose proceeds would go to organizations that promote HIV awareness.
After seven Men of May parties, the organization has raised more than $12,000 for charities like Whitman-Walker Clinic, La Casa Rosada (a home for children with HIV/AIDS in the Dominican Republic) and the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League. Each year boasts a different theme, with past events including a Hawaiian luau and a toga party. This year's Monte Carlo Casino night is Men of May's third party benefitting Us Helping Us.
ACCORDING TO GILLIS, planning these events is a time-consuming effort that begins shortly after the previous party ends. The group has to consider publicity, food and sponsorship, as well as securing a venue with their annual membership dues.
"Basically all I do is show up," jokes Ron Simmons, president of Us Helping Us. "We need a lot more people like Men of May to raise money for nonprofit organizations in the District. We really do appreciate the work they've done, supporting Us Helping Us for all these years."
Since 1999, when the Men of May tradition began with only four members, the group has grown to eight men, ranging in age from their mid-30s to early 50s: Zachary Gillis, born May 13; Corliss Adams, May 13; James Calhoun, May 14; Larry Davis, May 2; Jim Gary, May 31; Carl Rockheade, May 2; Don Johnson, May 5; and Nigel Simon, May 6.
Don Johnson, who joined the organization just two years ago, says that he became a Man of May because he felt blessed in his own life, and while growing older, his philanthropic spirit grew as well.
"Giving back to the community is doing something that's worth while, Johnson says. "It's a party with a purpose."
As one of the founding members, Zachary Gillis is pleased with the growing interest in his organization. Membership is strictly limited to men with May birthdays, which Gillis doesn't see as a problem.
"That just gives [other people] an opportunity to start the Men of November," he says.
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