Since relocating to Fort Lauderdale close to 20 years ago, they have supported local organizations including SunServe, Equality Florida, Our Fund Foundation, The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, the Pride Center, Outshine Film Festival, the Pet Project, Island City Stage and the Bears of South Florida. Nationally they have been involved with the Names Project, Lambda Legal, Centerlink, the Stonewall Museum and Library, the National LGBTQ Task Force, Athlete Ally and Freedom for All Americans. DC and Ken have been staunch supporters of SAGE for close to a decade and have hosted this same fundraiser in 2018 at their home in Fort Lauderdale. Given the current political climate in Florida, the couple is highly aware that the LGBTQ+ community fight for doesn’t equal rights is far from over. As such they balance their philanthropic contributions between service and activism.
Before their retirement they were co-owners of the Crew Club, a gay -oriented gym and health spa located in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC. The Club was developed as an activist- and community-supported space with a mission to build a positive view of gay men and their sexuality. The couple exemplify the growing legacy of gay business owners who have fueled local advocacy groups, community-building initiatives and direct service projects.
The two have long been committed to working for a safer and healthier LGBTQ+ community. During their time in Washington, DC, they were instrumental in the development of the award-winning Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit of the Metropolitan Police Department. They were heavily involved with the DC Center, the local LGBTQ+ Community Center. They also provided major support to Casa Ruby for life-saving services and programs for the transgender community.
DC has been presented the Distinguished Service Award by the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance, the Distinguished Service Award by the DC Center and an Outstanding Volunteer Service Award by Brother, Help Thyself. In addition, he was the recipient of the Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Business Leadership Award in 2012, and was voted the Washington Blade’s “Best Business Person” in 2014. In 2018, the Al LaMorges Distinguished Community Service Award, for Community Leaders that best embody the spirit of selfless service and support of LGBTQ+ Arts Organizations, was presented to DC and Ken by the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida.
