Judy Ames has long been a supporter of LGBA on the local, national, and international level. Judy joined Baltimore’s Charm City Brigade in 1984, and served on that board. She later spent many years with D.C’s Different Drummers as a musician and board member. While Judy was the president of DCDD, the band grew in size and visibility, eventually hosting an LGBA Conference in conjunction with the 2000 Millennium March on Washington.

Judy’s first LGBA experience was the 1996 performance for President Bill Clinton, beginning a life-long commitment to LGBA and it’s mission of “Music, Visibility, and Pride”. In fact, it was Judy who created that tag line for our organization. Judy served many years on the LGBA board, and served as president from 2003-2006. During her tenure she participated at Gay Games V in Australia, coordinated our efforts at Gay Games VI in Chicago, and helped to celebrate the LGBA 25th Anniversary at the St. Louis conference.

Leaving the LGBA Board did not end Judy’s commitment to our organization. Judy and fellow LGBA past president Robb Blackwell put together the application that earned LGBA the opportunity to perform in the 2009 Inaugural parade for President Barack Obama. We marched as the first ever LGBT organization to participate in an inaugural parade. Judy continues to serve LGBA, along with other past presidents, in the creation of the “Presidents Circle” which raises funds for large scale LGBA events. She is also a board member with her local Flower City Pride Band in Rochester, NY.