Founder and Executive Director of the Casa BruMar Foundation, Evelyn BruMar, has been recognized as an OUTstanding Virginian for her advocacy in fighting for LGBTQ+ human rights. According to their website, Equality Virginia recognizes OUTstanding Virginians as “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and allied individuals or organizations taking the lead in moving equality forward across the state.” The honorees will be celebrated on Thursday, April 22 at a virtual dinner recognizing their work in their local LGBTQ+ communities.

BruMar has served in a variety of leadership positions before founding the Casa BruMar (@CasaBruMar) Foundation in 2019. Her nonprofit focuses on equity education, social services, and human dignity for LGBTQ people living in Prince William County (PWC). She has donated her time and services on boards for numerous organizations, including NOVA Pride and Equality Prince William. In 2018, she worked to pass the 1st LGBTQ Pride Month Proclamation in PWC then ensured Pride Month was recognized by the PWC school district in 2020 and helped organize the county’s first Pride rally the same year. Evelyn is also the first Latinx lesbian to serve as a Human Rights Commissioner for the region.

BruMar offered the following statement to the PW Perspective: “It is a joyous moment mixed with sadness. I celebrate along with my Casa BruMar Foundation board members, friends, and allies who have been walking this path with me, supporting me.”

“At the same time, I am a little saddened with the reality of how far the LGBTQ community still has a long way to go to have the equality in human dignity/rights and not fear for our lives when being our authentic selves. As long as I can, I will. My life is tied to the well-being of my community.”