Family Spotlight:
Justin and Philip

Justin B Smith and Dr. Philip B Terry of Laurel, Maryland met a little over 3 years ago in Washington DC at a bar fundraiser. "When I first saw Philip I was immediately taken by him," says Justin, 29. Philip, 44 adds, "I remember seeing this handsome man with a bright broad smile and engaging eyes."

At their first meeting Philip was volunteering at the fundraiser and Justin was one of the patrons; after a conversation and some chatter they immediately exchanged numbers. The rest is history.

Presently, Justin works as Federal Employee for the IRS and also runs his own video blog called Justin's HIV Journal in which he hopes to educate and make people aware how HIV affects someone in their day-to-day life. He also sits on the Board of Directors for Whitman Walker Clinic and works with several other nonprofits, like Us Helping Us People Into Living Inc., National Black Justice Coalition, POZ I AM Radio and TheBody.com, etc. He also has been a part several HIV/AIDS campaigns and projects thoughout the Washington DC area.

Philip most recently served as the Senior Director for Emergency and International Services for the National Capital Area of the Red Cross and previously as the Executive Director of the District of Columbia Office of the Red Cross. He is a licensed clinical professional counselor and certified alcoholism and drug addiction counselor. Philip has also supervised mental health services and care for first responders after the September 11th attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Right now Philip is the Executive Director of Prevention Works, a needle exchange HIV/AIDS nonprofit located in Washington DC, which curbs the spread of HIV and other blood-borne diseases among injecting and other drug users, their sexual partners, and their children.

On August 7, 2009, after dating for three years or so, Philip and Justin eloped in Provincetown, Massachusetts. They will hold a private ceremony in Washington DC for family and friends as well. They are settling on their first house together in 2010, in which they will live happily ever after!

Both gentlemen are happy to help fight for Marriage Equality in Maryland, the place they call home.

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