Japer Bowles

Director at DC Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs

Speaker

Japer proudly serves and advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies as the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Affairs, in the Mayor Muriel E. Bowser administration. With a background as a former elected official and accomplished public affairs professional, Japer leads a dedicated team to serve the nation’s largest LGBTQIA+ community, per capita and over 300 LGBTQIA+ programs and organizations.

Since Japer's appointment, the office has become the largest LGBTQIA+ community affairs agency in the nation–tripling its budget, doubling its staff, and serving over 25,000 residents annually through the grants program. MOLGBTQA is also the largest local LGBTQIA+ dedicated funding organization in the DC region, administering more than $1,000,000 annually.

Before joining the Bowser Administration, Japer co-founded and led the DC LGBTQ+ Budget Coalition, securing over $10,000,000 in investments for the community, including the Trans workforce initiative, LGBTQIA+ low-barrier shelter, and the LGBTQIA+ Community Center. In the private sector at Stateside, he served as a Legislative Manager, providing counsel to Fortune 500 companies and the US Military on state legislative processes.

Japer's public service journey began in the Missouri General Assembly, where he served as the Legislative Assistant for the Chairman of the Special Committee on Urban Issues. His commitment to community service includes re-election as Commissioner of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1C07, founding the ANC Rainbow Caucus, and holding positions in the DC Democratic State Committee. Beyond his professional life, Japer enjoys baking and cooking with his husband, Nick, and spending quality time with their two cats.