Arts & Entertainment
Sentinels celebrate wins
Other local queer sports groups in full swing
The D.C. Sentinels are on a winning streak with two major titles under their belt this year. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Majoros)
There are lots of great things happening with the D.C. sports groups in the coming month.
Congratulations to the D.C. Sentinels basketball team who have been on a tear this year winning two national tournaments. In January, the team won the A division of the Sin City Shootout in Las Vegas. Two weeks ago the Sentinels won the A division of the Coady Roundball Classic in Chicago. They will be celebrating with a happy hour party today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Black Fox Lounge. You can check out the Sentinels at www.teamdcbasketball.org.
The D.C. Strokes Rowing Club is offering Learn To Row sessions for men and women in the month of May. All skill levels are welcome and you will be introduced to the basics of technique, equipment and language in a small class of 10-12 people. From April 30 to May 22, sessions will be offered on Saturdays in the mornings and afternoons. From May 2-25, sessions will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. From May 3-26, sessions are available from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. More information is available at www.dcstrokes.org.
Last year, about 3,500 members of the LGBT community attended Team D.C.’s Night OUT at the Nationals. Join them again this year on June 21 as the Nats take on the Seattle Mariners. Tickets start at $16 and are available at Nellie’s Sports Bar. In the coming weeks they will be available online at www.teamdc.org.
The D.C. Front Runners Spring Fling is scheduled for May 13-15 which includes socializing, walk/runs in Rock Creek Park and the Capitol Hill Classic 10K on Sunday. More info is available about Spring Fling and their weekly run/walks at www.dcfrontrunners.org.
The first practice for the Jolly Boozers Ultimate Frisbee Team was a few weeks ago and you can still get in on the action. Men and women of all skill levels are welcome and cleats are recommended. Contact Ben at [email protected] to learn more.
After a brief break, D.C. Cheer is getting back in the game with their cheer squad. They are looking for coaches and places to practice. If you are interested or can offer an opportunity, contact Greg at [email protected].
The Lambda Links Golf Club has kicked off its season. The first tournament is a Scramble to be held at Glenn Dale on April 30. Weekly outings will continue until the next tournament which will be held on June 11. Stay current with the Links at www.lambdalinks.org.
The Rainbow Spinnakers Sailing Club has begun its weekly sails. You can ride along as a passenger or train to become a skipper. Get on its mailing list and receive weekly e-mails about openings on the sailboats. You can find them at www.rainbowspinnakers.org
Interested in scuba diving? Join members of the Lambda Divers Scuba Club on May 15 (and every third Sunday of the month) at Nellie’s Sports Bar between 5-7 p.m. for happy hour. Information on future diving trips will be on hand. More about them is available at www.lambdadivers.org.
The Adventuring Outdoors Group is sponsoring the Arboretum Azaleas Hike on Saturday. Last November, the National Arboretum announced that it was destroying most of its world-famous azalea collection due to budget constraints.
Ultimately, The Friends of the Arboretum secured a $1 million gift from an anonymous donor to “save the azaleas.” The group will take an easy 5-mile hike around the Arboretum, a 446 acre hidden gem in the middle of Northeast D.C. Established 65 years ago, the azaleas now blanket the hillside of Mount Hamilton, the third highest natural point in D.C.
The group will also visit a selection of other seasonal displays as well as some of the meadows, the forested areas and the famous original National Capitol Columns. Look for the trip leader’s orange cap at 9 a.m. at the top of the Q Street escalator at Dupont Circle Metro. They will carpool from there and return by 1:30 p.m. Bring water, lunch, sunscreen and $5 for trip fees. Drivers are needed. Contact Damon at [email protected]et for more information.
Friday, April 17
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7:00p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Saturday, April 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Sunday, April 19
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Lunch” at 11 a.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, April 20
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, April 21
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Senior Self Defense Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Wednesday, April 22
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, April 23
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Out & About
Team DC’s annual gala set for this weekend
LGBTQ sports organization to hold annual ‘Night of Champions’
Team DC will host “Night of Champions Gala” on Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m. at the Georgetown Marriott.
This will be an evening of celebration and inspiration as Team DC honors remarkable individuals and supports the next generation of LGBTQ student-athletes.
There will be opportunities to support Team DC through auctions. The Silent Auction items will offer an array of unique goods and experiences. Additionally, Team DC will feature an exclusive selection of live auction items for those looking to make a significant impact.
This year, Team DC will recognize six outstanding awardees who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ community and sports:
- Trailblazer Award – Adam Peck, District Wrestling
- Most Valuable Person Award – Sean Bartel (posthumously)
- Champion Award – Dan Martin
- Clark Ray Horizon Award – Manuel Montelongo, aka Mari Con Carne
- Bernard Jude Delia Award – Dr. Sara Varghai
- Platinum All Star Award – Centaur Motorcycle Club
To purchase tickets, visit Team DC’s website.
Television
‘The Pitt’ stars discuss what season two gets right about queer representation
Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden spoke with Blade in LA
As season two of “The Pitt” comes to a close this Thursday, stars Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden are looking back on what this season got right about queer representation.
“There is some intentionality behind it, but it’s not necessarily for the representation to be anything other than human or ubiquitous to anyone that would come into an emergency room,” Noah Wyle, who plays Dr. Robby, told the Los Angeles Blade at PaleyFest event in Los Angeles on April 12. “I know that we’ve done some storylines with some gay couples, and we did a storyline in season 1 where a woman comes in who’s cut her arm, who’s trans. But in both of those storylines, that wasn’t the point.”
Wyle continues, “In doing it that way, and not making a point of orientation being part of the problem that brings you to the emergency room, we have been told in feedback that that has been extremely revolutionary, almost, and extremely appreciated. But that’s true whether we do storylines with any kind of minority or a person with a disability. We try to have a cosmology of cast and representation on the show that’s indicative of what you find in Pittsburgh.”
Dearden, who plays Dr. Mel King, echoed Wyle’s sentiment: “I think constantly battling tropes is always important. It’s not a show about romance; it’s a show about real life and a shift in the ER. The more we represent everyday people going through everyday life, they just happen to be queer, they just happen to be trans, and making it not the plot, is putting everyone on equal playing [field]. You don’t have to have a big coming out scene.”
Queer representation on “The Pitt” is also notable through the actual actors themselves, including openly queer actor Supriya Ganesh, who plays Dr. Samira Mohan (who didn’t attend PaleyFest after the news that she is not returning for season three), and Amielynn Abellera, who plays Perlah Alawi.
“Doctors don’t put value judgments on who they treat,” Wyle concludes. “That’s not a luxury extended to them, and so that’s not part of our storytelling.”
The season two finale will air Thursday, April 16, on HBO Max, while season three has already been confirmed and is currently being written.
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