Arts & Entertainment
Lauper to headline HRC inaugural party
Also joining her on stage, ‘Idol’ contestant Frenchie Davis and actress Audra McDonald
Cyndi Lauper will headline HRC inauguration party. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
An estimated 1,500 people are expected to attend the Human Rights Campaign’s quadrennial inauguration celebration at the Mayflower Hotel in Northwest D.C. on Jan. 21.
Singer Cyndi Lauper will again perform at the event alongside former “American Idol” contestant Frenchie Davis and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, Tony Award-winning actress Audra McDonald, actor Will Swenson of “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” and “Hair” and Ross Mathews of “Chelsea Lately” and “The Tonight Show” are also scheduled to attend.
“It’s a varied cast,” HRC spokesperson Fred Sainz told the Washington Blade. “It’s going to be an incredibly fun program.”
HRC President Chad Griffin is expected to deliver what Sainz described as “short remarks.” Politicians and other federal and elected officials from across the country are also expected to attend, but a confirmed list of attendees was not immediately available.
“It’s going to be an incredibly exciting opportunity for us to really kind of celebrate how far we’ve come and to then rededicate ourselves to the work ahead,” Sainz said. “And within the next 6 months there’s going to be an awful lot of historic opportunities for us to propel our movement to even greater heights and this evening is really all about bringing those various opportunities together in one place.”
The event will take place less than three months after same-sex marriage referenda passed in Maine, Maryland and Washington and Minnesota voters struck down a proposed constitutional amendment that would have banned nuptials for gays and lesbians.
Lawmakers in Illinois and Rhode Island continue to debate same-sex marriage bills, while the U.S. Supreme Court in March will hear oral arguments in cases challenging the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8.
The Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved the election of interim Richmond Circuit Court Judge Tracy Thorne-Begland as the state’s first openly gay jurist. Maryland legislators later this year are also expected to consider a measure that would ban anti-transgender discrimination in the workplace, housing and public accommodations.
President Obama’s supporters point to his support of marriage rights for same-sex couples, the repeal of the Pentagon’s ban on openly gay and lesbian service members, the addition of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression to the federal hate crimes law and urging Uganda and other countries to protect the rights of their LGBT citizens as among his administration’s numerous accomplishments during its first term.
Advocates over the last four years have criticized the White House on a number of issues that include its refusal to issue an executive order that would ban federal contractors from discriminating against their LGBT employees and the president’s nomination earlier this month of former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel to succeed Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. Obama’s decision not to address the International AIDS Conference that took place in D.C. last July also raised eyebrows among some HIV/AIDS advocates and service providers.
“The LGBT community has so much to celebrate with President Obama’s re-election,” Joseph Palacios, director of the Catholics for Equality Foundation, said as he discussed his plans to attend the HRC inaugural celebration. “This inaugural ball brings together all the key LGBT organizations in the country, so it will be a grand reunion for so many people who worked on the Obama campaign, marriage equality campaigns and the election of so many state and local officials — especially Tammy Baldwin to the U.S. Senate.”
Palacios added Lauper, who performed at the organization’s 2009 inaugural ball, is another draw.
“She and the other entertainers will keep us dancing and inspiring us to keep up the fight for LGBT equality,” he said.
Tickets to the event that includes an open bar and cocktail buffet are $375 ($275 for active duty servicemembers) and are available online. Log onto http://hrc.org/inauguration/section/entertainment#.UPbB53fAGSo for further information.
Out & About
Drag Underground returns
Indiana Bones, Bombalicious Eklaver, Shi-Queeta Lee, Cake Pop! to perform
Dupont Underground and the Washington Blade have teamed up to host “Drag Underground” on Friday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Dupont Underground.
Performers include Indiana Bones, Bombalicious Eklaver, Shi-Queeta Lee and Cake Pop.
Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
The annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner is set for Saturday, April 27 at the Washington Hilton with Colin Jost serving as emcee.
President Biden is scheduled to speak and numerous celebrities are expected around D.C. all weekend for related parties and events.
The Washington Blade is the only LGBTQ outlet that is a member of the Association and is hosting a table of VIPs, including actor Billy Porter and Congressman Robert Garcia (D-Calif.).
“We look forward to the Dinner each year to celebrate our press freedoms and to thank a range of allies and supporters for their work on behalf of the LGBTQ movement,” said Blade Editor Kevin Naff.
Friday, April 26
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon with Yoga & Intergenerational Hangout will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Chair yoga will be at noon. Lunch will be provided by the Gay Professional Men of Color at 1 p.m. Guests can bring a beverage of choice. For more information, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Courtyard by Marriott Dupont Circle. 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.
Trans Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Saturday, April 27
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Sunday, April 28
AfroCode DC will be at 4 p.m. at Decades DC. This event will be an experience of non-stop music, dancing, and good vibes and a crossover of genres and a fusion of cultures. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Dinner” at 6:30 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. This event is ideal for making meaningful new connections and community building or just to unwind and enjoy extended happy hour. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, April 29
Center Aging: Monday Coffee & Conversation 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 their choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, April 30
Pride on the Patio Events will host “LGBTQ Social Mixer” at 5:30 p.m. at Showroom. Dress is casual, fancy, or comfortable. Guests are encouraged to bring their most authentic self to chat, laugh, and get a little crazy. Admission is free and more details are on Eventbrite.
“5th Tuesdays Open Mic” will be at 8 p.m. at Busboys and Poets at 14th Street, N.W. For two hours, audiences can expect a diverse chorus of voices and a vast array of professional spoken word performers, open mic rookies, and musicians. The event will be hosted by Charity Blackwell. Tickets cost $8 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Wednesday, May 1
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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.
Thursday, May 2
Virtual Yoga with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
Drag Underground returns
White House Correspondents’ Dinner set for Saturday
Calendar: April 26-May 2
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