Bars & Parties

‘The family I never had’

Local LGBT students benefit from Point Foundation scholarships

Published

16 years ago

April 29, 2010

Harjant Gill, a 28-year-old Point Foundation Scholar who immigrated to San Francisco from India with his family in 1994, says coming out proved rough. 'They didn't even understand what it meant,' he says. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Anyone struggling with an inferiority complex would do him- or herself a favor by staying away from the local Point Scholars, recipients of Point Foundation scholarship money for LGBT young people. They’re a group of staggering overachievers who’ve accomplished a lot for their age, often in the face of adversity.

India native Harjant Gill, 28, is working on a Ph.D. at American University studying anthropology, migration and gender. He’s gay and also a filmmaker who’s made a handful of shorts and documentaries that explore issues like cultural identity, homophobia, alienation, AIDS and more.

Lesbian Kelsey Phipps spent six years working for the late Sen. Edward Kennedy as a policy adviser but quit to go to law school at Georgetown University.

And Los Angeles native Joe Goldman, a junior political communication major at George Washington University, got involved in Israeli and global warming issues at age 12 before taking up LGBT rights causes shortly after he came out at 14. Since then he’s interned for Equality California, the California League of Conservation Voters, for several elected officials in his home state and on the presidential campaigns of Hillary Clinton and later Barack Obama.

All three and a handful of others in the D.C. area have benefitted from Point Foundation scholarship money and opportunities for mentoring from the Foundation, started in 2001 by partners Carl Strickland and Bruce Lindstrom, the latter a gay entrepreneurial success (he co-founded what became Costco) who’d been exiled from his evangelical family upon coming out.

There are 67 current scholars and 75 alumni. This year’s crop of about 38 new scholars, to be announced in June, will have been selected from more than 4,000 applicants. The Foundation, which has 10 full-time staffers, operates with a $3 million-plus endowment supplied from a bounty of corporate sponsors, individual gifts, bequests, benefits and fundraisers. That’s up substantially from the initial 2004 endowment of $100,000. Most scholars are in the program multiple years. The average scholar receives about $9,300 per year for tuition, books and living expenses.

“It’s really about giving them the support they need to be successful,” says Vince Garcia, Point’s scholar relations and selections program director. “It’s about helping them move beyond whatever forms of marginalization they’ve encountered.”

That varies, of course, from scholar to scholar. For Gill, who came out at 15, just a year after moving to the U.S. with his family, it was a rough start.

“My family told me I was financially cut off if I moved out and I knew I couldn’t live there so there was this constant back and forth about my sexuality,” he says. “And their unwillingness to even discuss the topic. High school was very bad. I never went to class because I was worried about getting beaten up, so as a result, my GPA was very bad.”

Phipps came out at 16 and had a girlfriend her senior year of high school in Washington state. She’s reluctant to say how bad it was initially because she’s at a point now where her parents have come a long way and have even invited her present girlfriend to their house for holidays.

“They really are coming along and trying to have a relationship,” she says. “Before my mom would just hang up if anybody except me answered the phone.”

Goldman says he’s one of the lucky ones. His parents were supportive. So why does he need the aid?

“I’ve been marginalized by our laws just like all of us have,” he says. “There are many parts of the country where safety could be an issue. It isn’t necessarily in the literal way. People might not be throwing homophobic epithets in my face but it could be, ‘Oh, he worked at Equality California, I don’t want to hire this gay guy.'”

Scholars go through a rigorous application process and have to maintain a 3.3 GPA to stay in the program. There are also strict rules about how the money is spent. Gill says his need for next year will likely be $15,000. He and the Point people determine a fair amount for him to come up with on his own — maybe $2,000 or $3,000. Then they supply the other $12,000.

And it’s not just about money. Connections are made through the organization. Phipps met local activist Paul Yandura through Point and got involved in GetEqual, a new queer activist group. And all the scholars have mentors they meet with regularly.

Goldman says his mentoring relationship with Brian Branton, chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Jared Polis (both Branton and Polis are gay), has been “unbelievable.”

“Just that he would take time from the crazy, hectic, insane world of Capitol Hill and work with me has been great,” Goldman says.

Gill says Point offers crucial help in multiple ways.

“It’s an absolutely wonderful thing,” he says. “It’s incredibly important and incredibly needed in the gay community. These students who are Point Scholars are the next movers and shakers. They’re all incredibly brilliant and smart and it’s great to provide them now with the support and nurturing they need and also the emotional support. Sometimes you just need someone to believe in you. In some ways it’s the family I never had.”

Point Foundation
Annual D.C. reception
Thursday, May 6, 6-8 p.m.
Equality Center at HRC
1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.
Tickets $75
pointfoundation.org

Bars & Parties

Halloween weekend is here

Local events abound for a spooky good time

Published

1 week ago

October 30, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

The annual High Heel Race is the kickoff to D.C.’s Halloween festivities. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Halloween weekend is here, and here’s a list of just some of the local events if you’re looking to have a spooky good time.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This is an opportunity to mingle with LGBTQ folk and allies. Halloween costumes are encouraged or casual beach attire is fine. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Mixtape Sapphics will host “Bad Witch, Good Butch: A Sapphic Halloween Dream” on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. at Revolt DC. This is a halloween party for sapphics from the ages of 35 and above. There will be costumes, connection and dancing. Tickets are $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Taste Takeover will host “Abuela Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. at 639 Florida Ave., N.W. DJ Yani will play music and there will be a costume contest with prizes to be won. Tickets cost $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Metro Cabaret Club will host “Spookshow Spectacular: Dance Place After Dark Halloween Party” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. at Dance Place. This is D.C.’s Halloween nightlife and draglesque showcase, featuring live performances, creative marketplace, and costumed revelry. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.

Punch Bowl Social will host “Halloween Bash” on Friday. Oct 31 at 9 p.m. at Punch Bowl Social Arlington. This will be a night of hauntingly good times with a killer DJ, vendors, and a costume contest. Tickets cost $12.09 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Thrust Lounge will host “Nightmare on 14th St.” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. DJ Tryfe will play music, and there’ll also be a costume contest with prizes. For more details, visit Thurst’s Instagram.

Nellie’s Sports Bar will host “Halloween Scariest Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their scariest, creepiest, most haunting look for a Halloween night they won’t forget — fueled by Casamigos and Nellie’s signature spooky fun. For more details, visit Nellie’s website.

Kiki DC will host “Kiki’s Halloween Costume Contest” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10 p.m. This event will be hosted by Pirouette and there’ll be prizes for the top three costumes. For more details, visit Kiki’s Instagram.

Sinners and Saints will host “Heaven’s On Fire (Queer Pop Dance Party)” on Friday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. There will be two floors and music by Sonali Dawar, DJ Noons and Aria McIntosh. There will also be drink specials all night.

Crush Dance Bar will host a Halloween costume contest on Friday, Oct. 31 at 11 p.m. Drag queens Empress Lena and Sasha Adams will host the event. For more details, visit Crush’s Instagram.

Arts & Entertainment

D.C. bars step up to offer discounts for fed’l employees

Deals, freebies, events, and happy hours galore

Published

1 month ago

October 1, 2025

Evan Caplan

Bunker is offering free entry for anyone with government, contractor, military IDs this weekend. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

(Editor’s note: This list was compiled on Wednesday afternoon and is not meant to be comprehensive. If you would like to add your bar’s specials, please email [email protected].)

As the federal government comes to a standstill, the DMV restaurant and bar community has come to the aid of furloughed workers, who suddenly have plenty of time on their hands. More than a handful of spots are offering deals, discounts, freebies, events, and more. Many do require an identification to validate employment status. Plus, this shutdown looks like it’s here to stay for some time, so take advantage.

Franklin Hall: This sports bar on Florida Avenue is kicking off the shutdown hard: offering $6 Mixed Drinks, Canned Beers, and “furloughed Shooters” – as well as a free food buffet 4PM-6PM.

Carmine’s, located downtown, is offering steep discounts – $5 meatball sliders, and $8 cocktails: “Here We Go Again” and “The Essential Worker.” Carmine’s specifically noted that the specials are open to all, not just affected workers.

Compass Coffee is offering a free pastry with a drink purchase.

Cork Wine Bar and Market on 14th Street is offering a long happy hour – from 3 p.m. to close with wine specials, plus discounted fries and snacks.

Union Pub is providing steeply cheap beer ($3), alongside discounted hot dogs.

Two locations of Hank’s Oyster Bar are serving up all-day happy hour at the bar, along with $2.50 oysters and a percent off checks for federal workers.

Boqueria DC is giving federal workers with ID happy hour pricing all day long: meaning cheaper sangria, wine, beer, and lots of tapas.

Osteria Morini in D.C. is offering a “Federal Employee Appreciation Special” with $15 pastas for federal employees; Cucina Morini has $10 “primi pastas.”

Duke’s Grocery is offering a complimentary drink: A free shot of bourbon or a glass of house wine when you buy any burger or entrée. Plus, there are $5 select beers.

Thompson Restaurants is offering all government employees 20% off their bill by showing a valid government ID. The offer spans 11 of Thompson’s restaurant brands and more than 65 locations across the DMV, including Matchbox, Makers Union, Wiseguy Pizza, Big Buns, and more.

Shaw’s Tavern: $5 beers, $6 wine, $7 Deep Eddy, $10 burger and pizza, with ID.

LGBTQ BARS

Crush: This bar is offering a “Pouring it forward” event with a free vodka hour, 10-11 p.m. this Friday.

Number Nine is offering $9 cocktails all night after 9 p.m.

Bunker has free entry for anyone with government, contractor, military IDs this weekend.

District Eagle offers 30% off drinks for anyone with government, contractor, or military IDs this weekend.

Kiki has free Deep Eddy happy hour 8-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Her Diner offers all-night drink specials with ID.

Bars & Parties

Blade’s 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party set for May 16

Rehoboth Beach event to feature politicos, journalists, special guests

Published

6 months ago

May 8, 2025

Staff reports

Washington Blade editor Kevin Naff (right) with Rep. Sarah McBride at the 2024 Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach. (Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

The Washington Blade’s 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party is scheduled for Friday, May 16 in Rehoboth Beach, Del.

The event, held at the Blue Moon (35 Rehoboth Ave.) from 5-7 p.m., is a fundraiser for the Blade Foundation’s Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which funds a summer position reporting on LGBTQ news in Delaware. This year’s recipient is Abigail Hatting, a rising senior at American University.

This year’s event will feature remarks from state Sen. Russ Huxtable, who recently introduced a state constitutional amendment to codify the right of same-sex couples to marry. CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey and Blade editor Kevin Naff will also speak, in addition to surprise guests. The event is generously sponsored by Realtor Justin Noble, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.

A suggested donation of $20 is partially tax deductible and includes drink tickets and light appetizers. Tickets are available in advance at bladefoundation.org/rehoboth or at the door.