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Calendar for July 9

Friday, July 9, to Thursday, July 15

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Friday, July 9

Women in their Twenties will meet tonight at 8 p.m. at the DC Center, 1318 U St., N.W. Women in their 20s is a social discussion group for lesbian, bisexual, transgender and other interested women in Washington, D.C. For more information visit womenintheir20s.org.

Queer Pulp For the Girls and Bois at Black Squirrel, 2427 18th St., N.W., is tonight at 9. No cover charge, 21 and over to enter.

Panorama Productions presents Kaya Jones at Ultrabar, 911 F St., N.W., tonight. Doors open at 9 p.m. Formally of the Pussycat Dolls, Jones will be performing all the hits. 18 and over to enter.

Lady Gaga vs. Madonna vs. M.I.A. – A Dance Night with DJ lil’e at 9:30 club, 815 V St., N.W., tonight. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be bought at 930.com.

Apex, 1415 22nd St., N.W., presents Siren: An Adolphson/Riggins Summer Production featuring DJ Majr and DJ Aaron Riggins in the main hall tonight. The video bar will be showing music videos featuring Kylie Minogue all night long. $8 cover. 18 to enter, 21 to drink.

Saturday, July 10

District of Columbia Aquatics Club is hosting the 19th annual Maryland Swim for Life in Chestertown, Md. Swim for Life begins and ends at Rolph’s Wharf on the Chester River. Athletes have the choice of swimming 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 miles and must raise a minimum of $100 to participate. Check-in starts 7 a.m. The swim start at 9 a.m. and the awards ceremony will be at 12:30 p.m. Swim for Life is an open water swim competition and fundraising event to benefit area HIV/AIDS non-profit organizations, as well as local watershed organizations that advocate for clean, local waters. Visit swimdcac.org for more information and to register.

Third Annual B.Y.O.E. (Bring Your Own Everything) Family Picnic co-hosted by NOVA GL Professionals, Burgundy Crescent Volunteers, DC Ice Breakers, and DC Lesbian Singles at Great Falls National Park in McLean, Va. There’s something for everyone — trails, museums, and indoor and outdoor activity areas. There is even a ranger-guided tour along the ridge of the falls scheduled for 12:15 p.m. that day. Look for the NOVA GL Professionals logo at the site. Directions to the park (and other park info) can be found on the National Park Service’s Great Falls website: nps.gov/grfa/index.htm.

Adventuring will have its third of five hikes in their “Welcome!” series, Welcome to the US Capitol Gardens Hike. For this outing, they will meet at Jaleo, 480 7th St., N.W., at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and leave for the walk around the U.S. Capitol Gardens around 1 p.m. This urban hike is 2.9 miles long, with negligible elevation gain. A bottle of water will be helpful if the weather is particularly warm. There is a $2 trip fee. Visit adventuring.org for more information and to sign up for this hike.

MIXTAPE DC at EFN Lounge, 1318 9th St., N.W., from 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. MIXTAPE is a dance party for queer guys and gals and their pals that features DJs Shea Van Horn and Matt Bailer playing an eclectic mix of electro, alt-pop, indie rock, house, disco, new wave, and anything else you can dance to. $5 cover for 21 and over.

The Purple Albatross Theatre Company presents the world premiere of the musical “Singing Eggs and Spermless Babies” at this year’s Capital Fringe Festival at 10:15 p.m. The musical follows a lesbian couple willing to go to any lengths to have a baby — and the suicidal fertility doctor, dancing ova, and queer cruise guests who try to help. Performances are at Fort Fringe – The Baldacchino Gypsy Tent Bar, 607 New York Ave., N.W. Tickets are $15 and available at capfringe.org or at the door.

Under the Big Top featuring Kristina Kelly and the Girls of Glamour at Apex, 1415 22nd St., N.W., at 11 p.m. DJ Gigi will be in the main hall starting at midnight and DJ Michael Brandon will be in the east wing dance lounge. $10 cover. 18 to enter, 21 to drink.

Sunday, July 11

The Pocket Gays are back and ready for class with “Oh Thank Heaven! Sunday School.” This month’s class is inspired by 7-Eleven and will be on the rooftop of Local 16, 1602 U St., N.W. DJs Bil Todd, Shea Van Horn and Jason Godfrey will be spinning. This month’s class will feature special Slurpee shots, drink specials, and early birds will get the chance to find their pocket match and see the bartender for an extra-special, pocket-sized treat. There’s no cover.

The DC Kings present Summer Studs at Phase 1, 525 8th St., S.E., at 10 p.m. There will also be a King Idol show. To participate in King Idol, contact [email protected] to confirm your spot and show up with your CD by 8:30 p.m. Visit dckings.com for more information.

Monday, July 12

The GLB Youth Support Group will meet at the GW Center Clinic, 1922 F St., N.W., Suite 103, at 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 13

Masters And slaves Together (MAsT) meeting will be held at the DC Center, 1318 U St., N.W., at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will include a discussion about “SlaveCraft,” a book by Guy Baldwin and will be facilitated by Master Shawn. There is an optional munch at 6 p.m. at a nearby restaurant. Visit mastwashington.org for more information.

Wednesday, July 14

Wolf Trap presents The B-52s with special guest Supercluster at the Filene Center, 1645 Trap Rd., Vienna, Va., at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 for the lawn and $40 for in-house. Visit wolftrap.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

Thursday, July 15

“Forever Plaid: The Heavenly Musical Hit” will be performed at the Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd., Olney, Md., at 7:30 p.m. Sparky, Smudge, Jinx, and Frankie are the “flipside” of the 1950s rock ‘n’ roll revolution. While en route to picking up plaid tuxedos for their first real gig, a freak accident ended their promising careers too soon. Join Olney as Forever Plaid is miraculously revived to perform the show that never was, including the hit songs “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Sixteen Tons,” and “Love is a Many Splendored Thing.” Visit olneytheatre.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

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Calendar

Calendar: March 27-April 2

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, March 27

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+ Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen. 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 p.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

Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is intended to provide an 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, March 28

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

Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black Lesbian. For more details, email [email protected]

Monday, March 30

“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]).

“Tea Time! A Local DC Drag Comedy Show” will be at 3 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a live drag comedy show where drag legends TrevHER & Tiara Missou Sidora host spill all the tea in the DMV. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Tuesday, March 31

Visibili-TEA Party will be at 6 p.m. at Restoration Station. Guests are encouraged to come sip, celebrate, and shine together. This event is a Trans Day of Visibility celebration and a special collaboration between Auntie’s Home and Damien Ministries. This is a boozy tea party with intention and the dress code reflects the vibe. More details are available on Eventbrite

Wednesday, March 1

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.

Thursday, April 2

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 p.m. 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, breathwork 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.  

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Out & About

Celebrate cherry blossoms the drag way

Unconventional Diner hosts bingo party

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The cherry blossoms are here. Celebrate at a unique event hosted by Unconventional Diner. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Unconventional Diner will host “Cherry Blossom Drag Bingo Party” on Friday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m.

Guests will be treated to an unforgettable night of drag performances, bingo, food and drink and prizes. Highlights of the evening include themed cocktails, drag performances and bingo prizes.

Tickets can be secured via Resy.

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Sports

New IOC policy bans trans women from Olympics

New regulation to be in effect at 2028 summer games in Los Angeles

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(Photo by Greg Martin; courtesy IOC)

The International Olympic Committee on Thursday announced it will not allow transgender women from competing in female events at the Olympics.

“For all disciplines on the Sports Program of an IOC event, including individual and team sports, eligibility for any Female Category is limited to biological females,” reads the new policy.

The policy states “eligibility for the Female Category is to be determined in the first instance by SRY Gene screening to detect the absence or presence of the SRY Gene.”

“On the basis of the scientific evidence, the IOC considers that the SRY (sex-determining Region Y) Gene is fixed throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced or will experience male sex development,” it reads. “Furthermore, the IOC considers that SRY Gene screening via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample is unintrusive compared to other possible methods. Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene permanently satisfy this policy’s eligibility criteria for competition in the Female Category.”

The policy states the test “will be a once-in-a-lifetime test” unless “there is reason to believe a negative reading is in error.”

The new regulation will be in place for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

“I understand that this a very sensitive topic,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry on Thursday in a video. “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition.”

“The policy that we have announced is based on science and it has been led by medical experts with the best interests of athletes at its heart. The scientific evidence is very clear: male chromosomes give performance advances in sport that rely on strength, power, or endurance,” she added. “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”

(Video courtesy of the IOC)

Laurel Hubbard, a weightlifter from New Zealand, in 2021 became the first trans woman to compete at the Olympics.

Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, won a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Khelif later sued JK Rowling and Elon Musk for cyberstalking after they questioned her gender identity.

Ellis Lundholm, a mogul skier from Sweden, this year became the first openly trans athlete to compete in any Winter Olympics when he participated in Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.

President Donald Trump in February 2025 issued an executive order that bans trans women and girls from female sports teams in the U.S.

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee last July banned trans women from competing in female sporting events. Republican lawmakers have demanded the IOC ban trans athletes from women’s athletic competitions.

“I’m grateful the Olympics finally embraced the common sense policy that women’s sports are for women, not for men,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on X.

An IOC spokesperson on Thursday referred the Washington Blade to the press release that announced the new policy.

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