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Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: Jan. 21

Parties, movies and events through Jan. 27

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Lace Lounge has a "Social Climax" party Friday night. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Friday, Jan. 21

Chely Wright will be at the Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave.) in Alexandria, Va., tonight at 7:30 p.m. with special guest, Deep River. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at birchmere.com.

Gross National Product returns with “The Sound of Palin” at Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St., N.E.) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $20 and can be purchased at atlas arts.org.

Apex (1415 22nd St., N.W.) presents Caliente Grande with DJ Michael Brandon in the main hall. Jamaica and Friends will perform in a drag show at midnight. Drink specials include $4 margaritas. Attendees must be 18 to enter and there is a $10 cover. For more information, visit apex-dc.com or calientedc.com.

Enigma, a monthly substance-free, no-alcohol party, is tonight at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on the second floor with a separate entrance and a security guard working the door to make sure no one with drinks from downstairs comes up. Cover is $5 and all are welcomed.

Lace Lounge (2214 Rhode Island Ave., N.E.) presents Social Climax from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. with free drinks before 11:30 p.m. Attendees must be 21 or older and there is a $10 cover. For more information, visit lacedc.com.

Metropolitan Community Church of Washington’s fundraising team is hosting a bingo night tonight at 7 p.m. at the church (474 Ridge St., N.W.). The evening begins with four early bird games which costs $2 for four cards or $3 for eight cards. This is followed by 17 regular and special games which are packaged for as low as $25. There will be homemade refreshments available.

Saturday, Jan. 22

Merrifield Garden Center is returning with its free gardening, landscaping and now cooking seminars today at 10 a.m. Next to the Merrifield location, in the Merrifield Community Hall (8104 Lee Highway), Vivian Mitchell, a tropical plant specialist, will be teaching about easy-to-grow houseplants. Jonathan Kavalier, a horticulturist with the Smithsonian Institution, will be at the Fair Oaks location (12101 Lee Highway) in Fairfax teaching how to grow orchids. Lilienne Conklin, a chef, will be teaching about cooking with line at the Gainesville location (6895 Wellington Rd.). Registration is not required for any of the seminars, but Merrifield asks attendees of the wine seminar to register online at merrifieldgardencenter.com.

Mixtape D.C. is tonight at DC9 (1940 9th St., N.W.) from 10 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Mixtape is a dance party for queer music lovers 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 danceable. $5 cover for 21 and over.

Chantry, a classical vocal group, presents “Three Kings: Masterpieces for the Magi” tonight at 8 p.m. at St. Mary Mother of God (727 5th St., N.W.).

DJ Brett Henrichsen will be at Town (2009) tonight at 10 p.m. with music and video downstairs by Wess. The drag show starts at 10:30 p.m. Cover is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after. Attendees must be 21 or older.

Starting tonight, every fourth Saturday of the month, Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) is hosting Jocks vs. Jocks from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Cover is $5 if wearing sports attire, $7 if not. There’s a trophy and cash prizes for the winning team.

Sunday, Jan. 23

The Shakespeare Theatre Company presents “Cymbeline,” directed by Rebecca Bayla Taichman, tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Lansburgh Theatre (450 7th St., N.W.). Tickets range from $37 to $70 and can be purchased online at shakespearetheatre.org. Before the performance, there will be a “Windows Discussion,” which offers an introduction and a talk about the show moderated by literary manager, Akiva Fox. The discussion is at 5 p.m. in the Sidney Harman Hall (610 F. St., N.W.) and is free to the public.

Camp Rehoboth Chorus presents “Strike Up the Band” today with two performances, one at 3 p.m. and another at 7. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling 302-227-5620.

Burgundy Crescent Volunteers is holding a karaoke social tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Banana Café (500 8th St., S.E.) in the upstairs piano bar.

Monday, Jan. 24

SAGE Metro D.C. will be holding its monthly meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.).

Tuesday, Jan. 25

Synetic opens its limited engagement presentation of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at 8 p.m. at Crystal City (1800 South Bell St.) in Arlington.

Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) will be have a watch party for President Obama’s State of the Union address tonight at 7 p.m. with the usual drag bingo and “Glee” watch party at 8 p.m.

Busboys and Poets (2021 14th St., N.W.) hosts an open mic poetry night tonight from 9 to 11 p.m. featuring SMYTE-IX and hosed by Jenny Lares. This event is $4 and wristbands will be sold in the bookstore beginning at 10 a.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 26

Whitman-Walker will have HIV testing today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center (1701 14th St., N.W.) and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Max Robinson center (2301 Martin luther King Jr., Ave., S.E.).

Thursday, Jan. 27

Lambda Sci-Fi will have its book discussion group meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at 1425 S St., N.W. This month’s book is “The Steel Remains” by Richard K. Morgan. Call James at 202-232-3141 or e-mail to [email protected] to RSVP. For more information, visit the group’s website, lambdascifi.org.

Put On the Gloves, an organization to help fight against bullying, is hosting a fashion show at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The show will be hosted by celebrity stylist and author Phillip Block and Will Thomas of Fox 5 with a special performance by Mya. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at putonthegloves.com. Proceeds will benefit the Trevor Project.

Mautner Project presents a yoga wellness workshop tonight from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 1875 Connecticut Ave., N.W. on the seventh floor with Danielle Polen from Tranquil Space. The workshop is free.

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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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