Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: March 18

Concerts, parties, galleries, meetings and more through March 24

Published

15 years ago

March 17, 2011

Feeling nasty? JR.'s and the Blade are sponsoring a post-concert party in honor of Janet Jackson. Join us Tuesday beginning at 9:30 p.m. at JR.'s for Janet music and videos and drink specials for those with ticket stubs from her concert that night. JR.'s is at 1519 17th St., N.W. (Photo courtesy of Live Nation)

Today

The Committee on the Judiciary will have its annual oversight hearing on the Metropolitan Police Department today at 10 a.m. Persons wishing to testify should contract Brian Moore at 202.724.7808 or [email protected].

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) is hosting its first open interest meeting for the 2012 Gay Men’s Heath Summit at 6 p.m. today. Different issues will be discussed from locational logistics to what the event will look like.

Ziegfeld’s (1824 Half St., S.W.) presents Miss Gay D.C. American review tonight with Coti Collins, Coco Montrese, Victoria DePaula, Catia Lee Love, Jessica Jade, Victoria Parker, Ashley Bannks, Gigi Couture and Monet Dupree. Doors open at 9 p.m. There is a $5 cover until 10:30 and a $10 afterward.

Gay District presents St. Patty’s Gay Happy Hour tonight from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Larry’s Lounge (1836 18th St., N.W.) Stay for an extended happy hour with a $4 donation to Gay District.

D.C. Women in Their Thirties will meet tonight at 8 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.).

The New Gay presents Homo/Sonic at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 9:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. with DJs Zack and Michael. This is an all ages party and there is a $10 cover.

Caliente Grande is tonight at Apex (1415 22nd St., N.W.) starting at 9 p.m. DJ Michael Brandon will be spinning the Latin dance party in the main hall. There is a $10 cover charge. Attendees must be 18 to enter, 21 to drink.

Saturday, March 19

The 12th annual Youth Law Fair, a joint effort of the D.C. Superior Court and the D.C. Bar, will focus on cyberbullying with a mock trial, youth speak out sessions and raffle giveways at the Moultrie Courthouse (500 Indiana Ave., N.W.) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit dcbar.org/youthlawfair. This is a free event.

La Clinica Del Pueble/Mpoderate! Youth Center will be working in partnership with HAHSTA to makeover the S.E. STD Clinic waiting room (1900 Massachusetts Ave., S.E., Bldg. 8) and will be holding a planning meeting today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Capital Queer Prom is tonight from 7 to 11:30 p.m. aboard the Spirit of Mount Vernon.

Mixtape D.C. is tonight the Rock & Roll Hotel (1353 H St., N.E.) from 10 p.m. to 2:30 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. There is a $5 cover for this 21 and older event.

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network’s 19th annual national dinner “Making History, Moving Forward” is tonight at the National Building Museum (401 F St., N.W.) The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. and dinner is at 7:30. MSNBC’s Chris Matthews is the master of ceremonies and Democratic Minority Whip, Rep. Steny Hoyer is the keynote speaker. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit sldn.org.

The Ladies of Lure present “Bare: Military Style” at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight at 10 p.m. with DJs Rosie and Keenan to benefit SLDN. Cover is $5 before midnight. Attendees with a SLDN national dinner ticket will get in free.

Sunday, March 20

The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) will be showing the film “Fire,” the first Indian film to portray homosexual relations, today at 1:30 p.m. There will be an introduction and a post-screening question and answer with actresses Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das. This screening is part of maximum India. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Victory Fund is celebrating 20 years of success in growing the number of openly LGBT leaders in elected offices across the country with its National Champagne Brunch today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Washington Hilton (1919 Connecticut Ave.). Congressman David Cicilline, Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown and University of Michigan Student Assembly President Chris Armstrong will be present. This event will feature a silent auction. Individual tickets are $150. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit victoryfund.org.

Burgundy Crescent Volunteers are celebrating their 10th anniversary with a happy hour at Pinzimini Lounge at the Westin Arlington Gateway (801 N. Glebe Rd.) from 5 to 7 p.m.

Pocket Gays present “Shamerock Sunday School” tonight at Local 16 (1602 U St., N.W.) from 3 to 9 p.m. There is no cover.

More Light Presbyterians will host a special screening and discussion of the film “Bullied” today from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Church of the Pilgrims (2201 P St., N.W.) with special guests Diane Bruce, director of Health and Wellness and Andrew Barnett, the executive director of Sexual Minority Youth Action League (SMYAL).

Monday, March 21

WEAVE is holding a support group for survivors of intimate partner violence from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the WEAVE Lighthouse Center for Healing (5321 First Place, N.E.).

Bears do Yoga at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court N.W.) tonight at 6:30 p.m. Class lasts for an hour and serves as an introduction to yoga for people of all different body types and physical abilities. It’s taught by Michael Brazell. For more information, visit dccenter.org.

Tuesday, March 22

The Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance will be holding a membership meeting tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archive (1201 17th St., N.W.).

Janet Jackson’s Number Ones, Up Close and Personal World Tour comes to DAR Constitution Hall (1776 D St., N.W.) for the first of two concerts tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $98 to $149 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com. The second concert is Thursday, also at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 23

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) will be holding volunteer training today at 6:30 p.m. Training is require for all new front desk volunteers and encourage for all current front desk volunteers. Other volunteers are also welcome to attend.

Rock & Roll Hotel’s (1353 H St., N.E.) WTF Wednesdays presents “Freaks and Geeks” tonight. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30. Three 50-minute episodes will be shown on the big screen. There’s limited seating and attendees are welcome to bring their own seats. This is a free, 21-and-older event.

Thursday, March 24

Dance Gavin Dance will be performing at Rams Head Live (20 Market Place) in Baltimore with Iwrestledabearonce, In Fear and Faith, Close to Home, Just like Vinyl and DJ Big Chocolate tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at ramsheadlive.com. This is an all-ages show.

E-mail calendar items to [email protected] two weeks prior to your event. Space is limited so priority is given to LGBT-specific events or general events with LGBT participants. D.C.-area only.

Calendar

Calendar: March 27-April 2

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

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.

Out & About

Celebrate cherry blossoms the drag way

Unconventional Diner hosts bingo party

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

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.

Sports

New IOC policy bans trans women from Olympics

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

Published

2 days ago

March 26, 2026

Michael K. Lavers

(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.