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Celebrating wins, looking ahead

Local gay sports teams savor victories, gear up for fall activities

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Gay diver Ben Takai of the Montgomery Dive Club won three gold medals in July in Honolulu. (Photo by Cliff Betita)

With summer coming to a close, the LGBT sports community of Washington has wrapped up some successful sporting adventures and also has many new ones approaching this fall.

Congratulations to the District of Columbia Aquatics Club for winning an unprecedented 10th title in the large team category at the International Gay & Lesbian Aquatic Championships in Honolulu. The swimmers took the crown by defeating strong teams from West Hollywood Aquatics and Team New York Aquatics. They are currently in training for the next Championships to be held in Reykjavik, Iceland in June. More on the swimmers can be found at swimdcac.org.

Congratulations to Ben Takai of the Montgomery Dive Club for sweeping the diving events at the same IGLA Championships in the 25-29 age group. Ben struck gold in the 1-meter springboard, 3-meter springboard and the 10-meter platform. The diving club is online at montgomerydiveclub.org.

Congratulations to the 13 members of the D.C. Strokes Rowing Club who medaled in seven events at the USRowing Masters National regatta in Oklahoma City, Okla. The rowers won medals in men’s, women’s and mixed events to cap off a long sprint race season. Check them out at dcstrokes.org.

Congratulations to the Chesapeake and Potomac Softball League whose members are welcoming home three teams having just competed in the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association Softball World Series in Chicago. The CAPS won the bid to host the World Series in Washington in 2013 over Portland and Dallas. The event is expected to draw about 160 teams and 2,000 players from member cities across North America. The fall season begins for the CAPS begins Sept. 11. Information on softball is at eteamz.com/caps.

The Capital Tennis Association is hosting the Capital Classic XIX tournament on Sept. 16-18 at the Hains Point Tennis Center. Singles and doubles will be contested on clay and hard courts in five different divisions. Fall tennis leagues are forming now and begin in October. Information on the tournament and the tennis team is at capital-tennis.org.

Team D.C. will be hosting a dodgeball tournament on Sept. 24 at the Columbia Heights Recreation Center. Teams consist of eight players and you can register a full team or sign up individually to be placed on a team. Details are at teamdc.org.

The Lambda Links Golf Club will continue to play on different courses on weekends through the fall season and nonmembers are welcome. Members will also be hosting their annual club championships on Sept. 25 and their halloween tournament on Oct. 27.  Tee times are at lambdalinks.org.

The Washington Renegades rugby football team kicks off the fall season with match play on Saturday. The ruggers made it to the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union quarterfinals in the spring of 2011 and are looking for another successful season. Match days are posted at www.dcrugby.com.

The D.C. Gay Flag Football league starts its fall season on Sunday at the Carter Barron Fields on 16th and Kennedy. The ever-growing league is now boasting 16 teams that will compete weekly for the coveted championship trophy. League stats and information is at dcgffl.org.

Having just wrapped up the second Summer of Freedom League and hosting the Rehoboth Beach Classic XIII coed soccer tournament last weekend, the Federal Triangles Soccer Club is gearing up for a full slate of league action this fall. On Sept. 21, players will host the second United Night Out at RFK Stadium as the D.C. United take on Chivas USA. The event is part of the Night Out series brought to you by Team D.C. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at unitednightout.com. The Triangles can be found at federaltriangles.org.

On Sunday, members of the D.C. Frontrunners will compete in the 9-11 Memorial Run 5 K in Arlington. The event kicks off the fall race circuit for the Frontrunners which continues into December. More information on the group is at dcfrontrunners.org.

The Rainbow Spinnakers Sailing Club continues its two-hour sails on weekends into the fall season. Nonmembers are welcome and you can be an experienced sailor or a beginner looking to experience sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. They can be found at rainbowspinnakers.org.

The Lambda Divers Scuba Club is heading to Cozumel, Mexico for the week-long 20th anniversary of the Diving For Life charity event. In October, the group heads to the Caribbean for some diving off the coast of Grand Cayman. Check out your options at lambdadivers.org.

LGBT Family Day with the Washington Nationals is being held Sept. 18. Same-sex couples are invited to bring their kids for a special day at the ballpark. Tickets are just $16 and game time is 1:35 p.m. as the Nats take on the Florida Marlins. Info is at nationals.com/lgbtfamily.

Lambda DanceSport is offering up an all new location on Wednesdays and Sundays during its ‘DanceSport at DuPont Circle’ series. Lessons are being offered in country-western, international Latin and international ballroom. lambdadancesport.com.

 

 

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Photos

PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch

LGBTQ politicians gather for annual event

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Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) speaks at the 2025 Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Music & Concerts

Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’

Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

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Singer Tom Goss is back. (Photo by Dusti Cunningham)

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co. 

Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.

For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.

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Calendar

Calendar: May 2-8

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, May 2

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, May 3

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.

LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc

Sunday, May 4

“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite

Monday, May 5

“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 choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Tuesday, May 6

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected]

Wednesday, May 7

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.

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected]

Thursday, May 8

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. 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 with Sarah 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.

South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected]

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