Arts & Entertainment

Studio revival

Gay favorites outnumber LGBT acts on fall album release schedule

Published

15 years ago

September 8, 2011

Original Blondie members (from left) Chris Stein, Debbie Harry and Clem Burke have reunited and have a new album ready, one of fall’s most anticipated U.S. releases. (Photo courtesy EMI)

Several singers and bands that have been out of the studio for eons have albums slated for fall. Buzz is highest for new releases from long-absent acts Blondie, the Bangles and Gloria Estefan. A few openly gay acts also have projects on the horizon.

Lesbian folk rocker Catie Curtis just released her 11^th album, “Stretch Limousine on Fire.” Curtis made headlines in 1997 when she won the Best Album Award from the Gay and Lesbian American Music Awards for “Catie Curtis CD.” Curtis is married to Liz Marshall and has two daughters. Curtis became ordained to officiate weddings in 2010, inspired by her commitment to marriage equality. Some of her songs are written to reflect this commitment.

On Sept. 13, Blondie will release “Panic of Girls,” the band’s first album since 2003 and ninth album overall, but only the second album to be recorded outside of Manhattan. A whopping 35 songs were recorded during the sessions, but only 12 will make it onto the album. Front woman Debbie Harry is a long-time gay fave whose pop culture cred was cemented with her own Barbie doll a couple years ago.

Grammy-winning Lady Antebellum will release a third album “Own the Night.” One song, “Just a Kiss,” was released from this 12-track album on May 2, and quickly shot to the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. This hit helped build fans’ anticipation for the release.

Tori Amos is set to release “Night of Hunters,” on Sept. 20. The album is sure to break music barriers with its genre blending. Amos calls the album a “21st century song cycle inspired by classical music themes spanning over 400 years. I have used the structure of a song cycle to tell an ongoing, modern story. The protagonist is a woman who finds herself in the dying embers of a relationship. In the course of one night she goes through an initiation of sorts that leads her to reinvent herself allowing the listener to follow her on a journey to explore complex musical and emotional subject matter. One of the main themes explored on this album is the hunter and the hunted and how both exist within us.”

The Bangles, an all female American band, are set to release “Sweetheart of the Sun” on Sept. 27, a 12-track album. They’ve been working on their highly anticipated album since spring of 2009. When The Bangles started out, they were opening for Cyndi Lauper on her “Fun Tour.” Their performance caught the attention of Prince, who later wrote their famous song “Manic Monday,” which catapulted them into superstar status.

Also out Sept. 27 is LeAnn Rimes’s 13th album, “Lady & Gentlemen,” a 12-track album with two bonus cuts.

Also out that day is “Miss Little Havana” from long-dormant Gloria Estefan. First single “Wepa” premiered in May.

Grammy-winning Mary J. Blige is scheduled to release “My Life II: The Journey Continues” on Oct. 4, her 10^th studio album. It’s a sequel to Blige’s 1994 classic album “My Life.” The album is designed to be a reflection of the time and lives of the people around her.

Monica is scheduled to release her seventh album “New Life” on Oct. 18. She’s getting buzz for “Anything (To Find You),” the first single, which is on the Hot 100 now.

On Oct. 25, Kelly Clarkson releases “Stronger.” Anticipation is high as she’s taken some artistic detours, not always successfully, on her last few albums.

Also on Oct. 25, Coldplay will release its fifth album “Mylo Xyloto.” Oddly enough, the album was influenced by HBO’s “The Wire.” Lyrically, this album will have more acoustics and more intimate feel than their previous album. “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall,” the first single, dropped in June. “Paradise,” the second, goes to radio this weekend.

Bi neo-soul goddess Meshell Ndegeocello releases “Weather” on Nov. 8. Listen for sparse, orchestral melodies and her usual thoughtful lyrics. She plays the highly intimate Birchmere in Alexandria on Nov. 15.

Adam Lambert has an as-yet-untitled set ready for November.

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FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Calendar

Calendar: March 27-April 2

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

12 hours 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

12 hours 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

1 day 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.