Arts & Entertainment
On the move
Local LGBT sports teams host a flurry of fall activities


From left, Brooke Darlington, Eliza Yoder and Brian Jones at the second annual United Night Out. (Photo by Kevin Majoros)
About 500 people from the LGBT community attended the second annual United Night Out event on Sept. 21 at RFK Stadium as the D.C. United ended up in a 2-2 tie with Chivas USA.
The event was hosted by the Federal Triangles Soccer Club and was part of the Night Out series presented by Team D.C. The D.C. Different Drummers performed before the game and the national anthem was sung by Justin Richey of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington.
Members of SMYAL and other groups were also included in the pre-game flag unveiling. After the game, D.C. United players Clyde Simms and Josh Wolff, donated their game jerseys to two United Night Out raffle winners. Simms and Wolff are featured in the “It Gets Better” video put out by D.C. United. They are the first Major League Soccer team to support the anti-bullying campaign. The video was recently broadcast on the cable sports channel, Comcast SportsNet. For more information on the event and to view the video, go to unitednightout.com.
All the fall LGBT sports leagues have kicked off their season play, but there’s always an opportunity to submit your name to a substitute player list. Among the teams offering a sub list are the Capital Area Rainbowlers Association, League of Women Bowlers and the Capital Tennis Association.
There are plenty of LGBT sports groups offering individual participation for the coming months. The D.C. IceBreakers will be hosting a skate and social at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Oct. 16 at 8:15 p.m. The cost to skate is $8 and skate rental is $3. All skill levels are welcome. After skating, the group heads to a local pub for a social hour. Details are at dcicebreakers.com.
Ski-Bums have announced their 2012 event offerings for skiing and snowboarding. Upcoming trips include Salt Lake City, Beaver Creek, Sun Valley, Killington and more. Information on membership is at ski-bums.org.
Charm City Volleyball is hosting Wednesday social play at the Mt. Royal Recreation Center in Baltimore every week from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Teams are formed by 7 p.m. and all skill levels are welcome. Cost is $3 per session. They also host Sunday competitive and scrimmage play/clinics at the Volleyball House in Elkridge, Md., every week from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $7 per session and North American Gay Volleyball Association teams are welcome to play. More information is at volleybaltimore.org.
The Adventuring Outdoors Group will be hiking Sunday at Difficult Run in Great Falls, Va. The hike will start from the parking lot on Old Georgetown Pike and head along the cascades of Difficult Run as it flows toward the Potomac. Then they’ll head upstream past the old George Washington canal ruins to lunch at one of the overlooks at Great Falls near the Visitors Center. After lunch they will continue back through the abandoned Potomac River channels via Old Carriage road and Swamp Trail. Total length of the hike is about 5 miles with an elevation gain of 250 feet. Bring lunch, beverages, bug spray around $5 for trip and transportation fees. The group will meet by the station attendant’s kiosk inside the Rosslyn Metro Station. The group can be found online at adventuring.org.
Rainbow Climbing D.C. can usually be found at the local rock climbing venues on Tuesday and Thursday nights and sometimes on weekends. Check out their Facebook page under Rainbow Climbing to see if they will be at Earth Treks in Rockville or Sportrock in Alexandria.
The D.C. Front Runners, celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, continue with their Tuesday and Thursday evening runs along with their Saturday and Sunday morning runs. The group meets at 23rd and P Streets except for Tuesdays when they meet at Union Station. The runners also host walks at the same locations on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Times are listed at dcfrontrunners.org.
Photos
Washington Spirit host largest halftime drag performance in NWSL history

The Washington Spirit celebrated the LGBTQ+ community with the team’s annual Pride Night at Audi Field this past Saturday. Highlighting that evening’s Pride-themed festivities was a
halftime drag performance, featuring over a dozen drag performers from around the
DMV. It was the largest halftime drag performance in NWSL history.
Performers included: Shiqueeta Lee, KCByonce, Citrine the Queen, Elektra Gee, Kabuki Bukkake, Delila B. Lee, Capri Bloomingdale, Tara Ashleigh Austin, Gigi Couture, Dorsell Phinn, Tula, Twix the Drag Queen, Bootsy Omega, Princeza.










The 2023 Reston Pride Festival was held at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston, Va. on Saturday, June 3. The music group Betty was the headliner of the festival.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)















Covering @RestonPride for @WashBlade . @bettymusic performing: pic.twitter.com/sZaIlVANi8
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) June 3, 2023

The City of Alexandria, Va. held its sixth annual LGBTQ Pride Festival at Alexandria City Hall on Saturday, June 3.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

















Covering Alexandria Pride for @WashBlade . #Pride #Pride2023 pic.twitter.com/bG0fJk24Lv
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) June 3, 2023
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