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Calendar: Nov. 11

Concerts, happy hours, parties and more through Nov. 17

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Melissa Manchester, once a back-up singer for Bette Midler, plays Wolf Trap Thursday. (Photo courtesy of Wolf Trap)

TODAY
The Foo Fighters play Verizon Center (601 F St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. with Social Distortion and The Joy Formidable. Tickets range from $37.50 to $57.50 and are available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) presents Fahrenheit with music by Anthony Murphy, tonight from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. with free rail vodka upstairs from 10 to 11 p.m. There’s a $5 cover after 10 p.m.

This week’s Bear Happy Hour at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) will featuring a special comedy show with Frank Liotti and special guest, Neil Thornton. Happy Hour starts at 6 p.m. and there’s no cover.

Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) presents Beat the Clock happy hour tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. Prices for all bottles, Miller Light and house vodka drinks start at $2 and go up a $1 every hour.

DJ Petworth of Moon/Bounce DJs, will be spinning at Red Palace (1212 H St., N.E.) tonight from 10 p.m. to close. Pentworth spins hip hop, house disco, pop and more.

The Kensington Arts Theatre (2710 Mitchell St.) presents “Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical” tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $13 to $20 and can be purchased online atkatonline.org.

Saturday, Nov. 12

DJ Drew G will be spinning at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) tonight with Wess downstairs and the drag show starting at 10:30 p.m. Doors open at 10 p.m. Cover is $8 from 10 to 11 p.m. then goes up to $12. Attendees must be 21 or older.

Zoom Urban Lesbian Excursions presents Equestrian today. The group will be meeting at Marriott Ranch (5305 Marriott Lane) Trail Ride Barn in Hume, Va. at 11:30 a.m. before going on a 90 minute guided trail ride followed by lunch. Tickets are $75 and must be purchased in advance. Visit phatgirlchic.om/zoom for more information and to purchase tickets.

Mixtape D.C. is tonight the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) from 9:30 p.m. to 2:15 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 $10 cover for this all ages event.

Washington National Opera presents “Lucia di Lammermoor” at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. “Lucia” tells the story of a woman who loses her sanity, kills her bridegroom and succumbs to madness. Tickets range from $25 to $300 and can be purchased online at kennedy-center.org.

Laurel Mill Playhouse (508 Main St.) in Laurel presents “In the Next Room (or the vibrator play)” tonight at 8 p.m.  “Next Room” tells the story of Dr. Givings, who has invented a device for treating “hysteria” in women — the vibrator. Tickets range from $10 to $13. For more information, visit laurelmillplayhouse.org.

Sunday, Nov. 13

The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) is screening the film “Signified” today at 4 p.m. followed by a question-and-answer session with the creators Anna Barsan and Jessie Levandov and a panel discussion. “Signified” is a web-based, multi-platform documentary project featuring the work of queer identified individuals who are fostering, enriching and sustaining vibrant and diverse communities.

The Fridge (516 1/2 8th St., S.E.) is hosting a curators talk with Luna George and Alex Goldstein for its current exhibit, Above the Radar II, which will be on display through Dec. 3. The exhibit features more than 100 pieces by more than 140 artists, specifically, graffiti and street artists. For more information, visit thefridgedc.com.

D.C.’s Different Drummers is putting on its second annual “DCDD Does Drag Too!” fundraiser tonight at Omega D.C. (2122 P St., N.W.) at 7 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door. For more information, visit dcdd.org.

The D.C. Kings present a “Thankful” king show tonight at Phase 1 hosted by Rock and Ken Vegas. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins and 10. There’s a $10 cover for this 21-and-older event. For more information, visit dckings.com.

Monday, Nov. 14

Busboys & Poets presents its Monday open mic poetry night hosted by poet-in-residence Beny Blaq tonight at 8 p.m. at its Shirlington location (4251 S. Campbell Ave.) in Arlington. There’s a $4 cover charge for this event and wristbands will be available for purchase starting at 10 a.m. until sold out.

WEAVE, a support group for LGBT survivors of intimate partner violence/abuse will be meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Lighthouse Center for Healing (5321 First Place, N.E.). For more information and to register, call 202-280-6391.

Tuesday. Nov. 15

The National Center for Transgender Equality is celebrating its eighth anniversary tonight with an event at The Mayflower Renaissance (1127 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 7 to 9 p.m. in the State Ballroom. Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will be the keynote speaker and Brian Bond, former Deputy Director of the White House Office of the Public Liaison and Donna Cartwright, founding NCTE board member and co-president of Pride at Work will be honored. Tickets are $125 and can be purchased online attransequality.org.

Join Burgundy Crescent Volunteers to help pack safer sex kits from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at FUK!T’s packing location, Green Lantern, 1335 Green Ct., N.W.

Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Glee” watch party tonight at 8 p.m. on the deck in the pub room.

Wednesday, Nov. 16

Owl City plays an early show at 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) tonight. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at 930.com. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

The D.C. Ice Breakers will be having its monthly skate and social tonight. The group will be skating at Kettler Capitals Iceplex (627 N. Glebe Rd.) in Arlington from 8:15 to 9:15 p.m. then they’ll hit a local bar for a social hour. Skating is $8 and skate rentals are $3.

Thursday, Nov. 17

Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester will be performing at Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Rd.) in Vienna tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online atwolftrap.org.

Busboys & Poets presents “Smokin’ Words!” a night of spoken word, poetry and other performances about the LGBT community and its struggles with smoking, tonight at its 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.), featuring Regie Cabico, Liz Prescott and more. This is a free event and for more information, visit thedccenter.org.

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PHOTOS: Montgomery County Pride in the Plaza

LGBTQ celebration held in downtown Silver Spring

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Montgomery County Pride in the Plaza included the live 'LIYT Nights & Drag Duels!' season finale. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Montgomery County Pride in the Plaza was held on Sunday, June 29 at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, Md.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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PHOTOS: Fredericksburg Pride

Fifth annual festival held at Riverfront Park

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The Fredericksburg Pride March wound through downtown Fredericksburg, Va. and ended at Riverfront Park on Saturday, June 28. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The fifth annual Fredericksburg Pride march and festival was held on Saturday, June 28. A march through the streets of downtown Fredericksburg, Va. was followed by a festival at Riverfront Park.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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India

Anaya Bangar challenges ban on trans women in female cricket teams

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar’s daughter has received support

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Anaya Bangar (Photo courtesy of Anaya Bangar's Instagram page)

Anaya Bangar, the daughter of former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar, has partnered with the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport in the U.K. to assess her physiological profile following her gender-affirming surgery and undergoing hormone replacement therapy. 

From January to March 2025, the 23-year-old underwent an eight-week research project that measured her glucose levels, oxygen uptake, muscle mass, strength, and endurance after extensive training. 

The results, shared via Instagram, revealed her metrics align with those of cisgender female athletes, positioning her as eligible for women’s cricket under current scientific standards. Bangar’s findings challenge the International Cricket Council’s 2023 ban on transgender athletes in women’s cricket, prompting her to call for a science-based dialogue with the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the ICC to reform policies for transgender inclusion.

“I am talking with scientific evidence in my hand,” Bangar said in an interview posted to her Instagram page. “So, I hope, this makes an impact and I will be hoping to BCCI and ICC talking with me and discussing this further.” 

On Nov. 21, 2023, the ICC enacted a controversial policy barring trans women from international women’s cricket. Finalized after a board meeting in Ahmedabad, India, the regulation prohibits any trans player who has experienced male puberty from competing, irrespective of gender-affirming surgery or hormone therapy. Developed through a 9-month consultation led by the ICC’s Medical Advisory Committee, the rule aims to safeguard the “integrity, safety, and fairness” of women’s cricket but has drawn criticism for excluding athletes like Canada’s Danielle McGahey, the first trans woman to play internationally. The policy, which allows domestic boards to set their own rules, is slated for review by November 2025.

Bangar shared a document on social media verifying her participation in a physiological study at the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, conducted from Jan. 20 to March 3, 2025, focused on cricket performance. The report confirmed that her vital metrics — including haemoglobin, blood glucose, peak power, and mean power — aligned with those of cisgender female athletes. Initially, her fasting blood glucose measured 6.1 mmol/L, slightly above the typical non-diabetic range of 4.0–5.9 mmol/L, but subsequent tests showed it normalized, reinforcing the study’s findings that her physical profile meets female athletic standards.

“I am submitting this to the BCCI and ICC, with full transparency and hope,” said Bangar. “My only intention is to start a conversation based on facts not fear. To build space, not divide it.”

In a letter to the BCCI and the ICC, Bangar emphasized her test results from the Manchester Metropolitan University study. She explained that the research aimed to assess how hormone therapy had influenced her strength, stamina, haemoglobin, glucose levels, and overall performance, benchmarked directly against cisgender female athletic standards.

Bangar’s letter to the BCCI and the ICC clarified the Manchester study was not intended as a political statement but as a catalyst for a science-driven dialogue on fairness and inclusion in cricket. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing empirical data over assumptions to shape equitable policies for trans athletes in the sport.

Bangar urged the BCCI, the world’s most influential cricket authority, to initiate a formal dialogue on trans women’s inclusion in women’s cricket, rooted in medical science, performance metrics, and ethical fairness. She called for the exploration of eligibility pathways based on sport-specific criteria, such as haemoglobin thresholds, testosterone suppression timelines, and standardized performance testing. Additionally, she advocated for collaboration with experts, athletes, and legal advisors to develop policies that balance inclusivity with competitive integrity.

“I am releasing my report and story publicly not for sympathy, but for truth. Because inclusion does not mean ignoring fairness, it means measuring it, transparently and responsibly,” said Bangar in a letter to the BCCI. “I would deeply appreciate the opportunity to meet with you or a representative of the BCCI or ICC to present my findings, discuss possible policy pathways, and work towards a future where every athlete is evaluated based on real data, not outdated perceptions.”

Before her transition, Bangar competed for Islam Gymkhana in Mumbai and Hinckley Cricket Club in the U.K., showcasing her talent in domestic cricket circuits. Her father, Sanjay Bangar, was a dependable all-rounder for the Indian national cricket team from 2001 to 2004, playing 12 test matches and 15 One Day Internationals. He later served as a batting coach for the Indian team from 2014 to 2019, contributing to its strategic development.

Cricket in India is a cultural phenomenon, commanding a fanbase of more than 1 billion, with more than 80 percent of global cricket viewership originating from the country. 

The International Cricket Council, the sport’s governing body, oversees 12 full member nations and more than 90 associate members, with the U.S. recently gaining associate member status in 2019 and co-hosting the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The BCCI generated approximately $2.25 billion in revenue in the 2023–24 financial year, primarily from the Indian Premier League, bilateral series, and ICC revenue sharing. The ICC earns over $3 billion from media rights in India alone for the 2024–27 cycle, contributing nearly 90 percent of its global media rights revenue, with the BCCI receiving 38.5 percent of the ICC’s annual earnings, approximately $231 million per year.

Women’s cricket in India enjoys a growing fanbase, with over 300 million viewers for the Women’s Premier League in 2024, making it a significant driver of the sport’s global popularity. The International Cricket Council oversees women’s cricket in 12 full member nations and over 90 associate members, with the U.S. fielding a women’s team since gaining associate status in 2019 and competing in ICC events like the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup qualifiers. The BCCI invests heavily in women’s cricket, allocating approximately $60 million annually to the WPL and domestic programs in 2024–25, while contributing to the ICC’s $20 million budget for women’s cricket development globally. India’s media market for women’s cricket, including WPL broadcasting rights, generated $120 million in 2024, accounting for over 50 percent of the ICC’s women’s cricket media revenue.

“As a woman, I feel when someone says that they are women, then they are, be trans or cis. A trans woman is definitely the same as a cis woman emotionally and in vitals, and specially, when someone is on hormone replacement therapy. Stopping Anaya Bangar from playing is discrimination and violation of her rights. It is really sad and painful that every transwoman need to fight and prove their identity everywhere,” said Indrani Chakraborty, an LGBTQ rights activist and a mother of a trans woman. “If ICC and BCCI is stopping her from playing for being transgender, then I will say this to be their lack of awareness and of course the social mindsets which deny acceptance.”

Chakraborty told the Blade that Bangar is an asset, no matter what. She said that the women’s cricket team will only benefit by participation, but the discriminating policies are the hindrance. 

“Actually the transgender community face such discrimination in every sphere. In spite of being potent, they face rejection. This is highly inhuman. These attitudes is regressive and will never let to prosper. Are we really in 2025?,” said Chakraborty. “We, our mindset and the society are the issues. We, as a whole, need to get aware and have to come together for getting justice for Anaya. If today, we remain silent, the entire community will be oppressed. Proper knowledge of gender issues need to be understood.”

The BCCI and the International Cricket Council have not responded to the Blade’s repeated requests for comment.

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