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In full swing

There’s something to do every weekend with local gay sports outfits

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A delegation from world Outgames announced its festival at last year’s Pride events. (Photo courtesy Kevin Majoros)

The end of January finds the LGBT sports teams of Washington in different phases of their own calendars.

A few teams such as the Capital Area Rainbowlers Association and the Capital Tennis Association are in the midst of their winter leagues. A couple of other teams, including the Chesapeake and Potomac Softball League and the D.C. Sentinels basketball team are just returning from tournament play in Las Vegas.

Several of the other clubs and teams are gearing up for their spring seasons. The D.C. Gay Flag Football League has just completed final round of registration for its coming season. In a matter of hours, players filled their rosters with 220 players with many more landing on a waiting list.

Their spring season draft is on Feb. 8, so there is still a chance to get in the game as some players will drop out before the season begins. You can sign up for the waiting list at dcgffl.org.

The Adventuring Outdoors Group is hosting the Gettysburg Battlefield Hike on Saturday. The walking tour/hike will be around 5 miles and will cover such famous spots as Devils Den, Little Round Top, The Wheatfield and The Peach Orchard. If the weather does not hold up, the trip will be converted to a driving tour. The group will meet to carpool at the Forest Glen Metro Station and will return by early evening. Anyone interested can contact Craig at [email protected].

The Capital Splats Racquetball League organizes meet-ups for racquetball players of all skill levels about twice a month. Its members range from beginners to tournament-level players and they plan to establish official leagues this summer.  You can meet up with them every fourth Thursday for happy hour at Nellies Sports Bar from 5 to 8 p.m. Check out the team’s Facebook page under Capital Splats.

The Capital Area Rainbowlers Association is hosting the Crazy bowling tournament on Saturday at the AMF Annandale Lanes in Annandale, Va. The event will feature unusual games such as blind bowl, obstacle bowl and low bowl. More information is available at carabowling.org.

It’s never too soon to start thinking about the third edition of the worldOutgames to be contested in Antwerp, Belgium in August of 2013. The games are built on three equally important pillars.

Sports — More than 10,000 participants are expected to compete in 35 sports. The competitors are divided according to age and/or level of experience.

Culture — An international cultural platform is offered including offerings in theater, music, poetry and art exhibitions. The theme of the Antwerp games will be of family, youth, women and spirituality.

Human rights — An international group of experts and keynote speakers are being assembled for a human rights conference focusing on several themes. The conference will culminate in the “Declaration of Antwerp,” a roadmap to strategic alliances necessary for political, social and health progress through 2018.

Information is at world.outgames.org.

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PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride

Schuyler Bailar gives keynote address

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D.C. Trans Pride 2025 was held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on May 17. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C

Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement

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Gay Pride Day 1976 (Washington Blade archive photo)

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.

D.C.’s Different Drummers march in the 2006 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade archive photo by Adam Cuthbert)

The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies. 

Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays. 

The 1995 Lesbian and Gay Freedom Festival was held on Freedom Plaza on June 18. (Washington Blade archive photo by Clint Steib)

The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.

We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.

I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.

The D.C. Black Gay Men & Women’s Community Conference table at Gay Pride Day in 1978. (Washington Blade archive photo by Jim Marks)
A scene from 1985 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the 1988 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the Capital Pride Block Party in 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)
Keke Palmer performs at the 2024 Capital Pride Festival. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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PHOTOS: Equality Prince William Pride

Fourth annual event held in Old Town Manassas

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Muffy Blake Stephyns performs at 2025 Prince William Equality Pride. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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