Arts & Entertainment
In full swing
There’s something to do every weekend with local gay sports outfits

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.
The fifth annual Emerald City Pride was held in Greenbelt, Md. on Saturday, July 11.
(Washignton Blade photos by Michael Key)












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Out & About
Gay librarian to discuss new novel at Green Lantern
Gareth Carter to speak at ‘Cocktails, Chaos & Controversy’ fundraiser
Librarian, novelist, and advocate for intellectual freedom Gareth Carter will talk about his debut novel, “The Misadventures of Don Kee Dong & Phillip Mihol,” on Sunday, July 12 at 4 p.m. at Green Lantern Bar.

The event, titled “Cocktails, Chaos & Controversy” is a fundraiser for the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center Library and will celebrate queer storytelling, libraries, and Carter’s new novel.
The event will combine humor, conversation, and community. In addition to being on hand to sell and sign books, Carter will share his own journey from librarian to novelist, discuss the state of public libraries in an era of book banning, and his own challenges with one group, which served as the genesis for this novel, the first in his International Men of Mystery series.
For more details, visit Carter’s website.
The Blade may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via this post.
Friday, July 10
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 6 p.m. at Freddie’s. 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.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.
Saturday, July 11
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.
“Reel Affirmations XTRA: Washington DC’s International LGBTQ+ Monthly Film Series” will present “Bookends” at 11:30 a.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. “Bookends” is a touching love story, free popcorn, soft drinks, and conversation with your community. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Sunday, July 12
“Duet: A Curated Sapphic Karaoke Dating Experience” will be at 5 p.m. at Muzette. This event is designed for single queer women and sapphics ages 35+ who are looking to meet potential romantic partners in a relaxed, low-pressure environment. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, July 13
“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]).
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Tuesday, July 14
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
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].
Wednesday, July 15
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, July 16
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LBTQ+ Community Center. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm 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.
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