Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: March 23
Parties, exhibits, concerts and more through March 29
Evolve Urban Arts Project is hosting an opening reception on Thursday for its newest exhibit featuring the work of Dilip Sheth, including this painting. The show runs through May 4. (Image courtesy Evolve)
TODAY (Friday)
The Lodge (21614 National Pike, Boonsboro) and the Mason Dixon Roller Vixens presents a ladies’ night “Anything But Clothes” tonight hosted by Lucretia McEvil and co-host Scruff with beats provided by DJ Joey-O. Games and a fashion show begin at 10 p.m. There’s a $3 suggested donation.
Gay District is hosting “Pre-Mature Spring Fling” tonight at Bread and Brew D.C. (1247 20th St., N.W.) from 8 to 10:30 p.m. The night will feature games, happy hour prices and drink specials. There is a required $5 donation.
D.C. Women4Women presents “Tryst,” a monthly professional lesbian happy hour at Topaz Bar (1733 N St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 10 p.m.
Destino Final, a night of freestyle, upbeat R&B, early house and more, is tonight at Dodge City D.C. (917 U St., N.W.) from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. featuring Alex DB and FLEG from Baltimore.
Pants vs. Pumps is taking over the original Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. for “Trouble,” a pre-game event with drink specials and games including flip cup and beer pong. There is a $5 cover with the mention of PvP.
Saturday, March 24
The 2012 Visions in Feminism conference is today at American University (4400 Massachusetts Ave.) in the Ward Building. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and ranges from $10 to $15. A.U. students get in free with student ID. Jeanne Flavin, a professor of sociology at Fordham University, will be the keynote speaker. For more information, look for the Facebook event page.
Tom From Prague brings “Tainted Love: An International ‘80s Dance Party” at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. There is a $5 cover.
Grammy nominee Katie Herzig plays Red Palace (1212 H St., N.E.) tonight at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance at $15 day of the show. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Cocker Productions presents Miss Gay D.C. America pageant tonight at Town (2009 8th Street, N.W.), honoring Kirby Kolby, Miss Gay D.C. America 2011 and Miss Gay America 2012. Admission is $10. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Also tonight, Chad Michaels of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will perform. Doors open at 10 p.m. for this event (those who attend the pageant can stay all evening and don’t have to pay the regular Town cover). Admission is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after. Attendees must be 21 or older.
Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) presents Hellmouth Happy Hour where every week an episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” will be screened and drink specials will be offered. This week the episode is “Choices.” Doors open at 7 p.m. The Black Cat is also hosting “Disco in the Dark” with Mr. Bonkerz, DJ Remote CTRL and Sneakers in the Dryer. Doors open at 9:30 for this and tickets are $5.
Sunday, March 25
The Black Men’s XChange D.C. is having a brunch at the Howard University Blackburn Center honoring the “same gender-loving” elder community today at the Howard University Blackburn Center (2397 6th St., N.W.) from noon to 3:30 p.m. There is a $4 suggested donation.
Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) presents “Sucker Punch,” a play by Roy Williams, directed by Leah C. Gardiner, today at 2 and 7 p.m. The play follows two British teenagers and their rise from “would-be vandals” to boxing champions. Tickets range from $46 to $59 and can be purchased online at studiotheatre.org. The show runs through April 8.
Monday, March 26
Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) presents a “RuPaul’s Drag Race” watch party tonight at 9 p.m.
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) will be holding an information session about the Mobile Homecoming Project, an initiative to promote intergenerational dialogue in the community, tonight from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Following the presentational will be a mixer at Mova (2204 14th St., N.W.) from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Tuesday, March 27
GLAA is having a membership meeting tonight in the second floor community room at the Reeves Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The Chesapeake Squares, a gay square dancing group, are having a mainstream-through-advanced club night tonight at the Waxter Center (1000 Cathedral St.) in Baltimore from 8 to 10 p.m. For more information, visit chesapeakesquares.org.
Wednesday, March 28
Secrets (1824 Half St., S.W.) is holdings its monthly amateur dance contest hosted by LaTroya Nichole tonight beginning at 11 p.m. Contests must sign up at the main bar starting at 10 p.m.
The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE — across from Marine Barracks) for duplicate bridge. No reservations needed; newcomers welcome. Visit lambdabridge.com if you need a partner.
Busboys & Poets presents Sparkle Open Mic Poetry, a queer-friendly reading series hosted by Regie Cabico and Danielle Evennou in the Cullen room of its 5th and K location (1025 5th St., N.W.) at 9 p.m. Wristbands are $4 and will be sold in the Global Exchange store beginning at 11 a.m.
Thursday, March 29
Evolve Urban Arts Projects (1375 Maryland Ave., N.E.) is having an opening reception tonight from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for its newest exhibit “The Moon and Landscapes, etc.” featuring the work of local artist, Dilip Sheth.
KHUSH D.C. and OutWrite present “God Loves Pavement: Two Brown Authors Hit the Road” tonight at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) at 7 p.m. Farzana Doctor, a Toronto-based author and recipient of the Writers’ Trust of Canada’s Dayne Ogilvie Grant for emerging gay Canadian author in 2011 and Vivek Shraya, a Toronto-based artists, arts educator and author, will be at this joint book reading.
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.
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
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.
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