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Calendar: April 6

Parties, concerts, support groups and more through April 12

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Video Games Live returns to the Music Center at Strathmore with ‘Bonus Round’ on Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.

TODAY (Friday) 

Busboys & Poets presents First Fridays: A Local Arts Exploration today at 5:30 p.m. in the Zinn room at its Hyattsville location (5331 Baltimore Ave., Suite 104). This event combines a reception, artist talk and the opportunity to meet local artists and see their work. This month presenters are Aaron Sinift, MIchael Singletary, Song Byeok and Human Landscape Dance. Light hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served. This is a free event.

Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance, Alexandria Gay and Lesbian Community Association, GoGayDC, GayDigerati, NoVA GL Professionals and D.C. Ice Breakers are some of the groups that will be at a meet-up event at Kora Restaurant (2250 Crystal Drive, #B, Arlington) tonight from 6 to 8 p.m.

Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) presents “Madonnarama” featuring DJ Ed Bailey with performances by the Dance Camp and the Ladies of Town tonight at 10 p.m. Attendees must be 21 or older. There is an $8 cover before 11 p.m. and $12 after.

DJs Joey O and Chord Bezerra will be spinning at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight at 10 p.m. Free vodka drinks from 11 p.m. to midnight. There’s a $10 cover until midnight, then its $8.

Saturday, April 7

Blowoff, a dance party featuring gay DJs Bob Mould and Richard Morel, will be at 9:30 club (815 V St., N.W.) tonight. Doors open at 11:30 p.m. Attendees must be 21 or older. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at 930.com.

Code has its monthly installment tonight at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.). Gear, rubber, skin, uniform or leather dress code will be strictly enforced. Music provided by DJ Frank Wild. Admission is $10. All attendees must be 18 or older. There will be an open bar from 9 to 10 p.m.

Strathmore presents “Video Games Live: Bonus Round” at the Music Center (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda) with two concerts today at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $76 and can be purchased online at strathmore.org.

Riot Act Comedy Theater (801 E St., N.W.) presents the graduates of Brad Trackman Comedy School at Riot Act in a show today at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online atriotactcomedy.com.

Burgundy Crescent Volunteers will be working with the Lost Dog & Cat Foundation at Petsmart (6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church) from 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. as dog handlers for adoption events. All volunteers get paired with a dog to walk around inside and outside the store and be given basic information if someone shows interest in adopting the dog. To volunteer, email[email protected].

Sunday, April 8

Focus-In! Films presents “Howl” as its April Film of the Month and in celebration of National Poetry Month with a screening at Busboys & Poets’s 14th and V streets location (2021 14th St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. The film stars James Franco as a young Allen Ginsberg. This is a free screening.

LGBT science fiction, fantasy and horror group Lambda Sci-Fi is having its monthly meeting today, including election of officers and social with annual blind book exchange at 1425 S St., N.W., at 1:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a snack or a non-alcoholic drink to share. For more information contact James at 202-232-3141 or Peter and Rob at 202-483-6369, email to [email protected], or visit the group’s website at lambdascifi.org.

The D.C. Kings are performing their New King show tonight at Phase 1 (525 8th St. S.E.) at 10 p.m. hosted by Rocky and Vintage Swag. Performers for the night include Avery Austin, Jamie Son, Sabastian Katz and more. Doors open at 7 p.m. and there’s a $10 cover. In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, this show will be a fundraiser for the D.C. Rape Crisis Center. ASL interpretation will be available.

Monday, April 9

Rude Boi Entertainment and Tomboyz Quarterly present a LGBT Reggae and Latin dance partytonight at Patty Boom Boom (1359 U St., N.W.) starting at 7 p.m. There is a $10 donation at the door. Proceeds will support Youth Pride Alliance.

D.C.’s Different Drummers Marching Band is kicking off its new season tonight with an open house at L2 Lounge (3315 Cady’s Alley, N.W.) at 7 p.m. For more information, email band director at[email protected].

Tuesday, April 10

D.C. Bi Women will have its monthly dinner at Dupont Italian Kitchen (1637 17th St., N.W.) tonight from 7 to 9 p.m.

Cobalt’s (1639 R St., N.W.) weekly “Flashback: ‘70s/’80s/’90s Retro Dance Party” is tonight with special guest, ‘80s pop star Tiffany performing live. There is no cover for this event and doors open at 9 p.m.

Kaiser Chiefs play Rams Head Live (20 Market Place, Baltimore) tonight with Spacecamp. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at tickets.ramsheadlive.com. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 11

Rainbow Response is holding its monthly meeting tonight at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) from 7 to 8 p.m.

Busboys & Poets presents Wednesday night Open Mic Poetry hosted by “2Deep” the Poetess 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.

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.

The Big Gay Book Group will meet tonight at 7 p.m. at 1155 F Street, N.W., Suite 200. The book discussed will be “The Boys in the Band” by Mart Crowley. For more information, visit biggaybookgroup.com or e-mail biggaybookgroup@hotmail.com.

Thursday, April 12

D.C. Lambda Squares, a local gay square dancing group, is having its annual meeting tonight as well as its weekly club night with advanced and challenge at National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Stonewall Bocce meets tonight at Nellie’s (900 U St., N.W.) at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit stonewallsports.org/bocce.html.

Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.) presents two new exhibits “Spirit and Enigma” featuring ceramic sculptures by Bill Mould and “String theory” featuring works by Elena Tchernomazova. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit touchstonegallery.com.

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Photos

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

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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