Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: June 15
Parties, events, concerts and more through June 21
This weekend is the last to see gay photographer Tommie Adams’ work in a Ward 8 exhibit. Visit serenityplayers.org for details. (Photo courtesy Adams)
TODAY (Friday)
Whitman-Walker Health clinic is having HIV test at Beat the Streets (14th and Saratoga, N.E.) today from 3:30-7:30 p.m. For more information, visit Whitman-walker.org.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour tonight from 6-11 p.m. This event is 21 and older. There’s no cover charge. For details, visit towndc.com.
Grupo Fantasma is playing on Black Cat’s main stage (1811 14th St. N.W.) tonight at 9. The group is considered one of the funkiest Latin orchestras in the U.S. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. For more information, visit blackcatdc.com.
Code is hosting its XXX: Anything Goes party tonight at The Crucible (16 M St., N.E.) at 10 p.m. The event is men only. Admission is $30. For details, visit codedc.com.
Ali Wong, SF Weekly’s “Best Comedian of 2009,” performs tonight at Riot Act Comedy Theater (801 E. St., N.W.) at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $12 -$20. For more information, visit riotcomedy.com.
Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) is hosting “Dance Party with DJ Staylo” tonight at
7:30. Admission is $10. For details, visit phase1dc.com.
Saturday, June 16
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, works with the Lost Dog & Cat Foundation at the Falls Church Petsmart (6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, Va.) today at 11:45 a.m. For details, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Lambda Sci-Fi (2462 Tunlaw Rd., N.W.) hosts a post-Pride potluck video party featuring science fiction, fantasy and horror today at 3:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring favorite DVDs, food and non-alcoholic drinks to share. For more information, visit lambdascifi.org.
Tonight is the last opportunity to see gay photographer Tommie Adams’ work in his current exhibit, “Natural Light and the Male Nude,” this evening at 6 located in the ARCH Development Training Center (1231 Good Hope Rd., S.E.). Adams has been a photographer for10 years, and in the current exhibit, he explores how diversity and emotion that can be expressed by the male nude. This event is free. For more information, visit serenityplayers.org.
The play “9 Parts of Desire” is being performed tonight at the Davis Performing Arts Center (37th and O St., N.W.) at 8 p.m. The piece delves into the lives of different Iraqi women. The event is free, but attendees must reserve tickets. For details, visit performingarts.georgetown.edu.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts “Bare” tonight at 10, a ladies dance party featuring DJ Rosie and other invited guests. Cover is $7 before midnight and $10 after. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Green Lantern (1335 Green Court N.W.) is hosting “Ink & Scruff,” an underwear party showcasing sexy scruffy men with tattoos, tonight at 10. There’s a hot body contest, music by DJ Tone and drink specials during the event. For more information, visit greenlanterndc.com.
Club Hippo (1 West Eager St., Baltimore) holds a dance party in honor of Baltimore Pride tonight at 8. The event features DJ Escape and DJ Rosie. Admission is $10. For details, visit clubhippo.com.
Sunday, June 17
A free screening of the movie “Pariah,” by writer and director Dee Rees screens tonight at Busboys and Poets (4251 South Campbell Ave., Arlington) from 7-9 p.m. The film is about an African-American adolescent girl learning to embrace her identity as a lesbian. For details, visit busboysandpoets.com.
Today is the last chance to see “Flora and the Red Menace” at 1st Stage Theater (1524 Spring Hill Rd., McLean, Va). There’s one showing at 3 p.m. and another at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30. For more information, visit 1ststagespringhill.org.
VF Dance Theater presents “Futurology,” a dance production that journeys into the year 3012, tonight at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) starting at 7:30. Tickets are $25. For details, visit kennedy-center.org.
Ladies Only Intro to Djing is tonight with DJs K La Rock and Junebullet at Black Cat (1811 14th St. N.W.). Doors open at 8 and admission is $7. For more information, visit blackcatdc.com.
Monday, June 18
Comedian Neil Hamburger performs tonight at Black Cat (1811 14th St. N.W.). Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12. For more information, visit blackcatdc.com.
D.C. Lambda Squares, the only square dancing club in D.C., hosts an open house tonight at National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) starting at 7 p.m. For details, visit dclambdasquares.org.
The School of Hawaiian Dance celebrates the Hawaii’s PA’I Foundation’s 35th anniversary tonight at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) at 6 p.m. This event is free. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
Tuesday, June 19
The FUK!T packing party is tonight at Green Lantern (1335 Green Court N.W.) at 7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring friends and see how many FUK!T or TOOLK!TS (safer sex kits) they can pack in two hours. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Arieb Azhar, a Pakistani singer/songwriter, performs at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) tonight at 6 p.m. This event is free. For details, visit kennedy-center.org.
Club Hippo (1 West Eager St., Baltimore) hosts Showtune Video Madness tonight at 8. For more information, visit clubhippo.com.
Wednesday, June 20
The Jewish Community Center (1529 16th St., N.W.) hosts an ANC meeting on the safety of the Dupont Circle neighborhood this evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The event is free. For details, visit the dccenter.org.
The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets tonight for social bridge at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) A partner is not needed. For more information, visit lambdabridge.com.
The Outlaw Roadshow featuring Counting Crows plays tonight at the Filene Center in Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Road, Vienna) at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $30-$48. For details, visit wolftrap.org.
Thursday, June 21
Whitman-Walker Health Clinic hosts HIV testing at Bachelor’s Mill (91104 8th St., S.E.) tonight at 10:30 p.m. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.
Two-time Grammy winner Diana Krall plays tonight at Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Road, Vienna) starting at 8 p.m. Krall, who became a professional jazz musician at age 15, is known for her slow smooth jazz. Tickets are $35. For details, visit wolftrap.org.
Chesapeake Squares, a gay square dancing group, holds an open house dance for members and non-members tonight at the Waxter Center (1000 Cathedral St., Baltimore) from 8-10 p.m. Cost is $8 for members and $10 for non-members. For more information, visit chesapeakesquares.org.
Hippo Club (1 West Eager St., Baltimore) is having its Hip-Hop Night featuring DJ Rosie tonight at 10. Admission is $6 before 11 p.m. and $8 after. For details, visit culbhippo.com.
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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