Arts & Entertainment
Out & About: July 6
AIDS documentary on PBS, Youth Pride Alliance celebrates anniversary and more
McCain, Black to appear at D.C. JCC
The D.C. Jewish Community Center (1529 16th St., N.W.) is hosting Meghan McCain and Michael Ian Black on Thursday from 7:30-9 p.m. McCain, a Republican, and Black, a Democrat, traveled across America to see if two people with radically opposing views could find common ground. They chronicled their discoveries in their new book, “America, You Sexy Bitch: A Love Letter to Freedom.”
Michael Ian Black is a stand-up comedian who has starred in numerous television series and movies. Meghan McCain, daughter of John McCain, is the author of “Dirty Sexy Politics” and writes for the “Daily Beast.”
Their book disproves the notion of an irreconcilably polarized American political climate. “America, You Sexy Bitch” can be purchased in advance for $17 at the door and McCain and Black will be available for autographs after the discussion.
Tickets can be purchased at dcjcc.org for $20. VIP access tickets can also be purchased for $50 to attend a reception with the authors at 6 p.m.
‘ENDGAME: AIDS in Black America’ premieres on PBS
“ENDGAME: AIDS in Black America” is a Frontline documentary that premieres on PBS from 9-11 p.m. on Tuesday. WETA is the D.C.-area PBS affiliate.
The documentary reveals why HIV/AIDS is more widespread among African Americans. Racism, silence and stigma are uncovered as essential factors that have allowed the virus to spread rampantly within the black community.
“AIDS in Black America” features personal stories from people living with HIV and compelling interviews with basketball legend Magic Johnson, Civil Rights leader Julian Bond, black pastors from all over the U.S., activists and health workers.
For more information on the documentary, visit pbs.org or weta.org.
Youth Pride Alliance members show their pride. (Blade file photo by Pete Exis)
Youth Pride Alliance celebrates anniversary
The Queer Youth Project’s one-year anniversary will be celebrated at the Out For Equality party tonight from 6-10 p.m. at MOVA Lounge (2204 14th St., N.W.)
The event benefits the Youth Pride Alliance and celebrates the first anniversary of the Queer Youth Project, which supports youth serving organizations in fostering inclusive and safe spaces for LGBT youth through technical assistance, training, program development and evaluation.
Out For Equality will feature specialty cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a guest DJ. Donations can be made to the Youth Pride Alliance online at out4equality2012.eventbrite.com or through checks made payable to the Youth Pride Alliance.
Team Up to Fight AIDS with the Nationals
The Washington Nationals are having a “Team Up to Fight AIDS” benefit for their Saturday game against the Colorado Rockies at 4:05 p.m. at Nationals Park in Washington (1500 South Capitol Street, S.E.).
For each ticket purchased, the team will make a donation to the AIDS Memorial Quilt/the NAMES Project Foundation and Whitman-Walker Health.
Tickets range from $15-$35 for the game. Buy tickets at Washington-nationals.mlb.com.
Sports
Jason Collins dies at 47
First openly gay man to actively play for major sports team battled brain cancer
Jason Collins, the first openly gay man to actively play for a major professional sports team, died on Tuesday after a battle with brain cancer. He was 47.
The California native had briefly played for the Washington Wizards in 2013 before coming out in a Sports Illustrated op-ed.
Collins in 2014 became the first openly gay man to play in a game for a major American professional sports league when he played 11 minutes during a Brooklyn Nets game. He wore jersey number 98 in honor of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student murdered outside of Laramie, Wyo., in 1998.
Collins told the Washington Blade in 2014 that his life was “exponentially better” since he came out. Collins the same year retired from the National Basketball Association after 13 seasons.
Collins married his husband, Brunson Green, in May 2025.
The NBA last September announced Collins had begun treatment for a brain tumor. Collins on Dec. 11, 2025, announced he had Stage 4 glioblastoma.
“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” said Collins’s family in a statement the NBA released. “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Collins’s “impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA, and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations.”
“He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador,” said Silver. “Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.”
“To call Jason Collins a groundbreaking figure for our community is simply inadequate. We truly lost a giant today,” added Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson in a statement. “He came out as gay — while still playing — at a time when men’s athletes simply did not do that. But as he powerfully demonstrated in his final years in the league and his post-NBA career, stepping forward as he did boldly changed the conversation.”
“He was and will always be a legend for the LGBTQ+ community, and we are heartbroken to hear of his passing at the young age of 47,” she said. “Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones. We will keep fighting on in his honor until the day everyone can be who they are on their terms.”
Glitterati Productions held the “Studio 69” party at Bunker on Friday, May 8.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Arts & Entertainment
Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns June 13 to kick off D.C. Pride week
Pride on the Pier officially launches Pride Week in D.C.
The Washington Blade’s annual Pride on the Pier celebration returns to The Wharf on Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 4-9 p.m., bringing thousands of LGBTQ community members and allies together for an unforgettable waterfront celebration to kick off Pride week in Washington, D.C.
Now in its eighth year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.
“Pride on the Pier has become one of the signature moments of Pride in D.C.,” said Lynne Brown, publisher of the Washington Blade. “There’s nothing like watching our community come together on the waterfront with live music and incredible energy as we kick off Pride week.”
Pride on the Pier is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for exclusive pier access to the Dockmaster Building. To purchase VIP tickets visit www.prideonthepierdc.com/vip.
Additional entertainment announcements, sponsor activations, and event details will be released in the coming weeks.
Event Details:
📍 Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq SW, Washington, DC)
📅 Dates: Friday, 13, 2026
⏱️ 4-9PM
🎟️ VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP
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Jason Collins dies at 47
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