Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Aug. 3
Parties, concerts, exhibits and more through Aug. 9
TODAY (Friday)
MiniSolos@Touchstone, an exhibition featuring the work of 38 artists, has its opening reception from 6-8:30 p.m. tonight at Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.). For more information, visit touchstonegallery.com or email HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]”[email protected].
Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) hosts “8:BIT 1980s Dance Party” tonight from 7:30 p.m.-3 a.m. DJ Jay Von Teese spins ‘80s jams all night and a $3 drink special will be served. Admission is $5 and limited to guests 21 and over. For more details, visit phase1dc.com.
The HIV Working Group does outreach tonight at Town (2009 U St., N.W.) from 7-10 p.m. during Bear Happy Hour. For details, visit thedccenter.org.
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts a reading and reception for the book “Collective Brightness: LGBTIQ Poets on Faith, Religion and Spirituality” from 7-8:30 p.m. tonight with contributing authors Joseph Ross and Regie Cabico. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Burgundy Crescent Volunteers, a gay volunteer organization, help out at the Gondoliers operetta hosted by the GLBT Arts Consortium and CHAW tonight at 6:30 p.m. If interested, contact HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]”[email protected] and visit burgundycrescent.org for more information.
Saturday, Aug. 4
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts head/heart/soul: Black LGBT Poets Reading from 6:30-8 p.m. with poets Rashid Darden, Monica A. Hand, BuddahDesmond and Red Summer. The reading is part of the OutWrite LGBT Book Fair. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its monthly Rumba Latina party tonight with special performances and go-go dancers. Doors open at 10 p.m. and admission is free. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
The Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts Hellmouth Happy Hour tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. One episode of the gay cult classic series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” screens and a drink special will be served. Admission is free. For details, visit blackcatdc.com.
Electric violinist David Schulman performs tonight with Eddie Jimenez on the congas at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 6-9 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com.
Burgundy Crescent Volunteers, a gay community service organization, volunteer today at the Falls Church PetSmart (6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, Va.) from 11:45 a.m.-3 p.m. Dog handlers are needed for an adoption event. For more details, visit burgundycescent.org and contact HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]”[email protected] if interested.
Sunday, Aug. 5
The Academy of Washington, a philanthropic drag troupe, perform today at Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Admission is free. For details, visit blackfoxlounge.com.
Remington’s Nightclub (639 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) hosts “The Birthday Party” tonight. Showtime is at 8 p.m. and admission is $6 before then. For more information, visit remingtonswdc.com.
Busboys and Poets (2021 14th St., N.W.) hosts A.C.T.O.R. (A Continuing Talk on Race) from 5-7 p.m. tonight. The discussion series provides community members the opportunity to speak openly and honestly about issues of race. For more information, visit busboysandpoets.com.
San Francisco-based rapper Aesop Rock performs tonight at the 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) with Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz. Tickets are $20 and doors open at 7 p.m. For more details, visit 930.com.
Monday, Aug. 6
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts Martini Monday tonight for guests 21 and over. Admission is free and $5 martinis will be served. Doors open at 10 p.m. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Jazz musician David Lighton performs tonight at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 8:30-11:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com.
Bingolicious, hosted by Maxine Blue and Tina Tuna, is at Remington’s Nightclub (639 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. The drag show starts at 8 p.m. and guests can win prizes, enjoy free food and purchase drink specials. For details, visit remingtonswdc.com.
Tuesday, Aug. 7
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Flashback” retro dance party tonight with DJ Jason Royce. Hits from the ‘70s, ‘80s and early ‘90s play all night. Doors open at 10 p.m. and there is no cover charge. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
Busboys and Poets (2021 14th St., N.W.) hosts an open mic poetry reading tonight from 9-11 p.m. The event features a diverse array of performers including spoken word poets, musicians and more. For details, visit busboysandpoets.com.
Indie-folk trio Good Old War performs tonight at the Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) with Chris Kasper. Tickets are $15 and doors open at 8 p.m. For more information, visit blackcatdc.com.
Wednesday, Aug. 8
The Big Gay Book Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at 115 F St., N.W. “Sweet Like Sugar,” a novel by Wayne Hoffman, will be discussed. For more details, visit biggaybookgroup.com or email HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]”[email protected].
Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) hosts Jell-o wrestling tonight. $3 Miller Lights and Bourbon Gingers and $4 hornitos shots will be served. Doors open at 9 p.m. If interested in wrestling, bring a towel and change of clothes. For more details, visit phase1dc.com.
Thursday, Aug. 9
Phase 1 (525 8th St., S.E.) hosts karaoke tonight from 7:30 p.m.-2 a.m. For details, visit phase1dc.com.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its weekly best package contest at midnight tonight with hosts Lena Lett and Ba’Naka. Admission is $3 and limited to guests 21 and over. $2 rail drinks will be served from 9-11 p.m. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Burgundy Crescent Volunteers, a gay community service organization, volunteers today for Food and Friends (219 Riggs Rd., N.E.). Help with food preparation and chopping vegetables is needed. If interested, contact HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]”[email protected] and visit burgundycescent.org for more information.
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.

