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Calendar: Sept. 14

Parties, concerts, exhibits and more through Sept. 20

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Along with Emperor Fidel I, seated, are (from left to right) Empress XXI of Corpus Christi, BeBe Evanson-Hughes; Empress XXVI of New York, Witti Repartee; and Absolute Empress XLVI of San Francisco, Saybeline Fernandez. The Imperial Court has a charity coronation event Saturday at Washington Mariott. (Photo courtesy Imperial Court)

TODAY

Special Agent Galactica performs at the Black Fox Lounge (723 Connecticut Avenue NW) from 6-9 p.m. tonight. Galactica will give a performance of live singing, lip sync, jazz, comedy and more to Friday nights. Known for her “Very-Sexy-Cute-Boy Combo,” Galactica will sing numbers ranging from Cy Coleman, Harold Arlen, and Irving Berlin to Quincy Jones, The Beatles and Prince. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com.

Bear Happy Hour Fridays are back at Town (2009 8th St NW) from 6-11 p.m. every Friday night. There is no cover charge, however, you must arrive by 9:30 p.m. to get inside for free. There will be free pizza at 7 p.m. and drink specials. For more information, visit dcbearcrue.com.

Cobalt (1639 R Street NW) is hosting its Free Vodka Fridays called “Boy’s Life” again tonight. You must be 21 and up to enter and there will be open bar from 11 p.m. until midnight. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.

Saturday, Sept. 15

Ziegfeld’s DC (1824 Half Street SW) is hosting its Miss Ziegfeld’s 2013 competition tonight. Former title holder Patti Lovelace will be honored. Doors open at 7 p.m. The competition will begin at 8 p.m. For more information, visit ziegfelds.com.

Burgundy Cresent Volunteers will donate their time at the Falls Church PetSmart (Seven Corners, 6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church) from 11:45 a.m. until 3 p.m. today. Also, The Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation is looking for dog-handlers for their adoption events. For more information on this event, visit ldcrf.org. To volunteer, email [email protected].

The Imperial Court will crown Emperor I during a charity event today at “Coronation I: Gala of the Americas” at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center (12th St NW). Doors open at 6 p.m. with a cocktail and VIP reception. The Gala will begin at 7 p.m. The beneficiaries of this year’s event are: PFLAG-DC, The Mautner Project, and Grandma’s House. Tickets are available at imperialcourt.org.

Sunday, Sept. 16

The SpeakEasy presents the return of drag performer Joey Arias to L’Enfant Café (2000 18th St NW) along with Sherry Vine and Raven O! The Dinner Show begins at 7 p.m. and includes a three course dinner and show. The late night show starts at 10:30 p.m. with cocktails and a show. Both events are reservation only. For more information, visit laboumbrunch.com.

Phase 1 (525 8th St. SE) will hold its monthly open mic night tonight starting at 7:30 p.m. Drinks range from $2-$10 and all are welcome. Phase 1 has seen performances from singer-songwriters, spoken word artists, stand-up comics and live bands. For more information, visit phase1dc.com.

Monday, Sept. 17

The Arlington Central Library (1015 N Quincy St.) hosts a book talk with Garrett Peck, the gay author of “The Potomac River: A History and Guide” today on the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam. Books will be available for sale and Peck will also be signing them. For more information, visit library.arlingtonva.us.

Tuesday, Sept. 18

Whitman-Walker Health Center (1701 14th St., NW) hosts its 10-week Coming Out Women’s discussion group tonight at 7 p.m. This group is for women who want to discuss their interest in women, sexuality, relationships and coming out. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.

Wednesday, Sept. 19

The Tom Davoren Social Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m., at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE) for social bridge. No partner needed. For more information, visit lambdabridge.com.

Human Rights Campaign staff and supporters meet tonight at 7 p.m. at HRC Headquarters (1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW) to increase its grassroots membership base. Visit hrc.org for more information.

Thursday, Sept. 20

Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U Street NW) has its weekly “Beat the Clock Happy Hour” today. Discounts last from 5-8 p.m. with specials on bottles of Miller Lite and House Vodka drinks. From 5-6 p.m. drinks are $2. From 6-7 p.m., drinks are $3 and from 7-8 p.m. drinks are $4. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.

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Calendar

Calendar: March 27-April 2

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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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.  

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Out & About

Celebrate cherry blossoms the drag way

Unconventional Diner hosts bingo party

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The cherry blossoms are here. Celebrate at a unique event hosted by Unconventional Diner. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

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.

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Sports

New IOC policy bans trans women from Olympics

New regulation to be in effect at 2028 summer games in Los Angeles

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(Photo by Greg Martin; courtesy IOC)

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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