Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: events through Nov. 8

Ba’Naka (Dustin Schaad), this year’s winner for the third consecutive year in the Blade’s annual Best of Gay D.C. contest, is shown getting ready for a performance at Town in this photo from Michael Lang. It’s part of his exhibit ‘Drag Illusion’ on display at Touchstone Gallery all month. (Photo by Michael Lang, courtesy of Touchstone Gallery)
TODAY (Friday)
The opening reception of The Drag Illusion is at 6 p.m. today at Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., NW). The exhibit features a photo essay about drag queens and the illusion they create. It will run through Nov. 25. For details, visit touchstonegallery.com.
Phase 1 (528 8th St. SE) has its weekly dance party with DJ Jay Von Teese tonight starting at 7:30 p.m. Cover is $10. For more information, visit phase1dc.com.
Happy hour at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) is from 11-midnight tonight. Vodka is free for that hour. Visit cobaltdc.com for more information.
The Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) is having its happy hour this evening starting at 5 p.m. All drinks are half off until 7:30 p.m. After 11 p.m., admission is $5. For details, visit thebachelorsmill.com.
Saturday, Nov. 3
The D.C./Maryland/Virginia Gay-Straight Alliance & LGBTQA Youth Conference is in School Without Walls Senior High School (2130 G St NW) today from 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. The conference is for Gay-Straight Alliance club members and advisors.
The D.C. Center (1318 U St NW) is holding its first Center Global Meeting at noon today. The meetings focus on international LGBT issues, including the difficulties facing binational LGBT couples and how to help LGBT asylum seekers in the area. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Reel Affirmations Film Festival is having a two-for-one ticket deal today for the films “Welcome to New York” and “Gayby.” Tickets are $10. The films will be shown at the Goethe Institut (812 7th St NW) at 9 p.m. For more information, visit reelaffirmations.org.
The first Saturday of every month is Rumba night at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.). The night starts at 10 p.m. and features special performances, themes and gogo dancers. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
Willam, Detox and Vicky Vox, the drag queens behind the Chick-fil-A inspired song “Chow Down,” perform at Town Danceboutique (2009 8th St NW) tonight at 10:30 p.m. Cover is $8 before 11 p.m. and $12 after. For more information, visit towndc.com.
Sunday, Nov. 4
The Reel Affirmations Film Festival is showing two trans-themed films back-to-back today, “Trans” and “Mathi(eu),” at the Carnegie Institution for Science (1530 P St NW) at 1 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit reelaffirmations.org.
In the spirit of Halloween, the Washington Ballet’s final performance of “Dracula” is at 1:30 p.m. today at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St NW). Tickets start at $25. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) holds its weekly Martini Sundays and Homowood Karaoke tonight. Karaoke starts at 10 p.m. and there is no charge for admission. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Monday, Nov. 5
The first Monday of every month is volunteer night at the D.C. Center (1318 U St NW). Socialize and enjoy pizza and a raffle while helping the community from 6:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Justin Bieber plays the Verizon Center (601 F St NW) at 7 p.m. tonight. For tickets and information, visit ticketmaster.com.
Martini Monday at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) includes no cover and $5 martinis, starting at 10 p.m. tonight. Visit cobaltdc.com for more details.
Tuesday, Nov. 6
Election Day features races for president, 33 senate seats and all House seats as well as several gubernatorial and state legislature races, making this an important election year. Additionally, four states, including Maryland, have same-sex marriage initiatives on the ballot. If approved, Maryland’s Question 6 would give gay and lesbian couples the right to marry there. Polls are open in D.C. and Maryland from 7 a.m.-8 p.m and in Virginia from 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W) is hosting its weekly Flashback night with music from the ‘70s, ‘80 and the early ‘90s, starting at 10 p.m. There is no cover charge. For more details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Wednesday, Nov. 7
Smart Ass at Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St NW) features two trivia games starting at 8 and 9 p.m. Teams compete for reduced tabs and other prizes. For details, visit smartassdc.com.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W) holds its weekly Wednesday Karaoke night tonight.No cover. The night begins at 10 p.m. The nightly special is $5 Absolute and flavored Smirnoff. For more details, visit cobaltdc.com.
Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., SE) for social bridge. Newcomers are welcome. For more information, visit lambdabridge.com.
The Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) is hosting drag bingo starring Jasmine from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. tonight. Admission is free. For more information, visit bachelorsmill.com.
Thursday, Nov. 8
Outserve Military Night at Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St NW) has drink specials from 8 p.m. until closing with a military ID. For more information, visit nelliessportsbar.com.
The Dupont Circle branch of EagleBank (1228 Connecticut Ave NW) is sponsoring a networking event for the Capital Area Gay & Lesbian Camber of Commerce (CAGLCC). The event is free for CAGLCC members and $25 for non-members. For information and to pre-register, visit caglcc.org
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W) is hosting its weekly Best Package Contest tonight at 9 p.m. There is a $3 cover and there are $2 vodka drinks. Participants in the contest can win $200 in cash prizes. The event is hosted by Lena Lett and music by DJ Chord, DJ Madscience, and DJ Sean Morris. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
The “freak folk” group CocoRosie plays the 9:30 Club (815 V St NW) at 10 p.m. Tickets are $20. For tickets and information, visit ticketfly.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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