Arts & Entertainment
Getting away from the bars
OUTdoor group finds gay community in nature-based activities
Steve Marker and Joe Palumbo on the Via Ferrata course at Nelson Rocks. (Photo courtesy the couple)
Over the years, I have met many couples at LGBT sporting events and functions. Usually, one is the athlete and the other is a supporter of his or her partners’ athletic endeavors.
The OUTdoor Adventures Group was founded by Baltimore couple, Steve Marker and Joe Palumbo in the summer of 2010. They share a passion for the outdoors.
“We were at a bar one night with a group of friends and wanted to find an opportunity to get together with other gay men that did not involve drinking,” Palumbo says. “Both Steve and I love hiking, camping and being outdoors so the group began with day trips.”
The day trips have included skydiving, rock climbing, white water rafting, Gay Day at Hershey Park and competing in the Warrior Dash and Tough Mudder. They have also made two weekend trips part of their annual activities.
Big Gay Camping is a weekend event held in the fall every year with the group camping in Harpers Ferry the first year and switching to the gay-friendly locale of The Woods in Lehigh, Pa., for the last two years.
“When we first started out, most of the people in the group were from Baltimore,” Palumbo says. “On the last camping trip, we had close to 40 people from Baltimore, D.C., Philadelphia and New York.”
Coming up for the group is the third annual Gay Ski Weekend where the group has reserved a lakefront chalet in Deep Creek, Md. They have already booked close to 30 people for the weekend which will kick off on Jan. 25.
Marker and Palumbo, who met at Gay Pride in Baltimore in 2008, were married in July at Old Stone House in Georgetown. Their honeymoon was an Alaskan cruise which included 55 of their family and friends. Festivities on the ship included a pool party and rock climbing.
Recently, the couple took their adventuring to the extreme level by completing the Via Ferrata course at Nelson Rocks in West Virginia. Via Ferrata systems are relatively new in the United States but have been popular for decades in Europe, where about 300 routes are open to the public.
Via Ferrata means “road with irons” in Italian. The courses have been described by many as a combination of hiking and climbing. Via Ferratas are strongly associated with World War I when the Italians and Austrians were fighting near the Dolomites mountain ranges in Italy. The troops needed a better way to move through the mountainous area.
The modern Via Ferrata is a steel cable that runs along the route and is periodically fixed to the rock. Climbing aids such as iron rungs, pegs, carved steps, ladders and bridges are often found on the courses.
The Nelson Rocks facility is one of about eight in the United States. Marker and Palumbo finished the 3.5-mile course in just over five hours.
“Adventuring has always been a part of our life together,” Marker says. “Whenever we are feeling stress, we find something to do that will take us outdoors.”
You can find the group on Facebook under OUTdoor Adventures Group.
Friday, May 23
“Center Aging Monthly Luncheon and Yoga” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. For more details, email [email protected].
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity and/or expression. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at DIK Bar. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 24
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and 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.
Black Lesbian Mixer will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a support group dedicated to the joys of being a Black lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].
Sunday, May 25
“The Queen’s Table: A Women’s Empowerment Brunch” will be at 11 a.m. at Zooz. This event will celebrate queer women’s strength. For more details visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 26
“Center Aging Monday Coffee and Conversation” 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 details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 27
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary. Whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know you’re not 100 percent cis — this is your group. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This support group is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Wednesday, May 28
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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, May 29
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fairer with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. 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 with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Calendar: May 23-29
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