Arts & Entertainment
Calendar through April 25
D.C. LGBT events, parties, concerts, meetings and more
‘CHAWbaret 10: Take a Chance on Me,’ a musical show dedicated to risk taking and gambling, runs on Saturday evening. Most of the cast members are LGBT. (Photo courtesy Megan Cheek)
Friday, April 19
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW) hosts a “silent lunch” in honor of Day of Silence today at noon. Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT harassment in schools and those who participate in the day take their vow of silence in hopes that their comrades will address the problem. The lunch provides a space for those who are participating and need a silent place for lunch. The Center will also be putting together a “Wall of Silence,” made of different quotes and pictures sent in from the community. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The Capital Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce honors exceptional business leaders in the area at the Mayflower Renaissance (1127 Connecticut Ave., NW) this evening at 6:30 p.m. The awards dinner was created to showcase the impact of LGBT business and community leaders in the Washington region. Tickets range from $175-$465. Visit caglcc.org for more information.
The Northern Virginia Jewish Film Festival screens the film “Life In Stills” by Tamar Tal tonight at 7:15 p.m. at the Angelika Film Center and Café (2911 District Avenue, Fairfax, Va.). The film tells the story of Miriam Weissenstein and her grandson Ben Peter as they try to defend their family’s Tel Aviv photo studio from demolition. Weissenstein’s late husband was the unofficial photographer for Israel and documented the country’s political and daily life from the 1930s until he died in 1992. Tickets for this particular screening is $11. Attendees can also buy a festival pass for $60. Visit jccnv.org for more information
Life In Stills trailer
The noon-time pipe organ series “Magical, Mystical, Musical Machine” resumes today at National City Christian Church after going on hiatus in November. The church had to provide restoration to its sanctuary and famed pipe organ as a result of the August 2011 earthquake. This concert will feature organist Kristine Adamaite and saxophonist Artis Semanis from Latvia. This performance is free. For more information, visit nationalcitycc.org.
Saturday, April 20
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today at Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation at Falls Church PetSmart (6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, Va.) starting at 11:45 a.m. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
The AFI Silver Silent Cinema Showcase (8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, Md.) begins today at 2 p.m. and features silent film actors Mary Pickford, Harold Lloyd, Janet Gaynor, Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy. Tonight’s showcase is “Sparrows,” with Pickford starring as the oldest girl of a group of orphans held as slaves in a “child farm” in a Southern swamp. Tickets for this screening are $7-$11.50. For more screenings and their tickets, visit afi.com.
Trailer for Mary Pickford in Sparrows
The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop presents “CHAWbaret 10: Take a Chance on Me,” an evening performance featuring pop songs, standards and show tunes that celebrate gambling, taking chances and the risks we face tonight at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 5 and 8 p.m. at CHAW (545 7th St., SE). The performance features members of the D.C. Cabaret Network, including Amy Conley, Tim Gavagan, Maris Wicker and Dean Reichard. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Visit chaw.org for more information.
Filmfest D.C. continues this evening with the screening of the “The Parade” at the Avalon Theatre (5612 Connecticut Ave., NW) at 4:30 p.m. The film follows a gay rights march organizer and the prejudiced former soldier he hires to provide security for one of the events. The film recently won the Panorama Audience Award at the Berlin International Film Festival. Tickets for this individual screening are $12. Following it is a screening of “Laurence Anyways” at Landmark E Street Cinema (555 11th St., NW) at 6 p.m. The film follows Laurence after he tells his girlfriend he wants to become a woman. Tickets are $12. Attendees of the festival can buy individual tickets at each location’s box office or may purchase the director’s package, which is 10 tickets for $95, or the weekday package, which is four tickets for $39. For show times, locations and more information about the films, visit filmfestdc.org.
Laurence Anyways trailer
Sunday, April 21
Special Agent Galactica hosts her show “Across the River!” at Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 S. 23rd St., Crystal City) from 7-9:30 p.m. tonight. The show begins in the era of gin and juke joints, Vaudeville and Sinatra, and ends with rock and pop acts. Admission is free. For more information, visit pinkharedone.com.
Monday, April 22
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., NW) holds coffee drop-in for the senior LGBT community today at 10 a.m.-noon. The Center will provide complimentary coffee and a community to chat with. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Bears do Yoga is this evening 6:30 p.m. as part of a series at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, NW). This is part of a basic yoga series that takes place every Monday and is open to people of varying body types and experience. There is no charge. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Tuesday, April 23
Capital Pride and the D.C. Center host “A Toast to Pride Happy Hour” at Lost Society (2001 14th St., NW) this evening at 6 p.m. The venue evokes an underground, Victorian atmosphere. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.) hosts its Safer Sex Kit-packing program tonight from 7-10:30. The packing program is looking for more volunteers to help produce the kits because they say they are barely keeping up with demand. Admission is free and volunteers can just show up. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Wednesday, April 24
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) holds its HIV+ Newly Diagnosed Support Group tonight at 7. It’s a confidential support group for anyone recently diagnosed with HIV and the group welcomes all genders and sexual orientations. Registration is required and attendees must call 202-797-3580 or email [email protected]. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
Thursday, April 25
Eight-time Grammy winner Gladys Knight brings her rich soulful voice to the Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, Md) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $58-$128. For details, visit strathmore.org.
Gladys Knight – Love Overboard
Martha Stewart gives a lecture on learning, teaching and inspiring others to do what they love and enjoy at the Smithsonian Craft Show today at 11 a.m. at the National Building Museum (401 F St., NW). This particular event is $50 to attend and has limited seating. The festival continues until Sunday at 5 p.m. General admission is $15, a two-day pass is $20 and special group rates are $10. For more information, visit smithsoniancraftshow.org.
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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