Arts & Entertainment
Black Pride schedule and more
Everything from workshops to parties to R&B legend Brandy packed into this weekend
So much to do this weekend during D.C.’s annual Black Pride festival. (Washington Blade file photo by Pete Exis)
There are several events occurring this Memorial Day. D.C. Black Pride is the official planning organizing agency but several other groups also have parties and activities planned for black LGBT people and allies.
D.C. Black Pride Official Events
Host hotel: Hyatt Regency Washington
(400 New Jersey Ave., NW)
FRIDAY
Whitman-Walker Health (1701 14th St., NW) hosts the Washington, DC HIPAA launch event “Information is Powerful Medicine” beginning at 10 a.m.
The opening reception and community awards presentation at the Hyatt Regency Washington (400 New Jersey Ave., NW) starts at 6 p.m.
At the same time, D.C. Concerned Providers host an LGBT Prom at Metropolitan Community Church (474 Ridge St., NW). This event is for ages 16-21 and it is free. The evening will include food, HIV testing, raffles, photographer, vogue and a runway competition and a Prom King and Queen.
RainbowConnects hosts speed dating at the host hotel, Hyatt Regency Washington (400 New Jersey Ave., NW) at 7:30 p.m. Donations will be collected to support the D.C. Center.
SATURDAY
A community town hall meeting on the topic “Are We Prepared to Address Homophobia in the Black Church,” begins at 11 a.m. at the host hotel in Congressional A room. The town hall will be facilitated by Rev. Larry Burks and will discuss the impact of homophobia on LGBT attendees at black churches.
There will be several workshops held in the host hotel in different rooms starting at noon, including “Transgender Awareness 101: Like Sands Through the Hourglass, the Days of the Trans Life,” “PReParing for an End: A Prevention Plan to End New HIV infections in Black Gay Communities,” “Old School vs. New School: An Intergenerational Discussion,” “Protected and Served: The LGBT Communities’ Attitudes & Experiences with Police,” “TransENDing Boudaries,” “ManDate: The Construction of Black Manhood and Masculinity” and “Women’s Inter-Generational Salon.” To see the full description of these events and locations, visit dcblackpride.org.
The D.C. Black Pride Film Festival begins at 1 p.m. at the host hotel. The films featured include “Friend of Essex,” “Pariah,” “Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom,” “God Loves Uganda” and “You Are Not Alone.”
A Post Happy Hour sponsored by Barefoot Bubbly Wines starts at 5 p.m. at the Thurgood Marshall Center (1816 12th St., NW).
The D.C. Black Pride Poetry Slam hosted by ButtaflySoul begins at 7 p.m. at the host hotel and admission is $10. Performers will enter a contest that has three different cash prizes, with first place also receiving an appearance on stage at the Health & Wellness Festival.
SUNDAY
An interfaith service is provided at the host hotel at 9 a.m.
The Health & Wellness Festival begins at noon at the Francis-Stevens Educational Campus (2425 N St., NW).
For more information on official D.C. Black Pride events, visit dcblackpride.org.
Events from other groups include:
FRIDAY
MOVA Lounge (2204 14th St., NW) hosts the Genesis III Happy Hour as a pre 5000 Men Pride Mega Party at 5 p.m.. This is open to the public with a live DJ and a light buffet with two complimentary drinks per pass holder. Cover is $35.
The annual 5000 Men Pride Mega Party starts at 9 p.m. at the Ibiza Nightclub (1222 1st St., NE). This is a favorite Friday celebration and costs $40.
SATURDAY
The Tropical Heat Beach Mega Party starts at 2 p.m. at the Heron Shelter at Sandy Point Beach of Sandy Point State Park (1100 East College Parkway, Annapolis). The day includes a $300 hot body contest, music, free food, an open bar from 2-4 p.m. for pass holders and sexy dancers. Cover charge is $40.
The main event of Pride starts at 9 p.m. featuring R&B singer Brandy at Love (1350 Okie St., NE). There are expected to be 10,000 men in attendance. VIP cover is $60.
R&B singer Brandy plays Love on Saturday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmOvILJAYK8
SUNDAY
When the party ends at 5 a.m., Pride will host a Red Eye Breakfast Club at a venue that will be announced. Cost will be $20.
Pride hosts the Annual Wet & Sexy Unity Mega Pool Party Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Accokeek Mansion. The day includes a live DJ, free food, a ticket bar, sexy dancers and rated X entertainment. Cost is $35.
Fur Nightclub (33 Patterson St., NE) hosts the Men In White event which features a surprise celebrity performance. Cover is $30.
Muse (717 6th St., NW) hosts a “sizzling hot Sunday party” featuring multiple levels and 2 DJs at 11 a.m. This is a promotional partner’s event, so it is not covered by event passes.
MONDAY
The annual Us Helping Us Picnic at Fort Dupont Park (3600 F St., SE) starts at noon. There will be free food and beverages for pass holders at the Omega tent.
The Layla Lounge (501 Morse St., NE) hosts Apocalypse Chapter III starting at 9 p.m. Cover is $15.
Participants can pay for these events individually or they can pay $99 for an event pass that has the value of $330. For more information, visit omegapartydc.com.
Sports
Jason Collins dies at 47
First openly gay man to actively play for major sports team battled brain cancer
Jason Collins, the first openly gay man to actively play for a major professional sports team, died on Tuesday after a battle with brain cancer. He was 47.
The California native had briefly played for the Washington Wizards in 2013 before coming out in a Sports Illustrated op-ed.
Collins in 2014 became the first openly gay man to play in a game for a major American professional sports league when he played 11 minutes during a Brooklyn Nets game. He wore jersey number 98 in honor of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student murdered outside of Laramie, Wyo., in 1998.
Collins told the Washington Blade in 2014 that his life was “exponentially better” since he came out. Collins the same year retired from the National Basketball Association after 13 seasons.
Collins married his husband, Brunson Green, in May 2025.
The NBA last September announced Collins had begun treatment for a brain tumor. Collins on Dec. 11, 2025, announced he had Stage 4 glioblastoma.
“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” said Collins’s family in a statement the NBA released. “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Collins’s “impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA, and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations.”
“He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador,” said Silver. “Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.”
“To call Jason Collins a groundbreaking figure for our community is simply inadequate. We truly lost a giant today,” added Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson in a statement. “He came out as gay — while still playing — at a time when men’s athletes simply did not do that. But as he powerfully demonstrated in his final years in the league and his post-NBA career, stepping forward as he did boldly changed the conversation.”
“He was and will always be a legend for the LGBTQ+ community, and we are heartbroken to hear of his passing at the young age of 47,” she said. “Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones. We will keep fighting on in his honor until the day everyone can be who they are on their terms.”
Glitterati Productions held the “Studio 69” party at Bunker on Friday, May 8.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Arts & Entertainment
Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns June 13 to kick off D.C. Pride week
Pride on the Pier officially launches Pride Week in D.C.
The Washington Blade’s annual Pride on the Pier celebration returns to The Wharf on Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 4-9 p.m., bringing thousands of LGBTQ community members and allies together for an unforgettable waterfront celebration to kick off Pride week in Washington, D.C.
Now in its eighth year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.
“Pride on the Pier has become one of the signature moments of Pride in D.C.,” said Lynne Brown, publisher of the Washington Blade. “There’s nothing like watching our community come together on the waterfront with live music and incredible energy as we kick off Pride week.”
Pride on the Pier is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for exclusive pier access to the Dockmaster Building. To purchase VIP tickets visit www.prideonthepierdc.com/vip.
Additional entertainment announcements, sponsor activations, and event details will be released in the coming weeks.
Event Details:
📍 Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq SW, Washington, DC)
📅 Dates: Friday, 13, 2026
⏱️ 4-9PM
🎟️ VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP
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