Arts & Entertainment
Calendar through June 27
Events, parties, concerts and more for the end of Pride month

Local gay singer/songwriter Tom Goss is shooting a video for his song “Bears” on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Town (2009 8th Street NW). Everyone who doesn’t mind being filmed is invited to attend. (Photo by Michael Key; courtesy Tom Goss Music)
Friday, June 21
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour tonight from 6-11 p.m. There is no cover charge and admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For details, visit towndc.com.
Aaron Meyers and the Black Fox Lounge Jazz Ensemble perform tonight at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. The event is a fundraiser to benefit the Lupus Foundation of America. Cover is $10. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com.
The Silver Spring Library (8901 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, Md.) hosts a Latino LGBT Pride exhibit presented by the Latino GLBT History Project today from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The exhibit chronicles 20 years of Latino LGBT activism and will run through June 30. Visit latinoglbthistory.org for more information.
The Savoy Suites Hotel (2505 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) hosts a Brazilian live music show tonight from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Local singer and lyricist Cissa Paz will perform tracks from her debut album. For more details, visit cissapaz.com.
Saturday, June 22
DJ Brett Henrichsen spins tonight at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.). In his first five years, Henrichsen has become an international sensation who headlines major circuit events from Ibiza to Sao Paolo. Doors open at 10 p.m., with $3 drinks served until 11. Admission is limited to guests 21 and over, and is $8 from 10-11 and $12 after 11. For details, visit towndc.com.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts “Bearracuda,” the highest attended bear dance party in the U.S., tonight from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. “Bearracuda” is held in 37 countries worldwide, with regular parties in San Francisco, Seattle and Portland, and frequent events in Sydney and Amsterdam. Admission is $7 before 10 p.m. and $10 for the rest of the night. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
Phase 1 (525 8th St. S.E.) hosts a “Stop Light Party” tonight at 9 p.m. Guests will be given bracelets at the door, with red meaning they are “taken,” yellow meaning they are “down for whatever” and green meaning they are “single.” Admission is $5 and limited to guests 21 and over. Visit phase1dc.com for more details.
Thirty local artists will display their work at the Easels in Frederick Grand Exhibition today from 1-6 p.m. at the Talley Recreation Center (121 North Bentz St., Frederick, Md.). Each artist’s work captures the beauty of Frederick County’s charming towns and mountainous landscapes. Admission is free. For more information, visit easelsinfrederick.org.
Sunday, June 23
The Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) hosts karaoke tonight from 9 p.m.-midnight. Cover is $3, and there will also be pool, video gaming systems and cards. For more information, visit bachelorsmill.com.
Perry’s (1811 Columbia Rd., N.W.) hosts its weekly Sunday Drag Brunch today from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $24.95 for an all-you-can-eat buffet. For details, visit perrysadamsmorgan.com.
Special Agent Galactica performs tonight at Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 23 St., Arlington, V.A.) at 7 p.m. Cover is $5. For more information, visit pinkhairedone.com.
Monday, June 24
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Monday’s a Total Drag [Show]” party tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. An episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race screens at 9, and then a live drag show will be featured. Admission is 18+ and free. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts coffee drop-in hours this morning from 10 a.m.-noon for the senior LGBT community. Older LGBT adults can come and enjoy complimentary coffee and conversation with other community members. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Tuesday, June 25
Paolo’s Restaurant (1303 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) hosts an opening reception with local artists Leslie Nolan and Linda Bankerd for their exhibit, “Bravissimo,” from 6-8 p.m. tonight. Both artists have innovative, abstract styles that heavily use bold colors. For more information, visit leslienolan.com.
The Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) hosts its weekly FUK!T Packing Party tonight from 7-9 p.m. For more details, visit thedccenter.org or greenlanterndc.com.
D.C. Eagle (639 New York Ave., N.W.) hosts “$2 Tuesday” tonight from 4 p.m.-midnight this evening for the leather community. All domestic beer and rail drinks are $2. For details, visit dceagle.com.
Wednesday, June 26
Heist (1802 Jefferson Pl., N.W.) hosts its weekly open bar party tonight from 10-11 p.m. There is no cover charge and admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For details, visit heistdc.com or the Heist DC Facebook page.
The Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) hosts drag bingo during happy hour tonight from 5-7:30 p.m. All drinks are half price, and there will also be pool, video gaming systems and cards. Admission is free. For details, visit bachelorsmill.com.
The Connecting Rainbows Initiative provides an “LGBTQA Youth in Care Summit” today at the Washington Convention Center (801 Mt. Vernon Pl., N.W.). Activities include workshops for LGBT youth, families and professionals. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the summit ends at 5 p.m. Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for duplicate bridge. Newcomers are welcome and reservations are not necessary. Call 703-407-6540 for more details.
Thursday, June 27
MOVA Lounge (2204 14th St., N.W.) hosts “GLBT College Night” this evening, with a vodka open bar for guests who have a college ID from 9-10 p.m. Admission is free and 18 and up. Visit movalounge.com for more details.
The D.C. Black Theatre Festival is tonight from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Star Arts Center (1700 Kalorama Rd., N.W.). This year, the Brave Soul Collective presents, “Subject to Change,” a series of theatrical pieces that tackle issues of sex, work, relationships and family in the black community. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV) meet tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. at the D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.). The organization works to reduce violence toward LGBT people through community outreach, education and monitoring legal cases to ensure the dignity of LGBT victims. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
The Lambda Sci-Fi Book Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at 1425 S St., N.W. to discuss “Among Others,” by Jo Walton. Guests are encouraged to bring a snack and non-alcoholic drink to share. For more information, call 202-483-6369 or visit lambdascifi.org.
Whitman Walker Health provides four hours of free HIV testing today for National HIV Testing Day at Walgreens (1217 22nd St., N.W.) from 3-7 p.m. Visit whitman-walker.org for more details.
Local gay singer/songwriter Tom Goss is shooting a video for his song “Bears” tonight at 7 p.m. at Town (2009 8th Street NW). Local bears who don’t mind being filmed are invited to attend.
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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