Arts & Entertainment
Calendar through July 4
Find out everything happening in the District from this weekend through July 4
‘Blue Bouquet Series #1’ by Mary D. Ott at the Touchstone Gallery. (Image courtesy of Touchstone Gallery)
Friday, June 28
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.
Special Agent Galactica performs tonight at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 6-9 p.m. Admission is free, and there will be an extended happy hour. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com or pinkhairedone.com.
Delta Elite (10 St., N.E.) hosts ladies night this evening from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. For more details, visit deltaelite.net.
“Some Like It Hot,” starring Marilyn Monroe, screens tonight at the historic Heurich House Museum (1307 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.) at 8 p.m. Admission is free, and guests are encouraged to bring a blanket. For more information, visit goldentriangledc.com.
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 information.
Saturday, June 29
Phase 1 of Dupont (1415 22nd St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Booty Beach Ladies Dance Party.” The winner of the party’s bikini and board shorts contest will receive cash and prizes. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and admission is $5. Visit phase1dc.com for more information.
The 9:30 (815 V St., N.W.) Club hosts “1958,” a dance party featuring the music and videos of Madonna, Michael Jackson and Prince, at 9 p.m. DJ Dredd spins, and he came up with the theme to commemorate the year all three pop icons were born. Admission is $15. For details and to purchase tickets, visit 930.com.
The Mayor’s Office of GLBT Affairs and Friends present “LGBTQ Youth Kickball” in Field Eight at West Potomac Park (West Basin Dr., S.W.) at 1 p.m. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) hosts “Hellmouth Happy Hour” tonight at 7 p.m. One episode of the gay cult classic television show, “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” screens and a drink special will be served. Admission is free. Visit blackcatdc.com for details.
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 information.
Sunday, June 30
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.
The Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) presents “Tula’s Cabaret” this evening form 8-11 p.m. Admission is free. For more details, visit backfoxlounge.com.
The DC Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts a transgender discussion group tonight from 7-8 p.m. Visit thedccenter.org for more information.
Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Guil-Tea Dance Party” today from 3-8 p.m. DJ Shea Van Horn spins pop guilty pleasures all afternoon. Admission is free and limited to guests 21 and over. For more details, visit nelliessportsbar.com.
Monday, July 1
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 DC Center (1318 U St., N.W.) hosts coffee drop-in hours this morning from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. 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.
The DC Center (1318 U St., N.W.) has a volunteer night this evening from 7:30-9:30 p.m. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
Tuesday, July 2
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.
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts happy hour this from 4-9 p.m. this evening. There is no cover, and $1 rail drinks will be served. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
Finn and Porter (900 10th St., N.W.) hosts speed dating for LGBT women tonight from 7-9 p.m. Admission is $30. For more details and to register online, visit thedccenter.org.
DC 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.
The Mova Lounge (2204 14th St., N.W.) screens Will & Grace reruns tonight from 5 p.m.-3 a.m. Half-priced “Karen Walker Martinis” and “Just Jack Cocktails” will be served. There is no cover. For more information, visit movalounge.com.
Wednesday, July 3
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.
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.
Spoken word poet, Regie Cabico, performs tonight at the Black Fox Lounge (1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 7:30-9 p.m. Admission is $5. For more information, visit blackfoxlounge.com.
The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at the Dignity Center (721 8th St. N.W.) for Duplicate Bridge at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Visit thedccenter.org for more details.
The Dupont Drawing Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at The Church of the Pilgrims (2201 P St., N.W.) to draw from the live model. The session is self-directed with no formal instruction, and no materials are provided. Drawing spots and easels are available on a first come first serve basis, so guests should arrive anytime after 6:45. No reservations are required, and a modest fee to pay the model will be collected. For more information, visit paulreuther.com.
The Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave, N.W.) hosts a preview today from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. of two new exhibits, “Geometrics” by photographer Pete McCutchen and “Hot Off the Press” by monotype artist Mary D. Ott. Visit touchstonegallery.com for more information.
Thursday, July 4
Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) hosts a “Nice Jewish Boys Pageant” tonight from 7:30-9:30 p.m. The final contestant will win the title of “Nicest Jewish Boy in Washington, D.C.” Admission is free, and drink specials will be served for guests 21 and over. For details, visit cobaltdc.com.
The 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+. Visit movalounge.com for more details.
Brightest Young Things host a 4th of July Pool Party today at the Capitol Skyline Hotel (10 I St., N.W.) from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission is $15 and open to all ages. For details and to purchase tickets, visit brightestyoungthings.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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