Arts & Entertainment
Triangles traction
Gay soccer group in midst of busy season
The Federal Triangles Soccer Club is one of several teams in the D.C. LGBT sports community. (Washington Blade file photo by Pete Exis)
One of the teams in the LGBT sports community of Washington that always seem to have a full lineup of playing opportunities are the Federal Triangles Soccer Club (federaltriangles.org).
It’s currently in the middle of another season of the Summer of Freedom League, the only LGBT soccer league in the D.C. area. The League brings together men and women players from their upper and lower division club leagues, pickup players, new players and their straight allies.
The League utilizes a nine-on-nine coed format with a minimum of three women on the field at all times. The majority of the games are played on a turf field at the Columbia Heights Educational Campus on Tuesday nights.
One of the mainstays of the Triangles is its weekly pickup games which are now being run on Sunday mornings from 9-11 a.m. near the MLK Memorial in West Potomac Park. Recently, the players gathered on a Saturday morning to patch holes in the field with dirt provided by the National Park Service.
This year, the Triangles are also providing Friday Night Lights Pickup games once per month (usually the last Friday) during the warmer months. The games are played at Bundy Field at 429 O Street and the event is free for members and $5 for non-members.
Another pillar of the Triangles schedule is the FTSC Academy which was launched in 2006 and serves as the educational arm that serves to help players improve their soccer skills.
“We have been offering three clinics per year,” says Jim Ensor, club trainer. “This fall the clinic will also serve as a tune-up for the women’s fall season. Following that is the clinic which coincides with our Turkey Bowl.”
The Turkey Bowl is the Triangles’ annual Thanksgiving party and is a one-day coed soccer tournament on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. It’s a casual day of soccer and players of all skill levels are welcome.
The Triangles also host two competitive tournaments: the Women’s Winter Wrap-Up Indoor Cup and the Rehoboth Beach Classic. The Women’s Wrap Up is held annually in March and registration has just opened for the Rehoboth Beach Classic, which is coed and will be held from Aug. 30-Sept. 1.
Registration for the Rehoboth event is individual and players are selected into squads of six or seven players that stay together throughout the tournament and are paired with different squads to form a complete 12-14 person team for each game. The format is 11 versus 11 on grass fields and the rotating squad format enables the players to spend time on the field with the entire roster of players before the end of the tournament.
“Next year we will be sending teams to the Gay Games in Cleveland and we are always looking to welcome new players,” Ensor says. “Our lineup of activities allows us to come in contact with a diverse base of players.”
Coming up after the Rehoboth Tournament, the Triangles will be co-hosting the United Night Out on Sept. 15 as the D.C. United take on the L.A. Galaxy at RFK Stadium. The annual event is a great opportunity for the LGBT community to experience a professional soccer match in a safe and welcoming environment.
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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