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.

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

















Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.

Friday, May 2
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.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].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. 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 3
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.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 4
“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 5
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & 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 6
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 7
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.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 8
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair 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 Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].
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