Living
Take me out to the ball game
Thousands expected for Gay Softball World Series


Thousands are expected to come to the D.C. area for the Gay Softball World Series. (Photo by Bigstock)
The annual Gay Softball World Series, organized by the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance, is returning to D.C. after 10 years and is expected to be the biggest tournament the organization has ever hosted. The opening ceremonies begin Monday with the tournament to be held Tuesday through Saturday.
“We have over 156 teams confirmed and it will be the largest World Series ever,” says Wayne Williams, co-director of this year’s tournament. “We’ve had tremendous support from the LGBT community and the city itself. The city’s been our partner from the beginning.”
Gay softball teams from all over the U.S. and Canada participate in the Alliance’s Gay Softball World Series each year. The games are free to attend and this year’s expected turnout is between 3,500-4,000 spectators and participants. The Alliance is technically a co-ed organization, but the majority of its teams are all male.
Teams compete in five different divisions, including A, B, C, D and Masters, which is reserved for players 50 and older. Many local Alliance leagues have tournaments to decide which teams will go to the World Series and which division they will compete in.
“The age range varies. You have to be 18 and over to play, and there is no upper age limit,” Williams says. “The Master’s division has been growing each year because a lot of the players are aging.”
Games will be held in a variety of locations outside the city including Watkins Regional Park (301 Watkins Park Dr., Upper Marlboro, Md.), Braddock Park (13241 Braddock Rd., Clinton, Va.), Fairland Regional Park (13950 Old Gunpowder Rd., Laurel, Md.) and Bachman Sports Complex (570 East Ordnance Rd., Glen Burnie, Md.). The exact game times and who will be playing who are still to be announced. The Alliance will not provide buses or vans to the fields for teams or spectators.
“We don’t provide transportation to and from the fields,” Williams says. “We do have an arrangement with the National Car Rental company. They provide discounts for car rentals, so we will connect our players with that service.”
Although the games are free to watch, the Alliance does raise money each year for charity from the teams that pay to compete in the World Series and the week’s social events. The beneficiaries are usually LGBT organizations. This year’s are the You Can Play Project (an LGBT organization that combats discrimination in athletics), Team D.C. and the Team D.C. Student-Athlete Scholarship Fund, the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation (anti-bullying) and PETS-Washington, D.C. (provides care for pets owned by those living with HIV/AIDS). The Alliance is a registered non-profit with a charitable mission.
“Softball is an opportunity for players to come together as a group and organize activities in that regard, to represent the best of gay softball,” Williams says. “We designate local and national charities for this, so it’s an opportunity to give back.”
The week’s social events include daily afternoon pool parties, Night OUT at the Nationals hosted by Team D.C., an Alliance talent show and a “GrandSlam” after party at Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) on Saturday night. Many of the players and spectators enjoy the sense of community that is a part of each year’s tournament.
“I absolutely love the gay softball community,” says Tony Mase, shortstop for Washington-based team Capital Punishment. “There’s just something about the camaraderie among the teams that play in the league that you don’t get playing in other leagues outside of that community. For instance, our teams play in a straight league on Friday nights, and it’s not that bad to play in it, but it’s just not as fun and outgoing as it is in the LGBT league.”
This year’s World Series will demonstrate the cohesion among D.C.’s gay softball community. Six D.C. teams are competing, which is more than ever before. Ed Vincent, the coach of the Logan Tavern team and co-director for the tournament, describes the World Series as important.
“[The Alliance] provides this opportunity as kind of a safe haven for the LGBT community to play in an organized league setting,” Vincent says. “It’s really important that the players feel comfortable and secure to play in a league where they can compete at all levels, whether it’s the A division that’s the best or the B division that’s more recreational.”
“The tournament really allows the softball players to be role models for LGBT youth and other LGBT people out there. There’s a way to get involved and a way to form an association and a network of friends. It’s almost like a family,” Williams says. “A lot of these people really know each other. It’s a way to help people come out, or feel more comfortable with the coming out process.”
For more information on the 2013 Gay Softball World Series, visit DCseries2013.com.
Events:
MONDAY
Opening Ceremonies are from 6-10 p.m. at Fairgrounds D.C. (1299 Half St., S.E.), and the Opening Ceremonies After-Party is from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at Ziegfeld’s Secrets (1824 Half St., S.E.). A complimentary shuttle-bus service will loop from Fairgrounds to the after-party at 9, and will drop guests off at the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro Station until 11.
TUESDAY
The tournament kicks off at 7:50 a.m. at the various fields and the day’s games finish at 5 p.m.
An afternoon pool party for players will be held at Penthouse Pool at VIDA Fitness (1612 U St., N.W.) from noon-6 p.m.
Team D.C. hosts Night OUT at the Nationals at Nationals Park (1500 South Capitol St., S.E.) for tournament contestants. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with $5 beer in the Night OUT section until first pitch at 7:05 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Tournament games will be held from 7:50 a.m.-8 p.m. at the various fields, with an afternoon pool party at VIDA Fitness (1612 U St., N.W.) from noon-6 p.m.
Sequioa Restaurant (3000 K St., N.W.) hosts a “Hall of Fame Reception and Dinner” from 7:30-10:30 p.m.
THURSDAY
Tournament games will be held from 7:50 a.m.-6 p.m. at the various fields, with an afternoon pool party from noon-6 p.m. at VIDA Fitness (1612 U St., N.W.).
The Renaissance Hotel Grand Ballroom hosts an Association talent show from 8-11 p.m, with performances by players, coaches and directors. Shi-Queeta-Lee and Bubba D. Licious will be emceeing the event. Admission is $5. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit nagaaatalentshow.eventbrite.com.
FRIDAY
Tournament games will be held from 7:50 a.m.-6 p.m. at the various fields, with an afternoon pool party from noon-6 p.m. at VIDA Fitness (1612 U St., N.W.).
SATURDAY
The NAGAAA Softball Championships will be held from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Fairland Regional Park and Watkins Regional Park, with a closing street party and awards ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel’s 8th St. Plaza (999 9th St., N.W.).
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts the GrandSlam Closing Dance Party from 10 p.m.-3 a.m., with free admission for those with World Series wristbands from 10-11 p.m, and $8 after 11.
Real Estate
April showers bring May flowers in life — and in real estate
Third time’s the charm for buyer plagued with problems

Working in the real estate sector in D.C. can be as uniquely “D.C.” as the residents feel about their own city. On any given day, someone could be selling a home that their grandmother bought, passed on to the relatives, and the transfer of generational wealth continues. In that same transaction, the beginning steps of building of generational wealth could be taking place.
Across town, an international buyer could be looking for a condo with very specific characteristics that remind them of the way things are “back home.” Maybe they want to live in a building with a pool because they grew up by the sea. Maybe they want a large kitchen so they can cook grandma’s recipes. Maybe they will be on MSNBC once a month and need to have a home office fit for those Zoom sessions where they will be live on air, or recording their podcast. Perhaps they play the saxophone and want a building with thick walls so they can make a joyful noise without causing their neighbors to file a cease-and-desist order.
What I found fascinating was getting to know my buyers. Why were they purchasing their property? What did they want to do with it? Was this their grandmother’s dream that they would have a place of their own someday? Did they finally think they would write that award-winning play in the home office? What dreams were going to be fulfilled while taking part in this transaction?
Somedays, the muck and paperwork slog of navigating home inspection items and financing checklists could get to be distracting at best, and almost downright disheartening at worst.
One of my clients was under contract on THREE places before we finally closed on a home. One building was discovered to have financing issues, and the residents were not keeping up with their condo fees. Another building had an issue with the title to the unit, which meant the seller could not sell the home for at least another year until that legal snag was resolved. As the months rolled by, she was losing heart and feeling defeated. When we finally found the third home, everything seemed great – and then about two weeks before the settlement, the rains came down and the windows leaked into the bedrooms.
Another delay. (Our THIRD). This time, for several more weeks.
I think she wanted to pack a suitcase, go to the airport, get on a plane somewhere and never come back. What ultimately happened? The building repaired the windows, the seller’s insurance replaced the hardwood floors, and she bought her first condo, which she still enjoys to this day.
As Dolly Parton says, “If you want the rainbow, you’ve got to put up with a little rain.” And finally, after months of looking, waiting, and overcoming obstacles, the rainbow peeked out from behind the clouds.
Joseph Hudson is a referral agent with Metro Referrals. He can be reached at 703-587-0597 or [email protected].
Autos
Sporty sedans: BMW 530i xDrive, Mercedes AMG CLA 3
Tariffs are here and the result is financial chaos

It’s official: Tariffs are here, and the result is financial chaos.
So, what to do when purchasing a new vehicle? If you need one in the not-so-distant future, buy sooner (like yesterday) rather than later. Expect prices to rise quickly, as inventory dwindles, demand soars, and automaker incentives evaporate. Of course, if a new ride isn’t a priority for at least a year or three, then hold off until the dust settles.
But for those of you looking for new wheels now, I recently drove two sport sedans that were a pleasant reprieve from the usual plethora of pickups, minivans, and SUVs.
BMW 530i xDRIVE
$63,000
MPG: 28 city/35 highway
0 to 60 mph: 5.5 seconds
Cargo space: 18.4 cu. ft.
PROS: Rakish looks. Race-car vibe. Rock-star amenities.
CONS: Rad-but-quirky infotainment system. Rich price.
IN A NUTSHELL: Classic good looks, from the iconic grille and swept-back headlights to chiseled side panels and a tasteful tush. For a gearhead like me, the BMW 530i xDrive — completely redesigned last year — is as rapturous as Michelangelo’s David. Everything here is in proportion, from the design to the drivetrain, which — along with a gutsy 255-hp turbo and all-wheel drive — helps deliver a divine experience behind the wheel. Even better, my test car came equipped with the heavenly M-Sport Package: 21-inch wheels, athletic suspension, and assorted styling upgrades.
A tech-laden cabin is outfitted with a sparkly 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. With the windshield head-up display and a slew of knobs and toggle switches in the center console and on the steering wheel, I wondered if this is how it feels to pilot the Space Shuttle. There is even a back-lit interaction bar with touch-sensitive controls to adjust vent direction and other climate control settings.
All this gadgetry takes some getting used to, but the overall effect is dazzling. While a 12-speaker Harman Kardon stereo comes standard, I was jammin’ to the 16-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio. Of course, such options add up quickly (on my test car, the extras totaled $13,000).
Just how fun is this car? In my favorite episode of “Hacks,” sassy Jean Smart drives a rockin’ Rolls Royce Wraith. Trust me, this four-door BMW is every bit the badass as that $300,000 super coupe.
MERCEDES AMG CLA 35

$58,000
MPG: 22 city/29 highway
0 to 60 mph: 4.8 seconds
Cargo space: 11.6 cu. ft.
PROS: Slick styling. Spiffy cabin. Sublime seats.
CONS: Smallish trunk. So-so rear headroom and legroom.
IN A NUTSHELL: Need a smaller sedan that’s just as marvy as the midsize BMW i530? Look no further than the compact Mercedes CLA-Class, which is 14 inches shorter. That’s a benefit when jockeying for parking or navigating rush hour.
Another plus: This is Mercedes’s least expensive sedan, available in three trim levels. All come with the same potent turbo but in varying power levels. The base model starts at $46,000, but I tested the first of two high-performance versions: the AMG CLA 35, which costs $12,000 more. You can open your wallet even further to snag the $67,000 AMG CLA 45.
But why bother? The AMG CLA 35 is plenty quick — faster than the BMW i530 — and boasts sport-tuned brakes, deft handling and a gritty-sounding exhaust system. The laundry list of standard features includes all-wheel drive, automated parking, gobs of the latest safety gizmos and even something called “safe-exit assist,” which prevents passengers from opening a door into traffic or speeding cyclists.
The interior is pure Mercedes, with top-notch materials, customizable ambient lighting and Burmester surround-sound audio. The overall layout—sleek and modern, but with elegant stitching in the seats and on the door panels and dashboard—is comfortable and user-friendly. Digital displays and touchscreens are similar to what’s in the BMW i530, just smaller.
Size matters, of course, which is why this vehicle’s shorter length can be a blessing but also a curse, especially when trying to squeeze passengers with longer legs into the backseats. And the dramatically sloped roofline, attractive from the outside, limits the amount of rear headroom and cargo space. Thank the automotive gods for panoramic sunroofs, which—at least for anyone in the front seats—makes this cabin feel surprisingly spacious.
Real Estate
Spring updates to sell your home for pride and profit
Consider new landscaping, power washing, creative staging

Selling a home is a big deal for anyone, but for members of the LGBTQ+ community, it comes with unique considerations—from finding affirming professionals to ensuring your home is represented in a way that reflects your values. Whether you’re a first-time gay home seller or a seasoned LGBTQ+ homeowner looking to move up, maximizing your home’s value is key to a successful and empowering sale.
Here’s how to prepare your home, your mindset, and your real estate strategy to get the most value—financially and emotionally—from your home sale.
1. Start with an LGBTQ+-Friendly Real Estate Agent
Before diving into renovations or staging, make sure your agent truly understands your needs. A gay-friendly or LGBTQ+-affirming real estate agent brings more than just market expertise—they bring cultural competence, safety awareness, and a network that supports you throughout the selling process.
At GayRealEstate.com, you can find experienced, vetted LGBTQ+ real estate agents who have been proudly serving the community for over 30 years. Working with someone who shares or supports your identity ensures your selling journey is respectful, inclusive, and effective.
2. Enhance Curb Appeal—With a Welcoming Vibe
The outside of your home is the first impression a potential buyer gets. Make it count—especially for LGBTQ+ buyers looking for a home that feels safe and welcoming.
- Fresh landscaping: Add colorful flowers, neatly trimmed shrubs, or low-maintenance greenery to appeal to eco-conscious buyers.
- Update the entrance: A new front door, stylish lighting, or even a rainbow doormat can make your home feel like a safe space from the start.
- Clean and repair: Power wash the exterior, touch up paint, and make any necessary repairs to gutters, windows, or siding.
3. Stage with Intention and Inclusivity
Home staging can add thousands to your sale price. But beyond the usual decluttering and neutral palettes, think about how your space tells a story—and who it’s telling it to.
- Create a warm, inclusive feel: Subtle touches like LGBTQ+ art, books, or even coffee table magazines can show off your personality and affirm the space for queer buyers.
- Depersonalize—but don’t erase: You don’t need to hide your identity to appeal to buyers. Let your home feel lived in and loved—while still being a blank canvas others can imagine themselves in.
- Highlight multi-use areas: Home offices, gender-neutral nurseries, or flex spaces resonate with LGBTQ+ families and professionals.
4. Update Kitchens and Bathrooms Strategically
These rooms matter most to buyers—and even small updates can yield big returns.
- Kitchen: New cabinet hardware, a fresh backsplash, and modern lighting can elevate the entire room without a full remodel.
- Bathroom: Replace old fixtures, re-caulk tubs and sinks, and add plush towels and inclusive décor.
- Energy-efficient upgrades: Touchless faucets, smart appliances, or low-flow toilets are not only trendy—they signal sustainability, which matters to LGBTQ+ buyers.
5. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
LGBTQ+ homebuyers often prioritize sustainability. These updates not only reduce energy bills but make your home more marketable.
- Install a smart thermostat (like Nest or Ecobee)
- Upgrade insulation or windows
- Consider solar panels (especially in sun-drenched regions like California or Florida)
Bonus: You may qualify for state or federal tax credits, which can be a great selling point.
6. Know and Advocate for LGBTQ+ Housing Rights
Although housing discrimination is illegal under the Fair Housing Act, it still happens. As an LGBTQ+ seller, be aware of your rights—and those of potential buyers.
- Avoid steering or bias: Even with good intentions, make sure you’re not inadvertently influencing who views or buys your home based on identity.
- Work with affirming professionals: From inspectors to lenders, choose partners who support inclusive practices.
- Report discrimination: If you or a buyer encounters bias, report it to HUD or your local housing authority.
7. Price Your Home Right—and Market It Smartly
Setting the right price is essential to maximizing value. Your LGBTQ+-friendly agent can run a comparative market analysis, considering current trends and buyer demographics.
- Leverage LGBTQ+ real estate networks: Promote your home through platforms like GayRealEstate.com to reach an audience that understands and values your space.
- Use inclusive language in listings: Avoid gendered terms or heteronormative assumptions. Instead of “his and hers closets,” use “dual walk-ins” or “double closets.”
- High-quality photos and video tours: Showcase your home with professional, visually inclusive marketing that appeals to diverse buyers.
8. Consider Timing and Local LGBTQ+ Trends
Selling during WorldPride or just before local LGBTQ+ events may boost visibility. Also consider if you’re in or near an LGBTQ+ friendly city or neighborhood.
Not sure which areas are top destinations? GayRelocation.com tracks and shares the best cities for LGBTQ+ homebuyers, helping you tap into motivated buyers.
Final Thought: Sell with Confidence—and Community
Selling your home isn’t just about getting top dollar—it’s about closing a chapter with pride and integrity. When you center your values, work with LGBTQ+ affirming experts, and prepare your home with purpose, you’re not just maximizing your home’s value—you’re creating an empowering experience for yourself and the next owner.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or both—GayRealEstate.com is your trusted partner in every step of your journey. With a nationwide network of gay and lesbian realtors, decades of experience, and deep community ties, we ensure your home transition is safe, smart, and full of pride.
GayRealEstate.com is the nation’s leading online platform connecting LGBTQ+ home buyers and sellers with LGBTQ+ friendly real estate agents, ensuring a safe and supportive experience.
Scott Helms is president of GayRealEstate.com. To find an agent or learn more, visit GayRealEstate.com, GayRelocation.com or call 1-888-420-MOVE.
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