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‘A day to be yourself’

Capital TransPride plans day-long event Saturday

Published

12 years ago

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Trans Pride, gay news, Washington Blade
Trans Pride, gay news, Washington Blade

A previous year’s Trans Pride (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

It may still be May but Pride season is in full swing. This weekend Capital TransPride is in the spotlight with its eighth annual event, which runs most of the day Saturday at National City Christian Church in Thomas Circle, which also hosted last year.

Organizer Holly Goldmann, back for a fourth year of planning the event, says several informational presentations are planned throughout the day.

She says one of the main things Washington’s transgender community is asking about is details about the bulletin Mayor Vincent Gray issued for the District in February requiring health insurance companies that do business in D.C. to provide full coverage for their employees who want gender reassignment surgery, hormones and other treatments deemed “medically necessary.”

“We’re getting a lot of questions because most of the surgeries are plastic surgery related but places that do that kind of work don’t take insurance because it’s considered cosmetic. It’s like that all over the country,” Goldmann says. “We we have a big panel on that in the afternoon.”

Panelists scheduled to appear include psychotherapist Thomas Coughlin and Amy Nelson from Whitman-Walker Health, Sterling Washington from the Mayor’s Office of GLBT Affairs, and Philip Barlow from the D.C. Office of Insurance, Securities and Banking.

“That will be a big focus this year,” Goldmann says. “People are eager to learn more about this insurance stuff. We have trans men who’ve waited years to get chest surgeries because no one is quite sure if it’s deemed medically necessary and I don’t even know if the insurance people know. I believe they’re working with doctors right now. I’m sure we’ll have a lot of Q&A on that.”

A morning panel is devoted to issues of transitioning from legal name changes, first steps in treatment and more.

The keynote speaker will be author Justin Schleifer, whose book “Fractured,” tells of his own journey through addiction and transitioning. He’s slated to speak starting at about 2:45 p.m.

The Capital Pride Engendered Spirit awards will be given to Amy Nelson, a supervising attorney at Whitman-Walker Health’s Legal Services Program where she leads a transgender legal practice, and Alexa Rodriguez, a promoter for Miss Maryland Latina and a board member of the Latino GLBT History Project.

Lunch from Chipotle Mexican Grill will be served. A $10 donation is requested and pre-event registration is strongly suggested so organizers know how much lunch to order. Go to capitalpride.org/transpride to register.

Attendance was slightly down last with about 85 attending, Goldmann says. She expects somewhere between 100-150 this year. TransPride is an official Capital Pride-sponsored event and Goldmann says organizers there have “been wonderful to us.”

For now, this is the only official event Capital TransPride organizers do though Goldmann says there’s been talk of possibly doing more events, though nothing official is set beyond Saturday’s event.

Local transgender activist SaVanna Wanzer founded Capital TransPride in 2007. Goldmann says in the wake of Transgender Health Empowerment’s demise, local trans resources are especially needed in Washington.

“It’s a really good day to be with other trans and trans-friendly people,” she says. “Nobody has to worry about the pretenses of trying to pass or feel normal. It’s just a day to be yourself and be around other people like yourself.”

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Out & About

DC Black Pride is around the corner

Anthony Oakes hosts comedy show on Thursday

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1 day ago

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May 15, 2026

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Comedian Anthony Oakes (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Anthony Oakes will host “DC Black Pride Comedy Show” on Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m.

Oakes will workshop his new hour about addiction, incarceration, recovery, and redemption with special guests.

This event will be hosted by the hilarious Apple Brown Betty with TJ So Silly, Howl Cooper, and featuring Patrice Deveaux. DJ Art.is will be spinning on the 1’s & 2’s. Libations will be provided by Drink Alchy. Images by RGF ENT. Tickets are $28.52 and can be purchased on Eventbrite. 

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Out & About

United Night Out set for Saturday

Team DC hosts evening of soccer, Pride, music, drag and community

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1 day ago

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May 15, 2026

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A scene from the 2023 United Night Out. This year’s event will be held on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

On Saturday, May 16, Team DC is taking over Audi Field for United Night OUT as D.C. United faces St. Louis SC.

Come out for an evening of soccer, Pride, music, drag, and community. The night kicks off with pre-game fun featuring DC Different Drummers, DJ Heat, and a Pride Night OUT Party at the Heineken Rooftop. Then get ready for a 7:30 p.m. match, including the National Anthem sung by Dana Nearing and a halftime drag performance.

After the match, the celebration continues at the Post-Game Rooftop Party with DJ Heat and the After Party at Dacha Navy Yard. Game tickets and after party tickets are available now through Zeffy. After party tickets are $20 and include one drink. 

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Calendar

Calendar: May 15-21

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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1 day ago

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May 15, 2026

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Friday, May 15

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. 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. 

Saturday, May 16

LGBTQ People of Color 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 judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

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 LGBTQ+ Community Center 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. 

Sunday, May 17

Red Bear Brewing Company will host “Drag Brunch” at 11 a.m. This is a camp and comedy drag brunch with host Logan Stone. Tickets cost $10.60 and can be purchased on Eventbrite. 

Monday, May 18

“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]).

Tuesday, May 19

Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.

Tae Kwon Do Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website. 

Wednesday, May 20

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.

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will partner with House of Ruth to host “Art & Conversation” at 2:30 p.m. This free workshop is facilitated by art therapist Jenny Christakos, LPC, LPAT, ATR-BC, a licensed mental health  clinician at House of Ruth’s Domestic Violence Support Center. This session, titled “The Masks We Wear,” will explore elements connected to identity, belonging, and community. No RSVP required. Email [email protected] with any questions.

Thursday, May 21

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work 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.  

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