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Best of Gay D.C. XIII: Community

Winners from the Blade’s readers poll

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community, gay news, Washington Blade

To see the winners of the Washington Blade’s Best of Gay D.C. readers poll in other categories, click here.

Best House of Worship

Foundry United Methodist Church

Lou Ann Sandstrom, Kathleen Kutschenreuter, Foundry United Methodist Church, wedding, same-sex marriage, gay marriage, marriage equality, gay news, Washington Blade

Lou Ann Sandstrom, left, and Kathleen Kutschenreuter at their wedding recessional at Foundry United Methodist Church on Sept. 28, 2013. (Photo by Paul Morse Photography; courtesy the couple)

1500 16th St., N.W.

202-332-4010

foundryumc.org

Runner-up: Metropolitan Community Church of Washington

Best Home Furnishings

Miss Pixies Furnishings & Whatnot

community, gay news, Washington Blade

Miss Pixie’s (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

1626 14th St., N.W.

202-232-8171

misspixies.com

Runner-up: Room & Board

Best Hotel

W Hotel

Community, gay news, Washington Blade

W Hotel (Photo courtesy of the W Hotel Washington, D.C.)

515 15th St., N.W.

202-661-2400

wwashingtondc.com

Runner-up: Hotel Palomar

Best Art Gallery

Winner: Phillips Collection

community, gay news, Washington Blade

The Phillips Collection (Photo by Max Hirshfeld; courtesy Phillips Collection)

1600 21st St., N.W.

phillipscollection.org

202-387-2151

Runner-up: Corcoran

Best Non-Profit

Whitman-Walker Health

Don Blanchon, Whitman-Walker Health, gay news, Washington Blade

Whitman-Walker Health CEO Don Blanchon (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

1701 14th St. N.W.

2301 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. S.E.

202-745-7000

whitman-walker.org

Runner-up: SMYAL

Best Salon/Spa

Bang Salon

community, gay news, Washington Blade

Bang Salon (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

1612 U St., N.W.

202-299-0925

bangsalon.com

Runner-up: Logan 14 Aveda

Best Fitness or Workout Spot

Vida Fitness

community, gay news, Washington Blade

Vida Fitness (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Locations vary

vidafitness.com

Runner-up: CrossFit DC

Best Theater

Kennedy Center

Kennedy Center, culture, gay news, Washington Blade

The Kennedy Center (Photo by Steve via Wikimedia Commons)

2700 F St. N.W.

800-444-1324

kennedy-center.org

Runner-up: Studio Theatre

Best Theater Production

“Avenue Q” (Olney Theatre )

Runner-up: “The Lion King” – Kennedy Center

Avenue Q, gay news, Washington Blade

Jason Loewith, right, with Bobby Smith in rehearsal for ‘Avenue Q.’ (Photo by Sonie Mathew; courtesy Olney Theatre Center)

Often described as Sesame Street meets “Rent,” “Avenue Q” is an angsty, coming-of-age comedy set on a city block inhabited by slutty, shy, straight, gay, and monstrous Muppet-like puppets, and the grown up child actor Gary Coleman imagined as building super. Olney’s terrific take on the delightfully raunchy Tony Award-winning musical was helmed by out artistic director Jason Loewith and featured a top notch cast including Sam Ludwig, Rachel Zampelli, and Stephen Gregory Smith. (PF)

Olney Theatre Center

2001 Olney Sandy Spring Rd.

Olney, Md. 20832

olneytheatre.org

Best LGBT Sports Team

Washington Generals D.C. Gay Flag Football League

Runner-up: D.C. Front Runners

community, gay news, Washington Blade

Washington Generals (Photo courtesy Washington Generals)

Washington Generals, part of the D.C. Gay Flag Football League, made it to the Gay Bowl last year. They lost the championship but the team was welcomed back to this year’s Gay Bowl. The team includes both straight and gay members. (MC)

Dcgffl.org

Best LGBT-owned Business

EatWell Restaurants

Runner-up: City Dogs Daycare

Josh Hahn, David Winer, EatWellDC, gay news, Washington Blade

Josh Hahn and David Winer of EatWell (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

EatWell is a restaurant management company committed to providing quality food and exciting environments. The company owns and operates a private farm in La Plata, Md., that provides produce for the company’s five restaurants: Commissary, Grillfish, The Heights, Logan Tavern and The Pig. (SMH)

Eat Well Restaurants

202-332-3710

eatwelldc.com

Best Comedy Club

D.C. Improv

1140 Connecticut Ave., N.W.

202-296-7008

dcimprov.com

Runner-up: Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse

Best Rehoboth Business

Purple Parrot

Runner-up: Blue Moon

community, gay news, Washington Blade

Purple Parrot (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

It’s not easy to sustain bar and restaurant success over more than 15 years, but Purple Parrot owners Hugh Fuller and Troy Roberts have managed to do just that by continually reinventing the space and improving on an already good thing. Last year brought a smart renovation of the front bar. The newer Biergarten in back has grown more popular over the past couple years, with standing-room-only crowds in summer. In addition to the food and drinks, there’s entertainment, including drag shows, karaoke and performances during Jazz Fest Weekend and other special events. Jamie Romano and the rest of the staff work hard to keep customers happy and coming back year-round. (KN)

Purple Parrot

134 Rehoboth Ave.

302-226-1139

ppgrill.com

Best LGBT Social Group

Stonewall Sports

Runner-up: NOVA Pride

community, Stonewall Kickball, sports, JR's, Cobalt, gay news, Washington Blade, Stead Park

Stonewall Kickball All-Stars Game (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Stonewall Sports, an LGBT and ally sports organization, does more than just play. In addition to its leagues, which include bocce and kickball, Stonewall Sports also gives to charities like the DC Center and SMYAL. (MC)

Stonewallsports.leagueapps.com

Best Pet Business

City Dogs Daycare

Runner-up: City Paws Animal Hospital

community, gay news, Washington Blade

City Dogs Daycare (Photo courtesy of City Dogs Daycare)

Located between Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan, City Dogs Daycare provides daycare, boarding, training, and grooming for all dogs over 10 lbs. Staff keep the dogs in their care constantly engaged. Grooming services are new for City Dogs and began earlier this month. (SMH)

City Dogs Daycare

1832 18th Street, N.W.

202-234-WAGS

city-dogs.com

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Sports

Jason Collins dies at 47

First openly gay man to actively play for major sports team battled brain cancer

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Jason Collins (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Jason Collins, the first openly gay man to actively play for a major professional sports team, died on Tuesday after a battle with brain cancer. He was 47.

The California native had briefly played for the Washington Wizards in 2013 before coming out in a Sports Illustrated op-ed.

Collins in 2014 became the first openly gay man to play in a game for a major American professional sports league when he played 11 minutes during a Brooklyn Nets game. He wore jersey number 98 in honor of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student murdered outside of Laramie, Wyo., in 1998.

Collins told the Washington Blade in 2014 that his life was “exponentially better” since he came out. Collins the same year retired from the National Basketball Association after 13 seasons.

Collins married his husband, Brunson Green, in May 2025.

The NBA last September announced Collins had begun treatment for a brain tumor. Collins on Dec. 11, 2025, announced he had Stage 4 glioblastoma.

“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” said Collins’s family in a statement the NBA released. “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar.  We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Collins’s “impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA, and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations.”  

“He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador,” said Silver. “Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.”

“To call Jason Collins a groundbreaking figure for our community is simply inadequate. We truly lost a giant today,” added Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson in a statement. “He came out as gay — while still playing — at a time when men’s athletes simply did not do that. But as he powerfully demonstrated in his final years in the league and his post-NBA career, stepping forward as he did boldly changed the conversation.”

“He was and will always be a legend for the LGBTQ+ community, and we are heartbroken to hear of his passing at the young age of 47,” she said. “Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones. We will keep fighting on in his honor until the day everyone can be who they are on their terms.”

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PHOTOS: ‘Studio 69’

Glitterati Productions hold party at Bunker

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'Studio 69' was held at Bunker on Friday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Glitterati Productions held the “Studio 69” party at Bunker on Friday, May 8.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Arts & Entertainment

Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns June 13 to kick off D.C. Pride week

Pride on the Pier officially launches Pride Week in D.C.

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The Washington Blade’s annual Pride on the Pier celebration returns to The Wharf on Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 4-9 p.m., bringing thousands of LGBTQ community members and allies together for an unforgettable waterfront celebration to kick off Pride week in Washington, D.C.

Now in its eighth year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.

“Pride on the Pier has become one of the signature moments of Pride in D.C.,” said Lynne Brown, publisher of the Washington Blade. “There’s nothing like watching our community come together on the waterfront with live music and incredible energy as we kick off Pride week.”

Pride on the Pier is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for exclusive pier access to the Dockmaster Building. To purchase VIP tickets visit www.prideonthepierdc.com/vip

Additional entertainment announcements, sponsor activations, and event details will be released in the coming weeks.

Event Details:

📍 Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq SW, Washington, DC)
📅 Dates: Friday, 13, 2026 

⏱️ 4-9PM
🎟️ VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP

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