Arts & Entertainment
Resources and events for gay parents
Rainbow Families, COLAGE, others offer trips, fun days and more
The Moosa family has launched a new product. Inspired by their own travails, Baby Change-N-Go allows parents to change diapers safely and cleanly anywhere there’s a door to hang it on. (Photo courtesy Brenda Moosa)
Rainbow Families D.C. has its Fall Family Camp Weekend Oct. 14-16 at Camp Tockwogh (24370 Still Pond Neck Rd., Worton, Md.), about a two-hour drive from Washington. Camp Tockwogh is a 300-plus-acre campground on the Chesapeake Bay. The weekend provides LGBT families a chance to interact with arts and crafts, hikes, ice cream socials, a talent show, campfire, kickball and more.
Registration fees range from $110-155 per person based on housing selection and include two-night accommodations, activities and five meals. Children under age 3 are free. Full details at rainbowfamilies.org.
The following weekend from Oct. 20-23, Rainbow Families will have a Family & Friends Weekend at Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, Va., a weekend full of “splashes, slideboards and hot springs.” The weekend offers changes for miniature gold, bolwing, amusement rides, cooking demonstrations, Halloween activities, spas, salons and access to a water park which comes with room reservation. Great Wolf Lodge is about 45 minutes from Richmond. Details at everyq.com.
The group also continues its “Maybe Baby” fall classes and conception support group throughout the coming months. Full information at rainbowfamilies.org.
November is national adoption month. Join Rainbow Families D.C. and the D.C. Center on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. for an adoption information night that will provide details on becoming a host, foster, respite or foster-to-adopt family in Washington. Other LGBT parents who are going through the adoption process will be present. It’s free and will be held at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W., suite 105). Details at thedccenter.org.
Want a big gay family-affirming road trip next summer? COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) and Family Equality Council have their Family Week every summer (usually around the third week of July) in Provincetown, Mass. Check back later at colage.org for details on the 2017 event.
Family Equality Council will have its Family Weekend in D.C. event April 15-17 next year. It’s for LGBT parents, children, extended families and friends and is an annual event. Check later at familyequality.org for details.
A Richmond-based lesbian family has started Baby Change-N-Go, a new product that offers parents a safe and clean place to change diapers anywhere on the go. Baby Change-N-Go hangs on a door and unfolds to include a flat, secure place to place babies and change them efficiently. They were tired of not being able to find clean baby changing stations and decided to do something about it.
It took Brenda and Mahnaz Moosa, parents of 2-year-old twin boys, about a year and a half to take the product from the idea phase to the market and it’s just about ready. Orders are being taken now at babychangengo.com. The product is available for $99 in pink, blue and gray and can be personalized. Delivery will come in November.
Bars & Parties
Here’s where to watch ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ with fellow fans
Entertainers TrevHER and Grey host event with live performance
Spark Social Events will host “Ru Paul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party Hosted by Local Drag Queens” on Friday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m.
Drag entertainers TrevHER and Grey will provide commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. The watch party will take place on a heated outdoor patio and cozy indoor space.
This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC Center is hosting a watch party for an episode of the 10th and final season of “Queer Eye,” which was filmed in D.C. The screening will be held on Friday, Jan. 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Center.
The screening will last 45-55 minutes, with community time both before and after the episode. Drinks and snacks will be provided and organizers promise a “surprise or two.” For information on tickets, visit the DC Center’s website.
Friday, January 23
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at noon at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Saturday, January 24
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.
Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black lesbian. You do not need to be a member of the Beta Kappa Chapter or the Beta Phi Omega Sorority in order to join, but they do ask that you either identify as a lesbian or are questioning that aspect of your identity. For more details, email [email protected].
Monday, January 26
“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]).
Queer Book Club will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This month’s books are “The Nightmare Before Kissmas” by Sara Raasch and “Transgender History” by Susan Stryker. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, January 27
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
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 that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Wednesday, January 28
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.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. Currently, this group is a meeting place for both identities, but we realize that as time passes, the groups may choose to host individual meetings.For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, January 29
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.
Comings & Goings
Here’s where to watch ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ with fellow fans
‘Queer Eye’ watch party set for Friday
Calendar: January 23-29
Judge denies D.C. request to dismiss gay police captain’s anti-bias lawsuit
Hot rod heaven: Chevy Corvette, Dodge Charger
Two gay candidates running in ‘firehouse’ Va. House of Delegates primary in Alexandria
PHOTOS: Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2026
McBride, other US lawmakers travel to Denmark
