Out & About
D.C. Black Pride is Memorial Day weekend
Seminars, parties, concerts, picnics and more on packed schedule

Us Helping Us Picnic in the Park at Fort Dupont Park (Washington Blade photo by Hugh Clarke)
The 27th annual D.C. Black Pride is at various locations in town May 25-29.
Black Pride’s 2017 theme is “The Ties That Bind: Twenty Seven Years of Black Pride,” in celebration of the strong bonds within the LGBT community. On Thursday, May 25 there will be an HIV/AIDS Town Hall, a sexual health seminar, at the Grand Hyatt Washington from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free. Lunch is included.
Unleashed D.C. hosts “Welcome 2 D.C.,”a ladies happy hour, at Dirty Martini (1223 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) with music by DJ L Stackz and DJ Jai Syncere. Admission is free before 8 p.m. and $7 after. “The Jump Off: Wet Dreamz Reloaded,” a men’s dance party, is at Stone Fish Lounge (1708 L St., N.W.) from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Admission is $10 before 11 p.m. DJ Sedrick spins.
On Friday, May 26, there will be an opening reception at the Grand Hyatt (1000 H St., N.W.) from 6:30-8:30 p.m.LGBTQ Speed dating and networking will follow from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Omega Entertainment hosts “The Annual 5,000 Men Pride Mega Party” at Bliss Nightclub (2122 24th Pl., N.E.) from 9:30 p.m.-4 a.m. R&B singer K. Michelle will perform.
On Saturday, May 27 there will be the Grown Folks Speak Out 2017, a discussion about growing older in the black LGBT community, at the Grand Hyatt from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Admission is free. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served. There will also be workshops throughout the day including resume writing and interview prep, overcoming hurt in the black church, understanding the trans-attracted man and more. A film festival, screening films such as “Moonlight” and “Check It,” runs from 2-7:15 p.m. Omega Entertainment hosts “The Grandiose Fantasy Mega Pride Party” at the Washington Marriott (2660 Woodley Rd., N.W.) from 9 p.m.-3:30 a.m. featuring a live performance by Lil Kim.
There will be an interfaith worship service with guest speaker Pastor Mitchell Jones on Sunday from 9-11 a.m. at the Grand Hyatt. D.C. Black Pride Brunch is at Dirty Martini (1223 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from noon-6 p.m. with unlimited food and mimosas. Admission is $40.
On Monday, the annual Us Helping Us Picnic in the Park will be at Fort Dupont Park (3600 Minnesota Ave., S.E.) from noon-7 p.m. There will be food and live performances. Admission is free.
For a complete list of events and prices, visit dcblackpride.org.
Out & About
Rehoboth’s Aqua to celebrate 20th anniversary Sunday
Event marks culmination of Pride weekend in beach community
Aqua Bar & Grill in Rehoboth Beach will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Sunday, July 19 from 2-7 p.m. DJ Biff will entertain the crowd; there will be complimentary birthday cake and surprise guests.
The event marks the culmination of Pride weekend in Rehoboth Beach, which runs all weekend with panel discussions, parties, and more.
Out & About
Gay librarian to discuss new novel at Green Lantern
Gareth Carter to speak at ‘Cocktails, Chaos & Controversy’ fundraiser
Librarian, novelist, and advocate for intellectual freedom Gareth Carter will talk about his debut novel, “The Misadventures of Don Kee Dong & Phillip Mihol,” on Sunday, July 12 at 4 p.m. at Green Lantern Bar.

The event, titled “Cocktails, Chaos & Controversy” is a fundraiser for the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center Library and will celebrate queer storytelling, libraries, and Carter’s new novel.
The event will combine humor, conversation, and community. In addition to being on hand to sell and sign books, Carter will share his own journey from librarian to novelist, discuss the state of public libraries in an era of book banning, and his own challenges with one group, which served as the genesis for this novel, the first in his International Men of Mystery series.
For more details, visit Carter’s website.
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Friday, July 10
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 6 p.m. at Freddie’s. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.
Saturday, July 11
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.
“Reel Affirmations XTRA: Washington DC’s International LGBTQ+ Monthly Film Series” will present “Bookends” at 11:30 a.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. “Bookends” is a touching love story, free popcorn, soft drinks, and conversation with your community. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Sunday, July 12
“Duet: A Curated Sapphic Karaoke Dating Experience” will be at 5 p.m. at Muzette. This event is designed for single queer women and sapphics ages 35+ who are looking to meet potential romantic partners in a relaxed, low-pressure environment. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, July 13
“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]).
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.
Tuesday, July 14
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.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event 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].
Wednesday, July 15
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.
Thursday, July 16
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LBTQ+ Community Center. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork 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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