Arts & Entertainment
Celebrities offer condolences in wake of Manchester tragedy
‘Late Late Show’ host James Corden gave heartfelt tribute to victims


An explosion at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, on May 22, 2017, has left at least 22 people dead. (Photo by Melissa Rose; courtesy Flickr)
Celebrities offered words of support on social media in wake of the explosion at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England which claimed the lives of 22 people on Monday night.
broken.
from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words.— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 23, 2017
Tearing up imagining innocent concert goers losing their lives.. praying for everyone and all #arianators. ??????
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) May 22, 2017
MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO PPL OF MANCHESTER…HAD SPECIAL TIMES THERE FROM YOUTH & BEYOND
— Cher (@cher) May 22, 2017
Praying for everyone at @ArianaGrande‘s show
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) May 22, 2017
Just woken up and seen the news. My heart and soul is broken for every single victim, and their families and friends. So painfully sad x
— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) May 23, 2017
This story is so sad and so scary. Sending all my love to Manchester.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 23, 2017
My heart aches for the victims and their families in England tonight. I can’t fathom how anyone can hurt innocent children. ?
— Lance Bass (@LanceBass) May 23, 2017
Manchester, je suis avec vous… Tout mon amour / #Manchester I am with you… All my love, Céline xx… https://t.co/NvcJM5VYjz
— Celine Dion (@celinedion) May 23, 2017
So heartbroken hearing about Manchester. Such a senseless and ruthless act in a place supposed to be filled with such joy and love.
— troye sivan (@troyesivan) May 23, 2017
So much ugliness in the world. Can’t let it make us forget the beauty of love. Saddened & praying for every person affected in #Manchester??
— Jussie Smollett (@JussieSmollett) May 23, 2017
Sending light to everyone in Manchester who was at the @ArianaGrande show. I am at a loss for any more words.
— ADAM LAMBERT (@adamlambert) May 23, 2017
My heart goes out to the wonderful people of Manchester, who have suffered grievous loss of life in a terrorist attack tonight.
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) May 23, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone effected by this horrible attack in Manchester. My heart is broken this morning.
— Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) May 23, 2017
Artists view theatres as a sacred place. Devastated. My love to the victims’ families. My love to my baby @ArianaGrande. pic.twitter.com/ySmWaF65fl
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) May 23, 2017
James Corden also gave an emotional tribute to the victims during his opening monologue for “The Late Late Show” on Monday night.
“When I think of Manchester, the place that I know, I think of the spirit of the people there. And I’m telling you, a more tightknit group of people you will be hard-pressed to find. Strong, proud, caring people with community at its core. And if it was even possible, the spirit of the people of Manchester will grow even stronger this evening,” Corden says.

The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

















Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.

Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.

Friday, May 2
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 3
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.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group 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 judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 4
“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 5
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” 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 details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 6
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 7
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 8
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. 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 with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].