Out & About
MAL Weekend is Jan. 12-14
Annual gay leather/BDSM event back with signature events
Martel Brown, Jr. won the title of Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2017. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend runs Jan. 12-14 at the Hyatt Regency on Capital Hill (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.).
On Friday, Jan. 12 registration begins at 3 p.m. with the exhibitor hall open from 4-10 p.m. From 10 p.m.-3 a.m. the Highwaymen TNT hosts its Impact dance party. On Saturday, Jan. 13 the exhibit hall is open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Other events include Puppy Park from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and the Onyx cocktail party and gear show from 2-6 p.m. On Sunday, Jan. 14 brunch is from 10 a.m.-noon. The exhibitor hall is open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather Contest is from 1-4 p.m. followed by the Revival closing dance party from 10 p.m.-4 a.m.
Weekend admission pass is $30. Friday passes are $15, Saturday passes are $20 and Sunday passes are $15. For more details and a complete list of events, visit leatherweekend.com.
There are also various events throughout D.C. celebrating MAL weekend.
D.C. Leather Pride gets the festivities started with a Welcome to D.C. party at the D.C. Eagle (7301 Benning Rd., N.E.) on Thursday, Jan. 11 from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. DJ Barber Streisand will spin tracks. Local leather titleholders will host the event. For details, visit facebook.com/dcleatherpride.
Mr. Intentional Rubber hosts a Rubber Meet and Greet at the Hyatt Regency (400 New Jersey Ave., N.W.) on Friday, Jan. 12 from 7-9 p.m. There will be a cash bar. Gear is encouraged with rubber preferred. For more information, visit facebook.com/mirubb.
Honcho hosts a MAL party at U Street Music Hall (1115 U St., N.W.) on Friday, Jan. 12 from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Mike Servito, Justin Cudmore, the Bunker NY, d’Ahemar and Clark Price will play music. This event is for ages 18 and up. Guests 18-20 admitted by advance ticket only. There will be a full clothes check for $2. Tickets are $12 in advance and $20 at the door. For details, visit facebook.com/honchopgh.
Local queer journalists will celebrate Pride this weekend at the annual NLGJA-DC Pride Happy Hour event at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) on Saturday, June 6, 3-5 p.m. Admission is free.
Out & About
DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K set for Saturday
Annual event held at historic Congressional Cemetery
The 14th annual DC Front Runners’ Pride 5K run/walk is set for Saturday, June 6 at historic Congressional Cemetery. The race starts and ends at the cemetery (1801 E St., S.E.) and passes through scenic D.C., along the Anacostia River trail and the fields at RFK campus. Registration ends Friday at 11:59 p.m.
Runners can pick up their race packets on Saturday from 7-8:30 a.m. at Congressional Cemetery; the race begins at 9 a.m.
The fee to run the 5K in person is $65 ($35 for those under age 20). Proceeds benefit local LGBTQ nonprofits, including Thrive DC, Wanda Alston Foundation, Blade Foundation, Ainsley’s Angels, SMYAL, and Team DC. Visit DCFrontRunners.org for more information.
Friday, June 5
“Center Aging: Pride Monthly Luncheon with Chair Yoga & Drag Bingo” will be at 12:00 p.m. at the DC LGBQ+ Community Center. Lunch will be provided. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
“Comedy Show for LGBTQ+ Prosperity” will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. This will be a funny, queer show produced by Grassroots Comedy to celebrate the DC LGBTQ+ Center and the beginning of Pride month. Across the country, LGBTQ+ people are losing access to care, protection, and support. These aren’t abstract policy changes – they are real people losing the resources they rely on to stay safe and well. And when that happens, many come to Washington, DC, a place long considered a site of refuge for these vulnerable populations. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Saturday, June 6
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.
Sunday, June 7
Pride Month Sound Bath Meditation will be at 10:30 a.m. at Atlas Salon DC. Pride Month sound bath meditation is an immersive morning of sound to slow down, reset, and rest in community while supporting LGBTQIA+ youth. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, June 8
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 www.genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Tuesday, June 9
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].
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.
Wednesday, June 10
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, June 11
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LBTQ+ Community Center. 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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