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Regional Pride events continue through June and beyond

Pittsburgh and Philly are this weekend; Baltimore, New York to follow

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Baltimore Pride, gay news, Washington Blade

Baltimore Pride (Washington Blade photo by Chris Jennings)

Many jurisdictions within a few hoursā€™ driving time from Washington have Pride events planned in the coming weeks.

Apparently thereā€™s drama inĀ Pittsburgh. The Delta Foundation, the group thatā€™s been organizing Pride there since 2008, concludes its 10-day series of Pride events this weekend but several groups have siphoned off planning separate events claiming the foundation is ā€œtoo focused on cisgender white gay men,ā€ according to an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburghpride.org was dead as of Blade press time.

Philadelphiaā€™s is also this weekend. TheĀ Philly Gay Pride Parade and FestivalĀ isĀ June 10 at 11 a.m.Ā It begins at 13th and Locust Street and ends at the festival location, the Great Plaza at Pennā€™s Landing. Admission to the festival is $15. For more information, visitĀ phillygaypride.org.

Baltimore PrideĀ ā€œUnited We Shine,ā€ is fromĀ June 15-17. The Pride Parade isĀ June 16 from 1-3 p.m.Ā The procession begins at N.Charles and 33rd St. and ends at N.Charles and 23rd St. Following the parade is the Block Party in Station North. The Pride Festival is onĀ June 17 from noon- 6 p.m.Ā At Druid Hill Park. The festival is kid-friendly, and features performers, exhibitors, a Drag Stage, and local food trucks. Headliners for the weekend include Miami TIP, TT the Artist, Taylor BennettĀ on Saturday, and Tish HymanĀ on Sunday. For more events and information, visitĀ baltimorepride.org.

Eastern Panhandle PrideĀ is alsoĀ June 15-17Ā in Shepherdstown, W.Va. There will be a vendor street fair onĀ June 15, as well as a Pride River Float to Harpers Ferry. The unguided, flat water float isĀ June 16 from 2-6 p.m.Ā The cost is $36 per rider. Call 304-535-2663 to book. Search for the group on Facebook for details.

Panhandle Pride (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Hampton Roads Pride, ā€œStand Up, Stand Out,ā€ isĀ June 21-30Ā in Norfolk, Va. The week starts off with the Chrysler Kick-off onĀ June 21 from 6-9 p.m.Ā At the Chrysler Museum of Art (One Memorial Place, Norfolk, Va.). The festivities culminate with the Pride Block Party at the Norfolk Scope Arena (201 E. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va.) onĀ June 29 from 7 p.m.-midnight. Tickets are $12 online beforeĀ June 25Ā and $15 at the door. OnĀ June 30, there will be a Pride boat parade atĀ noonĀ at the Norfolk waterfront, followed by the Pridefest fromĀ noon-7 p.m.Ā At Town Point Park. For more events and information, visitĀ hamptonroadspride.org.

Frederick Pride, organized by the Frederick Center, an LGBT nonprofit, isĀ June 23 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.Ā At Carroll Creek Linear Park in Frederick, Md. About 7,000 attendees are expected. There will be bands, drag, DJs and dancing. Childrenā€™s activities such as face painting will be in a special Kidā€™s Tent, as well as organized youth sports and crafts. There will be a food court and a beer and wine area. An official Pride Store will be selling Pride paraphernalia to support programs at the local LGBT community center. Although Pride is only one day, there will also be a week of activities includingĀ a silent auction party, a proclamation ceremony at City Hall, Pride film festival, a Pride interfaith ecumenical service and Pride after party. For more information, visitĀ proudout.com.

NYC Pride, ā€œDefiantly Different,ā€ isĀ June 24. Pride Island, a live music event, isĀ June 23 from 2-10 p.m.Ā and 24 fromĀ 2-11 p.m.Ā At Pier 97 Hudson River Park (57th St. and West Side Hwy., N.Y.). This yearā€™s headliners are Tove Lo, Lizzo, DJ Simon Dunmore, Big Freedia, Sasha Velour, DJ Dawson, Kylie Minogue, DJ Grind, DJ Ralphi Rosario, and DJ Corey Craig. Fireworks will close out the event.Ā PrideFestĀ isĀ June 24 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.Ā At University Place (between 13th St. and Waverly Place, NY.). Ross Mathews is hosting and Alex Newell will perform. Parson James will perform the national anthem. For more events and information, visitĀ nycpride.org.

New York City Pride, gay news, Washington Blade

New York City Pride (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

A few more are later in the year.

Hagerstown Hopes, an LGBT nonprofit, is hosting theĀ Hagerstown Pride FestivalĀ onĀ July 14 from noon-6 p.m.Ā The theme is ā€œThis is Me.ā€ There will be live entertainment, speakers, vendors, and food. The festival is family friendly. Details on Facebook or atĀ hagerstownhopesmd.org.

TheĀ Shenandoah Valley Pride FestivalĀ isĀ Saturday, July 21, fromĀ 2-8 p.m.Ā In Court Square in Harrisonburg, Va. Details atĀ shenandoahvalleypride.org.

The 26th annualĀ Pride Festival of Central PAĀ isĀ Saturday, July 28Ā in Harrisburg, Pa. Details atĀ centralpapridefesetival.com.

VA PridefestĀ ā€œThis is Meā€ will be heldĀ Sept. 22Ā at Browns Island in Richmond, Va. Details atĀ vapride.org.

PrideFest, Richmond, Virginia, gay pride, gay news, Washington Blade

Virginia Pride (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The 2018Ā Northern Virginia Pride FestivalĀ ā€œUnited in Prideā€ isĀ Sept. 29. Details atĀ novapride.org.

NOVA Pride (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

No information yet onĀ D.C. Youth Pride. It was held in early October in 2017 after being held in May for many years.

Youth Pride, gay news, Washington Blade

Youth Pride (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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Celebrity News

Is Karla SofĆ­a GascĆ³n’s apology too little, too late?

Netflix has removed transgender actress from Oscars campaign

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Karla SofĆ­a GascĆ³n speaks to Juan Carlos Arciniegas on CNN en EspaƱol. (Screengrab of CNN en EspaƱol/Youtube)

The latest in the scandal involving “Emilia PerĆ©z”ā€™s trans star and Best Actress nominee Karla SofĆ­a GascĆ³n is Netflix deciding to part ways with her even after her public apology and statement regarding not withdrawing from the nomination. 

ā€œI have been labeled a racist and I need to be clear that I am not. I feel like Iā€™ve been judged, sentenced, crucified, and stoned without a fair trial and without an option to defend myself,ā€ said GascĆ³n in an interview with CNN en EspaƱol.Ā 

According to Variety and the Hollywood Reporter, Netflix has cut GascĆ³n out of the campaign for the Oscars. This move comes even after GascĆ³n issued an apology through a statement on her social media and in an interview with CNN en EspaƱol. On Thursday she was set to be seated with co-star Selena Gomez, Zoe SaldaƱa and the filmā€™s writer-director, Jacques Audiard for the AFI Awards luncheon ā€” a gathering at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. On Friday, she was set to attend the Critics Choice Awards. On Saturday, she was set to serve as presenter at the Producers Guild Awards, which happen to be going on at the same time as the Directors Guild Awards. According to THR, she will not be attending the events. 

The Spaniard actress found herself at the center of controversy surrounding the Netflix original being nominated for 13 Oscars after freelance culture writer Sarah Hagi uncovered the actress’s stream of consciousness on display on X, formerly Twitter. Hagi found tweets from as far back as 2020, revealing GascĆ³n’s views on Muslims, George Floyd, China, and vaccines.

In her hour-long interview with CNN en EspaƱol, she defended her position on the issue stating that she feels that she was unfairly targeted, while not being given the opportunity to defend the position she stood behind while writing those tweets. 

She goes on to say that she ā€œsupports the Black Lives Matter movement obviouslyā€ and that the tweets about George Floyd ā€œwere taken out of context.ā€ In the interview, she goes on to say she was highlighting the hypocrisy of humanity in that moment in history. According to GascĆ³n, what she noticed during that time was that only after Floydā€™s death did people care about him, but prior to his death, they did not help him or care about his struggles. 

ā€œI do not identify with any political party and I have my own opinions about issues that might have been one thing in the past, but have now shifted because I have learned many things about respect, love and with the spiritual practice of Buddhism,ā€ said GascĆ³n. 

In the interview, she also pulls the I have a friend whoā€™s Black, so Iā€™m not racist,ā€ card by saying she has a very close family friend who is Muslim, in response to the line of questioning about her being Islamophobic and only through very heavy discussions with her, has GascĆ³n truly come to understand the implications of her words against the culture and religion, as well as theĀ differences between the cultures.Ā 

“Emilia PerĆ©z” was already facing an upward battle to gain popularity, as it was a French production about MĆ©xico. Audiences criticized the film for various reasons and yet, it was still nominated for Best Picture, Critics Choice Award for Best Picture, Academy Award for Best Directing, and many others. 

GascĆ³n deleted her X account shortly after the tweets were discovered and is now facing the cold shoulder from Netflix. Variety and THR, reported that the streaming giant is no longer directly communicating with GascĆ³n ā€“ only through representatives. 

Whether or not this is a witch hunt for a trans actress at the height of her career, GascĆ³n now has first-hand experience in dealing with what it means to misuse a platform by sharing her views on issues she said herself, she did not understand. 

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Out & About

Camp Rehoboth Theatre Company kicks off new season

Poetry jam to be followed by ‘5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche’

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(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

CAMP Rehoboth Theatre Company will kick off its 2025 season with its first-ever poetry jam followed by a full-stage production of ā€œ5 Lesbians Eating a Quicheā€ on Friday, Feb. 21 at 5 p.m. at CAMP Rehoboth’s Elkins-Archibald Atrium.

CAMP Rehoboth Poetry Jam Poets / Performers include: Debbie Bricker, Kari Ebert, Shelley Blue Grabel, Lavance John, Vanita Leatherwood, Syd Linders, Ellie Maher, Jane Miller, Gwen Osborne, Coco Silveira, Guillermo Silverira, Laura Unruh, Paul Unruh, and Sherri Wright.

ā€œ5 Lesbians Eating A Quiche,ā€ which will run from March 7-9 debuted at CAMP Rehoboth in fall of 2022, and features returning cast members Karen Laitman, Kelly Sheridan, Gwen Osborne, Darcy Vollero, and Shelley Kingsbury, and is directed by Teri Seaton. The absurdist comedy follows the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein having their annual quiche breakfast in 1956. Winner of the 2012 NYC International Fringe Festival as Best Overall Production, ā€œ5 Lesbians Eating A Quicheā€ is a tasty recipe of hysterical laughs, sexual innuendos, unsuccessful repressions, and delicious discoveries. For more information, visit CAMP Rehobothā€™s website

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Calendar

Calendar: February 7-13

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, February 7

ā€œCenter Aging Friday Tea Timeā€ 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].Ā 

Go Gay DC will host ā€œFirst Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social in the Cityā€ at 7 p.m. at P.F. Changs. 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, February 8

Go Gay DC will host ā€œLGBTQ+ Community Brunchā€ at 11 a.m. at Freddieā€™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.

ā€œFashion Freewayā€ will be at 11 a.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Guests will have the opportunity to check out the clothing closet. Clothes, shoes, accessories, and other items will be available. For more details, email [email protected].Ā 

Sunday, February 9

Go Gay DC will host ā€œLGBTQ+ Community Dinnerā€ at 6:30 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. Guests are encouraged to come enjoy an evening of Italian-style dining and conversation with other LGBTQ folk. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Go Gay DC will host ā€œLGBTQ+ Coffee and Conversationā€ at 12 p.m. at As You Are. This event is ideal for making meaningful new connections and informal community building. Or just to unwind and enjoy the group happy hour. Fabulous people from all over the world are expected. Nametags will be provided. This event is free to attend and more details are available on Eventbrite.Ā 

Monday, February 10

ā€œCenter Aging Monday Coffee & Conversationā€ 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].Ā 

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 youā€™re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that youā€™re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.Ā 

Tuesday, February 11

Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group 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, email [email protected].Ā 

Trans Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide 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.Ā  For more details, email [email protected].Ā 

Wednesday, February 12

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 ā€” allowing participants to move away from being merely ā€œapplicantsā€ toward being ā€œcandidates.ā€ For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Thursday, February 13

The DC Centerā€™s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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.Ā 

Virtual Yoga with Charles 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 Communityā€™s website.

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