Connect with us

Arts & Entertainment

Calendar: Jan. 11-17

Parties, exhibits and meetings in the week to come

Published

on

gay events DC, gay news, Washington Blade
‘Hard Wired,’ a piece by Tory Cowles on display now at Touchstone Gallery. (Photo courtesy Touchstone)

Friday, Jan. 11

D.C. Bear Crue hosts Bear Happy Hour at Uproar Lounge & Restaurant (639 Florida Ave., N.W.) today from 5-10 p.m. Drink specials are until 10 p.m. and include $5 rail cocktails and $5 draft pitchers. Free appetizers will be handed out throughout the night. For more details, visit facebook.com/bearhappyhour.

Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) hosts a weekly viewing party for “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 4” tonight at 8 p.m. Trade queens will host the night along with guest hosts. There will be games, prizes and more. Wessthedj will spin tracks before, during and after the episode.For more information, visit facebook.com/tradebardc.

Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) hosts Phucker, a hanky code party, tonight from 10 p.m.- 3 a.m. Let others know your kink with a hanky in your back pocket. Attendees will receive a free hanky upon entry. DJ Ryan DoubleYou will play music. No cover. For more details, visit greenlanterndc.com.

Gamma D.C., a support group for men in mixed-orientation relationships, meets at Luther Place Memorial Church (1226 Vermont Ave., N.W.) today from 7:30-9:30 p.m. The group is for men who are attracted to men but are currently, or were at one point, in relationships with women. For more information about the group, visit gammaindc.org

Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H St., N.W.) hosts Anna: Warhol Dance Party, a Andy Warhol party, tonight at 10 p.m. DJ Honey and Get Face will spin tracks. At midnight there will be performances from Creme Fatale, Washington Heights, Dee Dee Derèon, Venus Fastrada and Ariel Von Quinn.Admission is free with RSVP. There will also be an open bar and snacks from 10-11 p.m. For details, visit rockandrollhoteldc.com.

LezLink hosts its January happy hour at the Hawthorne (1336 U St., N.W.) tonight from 6-9 p.m. Lesbian, bi and queer women are invited for food, drinks and conversation. For more information, visit facebook.com/lezlinkevents.

Saturday, Jan. 12

Haute Dish: Camp, a drag brunch fundraiser for the Unite Foundation, is at 18th & U Duplex Diner (2004 18th St., N.W.) is today from 1-4 p.m. Anna G. O’Plasty, DivaD, Judy from HR, Kiana K’Naan, Mindy Nao and Tabeeda Deadhorse will perform. There will also be surprise performers from the Unite Foundation. Regyna Rubenstein hosts the show. Tickets are $50 and include one select brunch entree of your choice, one champagne cocktail or glass of Pinot Grigio and a donation to Unite. For more details, visit facebook.com/duplexdiner.

Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) hosts Freeballers today from 4 p.m.-3 a.m. Guests are invited to wear basketball shorts, sweat pants or anything that accentuates their lower physique. This is not a naked party. No cover. Drink specials run all night. For more information, visit greenlanterndc.com.

The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) hosts District: Steamwerq, a bathhouse-themed party, tonight from 10 p.m.-6 a.m. Guests can purchase a commemorative D.C. Eagle-branded towel to wear. DJ David Merrill will play music. Advance tickets are $15. Tickets at the door are $20. For more details, visit thedceagle.com.

Sunday, Jan. 13

Queer Girl Movie Night hosts a screening of “The L Word” season two at Slash Run (201 Upshur St., N.W.) today from 1-6 p.m. Episodes will run continuously through the day so stop by anytime. For more information, visit facebook.com/queergrrrlmovienight.

VisArts (155 Gibbs St., Rockville, Md.) hosts its Indie Wedding Expo today from 1-3 p.m. There will be artisans and small businesses available to help with creative and thrifty wedding ideas. Admission is free but RSVP is required. For more details, visit visartscenter.org/event/indie-wedding-expo.

The D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.) presents Sunday Cruise today from noon-2 a.m. Drink specials include $10 and $12 bottomless beer mugs, $3 off all whiskeys and bourbons and $5 Chivas Regal all day. $2 off all other drinks until 9 p.m. For more information, visit thedceagle.com.

Monday, Jan. 14

Touchstone Gallery (901 New York Ave., N.W.) presents its January exhibits today and throughout the month. Gallery A features the Touchstone Gallery Member Show. Gallery B and C will showcase “Hard Wired” by Tory Cowles. This interactive installation allows people to wear Cowles’ sculptures. For more details, visit touchstonegallery.com.

The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W..) hosts coffee drop-in hours this morning from 10 a.m.-noon for the senior LGBT community. Older LGBT adults can come and enjoy complimentary coffee and conversation with other community members. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.

Tuesday, Jan. 15

The D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) hosts its Packing Party from 7-9 p.m. tonight. Volunteers will assemble safer sex kits to distribute to the LGBT community. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.

Wednesday, Jan. 16

XX+Crostino (1926 9th St., N.W.) and Taste host La Voz, a Latin karoke night, tonight from 8 p.m. midnight. Cuba Libres will be $8. No cover. For more details, visit facebook.com/xxcrostino.

Bookmen D.C., an informal gay men’s literature group, discusses David Plante’s diaries “Becoming a Londoner) at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, visit bookmendc.blogspot.com.

Thursday, Jan. 17

Tagg Magazine hosts financial planning seminars for LGBTQ women at Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) tonight from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Snacks and beverages will be provided. For more details, visit facebook.com/taggmagazine.

Daybreaker D.C. hosts an early morning dance party and yoga session at Renwick Gallery (1661 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) today from 6-9 a.m. Yoga is from 6-7 a.m. followed by the dance party from 7-9 a.m. There will be free kombucha and breakfast bites. FDVM will play music and Haile Supreme will serve as emcee. Dress code is sparkling white. Tickets for yoga and dance are $35. Tickets just for the dance are $25. For more information, visit daybreaker.com.

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Calendar

Calendar: March 27-April 2

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

on

Friday, March 27

Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. 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.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen. 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

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

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]

Saturday, March 28

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.

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website

Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black Lesbian. For more details, email [email protected]

Monday, March 30

“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]).

“Tea Time! A Local DC Drag Comedy Show” will be at 3 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a live drag comedy show where drag legends TrevHER & Tiara Missou Sidora host spill all the tea in the DMV. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Tuesday, March 31

Visibili-TEA Party will be at 6 p.m. at Restoration Station. Guests are encouraged to come sip, celebrate, and shine together. This event is a Trans Day of Visibility celebration and a special collaboration between Auntie’s Home and Damien Ministries. This is a boozy tea party with intention and the dress code reflects the vibe. More details are available on Eventbrite

Wednesday, March 1

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, April 2

The DC Center’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. 

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.  

Continue Reading

Out & About

Celebrate cherry blossoms the drag way

Unconventional Diner hosts bingo party

Published

on

The cherry blossoms are here. Celebrate at a unique event hosted by Unconventional Diner. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Unconventional Diner will host “Cherry Blossom Drag Bingo Party” on Friday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m.

Guests will be treated to an unforgettable night of drag performances, bingo, food and drink and prizes. Highlights of the evening include themed cocktails, drag performances and bingo prizes.

Tickets can be secured via Resy.

Continue Reading

Sports

New IOC policy bans trans women from Olympics

New regulation to be in effect at 2028 summer games in Los Angeles

Published

on

(Photo by Greg Martin; courtesy IOC)

The International Olympic Committee on Thursday announced it will not allow transgender women from competing in female events at the Olympics.

“For all disciplines on the Sports Program of an IOC event, including individual and team sports, eligibility for any Female Category is limited to biological females,” reads the new policy.

The policy states “eligibility for the Female Category is to be determined in the first instance by SRY Gene screening to detect the absence or presence of the SRY Gene.”

“On the basis of the scientific evidence, the IOC considers that the SRY (sex-determining Region Y) Gene is fixed throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced or will experience male sex development,” it reads. “Furthermore, the IOC considers that SRY Gene screening via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample is unintrusive compared to other possible methods. Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene permanently satisfy this policy’s eligibility criteria for competition in the Female Category.”

The policy states the test “will be a once-in-a-lifetime test” unless “there is reason to believe a negative reading is in error.”

The new regulation will be in place for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

“I understand that this a very sensitive topic,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry on Thursday in a video. “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition.”

“The policy that we have announced is based on science and it has been led by medical experts with the best interests of athletes at its heart. The scientific evidence is very clear: male chromosomes give performance advances in sport that rely on strength, power, or endurance,” she added. “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”

(Video courtesy of the IOC)

Laurel Hubbard, a weightlifter from New Zealand, in 2021 became the first trans woman to compete at the Olympics.

Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, won a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Khelif later sued JK Rowling and Elon Musk for cyberstalking after they questioned her gender identity.

Ellis Lundholm, a mogul skier from Sweden, this year became the first openly trans athlete to compete in any Winter Olympics when he participated in Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.

President Donald Trump in February 2025 issued an executive order that bans trans women and girls from female sports teams in the U.S.

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee last July banned trans women from competing in female sporting events. Republican lawmakers have demanded the IOC ban trans athletes from women’s athletic competitions.

“I’m grateful the Olympics finally embraced the common sense policy that women’s sports are for women, not for men,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on X.

An IOC spokesperson on Thursday referred the Washington Blade to the press release that announced the new policy.

Continue Reading

Popular