Out & About
Youth Pride, Silver Pride, Trans Pride and more coming soon
Region bustling with events as well as Philly, Pittsburgh and more
Pride season is only a few weeks away with plenty of events planned both in D.C. and surrounding areas.
Youth Pride Day is Saturday, May 4 from noon-5 p.m. in Dupont Circle. Rayceen Pendarvis and Private Tails will host. There will be free stuff, performances, games, speakers and more. LGBTQ youth under 24 and allies are welcome to attend. Infatuation Dance, a Youth Pride Day afterparty, is at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar (2121 P St., N.W.) from 6-10 p.m. There will be face painting and mask making. For details, visit youthpridealliance.org.
Silver Pride, an LGBTQ event for people over 60, is on May 10 at Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.). The day will offer workshops, resources and social activities aimed at LGBTQ people over 60. Rayceen Pendarvis hosts the event. For more information, visit silverpridedc.org.
Asian Pacific Islander Pride holds its first ever Pride celebration on May 17. Visit capitalpride.org/api-pride-2019 for updates.
Capital Trans Pride is on May 18-19. Attendees can expect a celebration of the transgender and non-binary community with workshops, a resource fair, happy hour, entertainment, an outdoor movie and more. For more information, visit capitalpride.org.
D.C. Black Pride is May 24-27 with events at the Renaissance Hotel (999 9th St., N.W.) and various other locations in D.C. The Pride Exhibit Hall will be open at the Renaissance Hotel on May 24-25. Women In The Life Pop-Up Archive Gallery and Open Mic Reunion, featuring a performance by Boomscat, is at the Renaissance Hotel on May 24 from 8 p.m.-midnight. Early bird tickets are $25 and general admission tickets are $40. There will also be a happy hour meet and greet on May 24 from 3-9 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel and a CommUNITY Opening Reception from 7-9 p.m. Complimentary speed dating follows from 9-11 p.m. Other weekend events include a poetry slam, workshops such as Substance Use in the LGBTQ Community and Ask the Doc Understanding Health and Wellness and a LGBTQ elders session. There will also be a Transgender Town Hall. Numerous official D.C. Black Pride parties will also take place throughout the weekend. For a complete list of events, visit dcblackpride.org.
Capital Pride is May 31-June 9. This year’s theme is “Shhhout Past, Present and Proud.” The Capital Pride Block Party is on June 8 from 4-10 p.m. at 15th Street and P Street N.W. There will be entertainment, food and more. Capital Pride Parade is on June 8 from 4:30-8 p.m. in Dupont Circle and Logan Circle. More than 200 organizations will walk 1.5 miles on floats, vehicles or by foot holding sings, banners and offering entertainment. The Capital Pride Festival is June 9 from noon-10 p.m. at Pennsylvania Avenue and 3rd Street N.W. About 300 exhibitors including local community groups and businesses, organizations and food vendors will be on display. There will be live entertainment, music and more. Admission is free but donations are encouraged. Capital Pride Concert is June 9 from 1-8 p.m on Pennsylvania Avenue and 3rd Street N.W. The concert is free but VIP passes with a private bar, complimentary beer, wine and spirits, complimentary light fare and a view of backstage will be offered. Concert Pit Zone passes will also be offered for entry to the Pit Zone in front of the north side of the Capitol Concert Stage. Proceeds for both passes will benefit the Capital Pride Alliance and LGBTQ partner organizations. For more information, visit capitalpride.org.
D.C. Latinx Pride is June 1-2 and June 5-6 at multiple venues in D.C. The official dance party is on June 6 from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. at the D.C. Eagle (3701 Benning Rd., N.E.). Other events will include a parade and a LGBTQ history tour. For updates, visit latinoglbthistory.org/latinx-pride.
Delaware Pride Festival takes place in Dover, Del., on June 1 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. There will be food trucks and live music. Free entry. Delaware’s first ever Pride Parade is from 9-10 a.m.
Pittsburgh Pride is June 1-9. Pride Rocks PGH is June 7-8 at Fort Duquesne Boulevard at 7th Street. On June 7, pop/rock band Walk the Moon will perform. R&B singer Toni Braxton and singer/songwriter Rina Sawayama will perform on June 8. PrideFest is on June 8-9 at Fort Duquesne Boulevard between 7th Street and 9th Street and the Andy Warhol Bridge. There will be 175 vendors, food booths, entertainment on three stages, free STI and HIV testing and more. The Equality March kicks off June 9 at 12:30 p.m. The march starts at the Blvd. of the Allies, turns left onto Grant Street, left onto Fifth Avenue and ends at Liberty Avenue.For more event information, visit pittsburghpride.org.
Philly Pride Parade and Festival is June 9. Parade starts at 11:30 a.m. at 13th and Locust Streets and festival gates open at noon at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. There is a $15 cover charge. For details, visit phillygaypride.org.
Hampton Roads Pride is June 21-22. The Pride Block Party is June 21 from 7 p.m.-midnight at Scope Arena (201 E Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va.). Pridefest is June 22 from noon-8 p.m. at Town Point Park (113 Waterside Dr., Norfolk, Va.). Pride at the Beach is on June 23 from 2-7 p.m. at 31st Street Park (Virginia Beach, Va.). Singer JoJo is the headliner. For more information, visit hamptonroadspride.org.
Prides listed below haven’t released 2019 event details but save the date:
Frederick Pride is at the Carroll Creek Amphitheater (Carroll Creek Linear Park, Frederick, Md.) on June 22 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. For more details, visit frederickpride.org.
Hagerstown Pride is July 13 from 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Central Lot and Elizabeth Hager Center Lot (14 N Potomac St., Hagerstown, Md.). For details, visit hagerstownhopesmd.org.
Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival is on Sept. 21 at 80 Court Square, Harrisonburg, Va. For more information and updates, visit shenandoahvalleypride.org.
VA Pridefest is Sept. 28 on Brown’s Island (Richmond, Va.). Visit vapride.org.
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.
Friday, June 26
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].
DC Bird Alliance will host “Second Annual Ride for Pride” at 9 a.m. at the Yards Marina. This event is for celebrating community, belonging, and our shared connection to nature. Together, we’ll enjoy a guided one-hour boat ride departing from The Yards Marina, exploring the river’s wildlife, history, and ongoing restoration. Along the way, participants may spot Ospreys, herons, egrets, cormorants, Bald Eagles, turtles, and other species that call the Anacostia home. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Saturday, June 27
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.
“Sunshine: A Sapphic Pride Day Party” will be at 1 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a patio party for queer women & sapphics 35+. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Sunday, June 28
Trap Laughsss Pride Comedy Night will be at 7 p.m. at Sid’s Gold Request Room. This in-person event is where comedy meets Pride, bringing you hilarious performances that’ll have you rolling in the aisles. Whether you’re here to celebrate or just enjoy some fantastic jokes, this night is all about fun, community, and laughs. Don’t miss out on the best comedy bash around! More details are on Eventbrite.
Monday, June 29
“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]).
Tuesday, June 30
The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community will host a screening of “Swann Queen” at 7 p.m. This is a short film by Lcedeño Miller inspired by the true story of William Dorsey Swann – considered one of the world’s first drag queens. Billy Swann and their brother Dan are preparing to host their third masquerade ball. When the police raid the party, Billy must decide whether to run or resist. Swann Queen is a story about community, survival, and the legacy of LGBTQ+ resistance in Washington, D.C. Screening followed by conversation. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Wednesday, July 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 www.thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, July 2
The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the Center. 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, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community’s website.
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