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
A roundup of fall events not to be missed
Laverne Cox, Oktoberfest, arts celebrations, and more
Colder temperatures don’t mean you have to stay indoors — here’s a roundup of what to do this fall.
Laverne Cox will discuss her memoir, “Transcendent,” with Dr. Melanie Bryant on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at Baltimore Book Fest. Cox will share her journey as a transgender woman in Hollywood, confronting childhood trauma, shame, gender identity, her transition, body image issues, her search for romantic love, deep-seated feelings of unworthiness, and ultimately, healing.
Dacha Beer Garden will launch its longest and loudest Oktoberfest yet on Friday, Sept. 18. This will be 17 consecutive days of Bavarian festivities across both locations — the original Shaw beer garden and the 800-person Navy Yard garden — running through Sunday, Oct. 4. On opening night, DC Brau will tap the ceremonial first keg and then Manuela Horn, the six-foot-two Austrian yodel queen, will trade sets with Johnny Koenig and his four-piece band in a live back-and-forth of yodeling, polka, and crowd games that can only be described as Oktoberfest ping pong.
Fay Jacobs will host “Aging Gracefully: 2nd Annual Farewell Tour” on Friday, Oct. 9 and Saturday, Oct. 10 at CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. This show will feature a new script with lots of new stories, and only a couple of “signature” tales.
Capital One Center will host its “Celebration of the Arts” starting on Saturday, Sept. 19 at its location in Tysons, Va. There will be art, music, food trucks, local vendors, and family-friendly outdoor entertainment. This curated experience invites you to engage with hands-on workshops, immersive art activations, and live performances. More details are available on Eventbrite.
Spark Social will host “open Mic Night” on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. Get ready to share your talent or just kick back and enjoy some great performances at Spark Social. Sign Ups are first-come-first-serve,, but you can also message the venue on Instagram to reserve a performance spot. Whether you’re a singer, poet, or comedian, this is your chance to get on stage and share your art. Tickets are $13.26 and are available on Eventbrite.
Howard University’s School of Social Work will host “Intergenerational Trauma in the BIPOC Community and the Use of Art” on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. This in-person, interactive workshop explores the role of art as a creative and supportive tool for understanding and addressing intergenerational trauma. Participants will examine the meaning and impact of intergenerational trauma, with particular attention to its historical roots and ongoing effects within Black and other BIPOC communities. More details are available on Eventbrite.
9:30 Club will host “BERTHA: Grateful Drag” on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. The group has partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 from every ticket sold goes to SMYAL and their work supporting and empowering LGBTQ+ youth. Tickets are available on 9:30 Club’s website.
Steve Lacy’s “Oh Yeah?” tour is coming to The Anthem on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available on The Anthem’s website.
Rapper Cupcakke will perform at Howard Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. More details are available on the theater’s website.
Team DC will host “Open Play: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Athletes and Sports Fans” on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. at Trade. Join Athlete Ally, Team DC and District Wrestling for a casual, in-person mixer as they celebrate LGBTQ+ sports fans and athletes at all levels of the game. Whether you’re part of an LGBTQ+ recreational league or just love watching sports, this is the place to connect, celebrate, and share the love of the game with other queer athletes, fans, business leaders, policymakers and more. Reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “2026 LGBT Intergenerational Extravaganza” on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 12 p.m.This is an event to connect, build relationships, and have fun with LGBTQ folks from other generations, and it will include lunch, an intergenerational dialogue and breakout sessions. More details are available on Eventbrite.
Out & About
LGBTQ Military Happy Hour set for Sept. 15
In-person gathering to be held at Tom’s Watch Bar
Modern Military Association of America will host “Pride in Service: An LGBTQ+ Military Happy Hour” on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. at Tom’s Watch Bar.
This in-person gathering is the perfect chance to connect, share stories, and celebrate the diversity within the military community. Come relax, meet fellow LGBTQ+ service members and allies, and enjoy a fun, supportive atmosphere. Don’t miss out on an evening full of pride, camaraderie, and good vibes. Visit Eventbrite for more details.
Friday, September 11
Go Gay DC will host “Out in DC LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena.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, September 12
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 LGBTQ+ Community Center will host screenings of “Princess Sparkles” and “Kiloran Bay” at 1:30 p.m. “Kiloran Bay” is a 13-minute musical short set amid the wild beauty of the Scottish Hebrides and the fierce joy of a wedding cèilidh. “Princess Sparkles” is about a girl who accidentally signs up to pet-sit a princess only to discover she’s actually a nippy, Fox News-watching pig. More details are available on the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.
Sunday, September 13
“Nellie’s DC Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. Come get served like a queen by a queen. Join Sapphire Blue, Deja Diamond and their team of amazing drag performers for the most fun you’ll have all weekend. Tickets are $58.51 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, September 14
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10:00a.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, September 15
Center Bi Pan+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting. Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Wednesday, September 16
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.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “Movement for Healing” at 3 p.m. This trauma- and yoga therapy–informed class is designed to help guests gently reconnect with their body and their breath. Through mindful movement, somatic awareness, and grounding practices, guests will explore how to release tension, increase mobility, and cultivate a deeper sense of safety and ease within. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, September 17
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LGBTQ+ 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 LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.
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