Arts & Entertainment
Capital Trans Pride returns this weekend
Day-long seminar, resource fair, social hour, film screening planned

Capital Trans Pride
shhhOUT: Past, Present & Proud
Free but registration encouraged
Look for the event on Facebook to register
Saturday, May 18
Workshops & Resource Fair
8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Eaton Workshop
1201 K St., N.W.
Capital Trans Pride Happy Hour
Saturday, May 18
5-8 p.m.
Studio Theatre
1501 14th St., N.W.
“The Garden Left Behind” movie screening
Sunday, May 19
5-9 p.m.
Studio Theatre
free
If intersectionality is a current buzzword when discussing LGBT and other issues, it’s one that’s explored dramatically in the movie “The Garden Left Behind,” which tells of Tina, a young trans woman, and Eliana, her grandmother, as they navigate Tina’s transition and struggle to build a life for themselves as undocumented immigrants in New York.
It will be screened this weekend as part of Capital Trans Pride on Sunday at 6 p.m. at Studio Theatre (1501 14th St., N.W.) as part of a weekend full of activities. Its theme is one that especially resonates with Trans Pride organizer Bianca Humady Rey, a native Filipino who came to the U.S. in ’98 and came out as trans in 2013.
“It really resonated with me personally,” Humady Rey says. “There’s a scene where she’s talking with her therapist to get those two letters required (for gender affirmation surgery) and it really connected with many of us when we previewed the film because these are also the challenges many of us in our community are facing.”
Humady Rey says the film skillfully captures what it’s like to be trans.
“It shows why it’s important for us to be visible, to fight the fight and make sure that everybody is aware that trans people are human. We’re being killed in high numbers yearly and that needs to stop. But it’s also about what the journey is like and the process. There’s a lot there that will resonate with our diverse community.”
Filmmakers will be on hand after the screening for a Q&A session.
That’s Sunday, but Saturday is the main day for Trans Pride programming. After battling rain last year, organizers have nixed the outdoor element that was part of the 2018 event when Trans Pride was at Foundry Church and Stead Park. This year, the main day of programming will be held at Eaton Workshop (1201 K St., N.W.) from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. for the workshop and resource fair. This year’s theme is “shhhOUT: Past, Present & Proud.” It’s free but registration is requested.
SaVanna Wanzer started Capital Trans Pride in 2007 and is now active with We the People, another local trans group in the midst of its May Is? All About Trans series of events.
Jamison Crowell, executive director of the D.C. Area Transmasculine Society, a queer trans man, is one of the Trans Pride session presenters along with the society’s program associate Jake Paiva.
Ann Murdoch will present a workshop called “Celebrating Trans and Gender Non-conforming Identities” at 10 a.m. in which “participants will gain an appreciation for how inspiring many people from all walks of life find our stories of overcoming shame, stigma and discrimination to live our authentic lives as well as explore of how our personal stories both shape and are shaped by our identities.”
Murdoch is a blogger, speaker and trainer who helps organizations harness the power of diversity and inclusion, teaches leadership, and “helps people be their best, most authentic selves,” according to Trans Pride promotional material. She is a retired U.S. Army officer who rose through the ranks from private to lieutenant colonel and now works for the federal government. After a long career representing as male, she transitioned in 2016.
Breakfast and lunch will be served at the event.
Other workshops planned throughout the day include “intro to Government Consulting,” “It’s Your Health: Understanding Insurance Maze & Filing Appeals,” “PrEP and Trans Bodies,” “Adult Allies for Transgender and Non-binary Youth” and many more.
Cecilia Gentili will be the keynote speaker at 1 p.m. in the Beverly Snow Room.
Attendance estimates are hard to determine, but Trans Pride organizers say between 400-600 attend throughout the weekend. RSVPs on social media are already higher this year than in previous years, organizers said.
Humady Rey says the resources Trans Pride offers are especially needed now in what some have called a hostile presidential administration in which trans rights — what few there are — are often first on the chopping block.
“I’m always thinking about medical access for myself and my trans brothers and sisters,” Humady Rey says. “I don’t understand how you can deny someone access to what they need to be their fully authentic self. It’s outrageous.”
Ultimately, though, she’s hopeful.
“I live a very optimistic life,” she says. “There’s a light coming at the end of the tunnel. In the meantime, we need to really start educating people in power and our allies and even people who are not our allies, to hear our stories. That’s what really makes an impact.”
Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.
Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Arts & Entertainment
Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71
Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’
Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.
O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.
In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.
In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”
Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.
Friday, January 30
Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).
Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 31
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, February 1
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 2
“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 (adamheller@thedccenter.org).
Tuesday, February 3
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 4
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.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, February 5
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 5:00 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, breath work 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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