Out & About
Calendar: Sept. 6-12
Parties, meetings and events in the week to come

Friday, Sept. 6
Gay District meets at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 8:30-9:30 p.m. The facilitated group discussion covers building understanding of gay culture and personal identity and awareness of community events for LGBT men between the ages of 18-35 in the D.C. area. For more details, visit gaydistrict.org.
Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.) hosts Slay Them, a drag competition, tonight at 9 p.m. Desiree Dik and Wang Newton host the competition. The prize is $50 and the chance to co-host and perform at a future event with Desiree Dik at Red Bear. For more information, visit facebook.com/redbearbrewing.
Saturday, Sept. 7
TheatreWashington hosts its kickoff party at Arena Stage (1101 6th St., S.W.) today from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be performances, demonstrations, conversations and giveaways. Performers include Felicia Curry, Hasani Allen, Erin Driscoll, Rayanne Gonzales, Aaron Bliden and more. Admission is free. For more information, visit facebook.com/theatrewashington.
Sunday, Sept. 8
DCATS hosts Naming Yourself, an event for the transmasc community, at Whitman-Walker Health (1525 14th St., N.W.) today at 5 p.m. General information will be provided on how to change your name but it will not focus on the legal process. DCATS meetings are for individuals assigned female at birth but who believe this is an inaccurate description of themselves. For more information, visit facebook.com/dcatsociety.
DCATS hosts Partners of Transmasc Folx, a support group for partners of transmasc individuals, at Whitman-Walker Health (1525 14th St., N.W.) today at 5 p.m. The group will share stories on their experiences having a transmasc partner. For details, visit facebook.com/dcatsociety.
Monday, Sept. 9
TheatreWashington hosts ShowTunes and Cocktails at the Beacon Bar & Grill (1615 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. The event will be hosted by pianist Glenn Pearson. Guest artists include Greg Maheu and Monique Midgette. Tickets are pay-what-you-can. Ten percent of the night’s proceeds will benefit the Beacon Bar & Grill. For more information, visit facebook.com/theatrewashington.
D.C. Startup Week welcomes Ebone Bell, found and editor of Tagg Magazine, at Booz Allen Hamilton Innovation Center (901 15th St., N.W.) to moderate a panel at 3:30 p.m. on closing the equity gap in your workplace. Registration is free. For more details, visit dcstartupweek.com.
“A Night For Kristina Kelly” is tonight at 8 p.m. at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W. first floor) with performances by many local drag and performance D.C. regulars, some of whom are coming out of retirement for this one-time benefit event for Kelly, one of D.C.’s drag legends. Kelly is having gastric bypass surgery and is insured, but needs about $3,000 for her recovery needs. Friends are uniting to help. Look for the event on Facebook for details.
Tuesday, Sept. 10
“Queer Eye” food and wine expert Antoni Porowski appears at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. to discuss his new cookbook “Antoni in the Kitchen.” Porowski will demo recipes from the book, answer audience questions and discuss why food and healthy living is important to him. Tickets range from $45-95. For more information, visit thelincolndc.com.
The Office of LGBTQ Affairs hosts its Advisory Committee Meeting at the Reeves Center Municipal Building (2000 14th St., N.W.) this evening from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The meeting will advise the mayor on LGBTQ issues for D.C. residents and offer recommendations on the focus of the Office of LGBTQ Affairs. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
The D.C. Chapter of StartOut moderates a panel for D.C. Start Up Week at CrossLead (1445 New York Ave., N.W.) this evening at 6 p.m. The panel focuses on alternative ways to fund a startup. The introduction begins at 6 p.m. followed by the panel discussion at 6:30. There will be a post-event networking event at 7:30 p.m. Registration is free. For more details, visit dcstartupweek.org.
Leslie Jones tapes comedy specials at the Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.) tonight at 7 and 9 p.m. Tickets are $37. For more information, visit warnertheatredc.com.
Wednesday, Sept. 11
The National Book Festival presents Neil Patrick Harris at the Library of Congress (101 Independence Ave., S.E.) tonight at 7 p.m. Harris will discuss his book “The Magic Misfits: The Minor Third,” the third book in his New York Times bestselling book series. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. Admission is free but tickets are required for entry. Seating is first-come, first-served. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/libraryofcongress.
WeDC House presents Building an Inclusive Culture at Your Startup, a panel discussion for D.C. Start Up Week, at Eaton (1201 K St., N.W.) at 11 a.m. The panel discussion will focus on LGBTQ issues in hiring and startup life. For details, visit dcstartupweek.org.
The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for duplicate bridge. No reservations required and new comers welcome. If you need a partner, call 703-407-6540.
Big Gay Book Group meets at Trio Bistro Restaurant (1537 17th St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. to discuss “Like a Love Story” by Abdi Nazemian. Newcomers welcome. For more details, visit biggaybookgroup.com or email [email protected].
Thursday, Sept. 12
Pitchers D.C. (2317 18th St., N.W.) kicks off Pitchers Drag World Series, a new drag competition, tonight at 10 p.m. Ten contestants will compete for the crown. Venus Valhalla hosts the show. For more information, visit facebook.com/pitchers-drag-world-series.
Metropolitan A.M.E. Church (1518 M St., N.W.) presents 2018 Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams today at 6:30 p.m. Abrams will discuss fighting voter suppression and ensuring that every American is counted in the 2020 Census. Tickets are $40. Proceeds benefit Metropolitan A.M.E. Church. For more details, visit thefamilyroom.eventbrite.com.
Friday, January 23
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at noon 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.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. This group 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, January 24
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.
Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black lesbian. You do not need to be a member of the Beta Kappa Chapter or the Beta Phi Omega Sorority in order to join, but they do ask that you either identify as a lesbian or are questioning that aspect of your identity. For more details, email [email protected].
Monday, January 26
“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]).
Queer Book Club will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This month’s books are “The Nightmare Before Kissmas” by Sara Raasch and “Transgender History” by Susan Stryker. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, January 27
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 28
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.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. Currently, this group is a meeting place for both identities, but we realize that as time passes, the groups may choose to host individual meetings.For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, January 29
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.
Out & About
Love board games and looking for love?
Quirk Events will host “Board Game Speed Dating for Gay Men” on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at KBird DC.
Searching for a partner can be challenging. But board games are always fun. So what if you combined board games and finding a partner?
Picture this: You sit down for a night of games. A gaming concierge walks you through several games over the course of the night. You play classics you love and discover brand new games you’ve never heard of, playing each with a different group of fun singles. All while in a great establishment.
At the end of the night, you give your gaming concierge a list of the folks you met that you’d like to date and a list of those you met that you’d like to just hang out with as friends. If any two people put down the same name as each other in either column, then your gaming concierge will make sure you get each other’s e-mail address and you can coordinate a time to hang out.
Tickets cost $31.80 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Friday, January 16
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]).
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This event is ideal for making new connections and community building or just to unwind and enjoy extended happy hour. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 17
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 and SMYAL will host a free film screening of “Mama Bears” celebrating queer youth, resilience, and the power of living authentically. Whether you’re a movie lover, looking to make new friends, or simply want a safe, affirming space to relax, this event is for you. Click this link to RSVP.
LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There will be all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, January 18
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, January 19
“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, January 20
Center Bi+ 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.
Tae Kwon Do Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Wednesday, January 21
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, January 22
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.
