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.