Out & About
Calendar: Sept. 27-Oct. 3
Parties, shows and events in the week to come
Friday, Sept. 27
The Fall LGBTQ Community Happy Hour Rooftop Social is tonight from 7-9 p.m. at the Embassy Row Hotel (2015 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.). Guests gather on the Embassy’s rooftop lounge to enjoy the view, network and socialize. Registration is free but required for admission. For more information, visit eventbrite.com.
Saturday, Sept. 28
The National Trans Visibility March is today from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. beginning in Freedom Plaza (1455 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.). March organizers seek to raise awareness of anti-trans policies as well as engage both local and national elected officials in an ongoing dialogue. The event is free and all are invited to participate. Visit transmarchondc.org for more information.
The Human Rights Campaign’s National Dinner is tonight from 5-11 p.m. at the Washington Convention Center (801 Mt. Vernon Pl., N.W.). HRC is a leading national advocacy organization working for the equal rights of the LGBTQ community through education, research and political activities. The national dinner features a cocktail reception, silent and live auction, elegant dinner, live entertainment, speakers and guests. For tickets and information, visit capitalpride.org.
Blisspop Disco Fest featuring Chromeo is tonight at the 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.). Doors open at 10 p.m. and tickets start at $40. Canadian electro-funk duo Chromeo was featured in DJ Mehdi’s song “I Am Somebody” and has supported indie rock groups. Also performing are Dam-Funk, RAC and Robotaki. Tickets and information at 930.com and ustreetmusichall.com.
The D.C. Queer Theater Festival Reading Series is tonight from 7-10 p.m. at Center Arts in the D.C. Center (2000 14th St. N.W., Suite 105). The festival showcases new and unpublished work from local playwrights performed as a developmental table reading. After each reading is a playwright talkback session and a reception with light fare, wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages. Tickets for each reading is $10 and $25 for the series. For tickets and information, visit thedccenter.org.
Sunday, Sept. 29
Bishop Gene Robinson preaches today at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Parish’s new location (1517 18th St.,N.W.) followed by a reception on the rooftop balcony. St. Thomas will join with St. Luke’s church for the occasion. Robinson was consecrated in 2003 as the first openly gay bishop in a mainline Christian denomination. He moved to Washington upon retiring in 2013. Details at stthomasdc.org.
The D.C. Front Runners Distance Run meets today at 9 a.m.-noon for their weekly Sunday run beginning from the Taras Shevchenko Monument (22nd and P St., N.W.). D.C. Front Runners is an LGBTQ group welcoming runners for exercise in a fun and supportive environment. Running route distance is 8-12 miles and participants can run at their own pace. For more information, visit dcfrontrunners.org.
Gayborhood Night Piano Bar is tonight from 5-8 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant (555 23rd St., S, Arlington, Va.). Gayborhood Night fosters greater community for LGBTQ and allies and an opportunity to enjoy happy hour specials with neighbors. Everyone is welcome. Free door prize raffle around 7 p.m. for more information, visit freddiesbeachbar.com.
Monday, Sept. 30
Walking With Anthony’s seventh annual charity celebrity golf tournament and dinner is today at the Country Club of Fairfax (5110 Ox Rd., Fairfax, Va.). Player registration starts at 9:30 a.m., lunch is at 12:30 p.m., cocktails and the silent auction is at 4:30 and dinner starts at 5:30. Proceeds benefit the Walking with Anthony Foundation which promotes spinal cord injury education, research and grants to individuals with SCI. Visit walkingwithanthony.org for more information.
JR.’s Bar (1519 17th St., N.W.) presents Showtunes Monday with Vagenesis tonight starting at 8:30 p.m. The event opens with a happy hour showtune singalong and continues with $4 draft pints, special performances and giveaways. For more information, visit jrsbar-dc.com or Facebook events.
Tuesday, Oct. 1
“Sheer Madness” runs tonight starting at 8 p.m. in the Kennedy Center theater lab (2700 F St., N.W.). This show is an interactive comedy whodunit that lets audiences solve the crime. With more than 13,200 performances at the Kennedy Center, Sheer Madness is the second longest-running play in the history of American theater (its sister production in Boston is number one). For tickets and information, visit kennedy-center.org.
August Wilson’s “Fences” continues its run at Ford’s Theatre (511 10th St., N.W.) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Set in segregated Pittsburgh in the 1950s, this play depicts the life of a former Negro League baseball star now scraping by as a sanitation worker. He takes responsibility for his wife and son’s well-being, but betrays them in ways that will alter their lives forever. “Fences” explores the walls we build around ourselves and our loved ones as well as what walls say about divisions in our society. Visit fords.org for tickets and information.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
The Center Careers Discussion Group is tonight from 6-7 p.m. at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W., suite 105). The Center Careers Job Club meets weekly at the D.C. Center on Wednesday as a weekly job support group. Details at thecenterdc.org.
Thursday, Oct. 3
The Asian Pacific Islander Queer Support Group meets tonight at 7 p.m. at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W., suite 105). The group has been renewed for 2019 and runs every first Thursday of the month. The event is a closed space and only for individuals who identify as queer and Asian and/or Pacific Islander. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Friday, May 23
“Center Aging Monthly Luncheon and Yoga” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. For more details, email [email protected].
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity and/or expression. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at DIK Bar. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 24
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and 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 Mixer will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a support group dedicated to the joys of being a Black lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].
Sunday, May 25
“The Queen’s Table: A Women’s Empowerment Brunch” will be at 11 a.m. at Zooz. This event will celebrate queer women’s strength. For more details visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 26
“Center Aging Monday Coffee and Conversation” 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 details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 27
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 you’re not 100 percent cis — this is your group. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This support group is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Wednesday, May 28
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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, May 29
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fairer with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. 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 with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
Out & About
Documentary about Blade reporter to premiere this month
Panel discussion to follow ‘Lou’s Legacy’ screening
“Lou’s Legacy: A Reporter’s Life at the ‘Washington Blade’” will premiere on Thursday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
This new documentary from Emmy-nominated D.C. filmmaker Patrick Sammon tells the story of the legendary Blade news reporter, Lou Chibbaro Jr., as he works on an article about the return of drag icon Donnell Robinson – also known as Ella Fitzgerald — to the Capital Pride stage.
The documentary follows Chibbaro as he works on a story about Ella’s triumphant return to the Pride stage after three years away because of COVID. Donnell and Chibbaro reflect on their careers and discuss the ongoing backlash against the LGBTQ community, including laws targeting drag performers.
After the screening, there will be a panel discussion moderated by D.C. journalist Rebekah Robinson and featuring Blade Publisher Lynne Brown. This event is free and more details are available at the DC Public Library website.
Friday, May 16
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St. NW. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Trans Genderqueer Game Night will be at 6 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Saturday, May 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.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group 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 are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Pride Kickoff FunDay Social” at 4 p.m. at Moxy. This event is ideal for making meaningful new connections and informal community building. Or just to unwind and enjoy the group happy hour. Fabulous people from all over the world are expected and nametags will be provided. This event is free to attend and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Art with Tosca will host “Queer Icons & Trailblazers: An Art Tour for World Pride DC 2025” at 2:00p.m. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This will be an unforgettable exploration of LGBTQ+ history, identity, and artistic expression at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. Celebrate the vibrant history and culture of the LGBTQ+ community through compelling portraits and groundbreaking works that highlight the power of queer artistry. Tickets cost $48 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 19
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” 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 details, email [email protected].
“Pickets, Protests and Parades Exhibit Tour” will be at 7 p.m. at Freedom Plaza. This exhibition honors the courage, resistance, and resilience of D.C.’s LGBTQ+ community. Tickets start at $10 and are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, May 20
Center Bi+ Roundtable Discussion 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. For more details, visit Facebook or Meetup.
Wednesday, May 21
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 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 with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
DC Anti-Violence Project Open Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. These are open meetings, and we would love to see anyone who is interested in learning more and getting involved in lessening violence both within and directed towards the LGBT communities. For more details, visit Facebook and Twitter.
‘Things Like This’ embraces formula and plus-size visibility
Calendar: May 23-29
Comings & Goings
New doc chronicles gay hero’s journey from rape to forgiveness
Murdered Israeli embassy officials were supporters of D.C.’s LGBTQ synagogue
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
WorldPride events round-up
Pope Leo XIV: Family based on ‘stable union between a man and a woman’
Wes Moore signs HIV decriminalization bill
