Out & About
Calendar: May 8-14
LGBTQ events in the week to come
Friday, May 8
“Straight Up” presented by the Reel Affirmations LGBTQ Film Series on Demand is available for viewing today at 10 a.m. Todd, a 20-something whose fear of dying leads him to question his homosexuality, and Rory, a struggling actress with her own insecurities, forge a strange relationship of discovery in this unusual rom-com. Virtual tickets are $12 and grant unlimited access until May 14 at 11 p.m. Visit thedccenter.org for details.
Saturday, May 9
The Pandemic Players present Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” tonight at 7 p.m. via YouTube at youtube.com/channel/UCHlIucoid-7qqXkdNSeLnkQ. The live feed begins one hour before curtain time. Each week’s free performance is to support a local partner theater company through the pandemic. For more information, visit their Facebook event page.
Sunday, May 10
“SAGE,” a short film about Baltimore Ceasefire 365, screens today at noon via Zoom and is accompanied by a Facebook discussion on the Baltimore Ceasefire group page. Tickets are $12 and the cost supports the Baltimore filmmakers and theater program. For more information, visit facebook.com/baltimoreceasefire.
Monday, May 11
The Baltimore City Mayoral Debate hosted by the Baltimore City Chapter of the NAACP is tonight at 7 p.m. online. Moderators will question leading candidates for the June 2 Democratic primary about their plan for Baltimore’s future. Register at eventbrite.com/e/baltimore-city-mayoral-debate-tickets-103857386238 to receive a link to join the live online event.
Tuesday, May 12
The online edition of May is? All About Trans, a month-long series of events focused on the transgender community, begins today at 5 p.m. with the Trans Latinx Institute. This conversation with the Latinx community is free and available via Zoom. To register for this and other transgender community events, visit mayistransdc.com.
Drag Makeup Live hosted by Star Track Adolescent Health Program (12 Penn St., Baltimore) is tonight, and every Tuesday night, at 6 p.m. This online event features local drag and makeup artists spilling tea on their artistry. Star Track staff will be in the comments section of the stream and will direct message resources to participants. Visit the Star Track Health Facebook page for more information.
A Broadway Dance Class with award-winning choreographer Parker Esse is tonight at 6 p.m. via Zoom. The event is free but donations are encouraged to help support Arena Stage programs at arenastage.org/donate and arenastage.org/paypal. To register and for more information, visit the Facebook event page or email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 13
Before and After Roe v. Wade, an online discussion hosted by Profs and Pints, is tonight at 7 p.m. Sara Matthiesen, a professor of history and women’s, gender and sexuality studies at George Washington University leads a discussion of the pending Supreme Court decision on June Medical Services v. Gee, a case that will decide if individuals still have a right to abortion as envisioned by the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling. To register for $12 tickets, visit the event’s Facebook page.
Thursday, May 14
America’s Islamic Heritage Museum (2315 Martin Luther King Jr Ave., S.E.) offers Free Iftar Meals tonight, and every Tuesday and Thursday, at 7 p.m. These free meals for Muslims to break their Ramadan fasts after sunset are available for pick up from 7-8 p.m. For more information, visit the Facebook event page or aihmuseum.org/ramadan-iftars.html.od
Friday, June 26
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event 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].
DC Bird Alliance will host “Second Annual Ride for Pride” at 9 a.m. at the Yards Marina. This event is for celebrating community, belonging, and our shared connection to nature. Together, we’ll enjoy a guided one-hour boat ride departing from The Yards Marina, exploring the river’s wildlife, history, and ongoing restoration. Along the way, participants may spot Ospreys, herons, egrets, cormorants, Bald Eagles, turtles, and other species that call the Anacostia home. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Saturday, June 27
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.
“Sunshine: A Sapphic Pride Day Party” will be at 1 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a patio party for queer women & sapphics 35+. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Sunday, June 28
Trap Laughsss Pride Comedy Night will be at 7 p.m. at Sid’s Gold Request Room. This in-person event is where comedy meets Pride, bringing you hilarious performances that’ll have you rolling in the aisles. Whether you’re here to celebrate or just enjoy some fantastic jokes, this night is all about fun, community, and laughs. Don’t miss out on the best comedy bash around! More details are on Eventbrite.
Monday, June 29
“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, June 30
The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community will host a screening of “Swann Queen” at 7 p.m. This is a short film by Lcedeño Miller inspired by the true story of William Dorsey Swann – considered one of the world’s first drag queens. Billy Swann and their brother Dan are preparing to host their third masquerade ball. When the police raid the party, Billy must decide whether to run or resist. Swann Queen is a story about community, survival, and the legacy of LGBTQ+ resistance in Washington, D.C. Screening followed by conversation. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Wednesday, July 1
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 www.thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, July 2
The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the Center. 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, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community’s website.
The Baltimore Orioles will take on the Washington Nationals on Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m. for Pride Night at Oriole Park.
The first 15,000 fans will receive an exclusive Pride Night Orioles jersey. The Washington Blade is a media sponsor of this event.
To purchase tickets, visit Orioles.com/Tickets.
Out & About
Writers’ association hosts Capital Love LitFest
Inaugural literary salon scheduled for Sunday
The Washington Writers’ Publishing House (WWPH), the nation’s longest continuously operating cooperative nonprofit literary press, will present the inaugural “Capital Love LitFest” on Sunday, June 28 at 10 a.m. at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Md.
Designed as a full-day literary salon and cultural gathering, the event will feature more than 25 writers, nine workshops, and panel discussions, readings, and conversations centered on love, relationships, identity, healing, creativity, and connection in divisive times. Admission is pay-what-you-can, beginning at free.
The LitFest celebrates the release of “Capital Love,” WWPH’s new anthology featuring 55 writers from across the DMV, including contributors from Baltimore, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The pocket-sized collectible anthology explores love in its many forms through poetry and prose and serves as a literary response to today’s social and political climate.
For more details, visit Washington Writers’ website.
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