Out & About
Calendar: May 15-21
LGBTQ events in the week to come
Friday, May 15
Reel Affirmations on Demand presents “Pier Kids” today until Monday at noon. Virtual tickets are $12 for unlimited access to this Black Pride month film selection about what it means to be black and queer decades after Stonewall. For tickets and information visit thedccenter.org.
May is? All About Trans hosts a transmasculine conversation tonight at 7 p.m. via Zoom. This free event is limited to those who identify as transmasculine and features a panel discussion, breakout rooms and giveaways for attendees. For more information on this and other May events, visit mayistransdc.com.
Saturday, May 16
May is? All About Trans hosts a Native American community conversation tonight at 7 p.m. via Zoom. This free event is to celebrate and share contributions from the trans Native American experience. For more information on this and other May events, visit mayistransdc.com.
Janet Nation hosted by DJ Travis Island is tonight at 9 p.m. via Twitter live stream at twitter.com/vj_tre. This virtual party event features Janet Jackson’s music and benefits JR.’s wage relief fund. For Venmo details and more visit the event Facebook page.
Sunday, May 17
The LGBTQ Victory Fund’s Sunday Social on Facebook Live featuring Victory Fund President and CEO Anniese Parker and former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is today at noon. Virtual tickets start at $50. More information is available at facebook.com/victoryfund.
DJ Darryl Strickland hosts We Love the ’70s tonight at 5 p.m. Viewers can request their favorite ’70s videos to watch via Twitter and Periscope. Visit the Sunday ’70s Facebook event page for more information.
Monday, May 18
Stay-At-Home Showtunes, a weekly streaming benefit show for JR.’s bar, continues tonight at 8:30 p.m. A rotating cast of drag performers, hosts and more participate in this virtual event to support JR.’s staff during the crisis. More information is available on jrsbar-dc.com and its Facebook event page.
Tuesday, May 19
A Virtual Writing Hour hosted by the National Portrait Gallery is today at 5 p.m. via Zoom. This event creates a virtual shared space for writers to create, connect and draw inspiration from the gallery’s online exhibitions on Google Arts and Culture. The gallery will provide writing prompts and will end each session with a discussion or reading. For free tickets and information, visit the event’s Facebook and Eventbrite pages.
May is? All About Trans hosts an evening of music and poetry tonight at 7 p.m. via Zoom. This free event celebrates the trans community with interactive entertainment. For more information on this and other May events, visit mayistransdc.com.
Wednesday, May 20
LULAC Lambda hosts its May meeting virtually tonight at 6 p.m. The group has invited the president of Friends of Puerto Rico to discuss their work and their grant application. For more information and Zoom details, visit the event’s Facebook page.
Thursday, May 21
Politics and Prose Live presents Jia Lynn Yang, author of “One Mighty and Irresistible Tide,” tonight at 8 p.m. via Facebook Live. Yang’s work is about the struggle for the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act which opened the door to increased nonwhite migration. Visit crowdcast.io/e/JLY-Mighty-Tide/register to register for this event.
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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