Out & About
Starker, sparer Pride season — guide to 2020 Pride weekend parties, events
No Justice protest one of few non-virtual events planned


Not quite as many of the dozens of parties and events that always heavily pepper Pride weekend in Washington with near-24/7 options are happening virtually as you might expect. It’s a starker, sparer Pride season this year with Black Lives Matter issues occupying more head space than the usual floats, drag queens, thongs and glitter.
There are a few, however:
Capital Pride #StillWe launches a virtual series of streamed events June and beyond through a partnership with The D.C. Center.
Programs include monthly online town halls, expanded resources available through its websites and a shared community calendar. Pride 2020 Reimagined includes new Pride month programming as well as ongoing virtual versions of the D.C. Center’s Reel Affirmations film series, Outwrite Literary Festival and more.
For more information and a listing of events, visit the Capital Pride and D.C. Center websites.
A series of groups led by No Justice No Pride plans its own counter-Pride programming this year with the D.C. Pride2020 March+Caravan on Saturday, June 13 at 2:30 p.m. at the Takoma Metro (327 Cedar St., N.W.) station for a black- and trans-centered march.
“In response to the continued terror that Black People face in D.C. and the lack of integrity displayed by Capital Pride — three years after hundreds of No Justice No Pride activists shut down the 2017 Capital Pride parade demanding a Police free Pride — NJNP among a coalition of community groups rooted in abolition is rejecting Capital Pride Alliances failed leadership and returning Pride to its roots — a protest against police violence,” organizers wrote on Facebook.
Its demands are: defunding D.C.-MPD, police-free schools, decriminalization of sex work, charges against protestors dropped, an end to cash bail in Maryland, no new jails in Washington and abolish prisons, a ban on stop-and-frisk, community investment, ICE-free Washington. Groups joining No Justice are HIPS, DeCrim Now D.C., Showing Up for Racial Justice, D.C. Dyke March, Plantita Power and Black Lives Matter D.C.
The march will start at 3 p.m. A ball will be held at 4:30 at a TBD location.
Look for the event on Facebook for details via dccapitalpride.org.
National Pride Shabbat is tonight at 7 p.m. online hosted by Sixth & I. In solidarity with Pride 2020 “reimagined,” Rabbi Aaron, Rabbi Avi Strausberg of Hadar and Sixth & I members will “lend their voices to an inclusive service celebrating the diversity of D.C. Jewish life.” Details on Facebook.
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation has its “LGBTQ+ Charla” event online today at 4 p.m. to discuss Latinx LGBTQ experiences, perspectives and ideas. More at hhf.page.link/trza.
The Future is Queer is Saturday, June 13 at 5 p.m. hosted by Joie De Vivre. It’s a queer dance party showcase with DJs, dancers, spoken word, with multiple performers, rooms and more. Tickets are $20 through eventbrite.
Celebrate Pride: Berry Pride Shrub and Flick Night is Saturday at 7:15 online hosted by Yoga District. Tickets at clients.mindbodyonline.com.
Also, the Blade’s Pride content continues throughout the month. In the June 19 edition, the topic will be “reflections of Pride.” A related webchat will be on Thursday, June 18 at 4 p.m. EST. In the June 26 edition, we’ll examine “global virtual Pride.” A webchat will happen on Thursday, June 25 at 4 p.m. EST with officials from Capital Pride, L.A. Pride and others TBD.
Links to the webchats will be published each week on the Blade’s Facebook page.

Below are our picks for some of the most fun and creative things to do this week in D.C. that are of special interest to the LGBTQ community.
MNSkating’s Pride Too!

Monday, June 27
7:30 p.m.
Laurel Skating Center
9890 Brewers Court
Laurel, Md.
Facebook | Meetup
Join the Monday Night Skaters for a Pride-themed skating party in Laurel, Md. on Monday.
Queen of the Capital at Adams Morgan Movie Nights

Tuesday, June 28
8-11 p.m.
Adams Morgan Soccer Field
Facebook
The Adams Morgan Partnership BID will be showing “Queen of the Capital” from local documentary maker Josh Davidsburg.
Pride Night at Frederick Keys

Wednesday, June 29
6-9 p.m.
Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium
21 Stadium Drive
Frederick, Md.
Facebook | Tickets
Join Pride on the Patio for a night of baseball as the Frederick Keys hold Pride Night sponsored by the Frederick Center.
LGBTQ Families Discussion & Beer Tasting

Wednesday, June 29
7-8 p.m.
Aslin Beer Company
847 South Pickett Street
Alexandria, Va.
Facebook | Tickets
Rainbow Families will have an informal discussion about such topics as coming out, celebrating your child’s identity, being a good ally in the workplace and more . . . followed by a beer tasting! No charge, but donations will be taken.
First Friday LGBTQ+ Social with GoGayDC

Friday, July 1
7-9 p.m.
The Commentary (in the Westin)
801 North Glebe Road
Arlington, Va.
Facebook | Eventbrite
Join GoGayDC for a monthly social gathering in Ballston.
Drag Race All-Stars Viewing Party

Friday, July 1
7-9 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook
Get together with other Drag Race super fans for an evening viewing party hosted by Citrine.
Outdoor Movie Night

Friday, July 1
8:30-10:30 p.m.
Stead Park
1625 P Street, N.W.
Facebook
Bring your blanket and catch a movie on the big screen at Stead Park.
FireWerk with DJ Chord

Friday, July 1
9 p.m.
AquaGrill Reho
57 Baltimore Avenue
Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Facebook
Kick off Independence Day weekend in Rehoboth with a no cover dance party at AquaGrill.
Zodiac Drag Contest

Sunday, July 3
8 p.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 23rd Street S
Arlington, Va.
$5 cover
Facebook
The monthly amateur drag competition returns to Freddie’s on Sunday. Check out the new talent (or try it out yourself).
Flashy 4th of July Weekend

Sunday, July 3 – Monday, July 4
10 p.m.
Flash
645 Florida Aveune, N.W.
$30
Facebook | Eventbrite
Celebrate Independence Day with a Flashy 4th of July on the dance floor of Flash.
Out & About
Rayceen Pendarvis hosts District of Pride Showcase
Mayor’s Office celebrates resilience of D.C.’s LGBTQ community with night of entertainment

The Mayor’s Office for LGBTQ Affairs will host “The District of Pride Showcase” on Thursday, June 30 at 7 p.m. at Lincoln Theatre.
This event is to celebrate the resilience of D.C.’s LGBTQ community with a night of entertainment and performances that will feature the diverse queer talent.
This event will be hosted by Rayceen Pendarvis, with announcer Krylios, featuring DJ Honey. There will also be a performance by “Real Housewives of Potomac” star Candiace.
This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Out & About
Mayor’s office to celebrate older LGBTQ individuals
District of Pride: Seniors Brunch on Monday

The Mayor’s Office for LGBTQ Affairs will host “District of Pride: Seniors Brunch” on Monday, June 27 at 11 a.m. at Frank D. Reeves Center of Municipal Arts.
This event is a celebration of Pride and a “thank you” to the District’s senior community members for their contributions to the LGBTQ+ community.
This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
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