Out & About
Calendar: Sept. 4-10
Events in the week to come


Friday, Sept. 4
Busboys and Friends! Zoom Dinner presents writer and political analyst Anand Giridharadas tonight at 6 p.m. This event is free but attendees must RSVP via Eventbrite to receive the Zoom link. Giridharadas’ works include “True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas” about a campaign to save Mark Stroman, a murderer of immigrants from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in revenge for the 9/11 terror attacks. Rais Bhuiyan survived one of Stroman’s shootings and the book explores his quest to forgive. To RSVP, visit this event’s Facebook and Eventbrite pages.
Off the Mall Tours (1455 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) presents Madams of D.C. tonight from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $15. Guests will learn how Pennsylvania Avenue became D.C.’s most notorious red light district during an unprecedented rise in prostitution during and after the Civil War. for tickets and information visit otmdc.com/bookings-checkout/madams-of-dc.
Saturday, Sept. 5
Brunch at Freddies hosted by National Landing BID, Go Gay D.C. and Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 23rd St., S, Arlington, Va.) is today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brunch is served on the patios and inside, or is available for curbside takeout. Call ahead to (703) 685-0555 for more information or visit freddiesbeachbar.com.
Bohemian Rhapsody Movie Night is tonight at 7 p.m. at Hard Rock Cafe Washington D.C. (999 E St., N.W.). Tickets are $5 for this socially distanced event. Seating opens at 6:45 p.m. and the show starts at 7. Masks and temperature checks required. This event is part of “Freddie for a Weekend” in celebration of Freddie Mercury of Queen’s birthday and ticket price includes guaranteed seating, soda and popcorn. For tickets and information, visit ticketweb.com and hardrockcafe.com/location/washington-dc.
Sigma D.C.’s weekly Saturday Dungeon Party is tonight from 8 p.m. to midnight. Entry is $20 for members and $30 for everyone else. Sigma D.C. (1636 R St., N.W.) is D.C.’s only all-male BDSM space, but they have reduced the total number of people allowed in the space and made other adjustments due to pandemic concerns. For more information on reservations and other COVID precautions, email [email protected].
Sunday, Sept. 6
A Baltimore Drag Brunch hosted by Bookmakers Cocktail (31 E Cross St., Baltimore) is today. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the show starts at 12:30 p.m. This event features a $35 brunch buffet, $4 Mimosas and Bloody Marys, drag performances, twerk contests and more. Reservations are required and can be made through bookmakersbaltimore.com.
Monday, Sept. 7
Showtunes in the Streets hosted by JR.’s bar (1519 17th St., N.W.) is tonight at 8 p.m. This event includes content both video-streamed online via @JRsBar_DC on Twitter and in-person on a giant projector. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 8 p.m. to grab a seat, order a drink and enjoy the full show. Seating reservations are required through host.tablesready.com/p/book/add/jrs_bar_dc.
Tuesday, Sept. 8
Second Tuesday Queer Trivia, hosted by A League of Her Own, is tonight from 7-9 p.m. This virtual event is an opportunity for queer participants to join in groups and share knowledge of women’s contributions to sports, literature and more. For more information, visit this event’s page on Facebook.
Rainbow Families Annual Conference is an all-day virtual event to connect businesses and service providers who work with the LGBTQ community with queer families, parents-to-be and allies. To register, and for more information on the scheduled events, visit rainbowfamiliesconference.org.
Wednesday, Sept. 9
Transmasculine and Nonbinary Social Hour is tonight from 6-9 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.). This event is for those who are 17-and-up and are masculine of center but assigned female at birth, including trans men, AFAB nonbinary, two-spirit and gender queer folks. Friends and partners are welcome when accompanied by someone transmasculine. For more information, visit dcats.org or the Facebook event page.
Get Empowered! A Self-Defense Happy Hour is tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W., suite 105). This class is open to all genders. To register, visit defendyourself.org/find-a-class/ or thedccenter.org.
Thursday, Sept. 10
Grupo LGBTQ en Centro Empoderate Washington, D.C. presented by La Clinica del Pueblo, Centro Empoderate is today from 5-7 p.m. via Facebook Live. Empoderate! Builds on La Clinica’s 20 year history of fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Latinx community by tackling underlying issues of isolation, depression and more. For more information, visit this event’s Facebook page or email [email protected].
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.
Out & About
DJs to hold panel discussion on music, identity
Featured artists include DJ Chord, Tezrah and Jake Maxwell

Promethean Fundraising will host “Circuit Music: A LGBTQ+ Cultural Identifier,” an exclusive panel featuring influential LGBTQ DJs in the music industry, on Thursday, May 29 at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBTQ Community (1828 Wiltberher St., N.W.).
The event will provide a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with these groundbreaking artists as they share their journeys, discuss the cultural significance of circuit music, and explore how music can serve as a platform for advocacy and empowerment within the LGBTQ+ community. The featured artists are DJ Chord, Tezrah and Jake Maxwell.
This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.