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].
In honor of Black History Month, the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a series of events uplifting the histories, artistry, and resilience of Black LGBTQ+ communities through dialogue, film, and intentional gathering.
The series begins with “Ballroom Culture: Rhythms of Resilience,” a panel discussion on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 at 7 p.m. Artists, activists, and leaders from the ballroom community will explore ballroom’s historical, cultural, and political significance as a site of resistance, kinship, creative expression, and social justice within Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities.
On Friday, Feb. 13 at 12:30 p.m., the Center will host a screening of the groundbreaking documentary “Paris is Burning,” which chronicles New York City’s ballroom scene and house culture while examining themes of race, class, identity, and survival through the voices of legendary performers including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, and Dorian Corey.
The month will conclude with “Soul Centered: A Black LGBTQ+ Gathering” on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. This free, RSVP-required event invites Black LGBTQ+ community members into a space of rest, connection, and reflection centered on love in all its forms. The gathering will feature a panel conversation with Black LGBTQ+ creatives, healers, and community members, followed by intentional speed connections and a closing social mixer.
For more details and to RSVP, visit the Center’s website.
Friday, February 6
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race Watch Party S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. Drag Entertainers TrevHER and Grey provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. The watch party takes place on our heated outdoor patio and cozy indoor space. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, February 7
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 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, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, February 8
DMV Gay Dog Moms will host “Puppy Love” at 1 p.m. at Wunder Garten. This a Valentine’s pawty and market for dog lovers. Get gifts for your loved ones – both human & canine at this event. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 9
“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]).
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 that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Tuesday, February 10
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity or expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 11
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 thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, February 12
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be more fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm 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, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.
Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
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