Out & About
Joshua Johnson named SMYAL Fall Brunch featured speaker
Virtual event to take place on Oct. 11
SMYAL announced that MSNBC journalist Joshua Johnson will be a featured speaker at this year’s Fall Brunch on Oct. 11. As a Black, gay journalist, Johnson has covered diversity in the media, the intersections of being Black and queer, and the Black Lives Matter movement. Johnson at the brunch will discuss the importance of gay representation in the media. This year’s fall brunch will be the first brunch to take place virtually.
Johnson has been at MSNBC since 2019 after leaving his previous job hosting WAMU’s “1A”. Tickets for the brunch can be purchased at smyal.org.
Washington DC History and Culture is hosting a free, live streamed event Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m. titled “The Motown Sound of the 1960’s”. This program will examine over a dozen songs from the 1960’s and provide the historical context for them. Songs include “Where Did Our Love Go” by the Supremes, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye and “Fingertips” by Little Stevie Wonder. The session will be hosted by Robert Kelleman, the founder and director of Washington DC History and Culture. For more information, go to the organization’s Facebook page.
Playbill and The Broadway League joined forces this year to hold “¡Viva Broadway! Hear Our Voices” a digital concert to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month. The event will premiere on Playbill.com, Playbill’s YouTube Channel, and on the Broadway League’s website on Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. It will remain there for viewing until Oct. 5 at 8 p.m.
The concert will seek to celebrate Latinx artists and their contributions to Broadway by showcasing their talent. The show will be directed and choreographed by Olivier and Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Sergio Trujillo. It will feature performances from famous Latinx artists from Broadway including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Antonio Banderas, Anthony Ramos and Karen Olivo.
The show will also showcase new and upcoming talent by featuring performances from Broadway-bound musicals and new works including Arrabal, Passing Through and John Leguizamo’s Kiss My Aztec!
Friday, Sept. 25
Friday Tea Time is a virtual social gathering at 2 p.m. for older LGBTQ adults via Zoom. Participants are encouraged to bring their beverage of choice while socializing with friends. For more information, visit thedccenter.org/events.
The D.C. Center is hosting a virtual Trans Support Group session today at 7 p.m. The support group is designed as a safe space for transgender people and those who may be questioning their gender identity or expression. For more details, visit the dccenter.org/events.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties is a social discussion group for queer women in the D.C. area. They are meeting at 8 p.m. via Zoom. For the link to the meeting, email [email protected].
Bet Mishpachah is hosting Shabbat Shuva at 8 p.m. led by Rabbi Jake Singer-Beilin. For more details, visit betmish.org.
The Library of Congress is holding its 2020 National Book Festival online starting at 11 a.m. The event will feature 120 of the nation’s most-renowned writers, poets and artists during the showcase. Virtual stages will offer on-demand videos, live author chats and discussions, and options to personalize your own journey through the festival with particular themes. For more information, visit loc.gov/bookfest.
Saturday, Sept. 26
The LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will meet at 1 p.m. to provide an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to talk about anything affecting them. For the Zoom link to the meeting, email [email protected].
The DC Center and the Rainbow History Project are holding a Queer Womxn Creating Spaces virtual panel at 1 p.m. The panel is designed to bring together organizers from different generations of Black and Latinx LGBTQ women in the DC area. For more information, visit thedccenter.org/events.
The D.C. Center is encouraging members of the LGBTQ community to join them in volunteering at Food and Friends at 9 a.m. Food and Friends is located 219 Riggs Road, N.E. If any volunteers need a ride from the Fort Totten Metro, call the Food and Friends shuttle at (202) 669-6437.
Bet Mishpachah is hosting Shabbat Shuva Morning Service at 10 a.m. led by Paula Morris and Elke Martin. For more details, visit betmish.org.
Online Yoga at the Garden is being hosted by the U.S. Botanical Gardens today at 10:30 a.m. An instructor from WithLoveDC will guide participants through a one-hour meditation and yoga practice via Zoom. There will only be enough room in the Zoom for 100 participants. The sessions are free but registration is required. More information can be found on The U.S. Botanic Garden’s Facebook page.
Sunday, Sept. 27
Bet Mishpachah is hosting Kol Nidrei at 7 p.m. led by Scott Reiter and Rachel Hamberger. For more details go to betmish.org.
Monday, Sept. 28
LGBTQ older adults and friends are invited to join the D.C. Center at 10 a.m. for a Center Aging Coffee Drop-In. For more information visit thedccenter.org and Center Aging on social media.
Bet Mishpachah is hosting several services today. A Yom Kippur Morning Service will take place at 10 a.m. led by Rabbi Jake Singer-Beilin and Alex Carter. Bet Mishpachah is hosting a Yizkor Service at 2 p.m. led by Allan Armus and Elke Martin. A Rabbi’s Study Session led by Rabbi Jake Singer-Beilin will take place at 3 p.m. Bet Mishpachah is hosting Havdalah at 6 p.m. led by Larry Neff and Ruth Potts. This service will be sign language interpreted. For more details go to betmish.org.
Tuesday, Sept. 29
The DC Center is hosting its monthly support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary over Zoom at 7 p.m. Meetings are on the fourth Tuesday and third Mondays of each month. More information can be found at thedccenter.org/events.
Wednesday, Sept. 30
The D.C. Center’s Virtual Job Club meets today at 6 p.m. via Zoom. This weekly support program helps jobseekers improve their self-confidence, resilience and motivation needed for effective job searching and networking. Discussions include strategies, techniques and goal plans needed to find meaningful and satisfying employment. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Thursday, Oct. 1
Asian Pacific Islander Queer Society DC is holding a support group meeting for the Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Community at 7 p.m. The meeting is co-hosted by the D.C. Center and Asian Queers United for Action. Visit thedccenter/org/events for more details.
Out & About
Gay librarian to discuss new novel at Green Lantern
Gareth Carter to speak at ‘Cocktails, Chaos & Controversy’ fundraiser
Librarian, novelist, and advocate for intellectual freedom Gareth Carter will talk about his debut novel, “The Misadventures of Don Kee Dong & Phillip Mihol,” on Sunday, July 12 at 4 p.m. at Green Lantern Bar.
The event, titled “Cocktails, Chaos & Controversy” is a fundraiser for the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center Library and will celebrate queer storytelling, libraries, and Carter’s new novel.
The event will combine humor, conversation, and community. In addition to being on hand to sell and sign books, Carter will share his own journey from librarian to novelist, discuss the state of public libraries in an era of book banning, and his own challenges with one group, which served as the genesis for this novel, the first in his International Men of Mystery series.
For more details, visit Carter’s website.
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Friday, July 10
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 6 p.m. at Freddie’s. 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.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.
Saturday, July 11
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.
“Reel Affirmations XTRA: Washington DC’s International LGBTQ+ Monthly Film Series” will present “Bookends” at 11:30 a.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. “Bookends” is a touching love story, free popcorn, soft drinks, and conversation with your community. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Sunday, July 12
“Duet: A Curated Sapphic Karaoke Dating Experience” will be at 5 p.m. at Muzette. This event is designed for single queer women and sapphics ages 35+ who are looking to meet potential romantic partners in a relaxed, low-pressure environment. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, July 13
“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, July 14
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 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].
Wednesday, July 15
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, July 16
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LBTQ+ Community Center. 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.
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.
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