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Top 10 events this week for LGBTQ DC

From sporting events and drag shows to Gay Day at the Zoo, there is so much to see and do!

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From sporting events and drag shows to Gay Day at the Zoo, there is so much to see and do in the DMV this week!

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.

DC Gaymer Towerfall Tournament

(Image via DC Gaymers Facebook page)

Tuesday, April 26
7 – 10 p.m.
UPROAR Lounge & Restaurant
639 Florida Avenue, N.W.
Facebook | Discord

A live TowerFall Ascension Tournament is open to players at UPROAR on Tuesday organized by DC Gaymers. Expect a 2-4 player 8-bit arrow-shooting free-for-all in a friendly bracketed competition.

The Palace Presents: Broadway Beauties

Mas Vusi performs at Broadway Beauties on Tuesday. (Photo via @MasVusi on Instagram)

Tuesday, April 26
Doors 8:30 p.m./Show 9 p.m.
Earp’s Ordinary
3950 University Drive, Suite 210
Fairfax, Va.
$15 cover
Facebook | Instagram

“Phantoms and witches, founding fathers and desperate widows, we’ve got ’em all” at the Fairfax drag show at Earp’s Ordinary on Tuesday. Performers include Alan Xtra, Nutz N Boltz and Lemon X Fluiditea with host Mas Vusi.

Queerxpression Open Mic

(Image via ALOHO Facebook page)

Thursday, April 28
Doors 5 p.m./Show 8-10 p.m.
A League of Her Own
2317 18th Street, N.W.
No cover / 21+ / vaccination required
Facebook | Instagram

“Express yourself through art!” at a spoken word, music and storytelling open mic event at the lesbian/queer bar A League of Her Own hosted by Barbi Larue.

Miss Gay Western Maryland

Miss Gay Maryland Miranda Rights stars in ‘Reborn: Miss Gay Western Maryland Pageant.’ (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Friday, April 29
Doors 8 p.m./Pageant 9:30 p.m.
The Lodge
21614 National Pike
Boonsboro, Md.
$8 cover
Facebook | Website

Watch “Reborn,” the official preliminary competition for Miss Gay Maryland, at The Lodge on Friday. The event stars the current Miss Gay Maryland Miranda Rights.

DC Brau 11th Anniversary Party

DC Brau is celebrating 11 years. The Blade is partnering with DC Brau again this year for the Pride Pils promotion.

Saturday, April 30
12 p.m.
DC Brau
3178 Bladensburg Road, N.E., Suite B.
$30-$35 / 21+
Eventbrite | Twitter

DC Brau celebrates 11 years in the District with live music, food trucks, beer releases and professional wrestling at their “11 Years of Brew-Tality” party.

Gay Day at the Zoo Opening Party

(Image courtesy of the DC Center)

Saturday, April 30
4-7 p.m.
Trade
1410 14th Street, N.W.
Facebook | Twitter | Website

The opening party for Gay Day at the Zoo will be held at Trade, complete with drink specials and Gay Day at the Zoo swag. Expect drag performances from Haute Dish and the combined queens of the Blue Ballers and Swallows Stonewall Kickball teams.

All-Stars After-Party

Stonewall Kickball players gather at UpRoar Lounge. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Saturday, April 30
4-8 p.m.
UPROAR Lounge & Restaurant
639 Florida Avenue, N.W.
Facebook

Join the Stonewall Kickball players for a party following the All-Stars Game at UPROAR Lounge.

Wedding Party: Bearded Brides & Beer

Molasses is one of the featured performers at The Wedding Party. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Saturday, April 30
8-11 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
21+
Facebook

The Wedding Party: Bearded Brides and Beer is a fundraiser for the LGBTQ youth services organization SMYAL with performances by Bootsy Omega, Charlemagne Chateau, Citrine, Domingø, Molasses and Stealya Manz.

Gay Day at the Zoo

Gay Day at the Zoo (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Sunday, May 1
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Free, tickets required
Facebook | Twitter | Website

The annual Gay Day at the Zoo is presented by the DC Center for the LGBTQ Community. Some groups, like Khush DC, are hosting meet-ups for specific times, but many people will come with their friends and family at their own pace. While it is free to attend, tickets are required for entry, so be sure to snatch your day pass before the tickets are sold out.

For free tickets, go to the Zoo’s website.

Zodiac Drag Contest

Freddie’s Miss Zodiac Contest (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Sunday, May 1
8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar & Grill
555 23rd Street South
Arlington, Va.
$5 cover / 21+ / vaccination required
Facebook

The monthly amateur drag contest “Miss Zodiac” will be held on Sunday at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Grill in Crystal City.

If you would like to let us know about an upcoming event, email [email protected] with details.

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Calendar

Calendar: April 17-23

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, April 17

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.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. 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

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7:00p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is 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, April 18

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.

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.

Sunday, April 19

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Lunch” at 11 a.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. 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.

Monday, April 20

“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, April 21

Center Bi+ Roundtable 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.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.

Senior Self Defense Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Wednesday, April 22

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.

Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected]

Thursday, April 23

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 5:00 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, breath work 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.  

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Out & About

Team DC’s annual gala set for this weekend

LGBTQ sports organization to hold annual ‘Night of Champions’

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(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Team DC will host “Night of Champions Gala” on Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m. at the Georgetown Marriott.

This will be an evening of celebration and inspiration as Team DC honors remarkable individuals and supports the next generation of LGBTQ student-athletes.

There will be opportunities to support Team DC through auctions. The Silent Auction items will offer an array of unique goods and experiences. Additionally, Team DC will feature an exclusive selection of live auction items for those looking to make a significant impact.

This year, Team DC will recognize six outstanding awardees who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ community and sports:

  • Trailblazer Award – Adam Peck, District Wrestling
  • Most Valuable Person Award – Sean Bartel (posthumously)
  • Champion Award – Dan Martin
  • Clark Ray Horizon Award – Manuel Montelongo, aka Mari Con Carne
  • Bernard Jude Delia Award – Dr. Sara Varghai
  • Platinum All Star Award – Centaur Motorcycle Club

To purchase tickets, visit Team DC’s website

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Television

‘The Pitt’ stars discuss what season two gets right about queer representation

Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden spoke with Blade in LA

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From left: Executive Producer R. Scott Gimmell, Noah Wyle, and Katherine LaNasa at PaleyFest LA 2026 honoring "The Pitt," presented by the Paley Center for Media, at the DOLBY THEATRE on April 12, 2026, in Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Brian To)

As season two of “The Pitt” comes to a close this Thursday, stars Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden are looking back on what this season got right about queer representation.

“There is some intentionality behind it, but it’s not necessarily for the representation to be anything other than human or ubiquitous to anyone that would come into an emergency room,” Noah Wyle, who plays Dr. Robby, told the Los Angeles Blade at PaleyFest event in Los Angeles on April 12. “I know that we’ve done some storylines with some gay couples, and we did a storyline in season 1 where a woman comes in who’s cut her arm, who’s trans. But in both of those storylines, that wasn’t the point.”

Wyle continues, “In doing it that way, and not making a point of orientation being part of the problem that brings you to the emergency room, we have been told in feedback that that has been extremely revolutionary, almost, and extremely appreciated. But that’s true whether we do storylines with any kind of minority or a person with a disability. We try to have a cosmology of cast and representation on the show that’s indicative of what you find in Pittsburgh.”

Dearden, who plays Dr. Mel King, echoed Wyle’s sentiment: “I think constantly battling tropes is always important. It’s not a show about romance; it’s a show about real life and a shift in the ER. The more we represent everyday people going through everyday life, they just happen to be queer, they just happen to be trans, and making it not the plot, is putting everyone on equal playing [field]. You don’t have to have a big coming out scene.”

Queer representation on “The Pitt” is also notable through the actual actors themselves, including openly queer actor Supriya Ganesh, who plays Dr. Samira Mohan (who didn’t attend PaleyFest after the news that she is not returning for season three), and Amielynn Abellera, who plays Perlah Alawi.

“Doctors don’t put value judgments on who they treat,” Wyle concludes. “That’s not a luxury extended to them, and so that’s not part of our storytelling.”

The season two finale will air Thursday, April 16, on HBO Max, while season three has already been confirmed and is currently being written.

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