Arts & Entertainment
10 LGBTQ events this week
A drag pageant, a gala dinner and lots of parties in the days ahead
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.
Not Another Drag Show
Monday, May 9
8-10 p.m.
Dupont Italian Kitchen Bar
1637 17th Street, N.W.
Free
Eventbrite
This weekly drag show is the perfect way to cure the “Mondays.” Door to DIK bar is just to the right of Dupont Italian Kitchen proper along 17th Street. Go up the stairs and enjoy the show!
Noches Locas
Tuesday, May 10
10 p.m.
The Majestic
7203 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, Va.
Facebook
Join Kimberly, Jocelyn and Marisela for an evening of fun at NOVA’s latinx LGBTQ+ night.
The Palace Presents: Gender F*ck
Tuesday, May 10
Doors 8:30 p.m. / Show 9 p.m.
Earp’s Ordinary
3950 University Drive, Suite 210
Fairfax, Va.
$15 cover
Instagram | Facebook
The hottest drag show in Fairfax is sure to pack Earp’s Ordinary in Fairfax City again on Tuesday. Bring dollar bills to tip the performers!
50th anniversary of Fryer speech
Thursday, May 12
Reception 6 p.m. / Panel discussion 7 p.m.
The Corner at Whitman-Walker
1701 14th Street, N.W.
Free
Facebook | Eventbrite
There will be a panel discussion at The Corner at Whitman-Walker on the 50th anniversary of John Fryer speech to the APA, which led to the declassification of homosexuality as a mental illness.
The panel discussion will feature four experts on the topic: Dr. Saul Levin, CEO and Medical Director of the APA; Dr. Karen Kelly, a friend and mentee of Dr. Fryer; Katherine Ott, Ph.D., a curator in the history of medicine at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History where she documents LGBTQ+ history; and Dr. Amir Ahuja, president of the Association of LGBTQ Psychiatrists (AGLP).
Annapolis Pride Proclamation Party
Thursday, May 12
5-7 p.m.
Graduate Annapolis, the Trophy Room
126 West Street
Annapolis, Md.
Free
Facebook
The community is presented with proclamations declaring June LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Pick up your Annapolis Pride swag and find out how you can get involved with Annapolis Pride.
Reignited and Resilient
Friday, May 13
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Metrobar
640 Rhode Island Avenue, N.E.
Free
Facebook
Join the National LGBTQ Task Force, including Executive Director Kierra Johnson and Deputy Executive Director Mayra Hidalgo Salazar for a fundraising social event. RSVP here.
Miss Gay DC America
Saturday, May 14
Doors 4 p.m. / Pageant 5 p.m.
As You Are Bar
500 8th Street, S.E.
$20
Facebook
Miss Gay DC America returns for a pageant at As You Are Bar on Saturday. “There’s No Place Like Home” will feature Miss Gay America 2022 Dextaci.
Cop Cakes for a Cause
Saturday, May 14
6-9 p.m.
Hook Hall
3400 Georgia Avenue, N.W.
$30
Facebook
Annual fundraising event benefits the LGBT Fallen Heroes Fund and Concerns of Police Survivors.
GMCW Spring Affair
Saturday, May 14
Cocktails and silent auction 6:30 p.m. / Dinner 8 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton
1150 22nd Street, N.W.
$30
Website | Facebook
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington holds their gala awards dinner “Spring Affair 2022: Once Upon a Time . . .” at The Ritz-Carlton on Saturday.
Stonewall Kickball Closing Party
Sunday, May 15
4-8 p.m.
Soundcheck
1420 K Street, N.W.
Facebook
Following an eventful season of kickball, its time to party with vogue performances, drag and DJs. You must be a registered Sunday Spring 2022 Player/Friend Of and wear your Spring 2022 Stonewall shirt.
If you would like to let us know about an upcoming event, email [email protected] with details.
The Freddie’s Follies drag show was held at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. on Saturday, Jan. 3. Performers included Monet Dupree, Michelle Livigne, Shirley Naytch, Gigi Paris Couture and Shenandoah.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Queer highlights of the 2026 Critics Choice Awards: Aunt Gladys, that ‘Heated Rivalry’ shoutout and more
Amy Madigan’s win in the supporting actress category puts her in serious contention to win the Oscar for ‘Weapons’
From Chelsea Handler shouting out Heated Rivalry in her opening monologue to Amy Madigan proving that horror performances can (and should) be taken seriously, the Critics Choice Awards provided plenty of iconic moments for queer movie fans to celebrate on the long road to Oscar night.
Handler kicked off the ceremony by recapping the biggest moments in pop culture last year, from Wicked: For Good to Sinners. She also made room to joke about the surprise hit TV sensation on everyone’s minds: “Shoutout to Heated Rivalry. Everyone loves it! Gay men love it, women love it, straight men who say they aren’t gay but work out at Equinox love it!”
The back-to-back wins for Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein and Amy Madigan in Weapons are notable, given the horror bias that awards voters typically have. Aunt Gladys instantly became a pop culture phenomenon within the LGBTQ+ community when Zach Cregger’s hit horror comedy released in August, but the thought that Madigan could be a serious awards contender for such a fun, out-there performance seemed improbable to most months ago. Now, considering the sheer amount of critics’ attention she’s received over the past month, there’s no denying she’s in the running for the Oscar.
“I really wasn’t expecting all of this because I thought people would like the movie, and I thought people would dig Gladys, but you love Gladys! I mean, it’s crazy,” Madigan said during her acceptance speech. “I get [sent] makeup tutorials and paintings. I even got one weird thing about how she’s a sex icon also, which I didn’t go too deep into that one.”
Over on the TV side, Rhea Seehorn won in the incredibly competitive best actress in a drama series category for her acclaimed performance as Carol in Pluribus, beating out the likes of Emmy winner Britt Lower for Severance, Carrie Coon for The White Lotus, and Bella Ramsey for The Last of Us. Pluribus, which was created by Breaking Bad’s showrunner Vince Gilligan, has been celebrated by audiences for its rich exploration of queer trauma and conversion therapy.
Jean Smart was Hack’s only win of the night, as Hannah Einbinder couldn’t repeat her Emmy victory in the supporting actress in a comedy series category against Janelle James, who nabbed a trophy for Abbott Elementary. Hacks lost the best comedy series award to The Studio, as it did at the Emmys in September. And in the limited series category, Erin Doherty repeated her Emmy success in supporting actress, joining in yet another Adolescence awards sweep.
As Oscar fans speculate on what these Critics Choice wins mean for future ceremonies, we have next week’s Golden Globes ceremony to look forward to on Jan. 11.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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