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.
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.
Out & About
Team DC’s annual gala set for this weekend
LGBTQ sports organization to hold annual ‘Night of Champions’
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.
Television
‘The Pitt’ stars discuss what season two gets right about queer representation
Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden spoke with Blade in LA
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.
