Out & About

A sampling of D.C.’s LGBTQ-affirming holiday services

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa celebrations planned

Published

3 months ago

December 22, 2022

D.C. hosts an array of LGBTQ-affirming services for the holidays.

The holiday season is upon us once again and if you’re looking for LGBTQ-affirming religious services, D.C. offers something for everyone. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive, as many churches and synagogues in the area are affirming.

Hanukkah

Shabbat services with Bet Mishpachah will be held Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. There will be a Chanuka candle lighting so bring your own Menorah and candles to light before services start. And if you’re looking for something to do on Christmas Day, Bet Mish is attending a showing of “The Whale” at E Street Cinema at 2:35 p.m.

Ohr Kodesh Congregation (8300 Meadowbrook Lane) will host “Let’s Gelt Lit” on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. at B’nai Israel. This retro Hanukkah party is for 8th to 12th graders who want to enjoy some dancing, music, gelt, candle lighting, games, and prizes. For more information, visit www.ohrkodesh.org.

Christmas Eve

Augustana Lutheran Church (2100 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.) will host “Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion” at 10 p.m. For more details, visit www.augustanadc.org.

Lutheran Church of the Reformation (212 E. Capitol Street, N.E.) will host “Carols and Candlelight” at 10 p.m. The service is preceded by a Chorale Prelude at 9:30. For more details, visit reformationdc.org/christmas.

Metropolitan Community Church of Washington D.C. (474 Ridge St., N.W.) will host a hybrid Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. For more details, visit mccdc.com.

Dumbarton United Methodist Church (3133 Dumbarton St., N.W.) will host a Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. There will be singing from the new children and youth chime choir and lessons and carols. For more information, visit dumbartonumc.org.

National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) will host a Christmas Eve worship at 7 p.m. For more details, visit nationalcitycc.org.

Christ Church on Capitol Hill (620 G St., S.E.) will host Christmas Eve services at 11 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. For more details, visit washingtonparish.org.

Saint John’s Episcopal Church (340 O St., N.W.) will host a pageant service at 4:30 p.m. and another service at 8 p.m. with a choral prelude. Both services will end with “Silent Night” sung by candlelight. For more details, visit stjohnsgeorgetown.org.

Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) will host a webcast of “Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist” at 10 p.m. There will be readings from holy scripture, hymns, seasonal choral and instrumental music and preaching by Cathedral Dean Randolph Marshall Hollerith. For more details, visit cathedral.org.

Christmas Day

Seekers Church (276 Carroll St., N.W.) will host a hybrid Christmas service at 9:30 a.m. For more details, visit www.seekerschurch.org.

Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) will host “Christmas Day Eucharist” at 11:15 a.m. There will be readings from holy scripture, favorite hymns, seasonal choral and instrumental music and preaching by Provost Jan Naylor Cope. Incense will be used. For more details, visit cathedral.org.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (301 A St., S.E.) will have “Christmas Day Eucharist” at 10 a.m. For more details, visit stmarks.net.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1830 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) will host “Christmas Day Holy Eucharist” at 10:30 a.m. in person and online. For more details, visit stmargaretsdc.org.

Kwanzaa

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ (3845 South Capitol St., S.W.) will host a Kwanzaa service on Sunday, Jan. 1 at 10 a.m. The service will feature reflections by seven members of Covenant on the principles of Kwanzaa. For more details, visit cbuccdc.org.

Captivating Events by Chi will host “Kwanzaa & Kulture Unity Brunch” on Monday, Dec. 26 at 3 p.m. This family event is a gathering to celebrate African heritage. There will be food and drinks, games and prizes to win. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Art of Noize will host “Habari Gani! Kwanzaa Fundraiser” on Friday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. There will be local poets, artists and creatives who will explore the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Proceeds will go to the Ora Lee Smith Cancer Research Foundation, and local artists and creatives in the DMV. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

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Out & About

DC Center to host fundraiser for upcoming relocation

KC B. Yoncé and Ricky Rosé to perform

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2023

Tinashe Chingarande

(Photo by Freeograph/Bigstock)

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “The DC Center Spring Cocktail Celebration” on Thursday, April 13 at 6 p.m. at Dupont Underground.

This event will raise funds to support the DC Center’s upcoming relocation and new space renovation. The new LGBTQ Community Center will be larger than the current space and will allow an increase in community and service outreach.

There will be a music performance by DJ Jake Maxwell and lively performances by drag queen KC B. Yoncé and drag king Ricky Rosé, and a gallery of friends, family and family. There will also be an open bar for the first hour.

Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased online.

Out & About

Dupont Underground teams with Swedish Embassy for art exhibit

‘You Don’t Love Me, Yet’ opening night Friday

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2023

Tinashe Chingarande

(Image via Eventbrite)

Dupont Underground will join forces with the Swedish Embassy to host the opening night of a video art exhibition, “You Don’t Love Me, Yet” on Friday, March 31 at Dupont Underground.

The exhibition will feature eight Swedish artists from different backgrounds and generations who are united in their interest for current social issues, interpersonal relationships, and the interaction between humans and nature, which they depict through their art.

The video works are displayed in “living rooms,” all designed by Washington-based architecture firms, which create a sharp contrast to the unique and rough character of the abandoned streetcar station under Dupont Circle.

For more information, email Matthew Helfrich, LINK Strategic Partners, at [email protected] or get tickets on Eventbrite.

Calendar

Calendar: March 31-April 6

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

3 days ago

March 30, 2023

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, March 31

Center Aging: Friday Tea Time will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests can bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam at [email protected].

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social” at 7 p.m. at Puro Gusto. This free event is ideal for meeting new folks, making new friends, community-building, or just to unwind and enjoy the atmosphere. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Saturday, April 1

Virtual Yoga Class with Charles M. will be at 12 p.m. online. This is a weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. Guests are encouraged to RSVP on the DC Center’s website, providing your name, email address, and zip code, along with any questions you may have. A link to the event will be sent at 6 pm the day before.

LGBT People of Color Support Group will be at 1 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 the strives to be safe and judgment free. FOr more information, email [email protected].

Sunday, April 2

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Coffee & Conversation” at 12 p.m. at As You Are. This event is for those looking to meet new faces in the LGBTQ community. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

“Sunday Funday Fam Brunch” will be at 11 a.m. at Uproar Lounge & Restaurant. This brunch will bring a host of family and friends together celebrating the love, passion and work done by LGBTQ rights advocates in the community. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, April 3

Center Aging Monday Coffee and Conversation will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. LGBT Older Adults — and friends — are invited to enjoy friendly conversations and to discuss any issues you might be dealing with. For more information, visit the Center Aging’s Facebook or Twitter.

Capital Pride Interfaith Service Planning Meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. The Capital Pride Interfaith Service is an “integrated service” that demonstrates the breadth, depth, and sincerity of LGBTQ individuals’ faith and exposes the lie that anti-gay fundamentalists have a monopoly on faith and religion. For more details, email [email protected].

Wednesday, April 5

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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.

Center Aging Women’s Social & Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This group is a place where older LGBTQ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. To register for the event, visit the DC Center’s website.

Thursday, April 6

API Queer Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This support group for the Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Community is co-sponsored by Asian Pacific Islander Queer Society DC and Asian Queers United for Action. For more details, email [email protected].