Out & About
Uptown Pride keeps it hyper local
Live music, beer garden, drag story hour, and more set for June 15
Uptown Pride is Saturday, June 15 from 2-7 p.m. at 5500 Colorado Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C.
We will have live music, a beer garden, drag story hour with Petworth’s own Tara Hoot, kids’ activities, musical performances, and a queer writers reading.
Can you share the origin story of Uptown Pride? What inspired its founding?
Uptown Pride was created when jointly (but mostly Max) came up to a gullible Justin after a few glasses of rosé and asked for his hand in planning. But for real – while the larger Pride is wonderful and should be attended, the smaller community-based Pride events are also important and vital for the nodes within D.C.’s vibrant communities to have our voices heard for our LGBTQ families, friends, and especially your young ones, and those that are perhaps not comfortable yet announcing themselves.
We formed Uptown Pride to make a community-driven festival serving the greater ‘Uptown’ community of upper Petworth, Brightwood park areas of D.C. so that families in the area can participate in an event for the entire family — an event that uplifts and also gives back to a charitable organization.
What are some of the key events and activities organized by Uptown Pride?
With this being our second year of the event – we have our staple of Miss Tara Hoot – Petworth’s own Totter Queen. She has a Drag Story Hour for the children and it is well received and attended. Our community has lots of families so we pay close attention to incorporating children’s events like Tara, family yoga with Lighthouse Yoga, large yard games etc. We also have a crowd favorite 50/50 raffle that gives back to the community – the proceeds from this raffle 100% go toward our charity of choice for that year and 99.9% of the prizes come from businesses along Kennedy Street, upper 14th and Upshur Street, N.W. – truly supporting our community.
How can community members get involved with Uptown Pride as volunteers?
Community members can find out more info about volunteering or donating by visiting our website at UptownPrideDC.com
What impact has Uptown Pride had on the local LGBTQ community since its inception?
Each year we select a charity for our 50/50 raffle prizes, a portion of T-shirt sales and booth rentals to go toward. Last year it was the Trevor Project and we raised more than $4,000. Keep in mind that last year we began planning the festival with less than three months time from start to finish. This year we have chosen DMV-based SMYAL as our charity of choice.
How does Uptown Pride address the specific needs and challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in Upper Northwest DC?
This year we have a wider program planned. While we have the DJs planned, the vendors market and family yoga, we also have DC Scores young athlete poets scheduled to recite their works about their life in D.C. and beyond, coupled with performances by Sisterfire/Roadwork and a Queer Gay Writers Reading to speak to a more historical place within the LGBTQ+ world.
How does Uptown Pride collaborate with other local organizations?
We reach out to local businesses, non-profits, and D.C.-based orgs to see how we can best help each other grow together. Each year we identify a charity to fund with proceeds from the event. The vendor booth rentals, raffle funds, and more are donated to the charity of choice. We also liaise with local businesses up and down our local business corridors to ensure they are aware of the charities we are working with — most businesses choose to provide a percentage donation each Pride month to the charity we have chosen. We firmly believe in our D.C. roots and keeping things hyper local.
In what ways can local businesses and individuals support Uptown Pride’s mission
The only way we are able to put on the event that we do is through donations and sponsorships from business owners, nonprofits and community members throughout D.C. with a special focus on the Uptown neighborhoods. Every year we put on this festival to create an inclusive space and raise funds to donate to a local charity. Without your support we would be unable to do this.
Alternatively, volunteering and offering your time is also a huge help as we are a 100% volunteer-based event and planning committee so if you would live to give back and be involved in that way, we welcome you to reach out on our website.
What message would you like to share with the broader D.C. community about Uptown Pride and its mission?
Uptown Pride is unwavering in its commitment to creating a positive, supportive, and uplifting environment for the LGBTQ community in D.C. Through the collective efforts of our volunteers and the engagement of our community, we strive to be a beacon of acceptance, understanding, and pride in the heart of Uptown. We focus on our six pillars which are Community Unity, Inclusive Advocacy, Educational Initiatives, Educational Initiatives, Cultural Celebrations and Volunteerism and Service.
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Out & About
Documentary about Blade reporter to premiere this month
Panel discussion to follow ‘Lou’s Legacy’ screening
“Lou’s Legacy: A Reporter’s Life at the ‘Washington Blade’” will premiere on Thursday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
This new documentary from Emmy-nominated D.C. filmmaker Patrick Sammon tells the story of the legendary Blade news reporter, Lou Chibbaro Jr., as he works on an article about the return of drag icon Donnell Robinson – also known as Ella Fitzgerald — to the Capital Pride stage.
The documentary follows Chibbaro as he works on a story about Ella’s triumphant return to the Pride stage after three years away because of COVID. Donnell and Chibbaro reflect on their careers and discuss the ongoing backlash against the LGBTQ community, including laws targeting drag performers.
After the screening, there will be a panel discussion moderated by D.C. journalist Rebekah Robinson and featuring Blade Publisher Lynne Brown. This event is free and more details are available at the DC Public Library website.
Friday, May 16
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St. NW. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Trans Genderqueer Game Night will be at 6 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This will be 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, May 17
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.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 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 that strives to be safe and judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Pride Kickoff FunDay Social” at 4 p.m. at Moxy. This event is ideal for making meaningful new connections and informal community building. Or just to unwind and enjoy the group happy hour. Fabulous people from all over the world are expected and nametags will be provided. This event is free to attend and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Art with Tosca will host “Queer Icons & Trailblazers: An Art Tour for World Pride DC 2025” at 2:00p.m. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This will be an unforgettable exploration of LGBTQ+ history, identity, and artistic expression at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. Celebrate the vibrant history and culture of the LGBTQ+ community through compelling portraits and groundbreaking works that highlight the power of queer artistry. Tickets cost $48 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 19
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” 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 details, email [email protected].
“Pickets, Protests and Parades Exhibit Tour” will be at 7 p.m. at Freedom Plaza. This exhibition honors the courage, resistance, and resilience of D.C.’s LGBTQ+ community. Tickets start at $10 and are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, May 20
Center Bi+ Roundtable Discussion 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. For more details, visit Facebook or Meetup.
Wednesday, May 21
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 thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 22
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 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 with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
DC Anti-Violence Project Open Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. These are open meetings, and we would love to see anyone who is interested in learning more and getting involved in lessening violence both within and directed towards the LGBT communities. For more details, visit Facebook and Twitter.
Out & About
DJs to hold panel discussion on music, identity
Featured artists include DJ Chord, Tezrah and Jake Maxwell
Promethean Fundraising will host “Circuit Music: A LGBTQ+ Cultural Identifier,” an exclusive panel featuring influential LGBTQ DJs in the music industry, on Thursday, May 29 at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBTQ Community (1828 Wiltberher St., N.W.).
The event will provide a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with these groundbreaking artists as they share their journeys, discuss the cultural significance of circuit music, and explore how music can serve as a platform for advocacy and empowerment within the LGBTQ+ community. The featured artists are DJ Chord, Tezrah and Jake Maxwell.
This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
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