Arts & Entertainment
Resources and events for gay parents
Rainbow Families, COLAGE, others offer trips, fun days and more
The Moosa family has launched a new product. Inspired by their own travails, Baby Change-N-Go allows parents to change diapers safely and cleanly anywhere there’s a door to hang it on. (Photo courtesy Brenda Moosa)
Rainbow Families D.C. has its Fall Family Camp Weekend Oct. 14-16 at Camp Tockwogh (24370 Still Pond Neck Rd., Worton, Md.), about a two-hour drive from Washington. Camp Tockwogh is a 300-plus-acre campground on the Chesapeake Bay. The weekend provides LGBT families a chance to interact with arts and crafts, hikes, ice cream socials, a talent show, campfire, kickball and more.
Registration fees range from $110-155 per person based on housing selection and include two-night accommodations, activities and five meals. Children under age 3 are free. Full details at rainbowfamilies.org.
The following weekend from Oct. 20-23, Rainbow Families will have a Family & Friends Weekend at Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, Va., a weekend full of “splashes, slideboards and hot springs.” The weekend offers changes for miniature gold, bolwing, amusement rides, cooking demonstrations, Halloween activities, spas, salons and access to a water park which comes with room reservation. Great Wolf Lodge is about 45 minutes from Richmond. Details at everyq.com.
The group also continues its “Maybe Baby” fall classes and conception support group throughout the coming months. Full information at rainbowfamilies.org.
November is national adoption month. Join Rainbow Families D.C. and the D.C. Center on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. for an adoption information night that will provide details on becoming a host, foster, respite or foster-to-adopt family in Washington. Other LGBT parents who are going through the adoption process will be present. It’s free and will be held at the D.C. Center (2000 14th St., N.W., suite 105). Details at thedccenter.org.
Want a big gay family-affirming road trip next summer? COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) and Family Equality Council have their Family Week every summer (usually around the third week of July) in Provincetown, Mass. Check back later at colage.org for details on the 2017 event.
Family Equality Council will have its Family Weekend in D.C. event April 15-17 next year. It’s for LGBT parents, children, extended families and friends and is an annual event. Check later at familyequality.org for details.
A Richmond-based lesbian family has started Baby Change-N-Go, a new product that offers parents a safe and clean place to change diapers anywhere on the go. Baby Change-N-Go hangs on a door and unfolds to include a flat, secure place to place babies and change them efficiently. They were tired of not being able to find clean baby changing stations and decided to do something about it.
It took Brenda and Mahnaz Moosa, parents of 2-year-old twin boys, about a year and a half to take the product from the idea phase to the market and it’s just about ready. Orders are being taken now at babychangengo.com. The product is available for $99 in pink, blue and gray and can be personalized. Delivery will come in November.
Out & About
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Politicians slated to speak at annual Blue Moon party
The Washington Blade’s 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party returns Friday, May 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave.) in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
It’s an exciting election year in Delaware, which is poised to elect its first Black woman senator (Lisa Blunt Rochester) and the nation’s first transgender member of Congress (Sarah McBride).
McBride is scheduled to speak at the party along with several politicos from the area. With the retirement of longtime state Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, a staunch LGBTQ ally, three strong contenders are running to replace him. All three — Marty Rendon, Kathy McGuiness, and Claire Snyder-Hall — are slated to speak at the party. A representative from Blunt Rochester’s campaign is scheduled to speak, along with Kim Leisey, the new executive director of CAMP Rehoboth.
Tax-deductible tickets are $20 and available on Eventbrite or via the Blade’s Facebook page. The party is sponsored by Justin Noble of Sotheby’s, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.
Andy Cohen, executive producer of “The Real Housewives” franchise and host of “Watch What Happens Live,” will return to Sixth & I on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
This event will be his fifth appearance at the venue to celebrate the paperback release of his New York Times bestselling memoir, “The Daddy Diaries,” talk about the latest Housewives happenings, and answer audience questions about everyone’s favorite Bravolebrities.
Cohen will be in conversation with Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents California and is the first LGBTQ immigrant to win a congressional seat. Rep. Garcia has also been known to quote from “The Real Housewives” in congressional hearings.
Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“Herses- Purse Frist Extravaganza” will be on Friday, May 3 at 9 p.m. at 1835 14th St. N.W. This will be an evening of dancing and performances, hosted by HAUS of Bambi Award-winning Performance Artist, BUMPER. Refreshments are also available for purchase.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Judy Shepard to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Andy Cohen coming to D.C.
Want to dance for a good cause?
Calendar: May 3-9
HHS reverses Trump-era anti-LGBTQ rule
4th Circuit rules gender identity is a protected characteristic
Pride season has begun
PHOTOS: Capital Pride Pageant
