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Celebrating wins, looking ahead

Local gay sports teams savor victories, gear up for fall activities

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Gay diver Ben Takai of the Montgomery Dive Club won three gold medals in July in Honolulu. (Photo by Cliff Betita)

With summer coming to a close, the LGBT sports community of Washington has wrapped up some successful sporting adventures and also has many new ones approaching this fall.

Congratulations to the District of Columbia Aquatics Club for winning an unprecedented 10th title in the large team category at the International Gay & Lesbian Aquatic Championships in Honolulu. The swimmers took the crown by defeating strong teams from West Hollywood Aquatics and Team New York Aquatics. They are currently in training for the next Championships to be held in Reykjavik, Iceland in June. More on the swimmers can be found at swimdcac.org.

Congratulations to Ben Takai of the Montgomery Dive Club for sweeping the diving events at the same IGLA Championships in the 25-29 age group. Ben struck gold in the 1-meter springboard, 3-meter springboard and the 10-meter platform. The diving club is online at montgomerydiveclub.org.

Congratulations to the 13 members of the D.C. Strokes Rowing Club who medaled in seven events at the USRowing Masters National regatta in Oklahoma City, Okla. The rowers won medals in men’s, women’s and mixed events to cap off a long sprint race season. Check them out at dcstrokes.org.

Congratulations to the Chesapeake and Potomac Softball League whose members are welcoming home three teams having just competed in the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association Softball World Series in Chicago. The CAPS won the bid to host the World Series in Washington in 2013 over Portland and Dallas. The event is expected to draw about 160 teams and 2,000 players from member cities across North America. The fall season begins for the CAPS begins Sept. 11. Information on softball is at eteamz.com/caps.

The Capital Tennis Association is hosting the Capital Classic XIX tournament on Sept. 16-18 at the Hains Point Tennis Center. Singles and doubles will be contested on clay and hard courts in five different divisions. Fall tennis leagues are forming now and begin in October. Information on the tournament and the tennis team is at capital-tennis.org.

Team D.C. will be hosting a dodgeball tournament on Sept. 24 at the Columbia Heights Recreation Center. Teams consist of eight players and you can register a full team or sign up individually to be placed on a team. Details are at teamdc.org.

The Lambda Links Golf Club will continue to play on different courses on weekends through the fall season and nonmembers are welcome. Members will also be hosting their annual club championships on Sept. 25 and their halloween tournament on Oct. 27.  Tee times are at lambdalinks.org.

The Washington Renegades rugby football team kicks off the fall season with match play on Saturday. The ruggers made it to the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union quarterfinals in the spring of 2011 and are looking for another successful season. Match days are posted at www.dcrugby.com.

The D.C. Gay Flag Football league starts its fall season on Sunday at the Carter Barron Fields on 16th and Kennedy. The ever-growing league is now boasting 16 teams that will compete weekly for the coveted championship trophy. League stats and information is at dcgffl.org.

Having just wrapped up the second Summer of Freedom League and hosting the Rehoboth Beach Classic XIII coed soccer tournament last weekend, the Federal Triangles Soccer Club is gearing up for a full slate of league action this fall. On Sept. 21, players will host the second United Night Out at RFK Stadium as the D.C. United take on Chivas USA. The event is part of the Night Out series brought to you by Team D.C. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at unitednightout.com. The Triangles can be found at federaltriangles.org.

On Sunday, members of the D.C. Frontrunners will compete in the 9-11 Memorial Run 5 K in Arlington. The event kicks off the fall race circuit for the Frontrunners which continues into December. More information on the group is at dcfrontrunners.org.

The Rainbow Spinnakers Sailing Club continues its two-hour sails on weekends into the fall season. Nonmembers are welcome and you can be an experienced sailor or a beginner looking to experience sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. They can be found at rainbowspinnakers.org.

The Lambda Divers Scuba Club is heading to Cozumel, Mexico for the week-long 20th anniversary of the Diving For Life charity event. In October, the group heads to the Caribbean for some diving off the coast of Grand Cayman. Check out your options at lambdadivers.org.

LGBT Family Day with the Washington Nationals is being held Sept. 18. Same-sex couples are invited to bring their kids for a special day at the ballpark. Tickets are just $16 and game time is 1:35 p.m. as the Nats take on the Florida Marlins. Info is at nationals.com/lgbtfamily.

Lambda DanceSport is offering up an all new location on Wednesdays and Sundays during its ‘DanceSport at DuPont Circle’ series. Lessons are being offered in country-western, international Latin and international ballroom. lambdadancesport.com.

 

 

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Out & About

Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth

Politicians slated to speak at annual Blue Moon party

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Sarah McBride is scheduled to deliver keynote remarks at the Blade’s 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party on May 17 in Rehoboth Beach. (Washington Blade file photo by Daniel Truitt)

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.

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Out & About

Andy Cohen coming to D.C.

‘Real Housewives’ producer to return to Sixth & I

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Andy Cohen

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. 

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Bars & Parties

Want to dance for a good cause?

Artists Mercedes and Desto host a queer party

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(Image via 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.

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