Arts & Entertainment
Year in review: Getting in on the action
D.C. LGBT sports leagues boast bounty of 2012 activities, triumphs
The CAPS in action. (Photo courtesy Billy Richardson)
This year was another incredible one for the LGBT sports community of Washington. There was an abundance of tournament play, leagues and national recognition.
Also, the continuing support of straight sports allies was bolstered by the creation of the You Can Play Project. The project was founded within the National Hockey League by Patrick Burke of the Philadelphia Flyers and has crossed over into other sports. They seek to challenge the culture of locker rooms and spectator areas by focusing only on an athlete’s skills and not his or her sexual identity. More info is at youcanplayproject.org.
Team D.C., the local LGBT sports connection, continued to set the standards for all LGBT sports communities. In 2012, its members awarded college scholarships to six local LGBT student athletes. Their popular United Night OUT series now includes events with seven Washington professional sports franchises.
Their efforts were also recognized nationally this year by the Compete Sports Network. The organization is at teamdc.org.
The Federal Triangles Soccer Club hosted the Women’s Winter Wrap-Up Indoor Cup in March and the Rehoboth Beach Classic in August. Along with play in various local leagues, members also hosted the Summer of Freedom League. They can be found at federaltriangles.org.
The District of Columbia Aquatics Club traveled to Reykjavik, Iceland in May where members captured second place in the large team category at the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics Championships. In July they hosted the 21st annual Swim for Life, a fundraiser for HIV/AIDS as well as local watershed organizations. They are on the web at swimdcac.org.
Puck Buddys, the D.C.-based nationally recognized ice hockey blog, continues to entertain with their banter throughout the mess of the National Hockey League lockout. The blog is located at puckbuddys.com.
The Stonewall Kickball league maxed out on their league cap of 480 players in both of their seasons in 2012. Look for continued success in 2013. They can be found at stonewallsports.org.
The D.C. Sentinels basketball team traveled to three national tournaments in 2012 winning the Upper B-Division at the Hurricane Classic in Fort Lauderdale.
In January, they will launch the first season of the Washington D.C. Gay Basketball League. More information on the group is at teamdcbasketball.org.
The D.C. Gay Flag Football League had another stellar year hosting their spring season and growing to 270 players in their fall season. All the league action including videos is at dcgffl.org.
Charm City Volleyball hosted the Charm City Invitational 28 in April with one of their squads winning the BB Division. Their information is at volleybaltimore.org.
The Capital Area Rainbowlers Association continues to offer multiple bowling leagues and in October hosted the annual Capital Halloween Invitational Tournament.
On Monday they will be hosting New Year’s Bowling Eve from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. at Bowl America Shirley in Alexandria. More info is at carabowling.org.
The D.C. Strokes Rowing Club hosted Stonewall Regatta XIX in June. At the end of August, their Men’s Heavyweight B 8+ team brought home the gold at the US Rowing Master National Championships in Worcester, Mass. The Strokes are at dcstrokes.org.
The Chesapeake and Potomac Softball League (CAPS) completed a successful 2012 softball season. In October they hosted their annual tournament, the Mid-Atlantic Gay Invitational Classic.
In August of 2013, the CAPS will be hosting the 37th annual North American Gay Amateur Athlete Alliance Gay Softball World Series in Washington. The CAPS can be found at capssoftball.org.
The Washington Renegades Rugby Football Club wrapped up two successful seasons of league play this year with both squads having winning records. The Renegades compete in Division III of the Potomac Rugby Union and their Reds squad and won Hellfest in Dallas for the second year in a row. More info is at dcrugby.com.
The Adventuring outdoors group continues their summer bike series and weekly year round hikes. This is the “go to” group for anyone wanting to get outside and learn about the rich history of D.C. area. Their schedule is at adventuring.org.
All the local LGBT sports teams and clubs can be found at teamdc.org. Thanks to all of them for a great year.
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The Washington Blade held its 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer spoke along with State Sen. Russ Huxtable, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey, Blade Editor Kevin Naff, and Clear Space Theatre Managing Director Joe Gfaller. The event raises funds for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which was awarded to AU student Abigail Hatting.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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