Arts & Entertainment
Calendar: Events through Oct. 24
Parties, exhibits, concerts and more for the coming week

This year’s Capitol Pride musical performer Emeli Sandé performs at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall Saturday. (Blade file photo by Tyler Grigsby)
Friday, Oct. 18
DJ Joe Gauthreaux spins at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight. Free rail vodka drinks from 11 p.m.-midnight. Cover is $10. Admission is 21 and up. For more information, visit cobaltdc.com.
Town (2009 8th St., N.W.) hosts Bear Happy Hour tonight from 6-11 p.m. There is no cover charge and admission is limited to guests 21 and over. For more information, visit towndc.com.
Bachelor’s Mill (1104 8th St., S.E.) holds a happy hour from 5-7:30 p.m. tonight with all drinks half price. Hip music begins at 11 p.m. Enjoy pool, video games and cards. Admission is $5 after 9 p.m. Must be 21 and over. For more details, visit bachelorsmill.com.
Saturday, Oct. 19
British singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé performs at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore) tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $29.60-$40. For details, visit bsomusic.org.
The Birchmere presents 2CELLOS, a cellist duo, at the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University (730 21st St., N.W.) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $55. For more details, visit lisner.gwu.edu or call 202-994-6800.
The Bethesda Row Arts Festival runs today in downtown Bethesda (4841 Bethesda Ave., Md.) from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy work from artists and crafters, listen to local music performances and participate in kid-friendly activities. The festival benefits NIH Children’s Charities. Admission is free. For details, visit bethesdarowarts.org.
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, volunteers today for the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation at the Falls Church PetSmart (6100 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, Va.) at 11:45 a.m. today. You will be paired with a dog on a leash to walk around and play with. Wear casual clothes. For more information, visit burgundycrescent.org.
The Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance (AGLA) hosts its monthly brunch event at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant (555 S. 23rd St., Arlington, Va.) today from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The brunch is an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffer with made to order omelets and Belgian waffles with coffee, soda or juice. Cost is $9.95. Fore details, visit agla.org.
The Hamilton (600 14th Street, N.W.) hosts a free screening of the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” tonight at 10 p.m. Doors open at 9. Go here for details.
Sunday, Oct. 20
Organist Ken Cowan performs at First Baptist Church of Washington (1328 16th St., N.W.) today at 4 p.m. Admission is free but contributions accepted. For more details, visit firstbaptistdc.org.
Perry’s (1811 Columbia Rd., N.W.) hosts its weekly “Sunday Drag Brunch” today from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost is $24.95 for an all-you-can-eat buffet. For more details, visit perrysadamsmorgan.com.
Adventuring, an LGBT outdoors group, hosts its “Great Falls Difficult Run” hike through Great Falls Park (9200 Old Dominion Dr., Mclean, Va.) at 9:15 a.m. today. Alternately you can meet at the Tenleytown Metro (4530 40th St., N.W.) at 8:30 a.m. to carpool. The hike is 5.1 miles with an elevation gain of 250 feet. The walk has a view of the Falls from the Virginia side as well as the Potomac as it rushes through Mather Gorge below the Falls. The Difficult Run Trail has sustained flood damage and is steep and narrow. Bring water, snacks and bug spray. Cost is $2 for trip fee, $4 for the park entrance and $2 to reimburse the driver if you are carpooling from Tenleytown. For more information, visit adventuring.org.
Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) hosts the final day of its silent shoe auction today. Come make your final bids on sneakers decorated by the community toe benefit the AIDS Walk. For details, visit nelliessportsbar.com.
Special Agent Galactica is at L’Enfant Cafe (2000 18th St. N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. with Peter Fields. Details at pinkhairedone.com.
Monday, Oct. 21
Rainbow History Project presents “Prejudice and Pride,” a panel discussion about discrimination against African Americans in the D.C. LGBT community in the 1970s and 1980s, at the Thurgood Marshall Center (1816 12th St., N.W.) today at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit rainbowhistory.org.
Us Helping Us (3636 Georgia Ave., N.W.) holds a support group for gay black men to discuss topics that affect them today, share perspectives and have meaningful conversations. For details, visit uhupil.org.
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Genderqueer D.C. holds a discussion group at The D.C. Center (13181 U St., N.W.) at 7 p.m. tonight. The group is for anyone who identifies outside of the gender binary as bigender, agender, genderfluid or any label outside of cisgender. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Whitman-Walker holds free HIV testing at Panam Supermarket (3552 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 7-9 p.m. For details, visit whitman-walker.org.
SMYAL (410 7th St., S.E.) hosts a “Rap Group” today from 5-6:30 p.m. Discuss stressful issues like school, bullying, getting into college or finding a job in this support group. For more details, visit smyal.org.
Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore will read from her memoir “The End of San Francisco” this evening at Busboys and Poets (1025 5th Street, N.W.) at 6:30 p.m. in the Cullen Room. More information at mattildabernsteinsycamore.com.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
The Lambda Bridge Club meets tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Dignity Center (721 8th St., S.E.) for duplicate bridge. No reservations required and new comers welcome. If you need a partner, call 703-407-6540.
The D.C. Center and Pros in the City host “Forty Plus Gay Men Speed Dating” at Finn and Porter D.C. (900 10th St., N.W.) at 7 p.m. tonight. Speed dating will last approximately one hour. After enjoy a mixer with fellow speed daters. There will be a cash bar. Check-in is at 7 and dating begins at 7:20. You will be able to contact anyone you meet through an exclusive online messaging system 48 hours after the event. Tickets are $30. Three hour complimentary parking offered to guests who purchase two drinks or other items from the bar or restaurant. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit prosinthecity.com.
The HIV Working Group holds a meeting at The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. The HIV Working Group is a volunteer-driven HIV/AIDS outreach, education, and advocacy initiative of the Center. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
Thursday, Oct. 24
Washington Blade hosts its “2013 Best of Gay D.C. Party” at The Huxley (1730 M St., N.W.) tonight from 6-9 p.m. Winners of the “Best of Gay D.C.” will be announced. You can also win a pair of tickets to see Cher. For details, visit facebook.com/washingtonblade/
Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV) holds a meeting at The D.C. Center (1318 U St., N.W.) tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. GLOV works to reduce violence against LGBT individuals through community outreach, education and assisting members of anti-LGBT violence. For more details, visit thedccenter.org.
Rude Boi Entertainment hosts “Tempted 2 Touch,” a ladies dance party, at the Fab Lounge (2022 Florida Ave., N.W.) Doors open at 10 p.m. Drink specials $5 and vodka shots $3 all night. No cover charge. Admission limited to guests 21 and over. For more details, visit rudeboientertainment.
Friday, March 27
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is 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.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Saturday, March 28
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.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black Lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].
Monday, March 30
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
“Tea Time! A Local DC Drag Comedy Show” will be at 3 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a live drag comedy show where drag legends TrevHER & Tiara Missou Sidora host spill all the tea in the DMV. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, March 31
Visibili-TEA Party will be at 6 p.m. at Restoration Station. Guests are encouraged to come sip, celebrate, and shine together. This event is a Trans Day of Visibility celebration and a special collaboration between Auntie’s Home and Damien Ministries. This is a boozy tea party with intention and the dress code reflects the vibe. More details are available on Eventbrite.
Wednesday, March 1
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. 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.
Thursday, April 2
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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Unconventional Diner will host “Cherry Blossom Drag Bingo Party” on Friday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m.
Guests will be treated to an unforgettable night of drag performances, bingo, food and drink and prizes. Highlights of the evening include themed cocktails, drag performances and bingo prizes.
Tickets can be secured via Resy.
Sports
New IOC policy bans trans women from Olympics
New regulation to be in effect at 2028 summer games in Los Angeles
The International Olympic Committee on Thursday announced it will not allow transgender women from competing in female events at the Olympics.
“For all disciplines on the Sports Program of an IOC event, including individual and team sports, eligibility for any Female Category is limited to biological females,” reads the new policy.
The policy states “eligibility for the Female Category is to be determined in the first instance by SRY Gene screening to detect the absence or presence of the SRY Gene.”
“On the basis of the scientific evidence, the IOC considers that the SRY (sex-determining Region Y) Gene is fixed throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced or will experience male sex development,” it reads. “Furthermore, the IOC considers that SRY Gene screening via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample is unintrusive compared to other possible methods. Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene permanently satisfy this policy’s eligibility criteria for competition in the Female Category.”
The policy states the test “will be a once-in-a-lifetime test” unless “there is reason to believe a negative reading is in error.”
The new regulation will be in place for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“I understand that this a very sensitive topic,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry on Thursday in a video. “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition.”
“The policy that we have announced is based on science and it has been led by medical experts with the best interests of athletes at its heart. The scientific evidence is very clear: male chromosomes give performance advances in sport that rely on strength, power, or endurance,” she added. “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”
(Video courtesy of the IOC)
Laurel Hubbard, a weightlifter from New Zealand, in 2021 became the first trans woman to compete at the Olympics.
Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, won a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Khelif later sued JK Rowling and Elon Musk for cyberstalking after they questioned her gender identity.
Ellis Lundholm, a mogul skier from Sweden, this year became the first openly trans athlete to compete in any Winter Olympics when he participated in Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.
President Donald Trump in February 2025 issued an executive order that bans trans women and girls from female sports teams in the U.S.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee last July banned trans women from competing in female sporting events. Republican lawmakers have demanded the IOC ban trans athletes from women’s athletic competitions.
“I’m grateful the Olympics finally embraced the common sense policy that women’s sports are for women, not for men,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on X.
An IOC spokesperson on Thursday referred the Washington Blade to the press release that announced the new policy.
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