Out & About
Calendar: Jan. 15-21
Events in the week to come
Friday, Jan. 15
An MLK Shabbat Experience presented by Sixth & I and Turner Memorial is held online at sixthandi.org tonight at 7 p.m. This event commemorates the spirit and racial justice work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel with Rabbi Shira and Reverend Dr. D.K. Kearney of Turner memorial AME Church. Participants to the free event can virtually travel to Philadelphia and visit historically significant places to the Jewish and Black communities while enjoying AME choir music and an inspiring sermon by Rabbi Shira. Visit the organization’s website and Facebook event page for more information.
A Space for Grief: An OutWrite Reading During Pandemic Times is tonight at 7 p.m. and hosted by OutWrite and the DC Center. This virtual space for grieving those lost to the pandemic includes local writers Sunu Chandy, Chris Thomas and Keondra Freeman sharing their works of healing. RSVP for this free event at thedccenter.org.
Saturday, Jan. 16
The LGBTQ people of color support group is today at 1 p.m. via Zoom. This group is an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to talk and share in a safe space free of judgement. For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org.
Sunday, Jan. 17
Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 23rd St. S, Arlington, Va.) and Go Gay DC host brunch today at 11 a.m. Brunch is served on the patios, indoors or using curbside takeout. Patrons are encouraged to follow public health guidelines or call ahead with questions. For more information, visit freddiesbeachbar.com.
The DC Center and the Beta Kappa Chapter of the Beta Phi Omega Sorority host a peer-led support group for Black lesbians today at 1 p.m. via Zoom. For more information, visit thedccenter.org.
The First Ladies: Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery Livestream Art History Program is today at 11 a.m. on multiple platforms to include YouTube, Facebook Live and Instagram. This virtual tour of the Smitsonian’s First Ladies exhibit includes images of the nation’s influential women who have shaped American culture from Martha Washington, to Eleanor Roosevelt, to Michelle Obama and more. Free tickets are available at dchistoryandculture.eventbrite.com.
Monday, Jan. 18
The Presidential Inaugural Committee and Sasha Bruce Youthwork host a homeless youth virtual chat and service day today at 10 a.m. via mobilize.us. During this free workshop participants will hear from formerly homeless youth about their experience and how community members can help. Virtual service projects include creating hygiene kits, writing notes of encouragement for frontline workers, creating welcome kits for youth moving into new homes and more. For more information, visit sashabruce.org.
Tuesday, Jan. 19
Curating the Goddess: An Interview with Dr. Vidya Dehejia is at noon today and is hosted by the Smithsonian Asian Art Museum. This free online event discusses the goals, politics, and aesthetics behind the Devi: The Great Goddess exhibition of South Asian art. Visit si.edu for more information and to register.
Wednesday, Jan. 20
The Biden Inaugural Committee hosts a virtual presidential inauguration ceremony for the swearing in of Joseph R. Biden and Kamala Harris as the next U.S. president and vice president today at 12 p.m. on Facebook. More information is available at bideninaugural.org.
BookMen DC host an informal gay literature discussion group tonight at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Visitors to DC are welcome to drop in and join the discussion. For more information, visit bookmendc.blogspot.com.
Thursday, Jan. 21
Smithsonian Associates presents the webcast A Lab of One’s Own: Overcoming Sexism in Science tonight at 6:45 p.m. Visit si.edu for more information about this and other virtual museum events.
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
Friday, June 12
Bet Mishpachah will host “Pride Shabbat Happy Hour” at 6 p.m. at Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center. This is an in-person happy hour with an open wine and beer bar, great company, and joyful conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.
Saturday, June 13
Out N Bad will host “SWEET WHINE: DC Pride Queer Caribbean Slow Whine Function” at 9 p.m. at Decades DC. This is a late-night escape into slow and steamy Dancehall & Kompa only. No splits. No headtops. No pressure. Tickets are $22.14 and are available on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a screening of “10s Across the Borders,” a bold pan-Asian queer film that confronts homophobia, transphobia, and racism while celebrating Southeast Asia’s underground ballroom scene. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Sunday, June 14
Beth A Wolfe Yoga will host “Pride Baby Goat Yoga” at 1 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, Va. The goats will be decked out in their finest Pride apparel, and human participants are welcome to do the same. Proceeds from this event will go to the Trevor Project. Tickets cost $44.52 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, June 15
“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]).
Tuesday, June 16
“Self-Defense Class with Avi Rome” will be at 12:30 p.m. Rome is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and a full-time Martial Arts instructor with 25 years of teaching experience. He holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do and is the director of the studio’s Adaptive Tae Kwon Do program for students with special needs. He has also run numerous self-defense workshops for various groups and situations. For more details, visit the center’s website.
Center Bi+ Roundtable 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.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Wednesday, June 17
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, June 18
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm 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.
PHOTOS: The Audacity Brunch
D.C. Council approves expanded grant funding for Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Baltimore Pride is here
Calendar: June 12-18
Hundreds of thousands expected to attend D.C. Pride events
PHOTOS: Pride Run
Queen Jean is Tony’s first transgender winner
EXCLUSIVE: Pelosi reflects on four decades of LGBTQ advocacy
