2015: A Look Ahead
Dates You'll Want to Circle on This Year's Calendar of LGBT Events around D.C.
The coming year promises to be an exciting one for the D.C. area, beyond just the usual hustle and bustle of living in a major metropolitan area. On the national level, we anticipate a Supreme Court decision on marriage equality. We’ll also see a Republican-led Senate and an even larger Republican majority in the House of Representatives, setting up an inevitable confrontation with the Democratic-occupied White House.
At a local level, we will begin to see the new Bowser administration take shape, as well as the start of political careers for several new faces on the D.C. Council. Meanwhile, Democrat-heavy Maryland will navigate its own course under the Republican leadership of Gov. Larry Hogan. In Virginia, besides Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s annual combat with the Republican-dominated General Assembly, LGBT allies are hoping to push through legislation that will extend other rights and protections to LGBT people in the commonwealth. Add the fact that 2015, in Virginia, is an election year for all 140 members of the General Assembly, and you can almost hear the political pandering and kowtowing revving up.
As for what’s going on in our own backyard, the District’s various organizations, agencies, and community groups have plenty prepared for the coming year.
In a year when Metro Weekly will mark its 21st anniversary, Capital Pride, the annual celebration of what it means to be part of the LGBT community, will mark its own 40th anniversary. Although organizers are currently tight-lipped about their plans, there will undoubtedly be efforts to make the big 4-0 a bash to remember. Add in D.C.’s various charitable organizations, major organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, and D.C.’s active nightlife scene to the mix, and 2015 is bound to have something to enjoy for even those with the most discriminating of tastes.
Below are some of this year’s dates to remember. As more information becomes available, we’ll keep you apprised of the changes. And remember, you can always find the latest updates year round at MetroWeekly.com.
JANUARY
FRIDAY, JAN. 16 TO MONDAY, JAN. 19
Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend 2015
Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill
400 New Jersey Ave. NW
Late Registration $200, Rooms $175/night
(Various ancillary events and parties)
leatherweekend.com
centaurmc.org
MONDAY, JAN. 19
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Hosted by the Corporation for National and Community Service and United We Serve
mlkday.gov
MONDAY, JAN. 19 TO FRIDAY, JAN. 23
No Name-Calling Week
Hosted by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and various schools
glsen.org/nonamecallingweek
THURSDAY, JAN. 22
Pride Reveal
Capital Pride gives attendees a sneak peak at the plans for its upcoming 40th anniversary celebration
Malmaison
3401 Water St. NW
7 p.m.
202-719-5304
capitalpride.org
SATURDAY, JAN. 24
Brother, Help Thyself holds its annual Grant Awards Reception
DC Eagle
3701 Benning Rd. NE
2 p.m.
(Snow date: Jan. 31)
202-347-224
brotherhelpthyself.net
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28
Equality Maryland holds LGBTQ Youth Foster Parent Information Session
Owen Brown Interfaith Center
7246 Cradlerock Wa
Columbia, Md.
7 to 9 p.m.
410-685-6567
equalitymaryland.org
FEBRUARY
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
TUESDAY, FEB. 3
Equality Virginia holds Day of Action 2015 to lobby legislators in favor pro-LGBT legislation
Library of Virginia
800 E. Broad St., Richmond
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Legislative Reception follows, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
804-643-4816
equalityvirginia.org
SATURDAY, FEB. 7
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
nationalblackaidsday.org
THURSDAY, FEB. 12
The Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CAGLCC) holds a Networking Thursday event
Sponsored by Wells Fargo
Hosted by Ruff Plastic Surgery
2440 M St. NW, #200
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
$35 for non-CAGLCC members; free for members
caglcc.org
THURSDAY, FEB. 12 AND SATURDAY, FEB. 14
Potomac Fever and the Rock Creek Singers of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington presents Love Rocks!
New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
1313 New York Ave. NW
8 p.m.
Tickets $39
202-293-1548
gmcw.org
SUNDAY, FEB. 22
The DC Center presents its annual Oscar Gala, “Glamour, Glitter and Gold”
Location and time TBD
202-682-2245
thedccenter.org
MARCH
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
DATE TBA
The Latino GLBT History Project celebrates its 4th Annual Women’s History Month Awards Celebration: “Mujeres en el Movimiento”
Location and time TBA
latinoglbthistory.org
FRIDAY, MARCH 13 TO SATURDAY, MARCH 14
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington presents When You Wish
Lincoln Theater
1215 U St. NW
8:00 p.m. Friday; 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Saturday
202-293-1548
gmcw.org
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
Miss Gay DC America Pageant
Location TBD
5:30 to 10:30 p.m.
missgaydcamerica.com
APRIL
DATE TBA
Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance hosts its 44th Annual Reception
Location TBA
glaa.org
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
bethegeneration.nih.gov
FRIDAY, APRIL 17
Day of Silence
Various locations, hosted by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
dayofsilence.org
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Equality Virginia holds its 12th Annual Commonwealth Dinner
Greater Richmond Convention Center
403 North 3rd St., Richmond
Attire is black-tie optional
VIP Reception 5 p.m.
General Registration & Silent Auction 5:30 p.m.
Dinner at 7 p.m.
After Dinner Dance at 10 p.m.
Early-Bird Pricing $125 through Feb. 13, $150 afterwards
804-643-4816
equalityvirginia.org
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
Food & Friends’ 19th Annual Dining Out for Life
Various restaurants across D.C.
diningoutforlife.com/washingtondc
foodandfriends.org
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
Youth Pride Allies Reception
Location and time TBA
youthpridealliance.org
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
Youth Pride Day
Dupont Circle
Time TBA
youthpridealliance.org
TUESDAY, APRIL 28
Special D.C. Election for Ward 4 and Ward 8 Councilmembers
Various voting locations
For polling place information, visit dcboee.org
MAY
DATE TBA
Capital TransPride
Location and time TBA
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
capitaltranspride.org
DATE TBA
Whitman-Walker’s Mautner Gala
Location and time TBA
whitmanwalker.org
SUNDAY, MAY 3
Gay Day at the Zoo/International Family Equality Day
Sponsored by The DC Center and Rainbow Families DC
Smithsonian National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
THURSDAY, MAY 7
Next Generation Leadership Foundation Awards Ceremony
Sponsored by Metro Weekly
Location and time TBA
nglf.org
FRIDAY, MAY 15 TO SATURDAY, MAY 16
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington presents Born This Way
Lincoln Theater
1215 U St. NW
8:00 p.m. Friday; 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Saturday
202-293-1548
gmcw.org
MONDAY, MAY 18
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
bethegeneration.nih.gov
FRIDAY, MAY 23 TO SUNDAY, MAY 25
DC Black Pride Weekend 2015
Grand Hyatt Washington
1000 H St. NW
Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony, Friday 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
dcblackpride.org
JUNE
DATE TBA
Whitman-Walker Health presents Going the Extra Mile legal benefit
Location TBA
whitmanwalker.org
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3
Capital Pride Heroes Gala
Location TBA
6 to 9 p.m.
capitalpride.org
THURSDAY, JUNE 4 TO SATURDAY, JUNE 6
The DC Center presents Capturing Fire Spoken Word Summit and Poetry Slam
Times and location TBA
capturingfire.org
FRIDAY, JUNE 5 TO SUNDAY, JUNE 14
Capital Pride Celebrates its 40th Anniversary
Various events and times
capitalpride.org
MONDAY, JUNE 8
Capital Pride hosts Music in the Night
Location and time TBA
capitalpride.org
TUESDAY, JUNE 9
Capital Pride Interfaith Service
Location and time TBA
capitalpride.org
Capital Pride hosts a Women Spoken Word event
Location and time TBA
capitalpride.org
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
DC Bike Party Pride Ride
Location and time TBA
capitalpride.org
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Pride Rooftop Rally
Location and time TBA
capitalpride.org
9th Annual Latino Pride Dance Party
Hosted by The Latino GLBT History Project
Town Danceboutique
2009 8th St. NW
Time TBA
latinoglbthistory.org
FRIDAY, JUNE 12
DC Front Runners Pride Ride 5K
Location and time TBA
capitalpride.org
SATURDAY, JUNE 13
Capital Pride Parade
4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
capitalpride.org
SUNDAY, JUNE 14
Pride Festival and Concert
Pennsylvania Avenue, between 3rd and 6th Streets NW
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
MONDAY, JUNE 15
Food & Friends’ 25th Annual Chef’s Best Dinner and Auction
Marriott Marquis
901 Massachusetts Ave. NW
VIP Reception at 5:30 p.m.
Doors open to general public at 6:30 p.m.
Auction at 8:15 p.m.
foodandfriends.org
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17
Night Out at the Nationals
Sponsored by Team DC
Nationals Park
1500 S. Capitol St. SE
Pre-party 5:30 p.m., game 7:05 p.m.
Ticket prices TBA
teamdc.org
SATURDAY, JUNE 27
National HIV Testing Day
napwa.org
JULY
FRIDAY, JULY 31 TO SUNDAY, AUG. 2
OutWrite LGBT Book Festival
Reeves Center
2000 14th St. NW
Times TBA
outwritedc.org
SEPTEMBER
DATE TBA
10th Annual Hispanic LGBTQ Heritage Awards
Location TBA
latinoglbthistory.org
SUNDAY, SEPT. 27
National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
napwa.org
OCTOBER
DATE TBA
The DC Center holds its annual Fall Reception
Times, location and tickets TBA
202-682-2245
DATE TBA
The 29th Annual Walk to End HIV
Sponsored by Whitman-Walker Health
Location and time TBA
aidswalkwashington.org
THURSDAY, OCT. 15
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day
latinoaids.org
SATURDAY, OCT. 24
The Human Rights Campaign National Dinner
Time, location and tickets TBA
hrcnationaldinner.org
TUESDAY, OCT. 27
Annual High Heel Race
17th Street NW, between Church and S Streets
6 p.m., race at 9
NOVEMBER
DATE TBA
Whitman-Walker Health’s Be the Care Annual Gala
Location and time TBA
whitmanwalker.org
TUESDAY, NOV. 3
Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates Elections
Various locations
Visit sbe.virginia.gov for polling information
FRIDAY, NOV. 20
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Metropolitan Community Church
474 Ridge St. NW
Time TBA
thedccenter.org
DECEMBER
TUESDAY, DEC. 1
World AIDS Day
napwa.org
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