2016: The Year Ahead
Dates to Keep in Mind for 2016's biggest LGBT events
The District is a pulsating, thriving metropolis with some big happening always just a week away. Whether it’s retro dance parties, black-tie galas and fundraisers, food truck festivals, drag pageants or even the 17th Street High Heel Race, D.C.’s nightlife and social scenes boast more unique events than much larger rival cities. From cruising the leather mart at Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend to marching through throngs of people screaming for beads during the annual Capital Pride Parade, nobody who’s actually lived here can say that our city doesn’t know how to cut loose and party.
We’ve included a few highlights you should pencil into your day planner. And remember, you can always find the latest news, art and lifestyle updates year round here on metroweekly.com.
JANUARY
Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend 2016
Jan. 15-18
Celebrate with host Centaur MC and thousands of leather aficionados from across the globe as part of a three-day party centered around official events like Leather Cocktails and the Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather Contest. Various ancillary events and parties also occur throughout the weekend.
Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill
400 New Jersey Ave. NW
Late Registration $200. Rooms $175/night.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Jan. 18
Hosted by the Corporation for National and Community Service and United We Serve
No Name-Calling Week 2016
Jan. 18-22
Hosted by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network and various schools throughout the country, students take actions to prevent bullying and harassment in their schools.
Pride Reveal
Jan. 20
Capital Pride gives D.C.’s LGBT community a sneak peek at what to expect for the 41st anniversary celebration of Pride in the nation’s capital.
Sax Restaurant & Lounge
734 11th St. NW
7-11 p.m.
capitalpride.org
BHT Annual Grant Awards Reception
Jan. 30
See which community organizations and nonprofits walk away with the most money for their upcoming initiatives.
Grand Central
1001 N. Charles St., Baltimore
brotherhelpthyself.net
FEBRUARY
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Feb. 7
Know your status. Get tested, get treatment, and take part in a number of events across the nation to commemorate the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Day of Action 2016
Feb. 9
Equality Virginia hosts a day when constituents can lobby and visit their legislators to urge them to vote in favor of pro-lGBT legislation.
Library of Virginia
800 E. Broad St., Richmond
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
equalityvirginia.org
MARCH
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Mujeres en el Movimiento Awards Celebration
Date TBA
Join the Latino GLBT History Project as they commemorate the fifth anniversary of their annual Women’s History Month celebration.
Virginia Presidential Primary
March 1
Various polling locations
APRIL
Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance’s 45th Annual Reception
Date and location TBA
Youth Pride Day
Date and location TBA
National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day
April 10
Advocates for Youth plans and directs this observance day.
Day of Silence
April 15
GLSEN hosts a “Day of Silence,” where students in schools throughout the country pledge to remain silent for a whole day as a show of solidarity for LGBT youth, who are too often bullied or harassed into silence, either physically or by educational policies.
Equality Virginia’s 13th Annual Commonwealth Dinner
April 16
Equality Virginia hosts a reception to honor those who have made a significant contribution to or have advocated on behalf of Virginia’s LGBT community. Black-tie optional.
VIP Reception, 5 p.m.
Dinner, 7 p.m.
Greater Richmond Convention Center
403 North 3rd St., Richmond
equalityvirginia.org
Maryland Presidential Primary
April 26
Various polling locations
Dining Out For Life
April 28
Participating restaurants in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia
Proceeds benefit Food & Friends
For a list of participating restaurants, visit foodandfriends.org
202-269-2277
MAY
Whitman-Walker’s Going the Extra Mile Legal Benefit
Date, location and time TBA
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
May 18
Capital Trans Pride
May 21
Reeves Center
2000 14th St. NW
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
capitaltranspride.org
Food & Friends’ Chef’s Best Dinner and Auction
May 23
National Building Museum
401 F St. NW
foodandfriends.org
DC Black Pride Weekend 2016
May 27-30
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
400 New Jersey Ave. NW
dcblackpride.org
JUNE
Mautner Gala
Date, location and time TBA
Night OUT at the Nationals
Date TBA
Sponsored by Team DC
Pre-party 5:30 p.m.
Game 7:05 p.m.
Nationals Park
1500 S. Capitol St. SE
teamdc.org
Capital Pride Heroes Gala
June 1
Location and time TBA
DC Latino Pride: La Fiesta
June 9
The closing party to a week of events celebrating Latino Pride, hosted by the Latino GLBT History Project.
Town Danceboutique
2009 8th St. NW
latinoglbthistory.org
DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K
Congressional Cemetery
1801 E St. SE
Time TBA
dcfrontrunners.org
Capital Pride Parade
June 11
Kickoff at 22nd & P Sts. NW
4:30-7:30 p.m.
capitalpride.org
Capital Pride Festival
June 12
Festival exhibit hours: 12-7 p.m.
Concert stage hours: 1-9 p.m.
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, between 3rd and 7th Sts. NW.
capitalpride.org
D.C. Presidential Primary
June 14
Various polling locations
National HIV Testing Day
June 27
Get tested. Know your status.
AUGUST
6th Annual OutWrite Book Festival
Aug. 5-6
Hosted by The DC Center
The Reeves Center
2000 14th St. NW
thedccenter.org
SEPTEMBER
20th Annual HRC National Dinner
Sept. 10
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mt. Vernon Pl. NW
Time and ticket prices TBA
hrcnationaldinner.org
OCTOBER
The 30th Annual Walk to End HIV
Date TBD
Walk or run a 5-kilometer race to help raise money to go towards Whitman-Walker Health’s major programs and services for HIV-positive people.
Annual High Heel Race
Oct. 25
6 p.m., race at 9 p.m.
17th Street NW, between Church and S Streets
NOVEMBER
WWH Be the Care Annual Gala
Date, location and time TBA
A dinner and awards ceremony commemorating the work done by Whitman-Walker over the years.
DECEMBER
World AIDS Day Vigil
Dec. 1
Join Whitman-Walker Health for a candlelight vigil as they reflect on those lost in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Location and time TBA — date may be subject to change.
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