These days it seems like everyone throws a holiday party full of people wearing genuinely horrid Christmas sweaters. But the best have a reason for the gaudy seasonal display, such as making it a benefit for the Trevor Project, the leading organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth. That’s the cause that will benefit from donations at the door this Friday, Dec. 13, at 18th & U Duplex Diner. Drag queen Goldie Grigio hosts along with special guests Tarik Pierce and Jayme Byrgy, while Miss Indiana Bones, Mia Vanderbilt, and Ariel Von Quinn will serve on the first-ever panel of drag judges who will award the wearers of the three Jankiest sweaters Duplex gift cards in the amounts of $50, $100, and $200. DJ Tanner will make everyone sweat starting at 9 p.m., following a happy hour starting at 7 p.m. hosted by Miss Adams Morgan 2019, Helen Heels. Duplex Diner is at 2004 18th St. NW. A donation of $10 gets you a complimentary Poinsettia champagne cocktail. Call 202-265-9599 or visit www.duplexdiner.com.
RED BEAR HOLIDAY BEAR BUST
Friday, Dec. 13, is also the “Night of the Thirsty Bear” at D.C.’s only LGBTQ-owned brewery, where every thirsty hirsute manimal — and all other patrons as well — can drink from a bottomless well of select craft beer and cider selections for only $30 a person. DJ Shea Van Horn will provide music, and patrons are encouraged to take “Selfies with Naughty Leather Santa.” The Bear Bust starts at 8 p.m. and runs until midnight at Red Bear Brewing, located at 209 M St. NE. Call 202-849-6130 or visit www.redbear.beer.
LULAC LAMBDA HOLIDAY PARTY
This Saturday, Dec. 14, starting at 8 p.m., LULAC Lambda, D.C.’s local LGBTQ Latinx organization, throws an annual party featuring performances from veteran local drag queen Sylvanna Duvél and LGBTQ-run Corazón Folklórico dance troupe, with music by Deaf DJ Nico DiMarco, who was recently profiled as part of a feature on music in local Deaf culture on WAMU. Peruvian-style chicken will be furnished by District Rico Donations at the door will go toward the LULAC Lambda Scholarship program. The party, which goes until 11 p.m., is also intended to raise HIV awareness, with free HIV testing on-site provided by Empodérate, La Clinica del Pueblo’s LGBTQ health program. The Chastleton Ballroom is at 1701 16th St. NW. Visit www.lulaclambda.org.
PITCHERS/A LEAGUE OF HER OWN HOLIDAY PARTY
On Tuesday, Dec. 17, Pitchers/ALOHO hosts its second annual holiday celebration. The party runs throughout the complex with the happiest of happy hours, with free drinks served from 7 to 8 p.m., followed by everything $3 off from 8 to 9 p.m., plus light appetizers served in the restaurant. There will be prizes for the “ugliest sweater” and the “most festive outfit” — although entries are limited to those who RSVP and list themselves as going on Facebook. Pitchers is at 2317 18th St. NW, with its sister ALOHO bar at 2319 18th St. NW. Call 202-733-2568 or visit www.pitchersdc.com.
ROUGH HOUSE
Green Lantern hosts another round of a “dance party celebrating our beats and your bodies” that goes by the tagline “Hands On, Lights Off.” DJ Lemz spins sexy beats in tag-team fashion with The Barber Streisand. The going gets rough starting at 10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, at the Green Lantern, located at 1335 Green Ct. NW. Cover is $5 and includes clothes check, although those seeking to strip down to nearly nothing are asked to stick to the second floor — “please keep jockstraps upstairs.” Also: “No photography please.” Call 202-347-4533 or visit www.greenlanterndc.com.
WorldPride participants share why Pride still matters, what issues drive them, and why visibility remains vital in today’s political climate.
By André Hereford, Ryan Leeds, and John Riley
June 21, 2025
WorldPride DC on Sunday, June 8, 2025 - Photo: Randy Shulman / Metro Weekly
Interviewed on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8, 2025, at the WorldPride Street Festival, Parade, and March for Freedom.
Nic Ashe
Los Angeles, Ca.
Queer, He/Him
Why did you come to WorldPride?
I've been following WorldPride through the lens of Black queerness, namely with a focus on Christianity and religion. Early in my life, when I think about the first times that I was learning that queer may be a pejorative or that being gay was "not good," it was through my church upbringing. So I was very curious to find if there were examples in 2025 of those two oxymoronic opposing forces existing in harmony.
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.