Metro Weekly

2016: The Year Ahead

Dates to Keep in Mind for 2016's biggest LGBT events

calendar-04The 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.

leatherweekend.com

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

Jan. 18

Hosted by the Corporation for National and Community Service and United We Serve

mlkday.gov

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.

glsen.org/nonamecallingweek

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.

nationalblackaidsday.org

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.

latinoglbthistory.org

Virginia Presidential Primary

March 1

Various polling locations

elections.virginia.gov

APRIL

Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance’s 45th Annual Reception

Date and location TBA

glaa.org

Youth Pride Day

Date and location TBA

youthpridealliance.org

National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day

April 10

Advocates for Youth plans and directs this observance day.

amplifyyourvoice.org

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.

dayofsilence.org

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

elections.state.md.us

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

whitman-walker.org

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day

May 18

bethegeneration.nih.gov

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

whitman-walker.org

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

capitalpride.org

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

dcboee.org

National HIV Testing Day

June 27

Get tested. Know your status.

aids.gov

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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