SwazzEvents, producers of queer-centered parties that are “all-inclusive, body-positive, trans-positive, and accessible,” returns to the Looking Glass Lounge for its monthly outing at this unpretentious Park View spot. Starting at 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, Valentine’s Swazzy Nights will offer, according to the organizers, “a night of booze, sexy dancing with that qt, and amazing performances.” Among the performers taking the stage at 11 p.m. is the “wicked good time” newcomer Sitara Sin and drag king Mitch. Music, including slow jams and chill-out that will help set the party’s mood, are courtesy DJ Shorno Babu. The Looking Glass Lounge is at 3634 Georgia Ave. NW. Call 202-722-7669 or visit www.facebook.com/swazzevents.
THE BEAR CAVE: #LOVEORLUST
The furry fellas behind Bears Can Party come out of hibernation for another tour of the Bear Cave at Green Lantern, this one falling over Valentine’s Day weekend. Caramel’ D and Beowoof are the recurring party’s two new gogo boys who will dance to “ALL genres of music” as spun by DJ Popperz. Naturally, “Beartenders” will be slinging “cheap drinks” from the full bar. The party is open to patrons 21 and over, whether they’re looking for love or lust, and whether they prefer to dress or undress down to their skivvies, checking their clothes with their coat. This Saturday, Feb. 15, starting at 9 p.m. Green Lantern is at 1335 Green Ct. NW. No cover. Call 202-347-4533 or visit www.greenlanterndc.com.
KICKS & GIGGLES: THE LONELY HOLES CLUB
DJs Ben Norman and Phil Reese originally started this once-a-month queer party as “a dancey anecdote to Saturday’s usual heteronormativity.” Each month brings a different theme, generally creative, and presented in a cheeky kind of way. That’s certainly true with the February edition of the party, geared to all those who have fallen in, out of, or in-between love. Upon entering Uproar on Saturday, Feb. 15, each guest will choose an “easy-to-spot glow stick” that matches the designated hue of their relationship status. Green means all systems go for those single and ready to mingle; yellow is for those seeking to explore beyond traditional bounds but proceeding with caution and in tandem with a partner in some state of play; red (also black) means stop in the name of love, but warm to the idea of friends; and blue is for those who identify as polyamorous. The unstated aim of the party could be thought of as helping guests form bonds with others who color as they do on the sexual spectrum. If you want to get further down in the cheeky gutter with a play on the party’s titular theme, you could say the end goal is to leave no holes barred, and no one left with a lonely behind. The party starts at 10 p.m. Uproar Lounge is at 639 Florida Ave NW. Call 202-462-4464 or visit www.facebook.com/uproarloungedc.
If you’re still struck with that loving feeling next Wednesday, Feb. 19, the Big Board on H Street becomes more than just friendly with the neighborhood’s LGBTQ residents every other hump day, when a love of all things queer is the order of the night, per the community outing called Market Crash. The party attracts those with a love of happy house and poppy dance hits in particular, courtesy of guest DJ Mike Babbitt. Other things to love: Drink specials including $2 specialty shots all night long and $5 draft and rail offerings until 11 p.m. The LGBTQ love starts at 9 p.m. The Big Board is at 421 H St. NE. Call 202-543-3630 or visit www.thebigboarddc.com.
A Pennsylvania school board canceled an appearance by Maulik Pancholy at a local middle school's anti-bullying assembly due to concerns over his "lifestyle."
The Cumberland Valley School District school board voted unanimously to cancel the gay actor's scheduled May 22 appearance at Mountain View Middle School in Mechanicsburg, a town of 9,000 people in the state's center, just 10 miles outside Harrisburg.
Pancholy, who played Jonathan on the hit TV show 30 Rock, Sanjay in Weeds, and voiced the character of Baljeet for Disney's Phineas & Ferb, is also an author of novels for young adults, including The Best at It, the story of a gay Indian-American boy and his experience dealing with bullying in a small Midwestern town, and Nikhil Out Loud, about a group of eighth-grade theater kids rising up against homophobia in their community.
"I love that you think I have more than one home," laughs Wilson Cruz, settling in at his New York apartment for what will ultimately become a wide-ranging, two-hour Zoom interview. "I am a journeyman actor who has been cobbling together a career for 30 years. That's what I am."
Truth is, Wilson Cruz is much more than that. This is the third time Cruz has been featured on a Metro Weekly cover, and he ensures that a conversation with him feels familiar, like time spent with a best friend. Talking with him is also somewhat of a unique event -- spirited, unbridled, utterly free of artifice. He is warm. He is welcoming. He is wise.
Pride flags are officially banned from flying above U.S. embassies.
The provision, part of a larger $1.2 trillion bipartisan spending bill to keep the government funded through September 30, was signed into law by President Biden on March 23.
Under the provision, no government funds may be used to fly or display any flag over any State Department facilities, unless that flag is the United States flag, a state or tribal government flag, an official agency flag, the POW/MIA flag, the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag, or -- as in the case of embassies -- the sovereign flag of other countries, reports NBC News.
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!