It’s Pride weekend and an alphabet soup of people — LGBTQIA . . . and so on — will be out and about enjoying themselves in the nation’s capital.
In addition to the traditional Pride Parade and Festival, there are some really cool events and parties taking place this weekend that should be on your rainbow radar.
Queer Me Out @ W Hotel
W Hotel DC is proud to present Queer Me Out, a new speaker series celebrating the extraordinary diversity of the LGBTQ community – bringing together leaders of the queer community from the intersecting worlds of fashion, music, design, nightlife, philanthropy, media and politics.
The inaugural talk will be held on Friday, June 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The topic will be “How social media has led the gender conversation and connected the global queer community.”
The panelists will include:
- Mickey Boardman, editorial director, Paper Magazine
- Levi Jackman Foster, artist and activist
- Abi Benitez and Tom Jackson, editors of GAYLETTER Magazine
- Trae Harris, actress
There is no cost to attend the event; however, registration is requested. Complimentary cocktails will also be served
This Queer Me Out speaker series supports the larger Marriott International #LoveTravels campaign.
Pride & Shine @ Urbana
Perfectly situated at the start of the Capital Pride parade route, Urbana. at Kimpton Hotel Palomar DC, is hosting “Pride & Shine,” an all-day Pride party on Saturday, June 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Bottomless brunch will be served throughout the day including omelet station, charcuterie station, and pizza station. In addition, there will be an open bar sponsored by Absolut Vodka, Zonin Prosecco and Bud Light, with handcrafted cocktails, craft beers and a Pride-themed Bellinis made specially for the day.
DJ Trayze starts his set at noon. The 2016 Red Bull 3Style US Champion will have the restaurant pumping. Also appearing will be Roxxxy Andrews from Rupaul’s Drag Race and Mike Hot-Pence will be there.
General admission tickets are $75; VIP tickets are $95. VIP ticket holders will have patio access for front-row viewing of the Pride parade. Tickets include all food, drink and party access throughout the day. A portion of every ticket will go towards The Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth.
Pride After Party @ The Embassy Row Hotel
The Embassy Row Hotel is letting its rainbow flag fly high and proudly with a Pride after party sponsored by Red Bull.
The after party will happen on Sunday, June 11, on The Rooftop. Guests will get to enjoy sweeping D.C. views, partake in jello shots, mingle with drag queens, and be entertained by a DJ from 6 to 9 p.m., all in the heart of the Dupont Circle neighborhood, considered one of the nation’s most historic and prominent locales for American gay identity.
