Men at The Center tag:www.thedccenter.org,2009-10-30:/blog//1 2013-06-17T16:27:50Z Movable Type 4.32-en Gay District Meetings in June tag:www.thedccenter.org,2013:/blog//1.3297 2013-06-14T16:58:06Z 2013-06-14T17:05:26Z Gay District is a community-based organization focused on building understanding of gay culture and personal identity, awareness of community events and civil rights for gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and intersexed (GBTQQI) men between the ages of 18 and 35 in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Through a synthesis of interpersonal interaction and community involvement, we aim to promote a more productive GBTQQ community and an enlightened understanding of gay urban living. In addition, we believe that our program will encourage them to become more active in the social justice arena. We strive to reach our mission through facilitated discussions, and regular and ongoing happy hours, weekend outings, community and cultural events, volunteer opportunities, and other occasions created by and for our participants. Join Gay District on the first and third Fridays of each month for a facilitated group discussion. For the month of May, we will be meeting onJune 7th and June 21st. The meetings begin at 8:30 PM at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. After the meeting, members often head out for dinner together in the neighborhood. For more information, visit the Gay District website at www.gaydistrict.org or check us out on facebook! Brant gaydistrict061413.pngGay District is a community-based organization focused on building understanding of gay culture and personal identity, awareness of community events and civil rights for gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and intersexed (GBTQQI) men between the ages of 18 and 35 in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Through a synthesis of interpersonal interaction and community involvement, we aim to promote a more productive GBTQQ community and an enlightened understanding of gay urban living. In addition, we believe that our program will encourage them to become more active in the social justice arena. We strive to reach our mission through facilitated discussions, and regular and ongoing happy hours, weekend outings, community and cultural events, volunteer opportunities, and other occasions created by and for our participants.

Join Gay District on the first and third Fridays of each month for a facilitated group discussion. For the month of May, we will be meeting onJune 7th and June 21st. The meetings begin at 8:30 PM at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. After the meeting, members often head out for dinner together in the neighborhood.

For more information, visit the Gay District website at www.gaydistrict.org or check us out on facebook!

]]> RISE: Resources to Improve, Strengthen & Empower tag:www.thedccenter.org,2013:/blog//1.3282 2013-06-11T16:45:07Z 2013-06-11T19:17:15Z As part of the National Minority AIDS Council's (NMAC) continued commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS within the LBGT community and at the start of Pride, we are proud to share an embargoed copy of our new report RISE Proud: Combating HIV Among Black Gay and Bisexual Men. With the support of the Ford Foundation, NMAC embarked on a multi-year project to examine the available research and existing interventions focusing on black gay and bisexual men to develop an evidence-based action plan to address structural and societal contributors to HIV vulnerability among this population. NMAC held a series of focus groups with Black gay men across the country, partnered with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and empaneled a group of black gay men with relevant subject matter expertise to help develop recommendations to best address the most critical needs of this community. This report and its accompanying recommendations are the results of this process. A special thanks to the staff who managed this process from NMAC's division of Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA), particularly LPA's Director, Kali Lindsey. As a young black gay man living with HIV, this report reflects his life's commitment to ending the epidemic that has so devastated his community. Front Desk rise061113.pngAs part of the National Minority AIDS Council's (NMAC) continued commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS within the LBGT community and at the start of Pride, we are proud to share an embargoed copy of our new report RISE Proud: Combating HIV Among Black Gay and Bisexual Men.

With the support of the Ford Foundation, NMAC embarked on a multi-year project to examine the available research and existing interventions focusing on black gay and bisexual men to develop an evidence-based action plan to address structural and societal contributors to HIV vulnerability among this population. NMAC held a series of focus groups with Black gay men across the country, partnered with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and empaneled a group of black gay men with relevant subject matter expertise to help develop recommendations to best address the most critical needs of this community. This report and its accompanying recommendations are the results of this process.

A special thanks to the staff who managed this process from NMAC's division of Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA), particularly LPA's Director, Kali Lindsey. As a young black gay man living with HIV, this report reflects his life's commitment to ending the epidemic that has so devastated his community.

]]> REASONS/RAZONES: HIV Testing Campaign for Latino Gay and Bisexual Men tag:www.thedccenter.org,2013:/blog//1.3276 2013-06-07T18:11:01Z 2013-06-07T18:42:38Z Front Desk razones.jpgFrom the CDC:

"CDC is pleased to announce the newest HIV testing campaign under the CDC Act Against AIDS initiative - REASONS/RAZONES. The bilingual campaign is the agency's first national effort to encourage HIV testing among Latino/Hispanic gay and bisexual men, who are among those hardest hit by HIV in the United States.

The campaign asks gay and bisexual Latinos "What's your reason?/¿Cuál es tu razón?" for getting an HIV test through a series of campaign materials that feature men sharing their personal reasons for getting tested for HIV.

REASONS/RAZONES uses images of family, friends, and partners to emphasize a strong sense of self, family, and community. The campaign also includes information about accessing fast, free, and confidential HIV testing. The campaign's bold images will appear in mobile and online advertising, national and local print and outdoor/transit advertising and will be the focus of a media relations effort to generate print and broadcast news stories.

HIV is still an urgent public health issue in the United States. More than 1.1 million people are currently estimated to be living with HIV - and 50,000 more are newly infected every year. Nearly one in five of those living with HIV do not know they are infected.

Latinos are the largest and fastest-growing ethnic minority in the United States and also one of the groups most heavily affected by HIV. Latinos account for 16 percent of the population, but 21 percent of all new HIV infections. Latino gay and bisexual men account for nearly 8 out of 10 new HIV infections among Latinos in the United States, and almost 1 out of 4 new infections among gay and bisexual men of all races. Yet, too many Latino gay and bisexual men with HIV do not know they are infected. A recent study among gay and bisexual men in 21 American cities found that more than one-third (37 percent) of Latinos living with HIV were unaware of their infection. CDC data show that 70 percent of HIV positive Latino gay and bisexual men between the ages of 18 and 24 did not know their status.

REASONS/RAZONES launches today in Los Angeles and Miami on June 26, two cities with high HIV and AIDS prevalence among Latinos. The Los Angeles launch event is timed to coincide with Gay Pride, while the event in Miami coincides with National HIV Testing Day. The campaign will also have a presence in Washington, D.C. at Capital Pride events (May 29 - June 9). Roll-out in other cities will follow throughout the summer months.

CDC is committed to winning the fight against HIV among Latino gay and bisexual men, and communications campaigns like REASONS/RAZONES can help change the conversation, create a sense of urgency, and prompt people to take action. With National HIV Testing Day on the horizon, outlined below are a few ways you can promote HIV testing among Hispanic/Latino gay and bisexual men and help support REASONS/RAZONES."

Support the campaign online:

-"Like" the REASONS/RAZONES Facebook page, share or respond to our posts, and direct your followers to check out our page and our website

-Share your REASONS/RAZONES online to show how you or your organization is working to fight HIV

-Download digital banner ads from our campaign website to add to your organization's website

-Post about it. Share the news about the new campaign throughout your network via an e-mail or posting on your organization's website
--Example Facebook post your organization can use: Check out CDC's new national HIV testing campaign - REASONS/RAZONES. The campaign features Latino gay and bisexual men highlighting their reasons for getting an HIV test. Share your reason for getting an HIV test on Reasons Facebook page.


-Tweet about it. Spread the word about the campaign through Twitter by using the campaign hashtag #sharereasons and by visiting us on the Act Against AIDS Twitter page @TalkHIV
--Example tweet: CDC is launching a new national, bilingual #HIV campaign to promote HIV testing. bit.ly/Kltra5 #ShareReasons

Support the campaign in your community:
-Use the campaign materials in your local area.
---Download materials from the campaign website to distribute at community events and to provide to local venues in your city

--Co-brand the campaign materials or advertisements with your organization's logo. For more information about cobranding, please email ActAgainstAIDS@cdc.gov

Thank you for your efforts in HIV prevention, testing, and treatment, and for your continued support of CDC and Act Against AIDS. Working together, we can stop the spread of HIV in the Latino community."

]]> Image of Emeralds and Chocolate by K. Murry Johnson at OutWrite tag:www.thedccenter.org,2013:/blog//1.3250 2013-06-04T16:56:07Z 2013-06-05T19:09:00Z Front Desk

The OutWrite planning committee has just confirmed that K. Murry Johnson will be a featured reader at OutWrite on Saturday, August 3rd at 5pm! 

Image of Emeralds and Chocolate is not only the story of black gay love, but the underground, seductive world of vampires. The novel is set in Louisiana and ventures into the the past and present. The story follows high school senior Eric Peterson, who is taking a creative writing course at Loyola University. Naive and constantly daydreaming about love, Eric is paired with Marquis LeBlanc as a writing partner. Marquis has fallen in love, but is depressed because he is keeping a secret from Eric. Will Eric believe his secret?

Reader review: "Mr. Johnson has created something extraordinary. I cannot say enough about this novel! I've never read anything like it. His ability to intertwine love, sexuality, self discovery, history, and the paranormal is amazing. It certainly is a page-turner. I can't wait for the sequel. There has to be one!"

K. Murry Johnson at OutWrite
Saturday, August 3rd @ 5pm
The DC Center

You can also RSVP on Facebook by clicking here!

]]> NMAC Event to Address HIV Among Black Gay/Bisexual Men tag:www.thedccenter.org,2013:/blog//1.3239 2013-05-29T17:15:27Z 2013-05-29T17:48:57Z Join NMAC on June 5th for the release of their new action plan to address HIV vulnerability among black gay men! On June 5, NMAC will release the findings of a three year initiative to identify evidence based strategies for mitigating HIV's impact on black gay and bisexual men. The report includes concrete recommendations for policy-makers and the community to tackle this crisis. To RSVP, click here What: Launch Event and Panel Discussion for NMAC's action plan to address HIV among black gay and bisexual men Who: Panelists include - * Kali Lindsey, Director of Legislative & Public Affairs, National Minority AIDS Council * Dr. William L. Jeffries IV, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (TBC*) * Dr. David Holtgrave, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Where: Howard University, Blackburn University Center 2397 6th Street, NW Washington, DC 20059 (Shaw/Howard University Metro Station --Yellow/Green Line) When:June 5, 2013 10:00am-12:00pm ET *Coffee and pastries will be provided Black gay and bisexual men bear the heaviest burden of HIV in the United States. Between 2006 and 2009, young black gay men saw a 48 percent spike in new HIV infections. Despite making up only about 1percent of the total U.S. population, black gay and bisexual men accounted for more than 22% of all new HIV infections in 2010. And for the first time in 2011, the estimated number of new HIV infections among black gay and bisexual men surpassed that of white gay and bisexual men. About NMAC The National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) builds leadership within communities of color to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Since 1987, NMAC has advanced this mission through a variety of programs and services,including: a public policy education program, national and regional training conferences, a treatment and research program, numerous publications and a website. For more information, contact NMAC directly at (202) 483-NMAC (6622) or communications@nmac.org. Front Desk nmac event.png
Join NMAC on June 5th for the release of their new action plan to address HIV vulnerability among black gay men!

On June 5, NMAC will release the findings of a three year initiative to identify evidence based strategies for mitigating HIV's impact on black gay and bisexual men. The report includes concrete recommendations for policy-makers and the community to tackle this crisis. To RSVP, click here

What: Launch Event and Panel Discussion for NMAC's action plan to address HIV among black gay and bisexual men

Who: Panelists include -
* Kali Lindsey, Director of Legislative & Public Affairs,
National Minority AIDS Council
* Dr. William L. Jeffries IV, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (TBC*)
* Dr. David Holtgrave, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public
Health

Where: Howard University, Blackburn University Center
2397 6th Street, NW Washington, DC 20059
(Shaw/Howard University Metro Station --Yellow/Green Line)

When:June 5, 2013 10:00am-12:00pm ET
*Coffee and pastries will be provided

Black gay and bisexual men bear the heaviest burden of HIV in the United States. Between 2006 and 2009, young black gay men saw a 48 percent spike in new HIV infections. Despite making up only about 1percent of the total U.S. population, black gay and bisexual men accounted for more than 22% of all new HIV infections in 2010. And for the first time in 2011, the estimated number of new HIV infections among black gay and bisexual men surpassed that of white gay and bisexual men.

About NMAC
The National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) builds leadership within communities of color to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Since 1987, NMAC has advanced this mission through a variety of programs and services,including: a public policy education program, national and regional training conferences, a treatment and research program, numerous publications and a website.

For more information, contact NMAC directly at (202) 483-NMAC (6622)
or communications@nmac.org.

]]> Join the DC Center at the 2013 Pride Parade and Festival! tag:www.thedccenter.org,2013:/blog//1.3215 2013-05-16T18:42:36Z 2013-06-06T17:55:19Z Capital Pride runs from now until June, and we are counting on YOU to make it a fabulous Pride for the DC Center. A few notes: JOIN US IN THE PARADE ON SATURDAY, JUNE 8TH UPDATE: Those that are going to be marching with us should meet on 23rd Street between Q and P Streets at 2:30PM. We are float #31 in the Purple section. Don't forget to sign up on the SignUpSchedule page so that we know your shirt size as well! You can also follow us on Twitter @TheDCCenter for updates before the parade. March with the DC Center in the Capital Pride Parade and get a DC Center tee-shirt! We need folks to arrive early if possible, around 2:00 PM. The parade does not start till 4:30 PM, but they need us to arrive early. We will also have plenty to do. We will need your help to great ready for the fun of being seen my crowds all along the parade route! If you have trouble finding us on the day of, please check our Twitter account, @thedccenter. We will be tweeting our exact location there. Plan to have a good time. The pre-parade time has a bit of a tailgating time. So allow yourself plenty of time to arrive early, get your shirt, and help us decorate. And feel free to bring something to eat or drink while you're waiting. Please pace yourself. We have beads, and other swag to give out to the crowd. It will be super fun, and people will no doubt be asking you to give them stuff along the parade route. Please remember we have limited give-away items and we have to make them last for the entire parade route, so go slow and steady. Don't forget our photo! When the parade is over, we will take one final group photo, so stick together at the end, please. It will give us a chance to give you a final thank you and take a picture to remember! If you are marching in the parade, please SIGN UP HERE or shoot an e-mail to brant@thedccenter.org. JOIN US AT THE FESTIVAL ON SUNDAY, JUNE 9TH UPDATE: The DC Center's booth number is 309, and we will be next to the GEICO and CAGLCC booths. If you're looking at the Capitol Stage from 7th Street, we will be near the Main Entrance, facing left from the middle. Don't forget to sign up on the SignUpSchedule page so that we know your shirt size as well! You can also follow us on Twitter @TheDCCenter for updates before the parade. We will have a mega-booth at the festival from open to close. Our booths can be accessed through the main entrance at Pennsylvania Avenue and 7th Street, NW. We have volunteers lined up to volunteer at the booth, however please feel free to join us, the more the merrier. Specifically, if you are part of a program or group associated with the center (Women in their Twenties, GLOV, HIV Working Group, etc...) you'll be more successful with outreach for your group/program if you have your own volunteers lined up to work 11-6. We will have a cooler at the DC Center Booth. So if you want to bring some soda or snacks and leave them at our table, feel free to do so. The vendor food is wonderful, but drinks and food are a bit expensive on the street. If you are volunteering at the booth, please SIGN UP HERE or e-mail brant@thedccenter.org. Brant pride051613.jpgCapital Pride runs from now until June, and we are counting on YOU to make it a fabulous Pride for the DC Center. A few notes:

JOIN US IN THE PARADE ON SATURDAY, JUNE 8TH

UPDATE: Those that are going to be marching with us should meet on 23rd Street between Q and P Streets at 2:30PM. We are float #31 in the Purple section. Don't forget to sign up on the SignUpSchedule page so that we know your shirt size as well! You can also follow us on Twitter @TheDCCenter for updates before the parade.

March with the DC Center in the Capital Pride Parade and get a DC Center tee-shirt!

We need folks to arrive early if possible, around 2:00 PM. The parade does not start till 4:30 PM, but they need us to arrive early. We will also have plenty to do. We will need your help to great ready for the fun of being seen my crowds all along the parade route!

If you have trouble finding us on the day of, please check our Twitter account, @thedccenter. We will be tweeting our exact location there.

Plan to have a good time. The pre-parade time has a bit of a tailgating time. So allow yourself plenty of time to arrive early, get your shirt, and help us decorate. And feel free to bring something to eat or drink while you're waiting.

Please pace yourself. We have beads, and other swag to give out to the crowd. It will be super fun, and people will no doubt be asking you to give them stuff along the parade route. Please remember we have limited give-away items and we have to make them last for the entire parade route, so go slow and steady.

Don't forget our photo! When the parade is over, we will take one final group photo, so stick together at the end, please. It will give us a chance to give you a final thank you and take a picture to remember!

If you are marching in the parade, please SIGN UP HERE or shoot an e-mail to brant@thedccenter.org.

JOIN US AT THE FESTIVAL ON SUNDAY, JUNE 9TH

UPDATE: The DC Center's booth number is 309, and we will be next to the GEICO and CAGLCC booths. If you're looking at the Capitol Stage from 7th Street, we will be near the Main Entrance, facing left from the middle. Don't forget to sign up on the SignUpSchedule page so that we know your shirt size as well! You can also follow us on Twitter @TheDCCenter for updates before the parade.

We will have a mega-booth at the festival from open to close. Our booths can be accessed through the main entrance at Pennsylvania Avenue and 7th Street, NW.

We have volunteers lined up to volunteer at the booth, however please feel free to join us, the more the merrier.

Specifically, if you are part of a program or group associated with the center (Women in their Twenties, GLOV, HIV Working Group, etc...) you'll be more successful with outreach for your group/program if you have your own volunteers lined up to work 11-6.

We will have a cooler at the DC Center Booth. So if you want to bring some soda or snacks and leave them at our table, feel free to do so. The vendor food is wonderful, but drinks and food are a bit expensive on the street.

If you are volunteering at the booth, please SIGN UP HERE or e-mail brant@thedccenter.org.

]]> Speed Dating for Gay Men tag:www.thedccenter.org,2013:/blog//1.3211 2013-05-16T03:42:58Z 2013-05-16T04:05:55Z Pros in the City and the DC Center invite gay men to attend our speed dating especially for you and your fellow gay professionals. The event takes place Thursday June 6th at Chi-Cha Lounge from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Chi-Cha Lounge is located at 1624 U Street, just down the street from the DC Center and convenient to the U Street Metro. Support the DC Center and receive a $5 discount to this event when you use the promo code 'DCCenter1'. Use the promo code when you buy your tickets over the phone at 202 686 5990 or when you buy tickets online using the following link. Purchase Tickets Here (and use promo code DCCenter1). This discount will not be offered at the door We're bringing intimacy and romance back to the art of fast-track dating! Although this combination may at first sound improbable, once you get involved, you will understand why this event is so highly anticipated! Enjoy the ease of conversation with other gay men in a comfortable, relaxed setting. Tonight's venue is the perfect backdrop for getting to know other gay professionals in an atmosphere where you can actually hear yourself and your companion's conversation! During our speed dating, you'll date for approximately one hour, meeting intriguing members of the same sex as you spend a few sweet minutes with each new acquaintance. Meet gay singles and know right away who you mutually match with! After the speed dating, join us for a night of mixing, mingling and more introductions! There will be a cash bar for this eventful evening, so come and meet other single gay professionals like yourself and have the time of your life! Within 48 hours following the event we will send you a link so you can message people using our exclusive online system. Without disclosing your email address, you'll be able to send messages through our system to anyone who attended the event. Check in is at 7:00 and the dating begins at 7:20. Please check in at 7:00 so you have a chance to mix and mingle before the dating begins. Please bring your I.D. to this venue as they do not permit anyone under the age of 21 and will be checking identification at the door. Support the DC Center and receive a $5 discount to this event when you use the promo code 'DCCenter1'. Use the promo code when you buy your tickets over the phone at 202 686 5990 or when you buy tickets online using the following link. Purchase Tickets Here (and use promo code DCCenter1). This discount will not be offered at the door. facebook event page The DC Center speeddatinggay.jpgPros in the City and the DC Center invite gay men to attend our speed dating especially for you and your fellow gay professionals. The event takes place Thursday June 6th at Chi-Cha Lounge from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Chi-Cha Lounge is located at 1624 U Street, just down the street from the DC Center and convenient to the U Street Metro.

Support the DC Center and receive a $5 discount to this event when you use the promo code 'DCCenter1'. Use the promo code when you buy your tickets over the phone at 202 686 5990 or when you buy tickets online using the following link.
Purchase Tickets Here (and use promo code DCCenter1). This discount will not be offered at the door

We're bringing intimacy and romance back to the art of fast-track dating! Although this combination may at first sound improbable, once you get involved, you will understand why this event is so highly anticipated!

Enjoy the ease of conversation with other gay men in a comfortable, relaxed setting. Tonight's venue is the perfect backdrop for getting to know other gay professionals in an atmosphere where you can actually hear yourself and your companion's conversation!

During our speed dating, you'll date for approximately one hour, meeting intriguing members of the same sex as you spend a few sweet minutes with each new acquaintance. Meet gay singles and know right away who you mutually match with!

After the speed dating, join us for a night of mixing, mingling and more introductions! There will be a cash bar for this eventful evening, so come and meet other single gay professionals like yourself and have the time of your life!

Within 48 hours following the event we will send you a link so you can message people using our exclusive online system. Without disclosing your email address, you'll be able to send messages through our system to anyone who attended the event.

Check in is at 7:00 and the dating begins at 7:20. Please check in at 7:00 so you have a chance to mix and mingle before the dating begins.

Please bring your I.D. to this venue as they do not permit anyone under the age of 21 and will be checking identification at the door.

Support the DC Center and receive a $5 discount to this event when you use the promo code 'DCCenter1'. Use the promo code when you buy your tickets over the phone at 202 686 5990 or when you buy tickets online using the following link.
Purchase Tickets Here (and use promo code DCCenter1). This discount will not be offered at the door.

facebook event page

]]> Riley Folds: Your Queer Career tag:www.thedccenter.org,2013:/blog//1.3203 2013-05-09T17:19:57Z 2013-06-04T19:42:18Z Riley Folds returns to Washington DC to share his new book Your Queer Career. This book reading takes place Friday June 7th at 6:30 PM at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Your Queer Career is described as the ultimate career guide for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender job seekers. Empower Yourself with Knowledge that Will Help You Enter the Workforce and Achieve Success in Your Career as an Out and Open LGBTQ Employee. Riley Folds is the Executive Director of Out for Work, which functions as a complimentary component in the total educational experience of LGBT students, primarily in the development, evaluation, initiation and implementation of career plans and opportunities. Out for Work's programs, resources and services provide assistance to students in the cultivation and enhancement of skills to explore career options, master search techniques and strategies and research employment opportunities. Purchase the book in advance by clicking on the link below. The shipping fees have been waived for those living in DC, VA, and MD. You can pick up your book(s) at one of the scheduled events and have it signed. www.queercareercoach.com Purchasing in advance will put you in the front of the line and leave more time for socializing. The DC Center yourqueercareer.pngRiley Folds returns to Washington DC to share his new book Your Queer Career. This book reading takes place Friday June 7th at 6:30 PM at the DC Center for the LGBT Community.

Your Queer Career is described as the ultimate career guide for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender job seekers. Empower Yourself with Knowledge that Will Help You Enter the Workforce and Achieve Success in Your Career as an Out and Open LGBTQ Employee.

Riley Folds is the Executive Director of Out for Work, which functions as a complimentary component in the total educational experience of LGBT students, primarily in the development, evaluation, initiation and implementation of career plans and opportunities. Out for Work's programs, resources and services provide assistance to students in the cultivation and enhancement of skills to explore career options, master search techniques and strategies and research employment opportunities.

Purchase the book in advance by clicking on the link below. The shipping fees have been waived for those living in DC, VA, and MD. You can pick up your book(s) at one of the scheduled events and have it signed.

www.queercareercoach.com

Purchasing in advance will put you in the front of the line and leave more time for socializing.

]]> Women Write Gay Erotica tag:www.thedccenter.org,2013:/blog//1.3200 2013-05-07T22:57:28Z 2013-05-07T23:12:21Z Some of the most popular authors of gay erotica are women, many of whom use male pseudonyms to promote their work. Join us for this fun and thought-provoking evening as women authors share their true identities and read from their most stimulating male-on-male romantic novels. Following the reading we will have an open discussion touching on women as both authors of, and consumers of, gay erotica. This event takes place on Friday August 2nd at 7:00 PM at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This event is the kick-off event for the OutWrite LGBT Book Festival. Find out more about OutWrite at: www.outwritedc.org. Facebook Event Page The DC Center womenwrite.jpgSome of the most popular authors of gay erotica are women, many of whom use male pseudonyms to promote their work. Join us for this fun and thought-provoking evening as women authors share their true identities and read from their most stimulating male-on-male romantic novels. Following the reading we will have an open discussion touching on women as both authors of, and consumers of, gay erotica.

This event takes place on Friday August 2nd at 7:00 PM at the DC Center for the LGBT Community.

This event is the kick-off event for the OutWrite LGBT Book Festival. Find out more about OutWrite at: www.outwritedc.org.

Facebook Event Page

]]> Gay Day at the Zoo this Saturday tag:www.thedccenter.org,2013:/blog//1.3188 2013-04-29T18:15:38Z 2013-04-29T18:29:34Z Join us this Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM for Gay Day at the Zoo. Enjoy a leisurely day at the zoo! Admission is free. There are no special events or programs going on that day, simply a fun day at the zoo and a chance to connect with other members of the LGBT Community. For more information, check out our Gay Day at the Zoo Facebook Page. Get your Gay Day at the Zoo T-Shirts Be sure and be visible at the event! We can't sell t-shirts at the event, but you can buy your very own Gay Day at the Zoo t-shirt for just $10. 100% of the purchase price will go to the DC Center thanks to our generous sponsors: Nellie's Sports Bar, Cobalt, and JR's. Purchase your t-shirt at the DC Center during our regular business hours (12-6 Monday through Friday and 11-3 on Saturday). You can pick up the JR's version of the shirt at the back bar of JR's every day this week. You can also pick up the Cobalt's version of the shirt every day this week at Cobalt's 30 Degrees lounge. On Friday you will be able to pick up your shirt at Nellie's. For updated info on how to get shirts, click here for updates on shirt sales. The DC Center gayzoo.jpgJoin us this Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM for Gay Day at the Zoo. Enjoy a leisurely day at the zoo! Admission is free. There are no special events or programs going on that day, simply a fun day at the zoo and a chance to connect with other members of the LGBT Community. For more information, check out our Gay Day at the Zoo Facebook Page.

Get your Gay Day at the Zoo T-Shirts

Be sure and be visible at the event! We can't sell t-shirts at the event, but you can buy your very own Gay Day at the Zoo t-shirt for just $10. 100% of the purchase price will go to the DC Center thanks to our generous sponsors: Nellie's Sports Bar, Cobalt, and JR's.

Purchase your t-shirt at the DC Center during our regular business hours (12-6 Monday through Friday and 11-3 on Saturday). You can pick up the JR's version of the shirt at the back bar of JR's every day this week. You can also pick up the Cobalt's version of the shirt every day this week at Cobalt's 30 Degrees lounge. On Friday you will be able to pick up your shirt at Nellie's. For updated info on how to get shirts, click here for updates on shirt sales.

]]> Drag Bingo at Nellies on June 13th tag:www.thedccenter.org,2013:/blog//1.3186 2013-04-26T20:49:01Z 2013-04-26T21:17:25Z Join us at Nellies for Drag Bingo. Get a group of friends and play for cash prizes. Free to enter, grab a beer and enjoy the game (and the show). Nellie's will donate $1.00 to the DC Center for every Nellie Beer sold that evening. Thursday June 13th at Nellies, 900 U Street NW, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The DC Center will have a reserved table for 20 individuals. You must arrive by 6:45 to have a seat at this table. If you would like to sit at the DC Center please e-mail contact@thedccenter.org. Facebook Event Page The DC Center dragbingo.jpgJoin us at Nellies for Drag Bingo. Get a group of friends and play for cash prizes. Free to enter, grab a beer and enjoy the game (and the show). Nellie's will donate $1.00 to the DC Center for every Nellie Beer sold that evening.

Thursday June 13th at Nellies, 900 U Street NW, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The DC Center will have a reserved table for 20 individuals. You must arrive by 6:45 to have a seat at this table. If you would like to sit at the DC Center please e-mail contact@thedccenter.org.

Facebook Event Page


]]> Gay District Meetings in May tag:www.thedccenter.org,2013:/blog//1.3177 2013-04-24T19:06:34Z 2013-04-24T19:21:55Z Gay District is a community-based organization focused on building understanding of gay culture and personal identity, awareness of community events and civil rights for gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and intersexed (GBTQQI) men between the ages of 18 and 35 in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Through a synthesis of interpersonal interaction and community involvement, we aim to promote a more productive GBTQQ community and an enlightened understanding of gay urban living. In addition, we believe that our program will encourage them to become more active in the social justice arena. We strive to reach our mission through facilitated discussions, and regular and ongoing happy hours, weekend outings, community and cultural events, volunteer opportunities, and other occasions created by and for our participants. Join Gay District on the first and third Fridays of each month for a facilitated group discussion. For the month of May, we will be meeting on 5/3 and 5/17. The meetings begin at 8:30 PM at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. After the meeting, members often head out for dinner together in the neighborhood. For more information, visit the Gay District website at www.gaydistrict.org or check us out on facebook! Front Desk gaydistrict0423.png

Gay District is a community-based organization focused on building understanding of gay culture and personal identity, awareness of community events and civil rights for gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and intersexed (GBTQQI) men between the ages of 18 and 35 in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Through a synthesis of interpersonal interaction and community involvement, we aim to promote a more productive GBTQQ community and an enlightened understanding of gay urban living. In addition, we believe that our program will encourage them to become more active in the social justice arena. We strive to reach our mission through facilitated discussions, and regular and ongoing happy hours, weekend outings, community and cultural events, volunteer opportunities, and other occasions created by and for our participants.

Join Gay District on the first and third Fridays of each month for a facilitated group discussion. For the month of May, we will be meeting on 5/3 and 5/17. The meetings begin at 8:30 PM at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. After the meeting, members often head out for dinner together in the neighborhood.

For more information, visit the Gay District website at www.gaydistrict.org or check us out on facebook!


]]> Gay District Discussion Group tag:www.thedccenter.org,2013:/blog//1.3161 2013-04-15T05:08:51Z 2013-04-15T05:14:27Z Gay District is a community-based organization focused on building understanding of gay culture and personal identity, awareness of community events and civil rights for gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and intersexed (GBTQQI) men between the ages of 18 and 35 in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Join Gay District on the first and third Fridays of each month for a facilitated group discussion. The meetings begin at 8:30 PM at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. After the meeting, members often head out for dinner together in the neighborhood. For more information, visit the Gay District website at www.gaydistrict.org The DC Center gaydistrictnew.pngGay District is a community-based organization focused on building understanding of gay culture and personal identity, awareness of community events and civil rights for gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and intersexed (GBTQQI) men between the ages of 18 and 35 in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Join Gay District on the first and third Fridays of each month for a facilitated group discussion. The meetings begin at 8:30 PM at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. After the meeting, members often head out for dinner together in the neighborhood.

For more information, visit the Gay District website at www.gaydistrict.org

]]> Poet Dan Vera Presents his Book at Outwrite tag:www.thedccenter.org,2013:/blog//1.3137 2013-04-05T18:19:22Z 2013-04-25T18:39:22Z Poet Dan Vera comes to The DC Center on Saturday, August 3rd at 11:30 am to read from his book Speaking Wiri Wiri. This readings is in conjunction with Daniel Nathan Terry, Michael Klein, and Erica Doyle who will also be reading from their poetry work at this panel. Speaking Wiri Wiri: Winner of the inaugural Letras Latinas/Red Hen Poetry Prize, Dan Vera's Speaking Wiri Wiri is a work of historical insight and wry wit, unexpectedly delightful and full of surprises as it meditates on the challenges of multiple identities, ethnicity, geographies of migration, familial displacement, popular history, and more. Everything is fair game for Vera, who finds poetry in the mundane and the monumental, the hidden lives of iconic television stars and the alternate and accidental histories of Latinos in the United States. Carmen Miranda makes an appearance, as do Captain Kirk, Vladimir Nabokov, and Jose Marti in a literary landscape careening lyrically between lost and found. Dan Vera is a writer, editor, and literary historian living in Washington, DC. He's the author of two poetry collections: Speaking Wiri Wiri (Red Hen, 2013), the inaugural winner of the Letras Latinas/Red Hen Poetry Prize, and The Space Between Our Danger and Delight (Beothuk Books, 2008). His poetry has appeared in various journals including Notre Dame Review, Beltway Poetry, Delaware Poetry Review, and Gargoyle, and anthologies including Divining Divas: 100 Gay Men on their Muses, and Full Moon On K Street. He's edited the gay culture journal White Crane, co-created the literary history site, DC Writers' Homes, and chairs the board of Split This Rock Poetry. The OutWrite Book Fair will include several book and poetry readings, and literature discussions. Several book publishers will display and sell recently published LGBT books, and the DC Center will have over 1,000 used LGBT themed books for sale at the event. Find out more on the OutWrite website. Front Desk danveraGOOD.jpg Poet Dan Vera comes to The DC Center on Saturday, August 3rd at 11:30 am to read from his book Speaking Wiri Wiri. This readings is in conjunction with Daniel Nathan Terry, Michael Klein, and Erica Doyle who will also be reading from their poetry work at this panel.

Speaking Wiri Wiri: Winner of the inaugural Letras Latinas/Red Hen Poetry Prize, Dan Vera's Speaking Wiri Wiri is a work of historical insight and wry wit, unexpectedly delightful and full of surprises as it meditates on the challenges of multiple identities, ethnicity, geographies of migration, familial displacement, popular history, and more. Everything is fair game for Vera, who finds poetry in the mundane and the monumental, the hidden lives of iconic television stars and the alternate and accidental histories of Latinos in the United States. Carmen Miranda makes an appearance, as do Captain Kirk, Vladimir Nabokov, and Jose Marti in a literary landscape careening lyrically between lost and found.

Dan Vera is a writer, editor, and literary historian living in Washington, DC. He's the author of two poetry collections: Speaking Wiri Wiri (Red Hen, 2013), the inaugural winner of the Letras Latinas/Red Hen Poetry Prize, and The Space Between Our Danger and Delight (Beothuk Books, 2008). His poetry has appeared in various journals including Notre Dame Review, Beltway Poetry, Delaware Poetry Review, and Gargoyle, and anthologies including Divining Divas: 100 Gay Men on their Muses, and Full Moon On K Street. He's edited the gay culture journal White Crane, co-created the literary history site, DC Writers' Homes, and chairs the board of Split This Rock Poetry.

The OutWrite Book Fair will include several book and poetry readings, and literature discussions. Several book publishers will display and sell recently published LGBT books, and the DC Center will have over 1,000 used LGBT themed books for sale at the event. Find out more on the OutWrite website.

]]> Waxwings poetry collection featured at OutWrite tag:www.thedccenter.org,2013:/blog//1.3135 2013-04-04T18:38:02Z 2013-04-25T19:01:15Z Poet Daniel Nathan Terry comes to The DC Center on Saturday, August 3rd at 11:30 am to read from his book Waxwings. This reading is in conjunction with Dan Vera, Michael Klein, and Erica Doyle who will be reading from their poetry works as well at this panel. Waxwings: Vulnerable, honest, and unflinching, Waxwings weaves the beauty of the natural world into poems that confront and negotiate moments of pain and loss: rape, the death of a lover, and the distances between us all. Jericho Brown, author of Please, says that Waxwings "is a book that takes observation, meditation, and memory as seriously as men and women take life and death." Mark Wunderlich, author of The Anchorage and Voluntary Servitude, writes that Waxwings "looks at the past and boyhood through adult eyes, and with the mind tuned to the complexities of art, language and the sexual urge which drives us to connect, one to another. The poems here emanate as much from the body as they do from the mind, which makes them felt, intimate, alive. This is a smart, startling, cadenced book." Kristin Bock, author of Cloisters, writes that the "world of Waxwings is singed with a desire so potent even 'a rumor of fire/could reduce the neighborhood to ash.' Overhead, birds are 'feverish and thin as thorns.' Even the peach orchard burns. Yes, we are led down dangerous paths, but trust the poet will hold our hand through the deepest brush, brush at times ablaze. This is poetry at its hottest and most naked, a gorgeous book wrought from all of our fiercest ardors." And the late Jake Adam York, author of Persons Unknown, Murder Ballads, A Murmuration of Starlings, and the forthcoming, posthumous Abide, wrote in one of his final book reviews that "Daniel Nathan Terry's voice is clear and strong, vibrating with a terrible beauty, a great beauty that will, I hope, light the pages of many more books of songs." Daniel Nathan Terry is the author of two books of poetry: Waxwings (Lethe Press 2012); Capturing the Dead (NFSPS 2008), which won The Stevens Prize; and a chapbook, Days of Dark Miracles (Seven Kitchens Press 2011). His poems and short stories have appeared, or are forthcoming, in numerous publications, including Cimarron Review, New South, Poet Lore, and Southeast Review. He serves on the advisory board of One Pause Poetry and teaches at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, where he lives with his husband, painter and printmaker, Benjamin Billingsley. Find out more about Daniel by visiting his website. The OutWrite Book Fair will include several book and poetry readings, and literature discussions. Several book publishers will display and sell recently published LGBT books, and the DC Center will have over 1,000 used LGBT themed books for sale at the event. Find out more on the OutWrite website. Front Desk Daniel Nathan Terry.jpgPoet Daniel Nathan Terry comes to The DC Center on Saturday, August 3rd at 11:30 am to read from his book Waxwings. This reading is in conjunction with Dan Vera, Michael Klein, and Erica Doyle who will be reading from their poetry works as well at this panel.

Waxwings: Vulnerable, honest, and unflinching, Waxwings weaves the beauty of the natural world into poems that confront and negotiate moments of pain and loss: rape, the death of a lover, and the distances between us all.

Jericho Brown, author of Please, says that Waxwings "is a book that takes observation, meditation, and memory as seriously as men and women take life and death."

Mark Wunderlich, author of The Anchorage and Voluntary Servitude, writes that Waxwings "looks at the past and boyhood through adult eyes, and with the mind tuned to the complexities of art, language and the sexual urge which drives us to connect, one to another. The poems here emanate as much from the body as they do from the mind, which makes them felt, intimate, alive. This is a smart, startling, cadenced book."

Kristin Bock, author of Cloisters, writes that the "world of Waxwings is singed with a desire so potent even 'a rumor of fire/could reduce the neighborhood to ash.' Overhead, birds are 'feverish and thin as thorns.' Even the peach orchard burns. Yes, we are led down dangerous paths, but trust the poet will hold our hand through the deepest brush, brush at times ablaze. This is poetry at its hottest and most naked, a gorgeous book wrought from all of our fiercest ardors."

And the late Jake Adam York, author of Persons Unknown, Murder Ballads, A Murmuration of Starlings, and the forthcoming, posthumous Abide, wrote in one of his final book reviews that "Daniel Nathan Terry's voice is clear and strong, vibrating with a terrible beauty, a great beauty that will, I hope, light the pages of many more books of songs."

Daniel Nathan Terry is the author of two books of poetry: Waxwings (Lethe Press 2012); Capturing the Dead (NFSPS 2008), which won The Stevens Prize; and a chapbook, Days of Dark Miracles (Seven Kitchens Press 2011). His poems and short stories have appeared, or are forthcoming, in numerous publications, including Cimarron Review, New South, Poet Lore, and Southeast Review. He serves on the advisory board of One Pause Poetry and teaches at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, where he lives with his husband, painter and printmaker, Benjamin Billingsley. Find out more about Daniel by visiting his website.

The OutWrite Book Fair will include several book and poetry readings, and literature discussions. Several book publishers will display and sell recently published LGBT books, and the DC Center will have over 1,000 used LGBT themed books for sale at the event. Find out more on the OutWrite website.

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