EACH JANUARY
Mid Atlantic Leather Weekend
The Mid Atlantic Leather Convention is an annual event traditionally held on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend celebrating everything leather; topped off with competitions for Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather and Mid-Atlantic Boot Black. The exhibition halls are filled to the brim with vendors, participants and curious onlookers. Leatherweekend.com
EACH APRIL
Cherry
Citywide - This high-energy weekend dance benefit with many social events and an all-night dance party is popular with locals and visitors alike. Funds generated from the events benefit a number of local gay and lesbian nonprofits. cherryfund.org
Youth Pride Day
An event celebrating the dignity and courage of young people as they discover their identities. Takes place in Rock Creek Park. youthpridedc.org
White House Easter Egg Roll
White House Ellipse - Family Pride Coalition, a group dedicated to securing equality for GLBT families, takes part in the White House's annual Easter Egg Roll. Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. familypride.org.
EACH MAY
Asian/Pacific Islander Pride
Asian/Pacific Islander GLBT organizations, including AQUA, APIQS and Khush DC, host various events to commemorate Asian/Pacific Islander Pride, including an Asian Fashion Show. For exact dates and event information, visit khushdc.org and aquadc.org.
Each May, Memorial Day Weekend
DC Black Pride
An exciting 4-day event complete with dynamic workshops, receptions, cultural arts activities, small and large nightclub events culminating with the world's largest Black Pride Festival. Festival features activities for the entire family including performances from national recording artists, 200 exhibition booths, book singings and arts & crafts. dcblackpride.org
EACH APRIL OR MAY
Filmfest DC
This international film festival takes places at various locations throughout the city. Prepare to be amused, provoked and inspired by extraordinary new films from some of the world's most talented and innovative filmmakers. filmfestdc.org
EACH APRIL, MAY, OR JUNE
Pride Nights
Signature Theatre - Offered on select Friday and Sunday nights as a special event for members of the GLBT community. Each Pride Night performance is capped off with a lively one-hour post-show cocktail and hors d'oeuvre reception. Check website for exact dates and times. signature-theatre.org
EACH JUNE
Capital Pride
Pennsylvania Ave. Between 4th & 7th Sts. - This annual pride celebration includes a weeklong series of educational, civic and social events, culminating with a traditional parade and street festival. capitalpride.org
EACH JULY
Capital Fringe Festival
Enjoy hundreds of downtown performances by adventurous and innovative artists from DC, Baltimore, the United States and overseas. More than 20 traditional and nontraditional venues host theater, dance, music, poetry, spoken word, puppetry and art forms unclassifiable. capfringe.org
EACH SEPTEMBER
6th Annual Gay Day
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens - A day of special events for the GLBT community celebrating the life and passions of Marjorie Merriweather Post, Hillwood's founder. Events include: Punch on the Portico, putting green, garden walks, family activities including fun hands-on workshops and special performances. Reservations required. For more information, or to make reservations call (202) 686-5807 or visit hillwoodmuseum.org.
EACH OCTOBER, TUESDAY BEFORE HALLOWEEN
17th Street High Heel Drag Race
On the Tuesday before Halloween locals and tourists alike are privy to this annual flashy parade down 17th Street. Participants dress up as celebrities, politicians, and other colorful characters and provide an entertaining race to the finish. This annual event draws swarms of onlookers to Washington, DC's Dupont Circle neighborhood.
EACH OCTOBER
Reel Affirmations Film Festival
One of the largest gay and lesbian film festivals in the country showcasing great gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender films from around the world. Festival features nearly 60 films and events including Opening Night, Women's Filmmaker Brunch, and Closing Night Awards Ceremony. reelaffirmations.org
Human Rights Campaign National Dinner
The HRC Annual National Dinner recognizes individuals and corporations that make a difference in the GLBT community. 644hrc.org/nationaldinner
AIDS Walk Washington
Pennsylvania Ave. & 14th St. NW - Put your foot down in the fight against AIDS. A 5K fundraising walk benefiting and produced by the Whitman-Walker Clinic. aidswalkwashington.org
EACH NOVEMBER
NGLCC Annual National Dinner
National Building Museum - Join the NGLCC as they celebrate community, political and business leaders within the LGBT community. nglcc.org
