Arts & Entertainment
‘Zooming’ in on details
Local drag performer branches into photography with Artomatic exhibit
One of Philip Gerlach’s photos. (Photo courtesy Gerlach)
Artomatic 2012 (1851 S. Bell St.) has already started, but there’s still plenty to see and do including many musical performances, film screenings and more.
Philip Gerlach, also known as his alter-ego Queen Bambi, is one of the artists featured this year, with his first-ever exhibit showcasing his photography.
“I was encouraged by another artist … in order to get my work out there,” Gerlach says. “Artomatic was a great launching ground.”
Gerlach has been taking photos since he was 5, when as a reward his father gave him an old instamatic camera. But he never intended on making a career out of it — it was always a hobby.
Gerlach attended West Virginia University, studying animal and veterinary science when he took a photography class during his last semester. His passion for the class changed his career path, leading to a second degree in graphic design.
He is now coming on 15 years as the sole owner and creative director of Gerlach Design.
Gerlach’s exhibit focuses on three series of images he’s been working on.
One series, “Child’s Play,” focuses on found art, zooming into different elements that might not be seen otherwise.
“There has to be an obscure detail that might be missed by most people,” Gerlach says of his process. “I try to find a story within something that might be overlooked. I’m a very detail-orientated person in everything that I do.”
The toys pictured in this series were part of various cars Gerlach saw on display in Baltimore.
Gerlach as Bambi (Photo courtesy Gerlach)
The other series are “Oohs & Aahs,” featuring self-portraits of his alter ego, Bambi, and “Zoom,” a continuing series featuring light and movement, which Gerlach says reflects his life and “fascination with all that sparkles.”
Gerlach isn’t just into visual arts, but performance arts as well, using his alter ego to help raise money for various local organizations, particularly HIV/AIDS charities.
“Becoming comfortable on stage in drag, led to opportunities for me … to serve organizations … to use my character power to raise funds, sell raffle tickets and promote events,” Gerlach says. “I’ve done fundraising for [Food & Friends] in drag for seven years … on a volunteer basis.”
This may be Gerlach’s first year participating in Artomatic, but it’s not his first exposure to the event. He first went seven or eight years ago when the event was held in D.C. and opened on Halloween night. He went dressed in drag in a deer costume.
The festival requires at least 15 volunteer hours from the artists and Gerlach spent his hours helping set the space up.
“It’s been a great networking experience,” Gerlach says. “I chose to do those … laboring in the volunteer space … along with other artists and its been a great way to … realize just how tremendously huge the art community in Washington is.”
This year, the month-long art festival is being held in a former office building slated for demolition. There are 10 floors of art by more than 1,000 artists spanning several mediums from visual art to fashion and more.
Some of the upcoming special events include a free demonstration on how to draw popular superheroes by Utrecht on Friday at 7 p.m., an artist social on Saturday at 8 p.m., a meet the artists night June 2 at 7 p.m. and more.
There’s also a weekly “Art-to-Go” marketplace on Saturdays from 1 to 6 p.m.
Artomatic is open Wednesdays and Thursday from noon to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 1 a.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
For more information on Artomatic and a complete list of events, visit artomatic.org. There’s even a mobile version of the site for the day’s event schedule.
For more information on Gerlach and his design business, visit gerlachgraphic.com. For more information on his photography and to see his line of wearable art, visit urbangrudge.com.
Friday, March 27
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Saturday, March 28
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black Lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].
Monday, March 30
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
“Tea Time! A Local DC Drag Comedy Show” will be at 3 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a live drag comedy show where drag legends TrevHER & Tiara Missou Sidora host spill all the tea in the DMV. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, March 31
Visibili-TEA Party will be at 6 p.m. at Restoration Station. Guests are encouraged to come sip, celebrate, and shine together. This event is a Trans Day of Visibility celebration and a special collaboration between Auntie’s Home and Damien Ministries. This is a boozy tea party with intention and the dress code reflects the vibe. More details are available on Eventbrite.
Wednesday, March 1
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, April 2
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Unconventional Diner will host “Cherry Blossom Drag Bingo Party” on Friday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m.
Guests will be treated to an unforgettable night of drag performances, bingo, food and drink and prizes. Highlights of the evening include themed cocktails, drag performances and bingo prizes.
Tickets can be secured via Resy.
Sports
New IOC policy bans trans women from Olympics
New regulation to be in effect at 2028 summer games in Los Angeles
The International Olympic Committee on Thursday announced it will not allow transgender women from competing in female events at the Olympics.
“For all disciplines on the Sports Program of an IOC event, including individual and team sports, eligibility for any Female Category is limited to biological females,” reads the new policy.
The policy states “eligibility for the Female Category is to be determined in the first instance by SRY Gene screening to detect the absence or presence of the SRY Gene.”
“On the basis of the scientific evidence, the IOC considers that the SRY (sex-determining Region Y) Gene is fixed throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced or will experience male sex development,” it reads. “Furthermore, the IOC considers that SRY Gene screening via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample is unintrusive compared to other possible methods. Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene permanently satisfy this policy’s eligibility criteria for competition in the Female Category.”
The policy states the test “will be a once-in-a-lifetime test” unless “there is reason to believe a negative reading is in error.”
The new regulation will be in place for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“I understand that this a very sensitive topic,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry on Thursday in a video. “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition.”
“The policy that we have announced is based on science and it has been led by medical experts with the best interests of athletes at its heart. The scientific evidence is very clear: male chromosomes give performance advances in sport that rely on strength, power, or endurance,” she added. “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”
(Video courtesy of the IOC)
Laurel Hubbard, a weightlifter from New Zealand, in 2021 became the first trans woman to compete at the Olympics.
Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, won a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Khelif later sued JK Rowling and Elon Musk for cyberstalking after they questioned her gender identity.
Ellis Lundholm, a mogul skier from Sweden, this year became the first openly trans athlete to compete in any Winter Olympics when he participated in Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.
President Donald Trump in February 2025 issued an executive order that bans trans women and girls from female sports teams in the U.S.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee last July banned trans women from competing in female sporting events. Republican lawmakers have demanded the IOC ban trans athletes from women’s athletic competitions.
“I’m grateful the Olympics finally embraced the common sense policy that women’s sports are for women, not for men,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on X.
An IOC spokesperson on Thursday referred the Washington Blade to the press release that announced the new policy.
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