Update from our President

Team DC family—

We’re heading into one of our busiest and most exciting stretches of the year, and I want to make sure you’re in the loop on what’s coming up.Night of Champions Gala — Awards Spotlight

Our Night of Champions Gala is right around the corner, and I’m thrilled to recognize this year’s incredible award winners—people and partners who show up, lead, and lift up LGBTQ+ athletes and our community all year long.

Congratulations to our 2026 Award Winners:

  • Trailblazer Award Adam Peck

  • MVP AwardDan Martin

  • The Clark Ray Horizon AwardManuel Montelongo (aka Mari Con Carne)

  • The Bernard Jude Delia Award Dr. Sara Varghai

  • Platinum All Star Award The Centaur Motorcycle Club

We’ll be celebrating them in full gala glam—so if you haven’t locked in your plans yet, this is your sign: join us and help us honor the people who make Team DC shine.

All-Sports Mixer at Pitchers — Come Through

Before we hit the ballroom, we’re bringing the energy back to the community with an All-Sports Mixer at Pitchers. Whether you’re a longtime athlete, brand-new to Team DC, or just want to meet folks across leagues and clubs, this is the easiest way to plug in, make friends, and get connected.

All are welcome. Bring a teammate. Bring a friend. Bring the vibes.

Save the Date: Her Diner Fundraiser — March 28

And we’re not done—mark your calendar for Saturday, March 28, because we’re hosting a drag show fundraiser at Her Diner with the Dupont Social Club, and we’ve got a special treat: two of our own board members will be performing. It’s going to be fun, high-energy, and for a cause that matters—supporting LGBTQ+ athletes and powering our scholarship program.

Details coming soon, but consider this your official teaser.

Scholarship Winners Announcement Coming Up

Finally: thank you to everyone who supported and promoted our scholarship program this year. We’ll be making our scholarship winner announcement soon, and I can’t wait to introduce you to the students whose stories—and futures—you’re helping fuel.

Let’s keep showing up for each other, celebrating excellence, and building the kind of community we all deserve.

See you at Pitchers, see you at Her Diner, and I’ll definitely see you at the Gala.

With pride,
Miguel A. Ayala
President, Team DC

ANNOUNCING OUR NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS HONOREES

🌟 Get your tickets now 🌟

Mark your calendars! The 2026 Night of Champions Gala will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Georgetown Marriott on 22nd Street NW. Our annual gala celebrates community leaders and the next generation of LGBTQ+ student-athletes. Join us for an inspiring evening of cocktails, dinner, and awards — all in support of Team DC’s Scholarship Program.

Don’t miss this elegant night of celebration, community, and pride — it’s the highlight of Team DC’s year!

👕 Show Your Team DC Pride — On and Off the Field 🏳️‍🌈

Supporting Team DC has never looked so good. Our Team DC shop has a few items designed to help you show up, stand out, and represent—whether you’re heading to team practice, warming up before a game, cheering from the sidelines, or just repping your league around town. And you can get your Nats Night Out Jersey if you missed the game this year (or somebody already “borrowed” it).

These items are more than merch—they’re a statement of pride, visibility, and commitment to LGBTQ+ sports in DC. Every purchase directly supports Team DC’s programs, events, and advocacy work that strengthen our community year-round.

They also make great gifts this season—but don’t wait for a special occasion. Wear them to practice, travel days, league socials, or wherever you want Team DC to be seen.

👉 Shop, rep, and support Team DC:

Wear it proud. Wear it often. Support the team behind the teams.

2026 NIGHTS OUT

Season Ticket Holder Survey

Team DC is gathering information about subscribers who have season tickets to DC-area professional sports teams to better understand potential demand for Night OUT games and the programming for them.  If you have season tickets to any teams (full or partial season), please take a moment to respond to the survey here.  

Washington Wizards - March 19th

We are proud to be working with the Wizards on planning for the Night OUT at the Wizards on March 19, 2026.

We are working on details for the night and look forward to another great Night OUT with the Wizards. Use the link above and share on your platforms, emails, newsletters, etc. Tickets are available in these sections and price points:

Ticket information coming soon!

Partner News

The Gay Games are an 8-day international event that combines sport, culture, and community. They were created with a clear objective: to celebrate the diversity and visibility of LGBTQIA+ identities together with all allies.

In València 2026, you will have an unforgettable experience:

  • You will compete in your sport and have the chance to reach the podium in your category.

  • You will march in the opening ceremony and enjoy unique concerts and shows.

  • You will enjoy music, culture, workshops, and social activities.

  • You will make friends from all over the world in the Gay Games Village, the heart of the event.

Your athletic ability doesn’t matter here: the essential factor is to participate, share, and enjoy.

VALENCIA GAY GAMES

Are you planning to go to the Gay Games in Valencia this summer?

Login or Subscribe to participate

Member News

P

DCPVL is expanding!! Registration is open for new players and will remain open until we fill all 112 new spots . If you are interested in joining, create a TeamArrange account and then search for DCPVL to register!

Additionally, we will be hosting free skills clinics and $15 open plays throughout the season at Catholic University on Wednesdays, starting after March 4th.

Square Dancing Open House hosted by DC Lambda Squares, Thursday, March 12, 7:00-9:00 pm at Uproar Bar & Lounge, 739 Florida Avenue, NW, Second Floor Level.

All welcome, no experience required, casual dress.

Thurs night is Gay Games Ballroom & Latin class night at DanceSport Dupont Circle. January Dances include slow (English) & fast (Viennese) Waltz and International Style Rumba ( ... officially 'The Dance of Love', in plenty of time for Valentine's Day next next month! 🤠

Our Lambda DanceSport DC classes are FREE to all of our Gay Games Valencia!!

Sign up for Learn to Row (on Land) weekend session with DC Strokes Rowing Club – classes will be held on select weekends in February and March!

Learn the fundamentals of rowing from experienced coaches so you can confidently use any rowing machine, join our winter training program or get ready to start on the water in the spring.

For more information and to register: https://www.dcstrokes.org/learn-to-row

Join DC Gaymers for Potion Hour, an LGBTQIA+ D&D social where you can unwind, roll some dice, and share adventures over pizza and drinks, alcoholic or otherwise.

Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or just curious about the world of tabletop roleplay, it’s a space to connect, laugh, and celebrate community. Catch us every first Monday of the month at 6:00 PM at Crooked Run Fermentation DC.

Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association

ASGRA’s holds monthly horseback rides. The horseback ride takes place at Piscataway Trails, LLC in Clinton, MD (see map). The ride is an hour long. All horse, tack and some basic instructions are provided. Experienced and novice riders are welcome.

 Horseback Ride costs are:

—$45 for non-members

—$40 for members

 To RSVP or for more information, contact ASGRA President, Patrick Hunter at [email protected].

Till next time,

TEAM DC

Wall Street Just Named the Most Crowded Trades of 2026

AI stocks. Metals. Crypto.

Surprise, surprise; gold crashed 16%. Silver plunged 34%. Bitcoin dropped to 1 year lows.

All supposedly "uncorrelated" assets moving in lockstep largely because of overleveraged margin.

JPM strategists warn that the same leverage is still a risk.

Those markets may be recovering now, but cascading liquidations could trigger quickly across several asset classes simultaneously.

So much for diversifying away risk, right?

But get this–

70,819 everyday investors have allocated $1.3 billion fractionally across 500+ exclusive investments. 

Not real estate or PE… Blue-chip art. Sounds crazy, right?

Now it’s easy to invest in art featuring legends like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso, thanks to Masterworks.

They do the heavy lifting from acquisition to sale, so you can diversify with the strategy typically limited to the ultra-wealthy.

(Past sales delivered net returns like 14.6%, 17.6%, and 17.8% on works held longer than a year.)*

*Investing involves risk.  Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Important Reg A disclosures: masterworks.com/cd

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