DC Pride 2015: Out/Spoken

Capital Pride is just around the corner, and in case you didn’t know, it’s not just all about the parade and festival (and parties)–even though it can sometimes seem that way. If you’d rather tone up your mind rather than worrying about toning up your abs, the upcoming Speakeasy DC event Out/Spoken: Queer, Questioning, Bold and Proud True Stories Through an LGBT Lens event may be right up your alley.

SpeakeasyDC, Washington’s original, true-storytelling group presents stories from the LGBT perspective that will challenge, provoke, inspire and ignite. From finding love in the time of Grindr™, to learning the truth about that crazy ‘bachelor’ uncle, Out/Spoken is a night of stories that celebrate diverse viewpoints and embrace the challenges and triumphs of the community.

The evening will feature eight different storytellers whose experiences range from a life-long gay rights activist to a born-and-raised southerner sharing his story out loud for the first time. The event will be deejayed by DJ Khelan of the popular Breakfast Club dance party. For more information and tickets, please visit the official event page.

In case that hasn’t whetted your spoken word appetite, I also got a sneak peek at each storyteller’s synopsis:

• James: Trying to “pray away the gay” proves difficult.
• Morgan: An F to M Trans story about the challenges of dating.
• Alex: When is the “right time” to come out to a Mormon grandmother?
• Alan: A lifetime of self-punishment for being gay culminates in a surprise discovery about our memories and how they affect us.
• Gina: Experiences dating a boyfriend turned girlfriend.
• Cristina: Getting her family to accept her ‘butch’ identity proves harder than coming out.
• Robin: How many hints is enough to come out to your mom without saying the words?
• Amanda: A look at a family with generations of gay family members and how time has changed through each of their life experiences.

When: Friday, June 5th at 6:30pm
Where: 9:30 Club, 815 V Street, NW
Cost: $25 general admission
Box Office: (202) 265-0930
Tickets: http://speakeasydc.com/events/item/out-spoken-queer-questioning-bold-and-proud

Seems like that Friday might be a great night to trade going out for spoken… out. Though honestly, this will still give you plenty of time to enjoy a show and then go out for drinks and dancing later.