Being that so much of the future is uncertain, it's wise to pin down what you can. Will Nibiru materialize out of nowhere and give a boost to doomsday cred? Will Rick Santorum blaze a trail to the White House (giving another boost to doomsday cred)? Who can say?
In a universe of so much chaos, at least some variables are more or less fixed. Certainly, it will be a political year.
''We know it's going to be a very, very busy year for us,'' confirms Lateefah Williams, president of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, looking at the months ahead that include April 3 primaries and the Nov. 6 general election. ''Locally, we're going to be very active. In addition to efforts in D.C., we'll be in nearby swing states.''
Williams says election years also tend to bring more members into the fold. The same goes for her GOP counterpart, Robert Turner, president of the D.C. chapter of Log Cabin Republicans. ''I wasn't around four years ago, but people tell me there's an uptick during presidential elections,'' he says. ''We have 50 or so members; we're going to try to boost that to 100.''
LGBT Virginians will likely be busy keeping an eye on Ken Cuccinelli's run for governor – in that the Republican attorney general has a grim reputation with the LGBT community – while Marylanders will be gunning for marriage equality and antidiscrimination protections for transgender people.
''This is going to be the year for all hands on deck,'' says Carrie Evans, Equality Maryland's new executive director. ''We've said that before, but 2012 is a window we have to get through.''
Among the new groups joining the effort for 2012 is the recently formed Gender Rights Maryland. With the tenacious Dr. Dana Beyer serving as executive director, there may be fireworks in Annapolis long before July.
Just days after the Maryland General Assembly begins its 2012 session, locals will come together to march in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., with a Jan. 16 parade. The LGBT contingent includes the Stein Democrats, the DC Coalition and The Center, D.C.'s LGBT community center.
The Center will be on the move in another regard in 2012.
''It's possible we might have to move in July,'' says David Mariner, The Center's executive director, explaining that the organization's U Street lease expires in June. ''We're exploring our options. The Reeves Center has tons of empty storefront space. That would be an amazing opportunity for us.''
As The Center works through its 10th anniversary year, time will tell.
On the arts front, 2012 is also the year that will see the last hurrah of the DC Cowboys dance troupe, who have announced their farewell tour. One In Ten, on the other hand, says it's full-steam ahead in 2012, though that may mean some tweaks to what's on offer.
''We're definitely talking about revitalizing the 'Walk the Red Carpet' spring fundraiser,'' says Lisa King, president of the LGBT arts and culture group that marked its 20th annual Reel Affirmations LGBT film festival in 2011. She adds that there are seats at the table for a few arts enthusiasts who might like to join the board and help the organization plot its path through 2012 and beyond.
It may not be where arts and politics collide, but plenty else does among sporting sort, also on the move in 2012. Team DC will bring back its dodgeball tourney, expand its ''Night Out'' offerings and generally keep the ball moving.
''We want to do more events this year. We want to try to reach out to more women,'' says Brent Minor, Team DC program director. That might mean adding a Night Out at the D.C. Divas women's football in 2012, for example. Certainly, Team DC will be heading back to Night Out at the Mystics, begun in 2011, for women's basketball. Minor also advises to keep an ear out for a possible big announcement from the sports coalition in July.
All in all, Nibiru or not, 2012 is shaping up to be a year to remember. It will have its highs and its lows, and even the mundane. To help you plan your own stellar 2012, what follows is a substantial list of just some of what's heading our way in the new year.
JANUARY
TBA
DC Log Cabin Republicans hold a presidential forum Date TBA The Camden/Roosevelt, 2101 16th St. NW 7 p.m. dclogcabin.org
THURSDAY, JAN. 5
Equality Maryland presents Montgomery County Welcomes Carrie Evans McMillan Metro, Attorneys at Law, 1901 Research Blvd., Suite 500, Rockville 6-8 p.m. 410-685-6567 equalitymaryland.org
SUNDAY, JAN. 8
Equality Maryland Annual Meeting Chevy Chase Town Hall 4301 Willow Lane, Chevy Chase, Md. 12:30 p.m. (Members only) 410-685-6567 equalitymaryland.org
FRIDAY-MONDAY, JAN. 13-16
Centaur MC presents Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Ave. NW Registration $180 (Many ancillary events) leatherweekend.com
SATURDAY, JAN. 14
Team DC presents Night Out at the Wizards Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW 7 p.m. Tickets $20 (Available at Nellie's Sports Bar or online) teamdc.org
MONDAY, JAN. 16
Martin Luther King Jr. Day mlkday.gov
MONDAY-FRIDAY, JAN. 23-27
No-Name Calling Week nonamecallingweek.org
TUESDAY, JAN. 24
Equality Virginia Lobby Day 2012 Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad St., Richmond (Concurrent online lobbying event) 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 804-643-4816 lobbyday@equalityvirginia.org equalityvirginia.org
TUESDAY, JAN. 24
Mautner Project offers ''On the Bus,'' mammogram/clinical breast exam/cervical exams 1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 710 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free transportation. To register: Riana at 202-332-5536 or rbuford@mautnerproject.org mautnerproject.org
WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY, JAN. 25-29
Creating Change: The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's National Conference on LGBT Equality Hilton Baltimore, 401 West Pratt St., Baltimore Regular registration $325 creatingchange.org
SATURDAY, JAN. 28
Brother, Help Thyself Grants Awards Ceremony Remingtons, 639 Pennsylvania Ave. SE 2 p.m. 202-347-2246 brotherhelpthyself.org (Snow date: Feb. 4)
FEBRUARY
Black History Month
TBA
Gertrude Stein Democratic Club holds two candidate-endorsement forums Dates, venues and times TBA steindemocrats.org
TBA
Marylander Faith for Equality and Equality Maryland hold Prayer Breakfast and Lobby Day Annapolis 410-685-6567 equalitymaryland.org
TUESDAY, FEB. 7
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day blackaidsday.org
SATURDAY, FEB. 11
Rainbow Families Mid-Winter Family Dance Washington Ethical Society, 7750 16th St. NW 6:30-9 p.m. rainbowfamiliesdc.org
SATURDAY, FEB. 11
D.C. Radical Faeries present Feast of the Red Dragon Venue TBA Feast, 2-5 p.m. Drum circle, 7-10 p.m. dcradfaes.org
SUNDAY, FEB. 12
Scarlet's Bake Sale DC Eagle, 639 New York Ave. NW Cake drop-off begins at noon, auction 3 p.m. Beneficiaries TBA 202-347-6025 dceagle.com
MONDAY, FEB. 13
Equality Maryland Lobby Day Annapolis Time TBA 410-685-6567 equalitymaryland.org
TUESDAY, FEB. 14
Valentine's Day
SATURDAY, FEB. 18
The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C., is joined by Pittsburgh-based Dreams of Hope for The Kids Are All Right, featuring songs and stories from LGBT youth and allies Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW 8 p.m. Tickets $20-$50 202-293-1548 gmcw.org
SATURDAY, FEB. 18
Team DC presents fundraising Casino Night Buffalo Billiards, Adirondack Room, 1330 19th St. NW Time TBA teamdc.org
TUESDAY, FEB. 21
Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance holds special meeting to rate primary candidates Venue and time TBA glaa.org
SUNDAY, FEB. 26
The Center presents Glamour, Glitter & Gold, Academy Awards viewing party Town Danceboutique, 2009 8th St. NW 7:30 p.m. General admission $20, VIP $50 202-682-2245 thedccenter.org
WEDNESDAY-MONDAY, FEB. 29-MARCH 5
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Winter Party Miami Beach, Fla. winterparty.com
MARCH
Women's History Month
SATURDAY, MARCH 3
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network 20th Annual National Dinner National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW Reception, 6:30 p.m. Dinner, 7:45 p.m. Tickets $250 and higher 202-328-3244 sldn.org
SATURDAY, MARCH 10
Team DC Fashion Show and Model Search, a fundraiser for the Team DC College Scholarship Fund Town Danceboutique, 2009 8th St. NW Time TBA teamdc.org
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14
Capital Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce presents the Mega-Networking Event Venue and time TBA caglcc.org
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, MARCH 16-18
The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C., presents an all-male cast of Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday Tickets $20-$50 202-293-1548 gmcw.org
SATURDAY, MARCH 17
Mautner Project gala and dance, ''Over the Rainbow'' Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St. NW Times TBA Tickets $225 202-332-5536 gala.mautnerproject.org
SATURDAY, MARCH 24
6th annual Capital Queer Prom, celebrating ''Carnival Extravaganza'' Almas Shriners Ballroom, 1315 K St. NW 7:30-11:30 p.m. $85 (After-party at Cobalt, 1639 R St. NW) capitalqueerprom.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 24
Miss Gay DC America Pageant honoring Miss Gay America 2012 Kirby Kolby Town Danceboutique, 2009 8th St. NW 6:30 p.m. Tickets $10 missgaydcamerica.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 25
Capital Queer Prom brunch Nellie's Sports Bar, 900 U St. NW 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $105 (includes admission to March 24 prom) capitalqueerprom.com
THURSDAY-SUNDAY, MARCH 29-APRIL 1
Cherry Fund presents 15th annual Cherry Weekend Multiple venues Weekend pass $125 cherryfund.org
SATURDAY, MARCH 31
D.C.'S Different Drummers spring concert Venue, times and tickets TBA 202-403-3669 dcdd.org
APRIL
TUESDAY, APRIL 3
D.C. Primary Election
THURSDAY, APRIL 12
Team DC presents Spring SportsFest Venue and time TBA teamdc.org
SATURDAY, APRIL 14
Equality Virginia's 9th Annual Commonwealth Dinner Greater Richmond Convention Center 403 North 3rd St., Richmond 804-643-4816 equalityvirginia.org
SUNDAY, APRIL 15
Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch, featuring Rep. Tammy Baldwin Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tickets $150 202-842-8679 victoryfund.org
THURSDAY, APRIL 19
Whitman-Walker Health Spring Gala Carnegie Institution, 1530 P St. NW 6:30 p.m. Tickets TBA 202-745-7000 whitman-walker.org
FRIDAY, APRIL 20
Day of Silence dayofsilence.org
FRIDAY, APRIL 20
Capital Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner The Liaison Capitol Hill, 415 New Jersey Ave. NW Tickets and time TBA caglcc.org
SATURDAY, APRIL 21
Team DC Embassy Wine Tasting Venue and time TBA teamdc.org
SATURDAY, APRIL 21
Potomac Fever and Rock Creek Singers of GMCW join to present Together Again New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1313 New York Ave. NW 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets $35 202-293-1548 gmcw.org
SUNDAY, APRIL 22
D.C.'s Different Drummers hold an open house for the marching band's 2012 season Venue, time TBA 202-403-3669 dcdd.org
THURSDAY, APRIL 26
Metro Weekly Next Generation Awards Venue and time TBA 202-638-6830 MetroWeekly.com
THURSDAY, APRIL 26
Dining Out for Life to benefit Food & Friends diningoutforlife.com/washingtondc
SATURDAY, APRIL 28
Youth Pride Day (Rain date: May 5) Dupont Circle Noon-5 p.m. youthpridedc.org
MAY
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Metro Weekly turns 18!
FRIDAY, MAY 18
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day bethegeneration.nih.gov
SATURDAY, MAY 19
Team DC presents fundraising Casino Night Buffalo Billiards, Adirondack Room, 1330 19th St. NW Time TBA teamdc.org
WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 23-27
DC Black Pride, ''It's a Family Affair'' Host hotel TBA dcblackpride.org
FRIDAY, MAY 24
Whitman-Walker Health presents the ''Going the Extra Mile'' benefit for its Legal Services office House of Sweden, 2900 K St. NW 6:30 p.m.
Tickets TBA 202-745-7000 whitman-walker.org
WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 30-JUNE 3
Gay Days Orlando, featuring the Walt Disney World Resort gaydays.com
WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 30-JUNE 10
Capital Pride capitalpride.org
JUNE
TBA DC Leather Pride Dates, venue and time TBA dcleatherpride.com
TBA
Capital Trans Pride Date, venue and time TBA 202-719-5304, ext. 730 capitalpride.org/transpride
TBA
Pride of Pets Dupont Circle Date and time TBA 202-234-PETS petsdc.org
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, JUNE 2-3
The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C., presents Heart Throbs Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets $20-$50 202-293-1548 gmcw.org
FRIDAY, JUNE 8
DC Latino Pride Venue and time TBA latinoglbthistory.com
SATURDAY, JUNE 9
Capital Pride Parade capitalpride.org
SUNDAY, JUNE 10
Capital Pride Festival capitalpride.org
TUESDAY, JUNE 19
Team DC Night Out at the Nationals Nationals Park Time and tickets TBA teamdc.org
TUESDAY, JUNE 26
Food & Friends presents 22nd annual Chef's Best Venue, time and tickets TBA 202-269-2277 foodandfriends.org
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27
National HIV Testing Day napwa.org
JULY
TBA
Baltimore Pride Dates and venues TBA 410-837-5445 baltimorepride.org
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY 20-21
National Gay Men's Health Summit George Washington University gmhs2012.org
SUNDAY-FRIDAY, JULY 22-27
XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012) Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW aids2012.org
AUGUST
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 3-4
The Center presents the OutWrite LGBT Book Fair 1318 U St. NW 202-682-2245 outwritedc.org
SATURDAY, AUG. 4
Chesapeake Pride Festival Mayo Beach Park, 4150 Honeysuckle Drive, Edgewater, Md. Noon-6 p.m. 410-353-5534 chesapeakepridefestival.org
WEDNESDAY-MONDAY, AUG. 29-SEPT. 3
Southern Decadence New Orleans southerndecadence.net
SEPTEMBER
TBA
Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) Annual Fall Brunch 202-546-5940 smyal.org
TBA
National Black Justice Coalition's Out on the Hill annual lobby event Dates and venue TBA 202-319-1552 nbjc.org
TBA
Brother, Help Thyself's Gay and Lesbian Night at Kings Dominion Date, time and tickets TBA 202-347-2246 brotherhelpthyself.org
SEPT. 15-OCT. 15
National Hispanic Heritage Month
SATURDAY, SEPT. 22
Team DC's 2nd annual Dodgeball Tournament Venue and time TBA teamdc.org
THURSDAY, SEPT. 27
National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day napwa.org
SATURDAY, SEPT. 29
Team DC Champions Awards Reception Venue, Times and tickets TBA teamdc.org
OCTOBER
TBA
One In Ten presents Reel Affirmations 21 Dates, venues, etc. TBA oneinten.org
SATURDAY, OCT. 6
Human Rights Campaign National Dinner Venue, time and tickets TBA hrcnationaldinner.org
THURSDAY, OCT. 11
National Coming Out Day
MONDAY, OCT. 15
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day latinoaids.org
SATURDAY, OCT. 27
26th Annual AIDS Walk Washington, benefiting Whitman-Walker Health and community partners Freedom Plaza, Pennsylvania Avenue & 13th Street NW Times, donation rates TBA 202-332-WALK aidswalkwashington.org
TUESDAY, OCT. 30
26th Annual High Heel Race 17th Street NW, between P and S Streets 6 p.m., race at 9 p.m. highheelracedc.com
NOVEMBER
TUESDAY, NOV. 6
Election Day
SATURDAY, NOV. 17
Team DC presents fundraising Casino Night Buffalo Billiards, Adirondack Room, 1330 19th St. NW Time TBA teamdc.org
TUESDAY, NOV. 20
Transgender Day of Remembrance
DECEMBER
SATURDAY, DEC. 1
World AIDS DayFRIDAY, DEC. 14Team DC Holiday PartyVenue and time TBAteamdc.org
FRIDAY, DEC. 21
Date with NibiruActuality TBA
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