VSDC LGBTQ+ Lotuses and Lunch

The Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is a splendid location to enjoy a picnic with your fellow LGBTQ+ vegans and veg-curious folks, coordinated by the Veg Society of DC (VSDC).

The gorgeous lotuses and water lilies are blooming and there is always lots of wildlife to spy. There are also a few wooded paths in case the group decides to check those out too.

To bring: You will need to bring your own vegan picnic lunch if you feel like joining the group to eat together. You can also feel free to bring vegan snacks to share if you'd like. Remember to bring lots of water and/or other beverages since it's likely to be hot! Note that no alcohol is allowed in the park. There are picnic tables but there is no guarantee we will be able to snag one that day so you might want to bring a blanket. You should also bring insect repellant and sunscreen, hat, or other appropriate gear for weather. There are bathrooms and a water fountain at the nature center but they don't have concessions so you'll need to bring everything to the park that you'll need.

The host plans to bring a sketch book and pencil and/or other art supplies and invites her fellow art lovers to bring their own en plein air materials to document some of the beautiful nature we'll see.

Around 1-1:30pm-ish we'll start wandering around the park so you can also skip the picnic and just come then if that works better for you. Just comment on this event page when you arrive and we'll check those before we leave the picnic area to explore the park. And, the host will do her best to post comments throughout the event to track our location, as possible.

If there is light rain that day, the host will still go but probably won't picnic and will just walk around the ponds with an umbrella. If there is heavy rain or lightning, this event will be cancelled and the host will post an urgent message on this event page.

When: Sunday, July 5 12pm-3pm
Location: Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens (1550 Anacostia Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20019)
Where to meet: outside of the visitor's center
Transportation: The Aquatic Gardens are a 15-ish minute walk from Deanwood Metro Station on the Orange Line. See detailed directions on the park website. There is also a parking lot. The park is also accessible by bike on the Anacostia River Trail, which is a lovely ride.

Cost: Free

About the Group
Unless noted otherwise, VSDC's LGBTQ+ events are intended for queer/questioning folks who self-identify as LGBTQ+. The events are meant to serve as a safe space to share community with other self-identified queer or questioning LGBTQ+ vegan or vegan-curious people. However, we appreciate our allies and we plan to host "LGBTQ+ & ALLIES" events approximately quarterly - to welcome non-queer allies into our events in order to share community with our fellow vegans/veg curious VSDC participants. If the event is an "& ALLIES" event, it will be clearly identified as such in the name of the event. Any person who participates in an "& ALLIES" event must be supportive of LGBTQ+ persons, their lifestyle, and their gender expression; unsupportive or combative individuals will be removed from events and banned from future VSDC LGBTQ+ events. Please note that any and all questions related to gender/LGBTQ+ issues that may arise during either LGBTQ+ or LGBTQ+ & ALLIES events must be posed ONLY to event host, Susan, and not be asked of any other meetup participants in order to respect their privacy and promote their personal safety.

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