Blade wins 3 journalism awards; Chibbaro enters Hall of Fame

Washington Blade senior news reporter Lou Chibbaro Jr. was inducted into the Society of Professional Journalists D.C. Chapter’s Hall of Fame at a formal ceremony Tuesday night, joining a long list of journalistic legends like Helen Thomas, Bob Woodward and Art Buchwald.

Chibbaro, who started writing for the Blade in 1976, is the first member of the LGBT media to join the Hall of Fame. To be eligible, SPJ requires 25 years of outstanding work in the journalism profession.

In his acceptance speech, Chibbaro expressed deep gratitude for the honor and thanked his current and previous editors and publishers.

Also at the event, two other Blade staffers were honored with Dateline Awards for Excellence in Local Journalism. Features editor Joey DiGuglielmo took home two awards, including first place in the weekly newspaper business/financial reporting category for an in-depth report on the struggle for the DC Center to find a permanent home, titled “Still searching for a home.” DiGuglielmo also won second place in the features writing category for “Casualties of war,” a profile of a gay Iraqi living in the United States after losing a leg.

Blade editor Kevin Naff won second place in the editorial writing category for his body of work over the past year.