Arts & Entertainment

Gays galore

LGBT storylines, actors, characters and hosts pepper fall TV season

Published

14 years ago

September 13, 2012

Juliette Ebner

Wanda Sykes is hosting a set of election specials, “NewNowNext Vote with Wanda Sykes” on Logo. (Photo courtesy Logo)

Many summer series are wrapping up just in time for the fall series to premiere.

Perennial favorite “Glee,” started its fourth season on a new night, Thursday, with a few new faces and most of the original cast, including Blaine, Kurt, Brittany and Santana, Lima, Ohio’s resident gays. This season will include another Britney Spears tribute episode and some big guest stars such as Kate Hudson and Sarah Jessica Parker. The show will air Thursdays at 9 p.m. on Fox.

Ryan Murphy will be pretty busy this season. His new series, “The New Normal” started Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. on NBC. The show revolves around a single mother, her mother and daughter, and the gay couple, played by “The Hangover’s” Justin Bartha and Broadway’s Andrew Rannells, for whom she is acting as surrogate.

Another returning series is “Grey’s Anatomy.” When the eighth season ended, Callie Torres was at Seattle Grace, unaware her wife, Arizona Robbins, and others, including the father of her baby, had been in a plane crash on their way to another hospital. The ninth season premieres on ABC Sep. 27 at 9 p.m.

“Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars” premieres Sep. 24 at 8 p.m. featuring 13 returning contestants including boy band members Drew Lachey and Joey Fatone, Bristol Palin, Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson, actress Kirstie Alley and Pamela Anderson.

ABC also has the return of “Modern Family,” starring Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet. It premieres on Sep. 26 at 9 p.m. and a new series, “Last Resort,” starring Max Adler, best known as Dave Karofsky on “Glee.”

Look for gay actor Jonathan Croff on the second season of STARZ series “Boss” with Kelsey Grammer. It run through Oct. 19.

ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars” may have already aired its summer finale, but the series will have a special Halloween episode airing Oct. 23.

PBS is premiering “Love Free or Die” on Oct. 29 at 10 p.m. The documentary follows Gene Robinson, the first openly gay person to be elected bishop in the high church traditions of Christianity in 2003. He pushed for greater inclusion within his church and has become a standard bearer in the fight over the rights of LGBT people to receive full acceptance in church and state.

CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory,” starring out actor Jim Parsons, premieres Sep. 27 at 8 p.m. and “How I Met Your Mother,” starring Neil Patrick Harris and Alyson Hannigan, returns Sept. 24.

On the same network, “The Good Wife,” featuring Alan Cumming and bisexual character Kalinda, premieres Sept. 30 at 9 p.m. There will also be some big-name guest stars this season including Nathan Lane and Kristin Chenoweth, who will be returning after suffering a head injury last time she was on set.

Wanda Sykes has a new special, or actually, specials, “NewNowNext Vote with Wanda Sykes” for Logo, which premiered Monday at 10 p.m. The second special is slated to air Nov. 5, at 10:30 p.m. The specials will touch on topics such as gay marriage, Supreme Court appointments, the economy and health care. The first special included guest panelists Barney Frank, Thomas Roberts, Joe Solmonese and more.

The second season of “Be Good Johnny Weir” will return to Logo Sept. 17 at 10 p.m. This season is said to dive more into the gay figure skater’s work and personal life as well as show him branching out into various entertainment endeavors including releasing his first single, publishing a book and more.

The cable station will also be starting a new documentary series, “What!? Logo Documentaries” kicking off with the world premiere of “Loving Large” on Oct. 2 at 10 p.m. The series will also feature the Logo premieres of “Pedigree Dogs Exposed” and “The Most Hated Family in American” and the U.S. premieres of “Pink Ribbons, Inc.,” and “Super Tiny Animals.”

Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Miami” premiere Thursday and will air weekly at 9 p.m. The show will feature returning housewives Lea Black, Adriana de Moura and Marysol Patton and newcomers Lisa Hochstein, Joanna Krupa, Ana Quincoces and Karent Sierra. Alexia Echevarria will also be returning in a recurring role.

Look for “The Girl” on HBO on Oct. 20 at 9 p.m., a dramatization of the sometimes-tense relationship between Tippi Hedren and Alfred Hitchcock.

Several pop divas are slated for upcoming episodes of the rebooted VH1 show “Storytellers.” Look for Taylor Swift on Nov. 11, Alicia Keys Nov. 12 and Pink Nov. 13 (all at 11 p.m.).

Don’t forget all the talk shows featuring LGBT hosts. Ellen DeGeneres started the new season of her syndicate show on Monday. CBS’s “The Talk” features Sara Gilbert as one of its five hosts along with Sharon Osborne. And of course the finally out Anderson Cooper as well.

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PHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride

LGBTQ celebration held at Sherwood Center

Published

2 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Michael Key

A scene from Fairfax City Pride on June 6. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Fairfax City Pride was held at the Sherwood Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, Va.) on Saturday, June 6.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

a&e features

D.C. prepares to party as Pride celebrations kick off Saturday

Bars, clubs have busy lineups; Pride on the Pier returns

Published

6 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Evan Caplan

The Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns June 13. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Capital Pride’s date change isn’t slowing down the festivities. Back in December, the Capital Pride Alliance shifted the calendar for Pride celebrations in the nation’s capital from the second weekend of June to two weeks later to the weekend of June 20-21 to not conflict with President Trump’s birthday and 250th anniversary of America celebrations, with the aim that “our community can gather safely and without unnecessary barriers… We are protecting our space and preserving Pride as a powerful act of visibility, solidarity, and resistance.”

On the heels of WorldPride last year, the city shows no sign of slowing down. Instead, restaurants, bars, clubs, and neighborhoods are taking the opportunity to be even more visible. The Blade has put together a (non-comprehensive) list of parties, activations, and activities across town:

Pride on the Pier returns on Saturday, June 13 to the Wharf on the Southwest waterfront. The event, sponsored and hosted by the Washington Blade, is free and runs from 4-9 p.m. There will be vendors, DJs, and drag performances all day. VIP tickets are $25 and come with air conditioned party room, private bathrooms, and free cocktail. More details at prideonthepierdc.com.

Capital Pride Official Opening Party: RIOT! is the official opening dance party of Capital Pride, taking place Friday June 19, 9 PM-3AM. The 2026 edition headlining performer is Myki Meeks, a finalist of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 18; Bob The Drag Queen will perform a special set. DMV-area DJs and performers include: Bambi, Baphomette, Bumper, Cake Pop!, Connor, DJ Ed Bailey, DJ Diyanna Monet, Evry Pleasure, Jakknife Complex, Mari Con Carne, Pussy Noir, WessTheDJ. Trade owner Ed Bailey is producing the event.

Kinetic Presents brings the heat across the entirety of Pride weekend as well. It again is partnering with Capital Pride Alliance to produce four events over four days this Pride, including the Official Main Event on Saturday (the Friday official event is at Echostage). Kinetic’s parties are splayed across various D.C. venues, with special performances, massive productions, shirtless dancers, play zones, dance-forward audio and visuals, and international DJ talent. Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM at District Eagle is Lust, with music by Dan Slater and TOMI. Friday, June 19 at 10 PM is UNCUT XXL Heavy Load, at A.i. Warehouse in Union Market District, with music by Alex Acosta, Felipe Lira & Mitch Ferrino; the party is a “high-octane night of muscular house and tribal rhythms.” Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM brings that official main event, Kinetic Toy Land, at Echostage, with music by GSP & Matt Suave. Alaska Thunderfuck headlines. Sunday evening June 21 at 10 PM closes with discoVERS at SAX. A portion of tickets supports the DC LGBTQ+ community through Capital Pride Alliance.

9:30 Club always comes in clutch for the LGBTQ community. Already in June, it produced Kitty Kat Ball on June 7, and Kiesza performed on June 8. On June 20 at 10 PM, the famed Mixtape party hits the stage, care of gay DJs Shea van Horn and Matt Bailer, who have spun together for coming up on two decades. Mixtape has been held at several venues across the city over those years, and now settled on 9:30 Club for Pride. On June 25 at 7 PM, Big Freedia – the bounce artist from New Orleans – hits the 9:30 Club scene for the eighth time, as part of the Big Freedom Tour.

Crush: New this year from the 14th Street bar is the Pride Pop-Up, sitting pretty in the parking lot at 1820 14th St., N.W., at the corner of Swann Street by the start of the Pride Parade route. Hours are Friday from 2-10 PM and Saturday from 12-10 PM. Friday evening features Grizzly Bear Happy Hour, a DJ will set up shop on Saturday, and for those needing another layer, there’s a Crush merch store. Co-owner Mark Rutstein “has always wanted to throw a party in that parking lot, so he did,” said co-owner Stephen Rutgers. Note that Crush (the bar) will have a cover on Friday and Saturday.

Kiki: Over at Kiki, there’s a full slate of Pride-themed programming all week. Tuesday, June 16 at 9 PM brings karaoke; Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 PM is trivia; Thursday June 18 at 9PM is “Night of 1000 Tatianna’s Drag Show”, and Friday June 19 at 9 PM brings the Juneteenth Serve Drag Show. Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM, post-parade, is a Pride Dance Party with DJ Lemz. Sunday daytime at 5 PM is the Father Figures Daddy Issues Special Drag Show; and after the festival at 8 PM, DJ Tezrah hits the tapes.

Jane Jane: Right along the parade route, gay-owned Jane Jane has transformed its space into a “No Kings, Yas Queens” activation in a direct response to the America 250th commemorations happening downtown, from the colorful window installation, to merch (including a custom bandana and tank) to disco wig installations. Events include industry night on Mondays, donations to LGBTQ charities, and to-go cocktails during the Pride Parade.

Shaw’s Tavern: Gay-owned Shaw’s Tavern on Florida Avenue celebrates Pride week with a full lineup of themed events, entertainment, and specials, including Pride trivia on Monday, June 15 at 7:30 PM, bingo on Tuesday, June 16 at 8 PM, a cabaret on Thursday, June 18 at 9 PM, Juneteenth Drag Brunch on Friday, June 19 at 12:30 PM, and both a pre-parade brunch (10 AM-4 PM) and post-parade party (5-9 PM) on Saturday, June 20. Sunday, June 21 at 7 PM brings Mama’s Sunday Supper & Drag Pride Show in the evening for anyone who is still awake.

Trade: This classic has a weekend of events, starting on Thursday, with Tiburon Pride Edition, a Latin Dance party in the Shark Tank. On Friday, the bar opens early (at 2 PM), with all-day happy hour and the Jx&Evry Show. On Saturday, the bar opens at noon, offering a prime parade viewing spot from its windows. There will be the CLASH drag show hosted by Tatianna and Crimsyn, and Sweet Spot party that night. On Sunday, the bar opens for normal hours at 2 PM, with DJs Adam K, Alex Love, and WESSTHEDJ.

Pitchers: The multi-level bar in Adams Morgan is hosting a Pride-themed show on Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM, with drawstring bag giveaways – the only kind of bag that will be allowed into the bar during Pride weekend. The show features drag queen Kyle Sonique Love.

Barrel House Cafe and Bar: Also by the parade route on 14th Street, Barrel House Cafe takes advantage of its large patio to have a slate of events during Pride week, including Schism, a drag and burlesque show on June 18 at 10 PM, as well as an all-day Pride party coinciding on parade day.

Bunker: Bunker again plays host to a series of afters. Friday night (Saturday 3:30 AM) is Unhinged, and Saturday night (Sunday 3:30AM) is Unholy. The regular Saturday night party (10 PM) brings in Venetian and Tiara Missou. All parties have cover charges.

District Eagle: Beyond the Kinetic party on Friday, June 19 brings Gear Night at 10 PM; Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM is LOBO presents PRISM, and Sunday, June 21 is Sundaze wit Papi at 6 PM.

African Art Museum: On Thursday, June 18 at 5 PM, this Smithsonian museum is hosting a free event with artists and curators celebrating its exhibit, “Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art,” “based on years of close collaboration and dialogue with African visual art practitioners who claim belonging in the LGBTQ+ community, however they define those terms,” according to the museum.

KNEAD Hospitality & Design: The gay-owned KNEAD restaurant group (including spots like Gatsby, Mi Vida, Succotash The Grill) is featuring the GLITTERATI cocktail, made with Tito’s, St-Germain Elderflower, Butterfly Flower, ginger, and yes, glitter. A portion of proceeds from every Glitterati cocktail sold will benefit The Trevor Project. The cocktail will be sold throughout June.

The Fountain Inn is partnering with Rhodium spirits (Rhode Island’s first LGBTQ+ owned distillery) all month, making cocktails like gimlets and espresso martinis featuring Rhodium’s liquors. Proceeds benefit SMYAL, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth.

Hard Rock Cafe: Hard Rock DC is taking part in the chain’s annual “LOVE OUT LOUD” campaign, with Pride merch, specials on June 20, and a donation to The Trevor Project.