Local
Latino LGBT group holds annual awards ceremony
Four activists honored during Oct. 19 event.
Jocelyn Carrillo, owner of Club Majestic in Alexandria, was among the honorees at the Latino GLBT History Project’s annual awards ceremony. (Washington Blade photo by Jonathan Ellis)
The Latino GLBT History Project on Oct. 19 held its seventh annual awards ceremony at the Human Rights Campaign in D.C.
The group honored National Council of La Raza board member Catherine Pino, Russell Roybal of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Bamby Salcedo of the Trans-Latina Coalition and Jocelyn Carrillo, owner of Club Majestic in Alexandria. Candy Cintron of El Zol 107.9 in D.C. and David Damian Figueroa of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund were among those who attended, while Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Georgetown opened the event.
“We think it’s really special that gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer Latinos and Latinas to embrace and celebrate both of our identities,” said David Pérez, president of the Latino GLBT History Project Board of Directors, as he acknowledged both Hispanic Heritage LGBT History Months. “Tonight we celebrate as I said this special occasion. We’re excited to celebrate the work of the Latino GLBT History Project over this past year as well as our community leaders.”
Pérez noted more than 70 Latinas attended his group’s first Mujeres en Movimiento reception that coincided with Women’s History Month in March. He said D.C. Latino Pride drew more than 700 people to three events throughout the city. The Latino GLBT History Project has also partnered with Equality Maryland and CASA de Maryland on the Familia es Familia Maryland campaign that seeks to gain additional support for in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants and the state’s same-sex marriage law.
Transgender activist Ruby Corado, Elliot Imse of the D.C. Office of Human Rights and Hassan Naveed of Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence were among those who attended the awards ceremony.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
District of Columbia
Laverne Cox, Reneé Rapp, Deacon Maccubbin named WorldPride grand marshals
Three LGBTQ icons to lead parade
WorldPride organizers announced Thursday that actress and trans activist Laverne Cox, powerhouse performer Reneé Rapp, and LGBTQ trailblazer Deacon Maccubbin will serve as grand marshals for this year’s WorldPride parade.
The Capital Pride Alliance, which is organizing WorldPride 2025 in Washington, D.C., revealed the honorees in a press release, noting that each has made a unique contribution to the fabric of the LGBTQ community.
Cox made history in 2014 as the first openly transgender person nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category for her role in Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black.” She went on to win a Daytime Emmy in 2015 for her documentary “Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word,” which followed seven young trans people as they navigated coming out.
Rapp, a singer and actress who identifies as a lesbian, rose to prominence as Regina George in the Broadway musical “Mean Girls.” She reprised the role in the 2024 film adaptation and also stars in Max’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” portraying a character coming to terms with her sexuality. Rapp has released an EP, “Everything to Everyone,” and an album, “Snow Angel.” She announced her sophomore album, “Bite Me,” on May 21 and is slated to perform at the WorldPride Music Festival at the RFK Festival Grounds.
Deacon Maccubbin, widely regarded as a cornerstone of Washington’s LGBTQ+ history, helped organize D.C.’s first Gay Pride Party in 1975. The event took place outside Lambda Rising, one of the first LGBTQ bookstores in the nation, which Maccubbin founded. For his decades of advocacy and activism, he is often referred to as “the patriarch of D.C. Pride.”
“I am so honored to serve as one of the grand marshals for WorldPride this year. This has been one of the most difficult times in recent history for queer and trans people globally,” Cox said. “But in the face of all the rhetorical, legislative and physical attacks, we continue to have the courage to embrace who we truly are, to celebrate our beauty, resilience and bravery as a community. We refuse to allow fear to keep us from ourselves and each other. We remain out loud and proud.”
“Pride is everything. It is protection, it is visibility, it is intersectional. But most importantly, it is a celebration of existence and protest,” Rapp said.
The three will march down 14th Street for the WorldPride Parade in Washington on June 7.
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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