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Several Martin Luther King events planned for region

D.C. commemorations to honor slain Civil Rights pioneer

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Martin Luther King Jr., MLK, monument, gay news, Washington Blade
Martin Luther King Jr., MLK, monument, gay news, Washington Blade

The Martin Luther King Jr. memorial in Washington. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Several local Martin Luther King Jr. memorial events are planned for the coming days.

Restore Together hosts its annual “Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast” at Willard Intercontinental Hotel (1401 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.), the hotel where King finished writing his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, Saturday morning from 8-11:30 a.m. Admission is free.

AFI Silver Theatre (8633 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, Md.) screens “King: A Filmed Record … Montgomery to Memphis,” a compilation of documentary footage of King from the Montgomery bus boycott to his assassination in Memphis, Monday at 11:30 a.m. Admission is free.

Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church (9601 Cedar Ln., Bethesda, Md.) hosts an interfaith, multicultural celebration of Dr. King’s birthday Sunday at 3 p.m. The program includes a multicultural musical ensemble with excerpts from King’s writing and prayers and readings from world religions. Admission is free.

 The Mansion on O Street (2020 O St., N.W.) hosts “Martin Luther King Day Power Lunch” Monday from noon-3 p.m. Celebrate the life of Dr. King with a gourmet buffet lunch and deserts. After, explore the museum’s 100 rooms and 70 secret doors. Tickets are $45. To purchase, visit omansion.com/mlk.

The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) and Georgetown University present “Let Freedom Ring,” a concert featuring the Let Freedom Ring Choir on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, Monday at 6 p.m. Dionne Warwick is slated to perform. Admission is free but tickets are required and will be distributed the day of the event at 5 p.m.

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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C

Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement

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Gay Pride Day 1976 (Washington Blade archive photo)

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.

D.C.’s Different Drummers march in the 2006 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade archive photo by Adam Cuthbert)

The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies. 

Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays. 

The 1995 Lesbian and Gay Freedom Festival was held on Freedom Plaza on June 18. (Washington Blade archive photo by Clint Steib)

The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.

We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.

I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.

The D.C. Black Gay Men & Women’s Community Conference table at Gay Pride Day in 1978. (Washington Blade archive photo by Jim Marks)
A scene from 1985 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the 1988 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the Capital Pride Block Party in 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)
Keke Palmer performs at the 2024 Capital Pride Festival. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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PHOTOS: Equality Prince William Pride

Fourth annual event held in Old Town Manassas

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Muffy Blake Stephyns performs at 2025 Prince William Equality Pride. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party

Gov. Meyer speaks at annual Rehoboth event

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Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer speaks at the Washington Blade's 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

The Washington Blade held its 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer spoke along with State Sen. Russ Huxtable, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey, Blade Editor Kevin Naff, and Clear Space Theatre Managing Director Joe Gfaller. The event raises funds for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which was awarded to AU student Abigail Hatting. 

(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)

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