Arts & Entertainment
Oscar brings mixed bag
Harris hosts, Gaga wows and Rivers snubbed at 87th awards

Out actor Neil Patrick Harris drew mixed reviews for hosting the Oscars. (Photo by Kristin Dos Santos; courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
As is common for the telecast, the presentation of the 87th annual Academy Awards on Sunday night drew mixed reviews on everything from Neil Patrick Harris’s hosting performance, Lady Gaga’s “Sound of Music” tribute, Graham Moore’s acceptance speech in the adapted screenplay category and a spate of other matters.
Perhaps because none of the heavily nominated films were box office home runs in the league of last year’s “Gravity,” interest and ratings overall were down. The telecast garnered about 36 million viewers in the U.S., making it the least-watched Oscars since 2009 (when Hugh Jackman hosted) and the third-lowest Oscars in the awards’ broadcast history, according to Deadline.
“Birdman or (the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel” each won four Oscars with the former taking the best director and best picture awards. “The Imitation Game,” a biopic of gay World War II-era British codebreaker Alan Turing, was nominated in eight categories but won only the screenplay award.
In accepting it, Moore said he’d attempted suicide at 16 “because I felt weird and different and I felt like I did not belong.” He then urged young viewers to “stay weird, stay different.” Although he never said the word gay, many assumed he was referencing recent gay teen suicides, especially considering his connection to the Turing film. But Moore told BuzzFeed at the Governor’s Ball later that night that he’s “not gay.”
Out twin singers Tegan and Sara performed “Everything is Awesome” from “The Lego Movie.” The Shawn Patterson-penned song lost to “Glory” from “Selma.”
In the acting categories, Julianne Moore won best actress for “Still Alice,” Eddie Redmayne won best actor for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in “The Theory of Everything,” J.K. Simmons won best supporting actor for “Whiplash” and Patricia Arquette won best supporting actress for “Boyhood.”
Lady Gaga, honoring the 50th anniversary of “The Sound of Music” with a medley of its songs, drew largely praise from many on social media who mentioned her range and ability to sing many genres of music as also evidenced by her performance on the Grammys on Feb. 8 when she sang with collaborator Tony Bennett.
And Harris, such a hit when he hosted the Emmys and Tonys, drew surprisingly lackluster reviews especially compared to Ellen DeGeneres, another openly gay host, who helmed the ceremony last year. Harris, who even came out in only socks and underwear at one point (in a spoof of “Birdman”), was criticized for mangling names, making a joke after one winner referenced her son’s suicide and going on and on about his predictions being locked in a box on stage all through the evening.
Many gay fans felt Joan Rivers, a staple of the red carpet for years, was snubbed by not being included in the “in memoriam” segment, though her film work was largely comprised of voice-over, cameo and documentary work.
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)



























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)











a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement

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.

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 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.




