Photos

PHOTOS: LGBT 50th

Celebration at Independence Hall emceed by Wanda Sykes

Published

10 years ago

July 5, 2015

Spectators waive American and rainbow flags in front of Independence Hall on July 4, 2015. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

LGBT movement leaders and activists converged in Philadelphia on July 4, 2015 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the first gay rights pickets in the nation, which took place in front of Independence Hall. Plaintiffs in same-sex marriage cases Edith Windsor and James Obergefell were honored. Comedian Wanda Sykes served as emcee. (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

: Malcolm Lazin, executive director of the Equality Forum. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Iraq War veteran Eric Alva (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Michael J. Stack III speaks at the VIP party before the 50th anniversary celebration of one of the first gay rights protests. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: State Rep. Brian Sims, Victory Fund President and CEO Aisha Moodie-Mills and Philadelphia LGBT Liaison to the Mayor Nellie Fitzpatrick (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Judy Shepard (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: International Mr. Leather Patrick Smith, second from left. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: State Sen. Anthony H. Williams, the lead sponsor for the bill banning so-called ‘conversion therapy’ introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate, speaks at the VIP party. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Jennifer L. Watkins and Obama administration official Amanda Simpson (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: U.S. v. Windsor lead plaintiff Edith Windsor and Obergefell v. Hodges lead plaintiff James Obergefell pose at a step-and-repeat at the LGBT 50th Celebration. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: 50th Anniversary Chair Malcolm Lazin addresses the crowd gathered at Independence Hall. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Hundreds gather at Independence Hall on July 4, 2015 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the first gay rights protests in the country. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Comedian Wanda Sykes serves as the emcee for Saturday’s event. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Members of the Gay Men’s Chorus, including some members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, sing at the celebration. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Iraq War veteran Eric Alva says the Pledge of Allegiance alongside George Washington relative John Holmes III. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Deputy Superintendent of the Independence National Historical Park B.J. Dunn (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Obergefell v. Hodges lead plaintiff James Obergefell (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Forty activists reenact one of the first gay rights pickets in front of Independence Hall on July 4. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: An anniversary for the annual reminders was held in Philadelphia in 2015. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Entertainers GoGo Morrow and Jonathan Allen perform at the ceremony. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Obama administration official Amanda Simpson speaks at the event. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson speaks. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Out & Equal Workplace Advocates CEO Selisse Berry speaks. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Executive Director and CEO of the Point Foundation Jorge Valencia (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: President and CEO of the Victory Fund Aisha Moodie-Mills (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Young activists picket in front of Independence Hall to show the next demands of the LGBT rights movement. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Co-Chair of the National Center for Lesbian Rights Tamika Butler (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: Edith “Edie” Windsor at the LGBT 50th anniversary in Philadelphia. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

: James Obergefell receives the Frank Kameny Award from Malcolm Lazin at a ceremony at Hotel Monaco following the main program for the 50th anniversary of the July 4th picket for gay rights. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

: From left, Dennis Shepard, Wanda Sykes, Judy Shepard, Edith Windsor, James Obergefell, Malcolm Lazin and Bishop Gene Robinson attend an awards ceremony at the Hotel Monaco following the anniversary celebration. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Photos

PHOTOS: Remove the Regime rally and march

Dropkick Murphys, Earth to Eve perform on steps of Lincoln Memorial

Published

5 days ago

November 24, 2025

Michael Key

The Dropkick Murphys perform at the Remove the Regime rally outside of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Nov. 22. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Remove the Regime rally and march was held on Saturday, Nov. 22.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Photos

PHOTOS: Transgender Day of Remembrance

Observance held at Metropolitan Community Church

Published

6 days ago

November 23, 2025

Michael Key

Transgender Day of Remembrance was observed at Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C. on Nov. 20. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Transgender Day of Remembrance was observed at the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Nov. 20. The event was emceed by Rayceen Pendarvis and Dwight Venson. Musical selections were provided by Agape Praise and Dynamic Praise. Proclamations from the D.C. Council and the D.C. Office of the Mayor were presented. The Pouring of the Libation was conducted by Rev. Elder Akousa McCray and Rev. Paul Fulton-Woods of Unity Fellowship Church.

Remarks were given by trans survivors of violence. Family members of slain trans woman Dream Johnson were featured speakers. Prayers were given by Rev. Cathy Alexander and Rev. Dwayne Johnson of Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C. Yael Shafritz gave a Jewish prayer through a video presentation. Closing remarks were given by community leader, Earline Budd.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Photos

PHOTOS: Cheers to Out Sports!

LGBTQ homeless youth services organization honors local leagues

Published

2 weeks ago

November 17, 2025

Michael Key

Wanda Alston Foundation Executive Director Cesar Toledo, on right, presents an award to the D.C. Front Runners at the 'Cheers to Out Sports!' event held at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center on Monday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Wanda Alston Foundation held a “Cheers to Out Sports!” event at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center on Monday, Nov. 17. The event was held by the LGBTQ homeless youth services organization to honor local LGBTQ sports leagues for their philanthropic support.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)