Photos

PHOTOS: LGBT 50th

Celebration at Independence Hall emceed by Wanda Sykes

Published

11 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: HRC National Dinner

Human Rights Campaign hosts annual gala event

Published

3 days ago

September 27, 2026

Michael Key

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) speaks at the 2026 Human Rights Campaign National Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 26. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Human Rights Campaign National Dinner was held at the Washington Hilton on Saturday, Sept. 26. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) was the keynote speaker. Awards were presented to Marcia Gay Hardin, Junior LaBeija and André De Shields. Nina West of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ performed.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)