Photos
PHOTOS: LGBT 50th
Celebration at Independence Hall emceed by Wanda Sykes
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)
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- Malcolm Lazin, executive director of the Equality Forum. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- Iraq War veteran Eric Alva (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- 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)
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- 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)
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- Judy Shepard (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- International Mr. Leather Patrick Smith, second from left. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- 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)
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- Jennifer L. Watkins and Obama administration official Amanda Simpson (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- 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)
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- 50th Anniversary Chair Malcolm Lazin addresses the crowd gathered at Independence Hall. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- 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)
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- Comedian Wanda Sykes serves as the emcee for Saturday’s event. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- 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)
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- Iraq War veteran Eric Alva says the Pledge of Allegiance alongside George Washington relative John Holmes III. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- Deputy Superintendent of the Independence National Historical Park B.J. Dunn (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- Obergefell v. Hodges lead plaintiff James Obergefell (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- Forty activists reenact one of the first gay rights pickets in front of Independence Hall on July 4. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- An anniversary for the annual reminders was held in Philadelphia in 2015. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- Entertainers GoGo Morrow and Jonathan Allen perform at the ceremony. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- Obama administration official Amanda Simpson speaks at the event. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson speaks. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- Out & Equal Workplace Advocates CEO Selisse Berry speaks. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- Executive Director and CEO of the Point Foundation Jorge Valencia (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- President and CEO of the Victory Fund Aisha Moodie-Mills (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- Young activists picket in front of Independence Hall to show the next demands of the LGBT rights movement. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- Co-Chair of the National Center for Lesbian Rights Tamika Butler (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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- Edith “Edie” Windsor at the LGBT 50th anniversary in Philadelphia. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
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- 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)
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- 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)
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Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Photos
PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
