Arts & Entertainment
George Takei slams Trump for Islamaphobic comments
The actor and activist speaks out against presidential candidate

George Takei spoke with MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts about Donald Trump’s comments proposing to ban muslims from the U.S.
Takei stated that he didn’t think Trump was learning from the U.S.’s history of incarcerating Japanese-Americans during World War II. Takei and his family were sent to a World War II Japanese- American internment camp in Arkansas. His personal experience has given him cause for alarm to Trump’s comments.
“Donald Trump is a perfect example of that failure,” Takei says. “It was because political leadership could not educate the hysteria that was sweeping across this country. ‘Get rid of the Japs’ was the most popular political issue of the time.”
The actor and activist continued on to riff on Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again” for his Islamaphobic views.
“What Donald Trump is talking about is something that’s going to make his logo ‘America Disgraced Again.’ It’s all over again,” Takei says.
Takei also took issue with Roanoke Mayor David Bowers for choosing the word “sequester” to describe President Franklin Roosevelt’s administration’s internment of Japanese-Americans.
“We were imprisoned, incarcerated in barbed wire prison camps, concentration camps,” Takei says. “And we were American citizens.”
Takei currently is starring in the Broadway musical “Allegiance.” The play is inspired by Takei’s experiences during the Japanese-American internment of World War II.
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.






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)






















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.Â
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)

















