Arts & Entertainment

Rihanna secretly helps gay fan come out

‘Work’ singer has been helping member of her Navy

Published

9 years ago

April 15, 2016

Mariah Cooper

(Screenshot via YouTube)

Rihanna has been privately helping a gay fan come out of the closet to his friends and family for the past month.

An anonymous fan reached out to the singer on Twitter DM, sharing screenshots with BuzzFeed, to say that he was afraid to come out because he’s a gay black man. Surprisingly, Rihanna replied with some advice.

“Baby it’s okay to be scared, but it’s more important to be who you really are!” Rihanna writes.

“Your family may not understand, but luckily you live in a generation that does!! And not to mention the community here amongst us, we will hold you down boo!!” Rihanna continued.

Later the fan messages Rihanna to let her know he came out to one of his friends. The 28-year-old asks what the reaction was and the fan says “she was happy for me.”

“I can only imagine! Which is what makes me so proud of you!!!” Rihanna replies.

The fan lets the “Work” singer know he is slowly beginning to come out to more people. He says he is thankful for her advice and pleads for her to “never forget.”

“How could I ever forget? I’m so proud of you! I’m glad to see you finally happy with yourself!!! Being who you are is the only way,” Rihanna writes back.

BuzzFeed reports the fan hopes to be fully out by July when he will be meeting Rihanna during her Anti world tour.

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PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride

Schuyler Bailar gives keynote address

Published

1 hour ago

May 22, 2025

Michael Key

D.C. Trans Pride 2025 was held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on May 17. (Washington Blade photo 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

Published

5 hours ago

May 22, 2025

Kevin Naff

Gay Pride Day 1976 (Washington Blade archive photo)

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.

*D.C.’s Different Drummers march in the 2006 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade archive photo by Adam Cuthbert)*

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 1995 Lesbian and Gay Freedom Festival was held on Freedom Plaza on June 18. (Washington Blade archive photo by Clint Steib)*

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.