Arts & Entertainment
Indiana transgender teen is prom queen finalist
18-year-old made the announcement online
(Screenshot via WGN-TV)
A transgender teen is a prom queen finalist at her high school in Portage, Ind.
WGN-TV reports Dakota is one of four prom queen finalists for Portage High School’s senior prom. The teen announced her nomination on the internet and says she is grateful for all of the support.
“They’re so proud of me. They tell me ‘Dakota, I love you. I’m so proud of you,” Dakota told WGN-TV. “I want to give everyone a hug and a kiss for being so supportive towards me. It’s overwhelming.”
The 18-year-old will learn if she’s won on Saturday, but she has bigger hopes for her accomplishment than just winning a title.
“I just want to be that positive influence in their life and they say ‘Hey, she can do this, I can do this too.’ I’m not going to let anyone discourage me from being who I am,” Dakota says.
The Capital Pride Alliance presented the 2026 Capital Pride Honors at “The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia” at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 7.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
PHOTOS: The Audacity Brunch
D.C. Council approves expanded grant funding for Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Baltimore Pride is here
Calendar: June 12-18
Hundreds of thousands expected to attend D.C. Pride events
PHOTOS: Pride Run
Queen Jean is Tony’s first transgender winner
David Archuleta, Monroe Alise named D.C. Pride parade marshals
