Arts & Entertainment
Evan Wolfson gives commencement speech; says road to equality ‘not over’
gay rights advocate calls North Carolina HB2 law ‘anti-civil rights’
Freedom to Marry President Evan Wolfson (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Freedom to Marry founder Evan Wolfson gave a commencement speech to Northeastern Illinois University’s graduating class on Monday that explained the organization’s success and noted the fight for LGBT equality is not over.
The Examiner reports Wolfson began his speech noting that he recognized the significance of a gay activist giving a commencement speech, a feat that wouldn’t have been so easy just a few years ago.
“Even as recently as five years ago,let alone in the years in which you all were born,the idea that a gay activist campaigning for the freedom to marry would be chosen by a state school in Illinois as its commencement speaker would have seemed inconceivable to most people,” Wolfson began his speech.
Freedom to Marry, founded in 2003, created its national strategy, known as the Roadmap to Victory, to advocate for same-sex marriage. According to Freedom to Marry, the plan was to win the freedom to marry in more states, build and grow majority support for marriage and end federal marriage discrimination.
Wolfson says “the ability to talk with other people, took not just legal engagement, because there could be no marriage victory without engagement, and then the belief that change can happen” was what led to Freedom to Marry’s same-sex marriage victory in 2015.
“It took us believing and reaching out, engaging non-gay people in conversation, it took trust that we could connect and that others would move,” Wolfson says.
The gay rights activist mentioned North Carolina’s HB2 bill, calling it an “anti-civil rights bill” and “a way to undermine, and divide the American people.”
“Our work is still not over, as we harness the power of the marriage conversation to the work that still remains in ending discrimination and securing good lives for gay and transgender people across the United States and around the world,” Wolfson concluded.
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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
