Arts & Entertainment
Gay journalist Owen Jones walks off Sky News during Orlando shooting interview
Guardian writer leaves set during discussion
(Screenshot via YouTube)
Guardian writer Owen Jones stormed off the set of Sky News’ “Press Preview” after presenter Mark Longhurst and fellow guest Julia Hartley-Brewer refused to acknowledge the Orlando shooting as a homophobic-fueled hate crime.
Longhurst and Hartley-Brewer repeatedly dismissed the LGBT-focus of the tragedy causing Jones to get heated.
“If he went into a synagogue and killed innocent Jewish people, as we have had people in the past who have done that: ‘disgusting anti-semitic terrorist’ – we would call it out for what it is,” Jones says.
Hartley-Brewer began calling the gunman Omar Mateen a “lunatic” causing Jones to say to stop using words like “lunatic” to describe “homophobic terrorism.” Hartley-Brewer accused Jones of trying to take “ownership of the horror of this crime because you’re gay” to which Jones responded “I find this astonishing.”
Longhurst also said the attack was on “people enjoying themselves” and did not mention the specific community that was targeted.
“What are you talking about? I’m trying to understand the point you are making. This was a deliberate attack on LGBT people in an LGBT venue. It was a homophobic terrorist attack. Don’t you understand that? It’s not an abstract he picked a random club out of nowhere, he picked a club because it was full of people he regarded as deviants,” Jones responded.
Visibly upset, Jones later removed his microphone and left the stage. Following his outburst, Jones took to Twitter to comment.
“Thanks for all the lovely comments: but it really was just an instinctive reaction to an unpleasant situation, this isn’t about me,” Jones tweeted.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos 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.
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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.
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