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Published

10 years ago

November 18, 2016

“Rainbow White House.” Following the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges that legalized same-sex marriage across the country, the White House was illuminated in rainbow colors on June 26, 2015. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Washington Blade is offering for sale limited edition historic photos from our nearly 50-year archive. We’ve selected 25 of our favorite photos and are offering just 10 copies of each, hand numbered and printed on museum-quality paper. (Photos are shipped unframed.) Proceeds benefit the Washington Blade Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit.

The photos are below. To purchase, email [email protected]; indicate the name of the photo and the size you’d like and a Blade staffer will call to confirm and take payment.

“I Love My Gay Uncles,” Gay Pride Day in D.C., June 20, 1993. (Washington Blade photo by Doug Hinckle)

**“Showing Pride.”** A scene from the Gay Pride Parade in D.C., June 1997. (Washington Blade photo by Clint Steib)

**“Hillary Arrives.”** Hillary Clinton snapped in the back of a limousine during the inauguration of husband Bill Clinton, Jan. 20, 1993. (Washington Blade photo by Phoenix)

“**I Love My Daughter and She’s Gay**.” A supportive mom photographed in front of the White House at a Gay & Lesbian Activists Alliance-sponsored protest. Date Unknown. (Washington Blade photo by Kevin Yum)

**“Kinsey.”** D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, an early supporter of gay rights, with pioneering gay activist Frank Kameny at Gay Pride Day, June 10, 1979. (Washington Blade photo by John M. Yanson)

**“Jeep.”** Two men photographed at Gay Pride Day on June 24, 1982. (Washington Blade photo by Leigh Mosley)

**“Celebrate.”** A scene from the legendary dance club Tracks taken during the New Year’s Eve party on Jan. 1, 1985. (Washington Blade photo by Doug Hinckle)

**“Black Pride.”** Two men embrace during Black Gay Pride Day, May 28, 1994. (Washington Blade photo by Kristi Gasaway)

**“AIDS Walkathon.”** Marchers on the National Mall during the AIDS Walk on May 15, 1988. (Washington Blade photo by Doug Hinckle)

**“Color Guard.”** In a historic first, the U.S. Department of Defense Armed Forces Color Guard marched in the 39th annual Capital Pride Parade on June 7, 2014. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

**“Mowhawk.”** A participant in an ACT UP civil disobedience action at the National Institutes of Health on April 21, 1990. (Washington Blade photo by Doug Hinckle)

**“Miller Beer Boycott.”** July 27, 1990. ACT UP D.C. initiated a boycott of Philip Morris and its subsidiary Miller Beer over the parent company’s financial contributions to the re-election campaign of anti-gay Sen. Jesse Helms. Patrons of gay bars dumped cans of Miller Beer into the streets in protest. The boycott ended in 1991 after Philip Morris agreed to double its donations to AIDS-related charities. (Washington Blade photo by Doug Hinckle)

**“Look Out!”** In this undated photo, D.C. first responders are warned that residents of certain homes are suffering from AIDS. (Washington Blade archive photo)

**“Three Men and a Parade.”** A scene from Gay Pride Day, June 16, 1985. (Washington Blade photo by Doug Hinckle)

**“Kissing Booth.”** A scene from D.C.’s first Gay Pride Day, June 15, 1975. The photographer is unknown, as some Blade contributors from this era declined to use their names or worked under pseudonyms.

**“Pride No. 2.”** Participants dance during D.C.’s second annual Gay Pride Day, held on June 20, 1976. Photographer unknown.

**“Condom House.”** D.C. gay activists covered the home of anti-gay Sen. Jesse Helms in a giant condom on Sept. 5, 1991. Emblazoned on the front was the message: “A condom to stop unsafe politics. Helms is deadlier than a virus.” (Washington Blade photo by Doug Hinckle)

**“Night Vigil.”** The Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool in a scene from the AIDS Candlelight Vigil held on Oct. 8, 1988. (Washington Blade photo by Doug Hinckle)

**“Quilt Returns.”** The Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt debuted on the National Mall on Oct. 11, 1987, as part of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Due to its overwhelming impact, it returned to D.C. on Oct. 8, 1988 as part of a 20-city national tour that raised $500,000 for AIDS service organizations. This image is from the 1988 display, when the Quilt consisted of 8,288 panels and was displayed on the Ellipse in front of the White House. (Washington Blade photo by Doug Hinckle)

**“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Don’t Exist No More.”** President Barack Obama signs the bill repealing the military’s longstanding gay ban known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” on Dec. 21, 2010. At the 2016 White House Pride reception, Obama quipped, “Today we live in an America where ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ don’t exist no more.” (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

**“Hillary Makes History.”** Hillary Clinton accepts the Democratic Party’s nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on July 28, 2016. In her speech, Clinton referenced LGBT Americans, noting, “We will defend all our rights — civil rights, human rights and voting rights, women’s rights and workers’ rights, LGBT rights and the rights of people with disabilities.” (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

**“Black Lesbian Feminist and Lesbian Democrat.”** Gwen Craig and Yvonne King Kennedy were gay delegates on the floor of Madison Square Garden at the Democratic National Convention, July 1992. (Washington Blade photo by Lisa Keen)

**“All Smiles.”** President Obama smiles for a sea of cell phone cameras during the White House Pride Reception on June 13, 2013. Obama hosted a June Pride reception each year of his presidency. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

**“I Do.”** A mass wedding was held in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on June 21, 2013. Participants were bussed in from states that banned same-sex marriage to legally wed in D.C., a jurisdiction that enacted marriage equality years before the 2015 Supreme Court ruling. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

a&e features

Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala

‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton

Published

1 day ago

May 20, 2026

Michael Key

17th Street Dance performs at the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington's Spring Affair 'Sapphire & Sparkle' gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 16. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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** speaks at the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s Spring Affair on Saturday, May 16. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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)

Photos

PHOTOS: Equality Prince William Pride

Fifth annual LGBTQ celebration held in Manassas, Va.

Published

2 days ago

May 19, 2026

Landon Shackelford

Mayor of Manassas Michelle Davis-Younger, center, cuts the ribbon to open Equality Prince William Pride at Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16. (Washington Blade photo by Landon Shackelford)

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

Published

4 days ago

May 17, 2026

Daniel Truitt

Ashley Biden accepts an award on behalf of her brother, Beau Biden, at the Washington Blade's Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

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)