Arts & Entertainment
Bystander’s proposal photobomb goes viral
onlooker’s reaction to engagement gains attention
My sister proposed to her GF today and look at that older woman’s reaction pic.twitter.com/ifFl3mJNAr
— Carlos?Shook (@AreYouShook) December 18, 2016
A woman’s proposal to her girlfriend has gone viral because of an engagement photo that shows a stranger just as delighted by the moment as the couple.
Jessica Rodriguez proposed to her girlfriend Chelsea Miller at the Art Institute of Chicago with help from a group of friends. Rodriguez surprised Miller by dropping down on one knee and having their friends wave a banner reading, “Will You Marry Me?”
In a photo tweeted by Rodriguez’s brother Carlos, it can be seen that they weren’t the only ones overwhelmed with emotion. A woman sits in the corner of the photo with her hand over her heart and a delighted look on her face.
“My sister proposed to her GF today and look at that older woman’s reaction,” Carlos tweeted. The photo has since received more than 82,000 retweets and more than 250,000 favorites.
“I don’t think we realized she was there. We were so nervous,” Rodriguez told news.com.au.“We were going over the photos my friend Ed Sanchez took [and] we discovered that gem with her sweet reaction. It really made that photo even more special.”
I think someone knows the woman in our photo. If you do please give her our thanks! She made our photo much more special ?❤️?❤️?❤️#FramingIt
— Jess R (@Its_Jess_Rdgz) December 19, 2016
The couple met on Tumblr in 2012 initially having a long distance relationship. They plan to marry in the next year or two.
Watch the proposal below.
a&e features
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
