Arts & Entertainment
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ introduces season nine queens
contestants hail from Las Vegas, Atlanta, New York

Here’s the cast of @RuPaulsDragRace season 9: pic.twitter.com/kazmvKgfOP
— Stacy Lambe (@sllambe) February 2, 2017
LOGO has revealed the latest crop of queens to compete on season nine of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
The thirteen queens will battle it out on the Emmy-winning series to win a $100,000 cash prize and the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar.”
Season nine will air this spring but no official date has been announced.
Meet the cast below.
A video posted by RuPaul’s Drag Race (@rupaulsdragrace) on
Valentina (Los Angeles, California)
Hair by @hisvintagetouch ?: @ulyssesmartinez Custom lashes by: @shablamgela
A photo posted by Valentina? (@allaboutvalentina) on
Trinity Taylor (Orlando, Florida)
A photo posted by Trinity “The Tuck” Taylor (@trinitythetuck) on
Shea Coulee (Chicago, Illinos)
So excited to be the newest #wigsandgracette ? Rocking this custom style Aphrodite in sherbet!
A photo posted by ✨??Shea Couleé??✨ (@sheacoulee) on
Sasha Velour (Brooklyn, New York)
A photo posted by Sasha Velour (@sashavelour) on
Peppermint (New York, New York)
A photo posted by Miss Peppermint (@peppermint247) on
Nina Bo’nina Brown (Atlanta, Georgia)
A photo posted by Pierre (@nina_bonina_brown) on
Kimora Blac (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Can I just be your best friend and we Kiki all night???? Yesss ✌???
A photo posted by KIMORA BLAC (@kimorablac) on
Jaymes Mansfield (Madison, Wisconsin)
A photo posted by Jaymes Mansfield (@jaymesmansfield) on
Farrah Moan (Las Vegas, Nevada)
?may the best woman… WIN! ? #teamfarrah #makememoan #rupaulsdragrace
A photo posted by ?Farrah Moan ? (@farrahrized) on
Eureka O’Hara (Johnson City, Tennessee)
A photo posted by Eureka! The Elephant Queen! (@eurekaohara) on
Charlie Hides (London, United Kingdom)
A photo posted by Charlie Hides (@charliehidestv) on
Alexis Michelle (New York, New York)
A photo posted by Alexis Michelle (@alexislives) on
Aja (Brooklyn, New York)
Yellow ?♀️ Photo by @ericrichardmagnussen ?
A photo posted by AJA (@ajathekween) on

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.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)











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.






The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)




















