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Grammys 2017: Adele sweeps awards; David Bowie posthumously wins big

George Michael, Prince given tributes

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(Screenshot via Twitter.)

(Screenshot via Twitter.)

Adele collected all five of her nominated categories at the 59th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday but when she won Album of the Year, for “25,” she was more disappointed because her big win meant something else.

Beyoncé hadn’t won for her visual album “Lemonade.”

Adele used her time on stage to explain just how important Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” was to her.

“I can’t possibly accept this award, and I’m very humble and very grateful and gracious, but my artist of my life is Beyoncé,” Adele says. “And this album for me, the ‘Lemonade’ album, was just so monumental and so well-thought-out and so beautiful and soul-baring.”

Beyoncé looked on tearfully from the audience mouthing “Thank you” to Adele’s praise.

“The way you make me and my friends feel, the way you make my black friends feel is empowering,” Adele continued. “And they stand up for themselves. And I love you and I always have and I always will.”

Adele also won Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album. She opened the show with a performance of her hit song “Hello.” She later gave a tribute to the late George Michael, which she requested to restart on stage, after beginning the performance on a flat note.

Beyoncé took home awards for Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best Music Video for “Formation.” She gave her first post-pregnancy performance with artistic renditions of “Love Drought” and “Sandcastles.”

Chance the Rapper, whose brother Taylor Bennett came out as bisexual last month, won Best New Artist and Best Rap Album for “Coloring Book.”

David Bowie posthumously won five awards, tying Adele for the most wins of the night, for his last project “Blackstar,” including Best Alternative Music Album.

Laverne Cox introduced a Lady Gaga and Metalica rock duet but before the performance began she drew attention to transgender high school student Gavin Grimm’s legal battle to use the boys’ restroom.

“Everyone, please Google ‘Gavin Grimm,'” Cox told the crowd. “He’s going to the Supreme Court in March. #StandWithGavin.”

Lady Gaga, who gave a tribute to Bowie at last year’s Grammys ceremony, rocked out with Metallica in a performance that had some technical difficulties when frontman James Hetfeld’s microphone went out.

The ceremony also included another tribute, this time in honor of Prince. Morris Day and the Time performed “Jungle Love” and “The Bird” before Bruno Mars came out to sing “Let’s Go Crazy” donning Prince’s trademark white ruffle shirt and sparkly purple suit.

For a complete list of winners, visit here. 

 

 

 

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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C

Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement

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Gay Pride Day 1976 (Washington Blade archive photo)

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.

D.C.’s Different Drummers march in the 2006 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade archive photo by Adam Cuthbert)

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 1995 Lesbian and Gay Freedom Festival was held on Freedom Plaza on June 18. (Washington Blade archive photo by Clint Steib)

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 D.C. Black Gay Men & Women’s Community Conference table at Gay Pride Day in 1978. (Washington Blade archive photo by Jim Marks)
A scene from 1985 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the 1988 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the Capital Pride Block Party in 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)
Keke Palmer performs at the 2024 Capital Pride Festival. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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PHOTOS: Equality Prince William Pride

Fourth annual event held in Old Town Manassas

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Muffy Blake Stephyns performs at 2025 Prince William Equality Pride. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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)

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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party

Gov. Meyer speaks at annual Rehoboth event

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Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer speaks at the Washington Blade's 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

The Washington Blade held its 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer spoke along with State Sen. Russ Huxtable, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey, Blade Editor Kevin Naff, and Clear Space Theatre Managing Director Joe Gfaller. The event raises funds for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which was awarded to AU student Abigail Hatting. 

(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)

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