Arts & Entertainment
Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick takes Chick-Fil-A money to support LGBTs
the money will be donated to Lambda Legal
(Screenshot via YouTube.)
Former Jefferson Airplane/Starship singer Grace Slick licensed one of her songs to conservative restaurant chain Chick-Fil-A, but the rock legend says it was for a good cause.
Slick, 77, explained in an op-ed for Forbes that a Chik-Fil-A commercial featuring Jefferson Starship’s hit “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” was a decision she made with the LGBT community in mind. However, her initial reaction was to turn down Chik-Fil-A’s request to use her music.
“My first thought when Chick-Fil-A came to me was, ‘F**k no’ but then I decided, “F**k yes,'” Slick writes.
“That was my voice you heard,” Slick continues. “I am donating every dime that I make from that ad to Lambda Legal, the largest national legal organization working to advance the civil rights of LGBTQ people, and everyone living with HIV. Instead of them replacing my song with someone else’s and losing this opportunity to strike back at anti-LGBTQ forces, I decided to spend the cash in direct opposition to Chick-fil-A’s causes – and to make a public example of them, too. We’re going to take some of their money, and pay it back.”
Chik-Fil-A’s CEO Dan T. Cathy has publicly declared he does not support same-sex marriage.
“I hope more musicians will think about the companies that they let use their songs; we can use our gifts to help stop the forces of bigotry. Nothing’s gonna stop us now,” Slick concludes.
The Capital Pride Alliance presented the 2026 Capital Pride Honors at “The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia” at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 7.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
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