Arts & Entertainment
‘Once Upon a Time’ will include ‘prominent’ gay character
the show has switched out its main cast
(Dorothy (Teri Reeves)Â and Ruby (Meghan Ory) in ‘Once Upon a Time.’ Screenshot via YouTube)
“Once Upon a Time” will be adding a “prominent” gay storyline to its seventh season.
Entertainment Weekly reports that “Once Upon a Time” showrunners revealed at San Diego Comic Con that there would be a gay love story. However, they did not reveal which character it will be.
The show is having a major shake up in characters this season.
An adult Henry Mills (Andrew J. West), Regina (Lana Parrilla), Hook (Colin O’Donoghue), and Rumple (Robert Carlyle) will now be the main characters. Former lead Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) will only return for one episode.
New characters will include Henry’s daughter Lucy (Alison Fernandez), Henry’s wife and Cinderella (Dania Ramirez), Cinderella’s stepmother Lady Tremanie (Gabrielle Anwar),  Cinderella’s stepsister Drizella (Adelaide Kane), Tiana (Mekia Cox) and Alice from “Alice in Wonderland (Rose Reynolds).
Showrunner Edward Kitsis says the gay storyline will be normalized in the show.
“This iteration is reflecting the world today,” Kitsis told Entertainment Weekly. “It will not be anything more than just one of other love stories that are happening. I don’t think it’s an arc, it’ll be a character who is gay and that’s who they are and they exist in the world. They don’t have a sign that says special episode.”
The fantasy series has taken on LGBT story lines before but fans were not impressed. In season five Dorothy and Ruby had a romantic storyline but neither were main characters and their story was only in one episode.
“Once Upon a Time” season seven premieres Oct. 6 on ABC.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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.
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