Arts & Entertainment
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ winner Raja ties the knot
the couple have been together for a year
(Ryan Turner and Raja. Photo via Instagram.)
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” season three winner Raja has tied the knot with his boyfriend Ryan Turner.
The couple, who have been together for a year, wed in a surprise ceremony with family and friends, according to Hornet.
Raja hinted at a possible engagement on Facebook writing, “Following my heart with no regrets, qualms, or hesitation. Do you.”
Raja told Hornet that the decision wasn’t spur of the moment. The couple had actually made the decision a while ago to get married.
“We did the City Hall thing. It all happened very rapidly,” Raja says. “We decided a long time ago that we were gonna do it. We pretty much knew from the get go that we were gonna marry each other. We just decided one day, ‘Let’s just fu*king do it.’ So we found out where to go, filled out all the right paperwork, and then decided to do it immediately.”
“It seems rushed, but it was something that had to be done,” he adds. “There was just no way around it. We were like ‘Let’s just get married.’”
Raja and Turner met on Facebook about three years ago.
“We were just friends, and then I was doing a gig in Toronto, which is where he’s from. We messaged each other, but I didn’t really think anything of it. I was going up an elevator — I was performing in the Toronto Library for a Pride event — and the doors opened. He was standing there, and I was like, ‘Oh my god, there’s that guy.’ And so we’ve been friends ever since, and we’ve dated now for about a year,” Raja says.
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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
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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
