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.
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)
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