Arts & Entertainment
MOST ELIGIBLE SINGLES: Cody Willming
Meet D.C.’s top 20 LGBT bachelors and bachelorettes


Cody Willming (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Name: Cody Willming
Age: 25
Occupation: Legislative assistant, Capitol Hill
Identify as: gay
What are you looking for in a mate? A good sense of humor won’t make a relationship, but it is the first indicator of compatibility that I look for. Equally as important are respect, kindness, and honesty. More specifically, I’m looking for someone confident and engaging who loves animals (dogs and cats) as much as I do, but doesn’t take himself too seriously. Someone who stays in good shape but also won’t judge me for indulging in fast food or an absurd tiki drink.
Biggest turn-off: Arrogance, prejudice, opportunism and negativity.
Biggest turn-on: Confidence, humility, a handsome smile and wit. Scruff is always a nice plus.
Hobbies: Traveling, working at the bar to pay for my travel bug, reading and working out.
Describe your ideal first date: Ideally just drinks or coffee to keep the pressure off. Anywhere we can have a chance to chat and get to know each other without expectations.
Pets, kids or neither? This is a trick question because pets are kids. For the foreseeable future, though, just animals to keep the heart full. With the right guy and life circumstances, kids could be a possibility.
Would you date someone whose political views differ from yours? Only if he could be respectful and walk in another’s shoes. The willingness to think critically, no matter his politics, is a must.
Celebrity crush: Scott Eastwood, Chris Evans, Matt Bomer, Chris Hemsworth
One obscure fact about yourself: I went to Space Camp as a kid at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and I’m a total “Trekkie.”
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.




