Arts & Entertainment
Watch: Keiynan Lonsdale releases lyric video for queer song ‘Kiss the Boy’
the actor portrayed the love interest in ‘Love, Simon’
Keiynan Lonsdale (Photo courtesy of Instagram)
Keiynan Lonsdale has released a lyric video for his new single “Kiss the Boy,” an anthem about celebrating queer love.
Lonsdale, 26, says he was inspired to write the song after the trailer for “Love, Simon” dropped. The actor and singer portrays Blue, the closeted teen who Simon (Nick Robinson) falls in love with online.
“The teaser for ‘Love, Simon’ had dropped on YouTube and then for some reason, I don’t know why, the song ‘Kiss the Girl’ from ‘The Little Mermaid’ popped up on my feed,” Lonsdale told Billboard. “I was like, ‘Oh, that’s so funny. I wonder if I can do a cover of that song, but change it to about a boy?’ It didn’t work, but I was thinking about the ‘Love, Simon’ trailer and I was really happy. Eventually, I got the hook, ‘If you wanna kiss the boy/ Then you better kiss the boy right now.'”
Lonsdale also could relate to the song from personal experience. He came out as attracted to both men and women on Instagram last year. However, he prefers not to label his sexuality.
“I had so much to draw off, with the movie, my own personal life and every relationship I’d been in and other people’s stories that they’d told me,” Lonsdale says.
The song will be featured on his upcoming album and he promises that more of his music will discuss LGBT themes.
“At first, I was like, ‘I don’t wanna force this kind of thing.’ But that’s my reality,” Lonsdale says.
Watch below.
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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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