Arts & Entertainment
Ellen DeGeneres surprises gay Georgetown University student kicked out by parents
The student’s crowd-funding campaign went viral
Seth Owen on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ (Screenshot via YouTube)
Ellen DeGeneres surprised Seth Owen, the high school valedictorian who was kicked out by his parents for being gay, with a hefty donation.
The 18-year-old student from Jacksonville, Fla. recounted to DeGeneres when his father found a picture of him and his first boyfriend on his phone. His parents sent him to conversion therapy in an attempt to change his sexual orientation.
“The dangerous part about that is, as a patient, I believed that this health care professional was doing what was best for me,” Owen said.
During his senior year in high school, a new pastor preaching anti-LGBT sermons joined his church.
“I asked to go to a different church, and they said that I would either have to go with them or move out. And so I decided that day that I had to move out,” Owen said.
Owen began couch surfing before eventually staying with his friend’s family. He says that he still keeps in contact with his parents because “they’re still my parents.”
In June, Owen was accepted into Georgetown University. Jane Martin, one of Owen’s high school teachers, launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $20,000 for his college education. The fundraiser surpassed the goal and raised $141,636. After he graduates, Owen says he plans to put the remaining funds into a scholarship for students in similar situations.
DeGeneres and Cheerios decided to kickstart the scholarship by donating $25,000.
Watch below.
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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