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Sampson returns for Oct. 11 event at African-American History Museum

Native Washingtonian on life in Calif., the Cosby scandal, his upcoming Speak Easy and more

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Sampson McCormick, gay news, Washington Blade

Sampson McCormick</strong. says D.C. will always be home. (Photo courtesy of McCormick)

Native Washingtonian Sampson McCormick is bummed the National Museum of African-American History & Culture wasn’t open before he left town to move to Los Angeles six years ago. He’s visited it several times since it opened two years ago.

“What I really love about it is they don’t just pick parts of it to include but we’re there in all our capacities, the 33-year-old, self-described old soul says. “Other museums may mention Bayard Rustin but they won’t mention that these were queer people of color. This museum really spells it out and I really like that.” 

Sampson, an established stand-up comedian, will headline an old-fashioned Harlem Renaissance Speak Easy event on Thursday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. at the museum. It will also feature Charlene A. Carruthers, a black, queer feminist community organizer who will discuss her book, “Unapologetic” and spoken word artist 2Deep. It’s free but tickets are required. Sampson spoke to the Blade by phone last week. 

WASHINGTON BLADE: How is California treating you?

SAMPSON: I like it. California is a place where people come to be free and there isn’t as much judgement here as there is back east. They’ll say, “I don’t like you,” back there but here it’s a little more passive-aggressive. But it’s cool. I’m making it work.

BLADE: Tell us about the event.

SAMPSON: It’s a Harlem renaissance-themed evening to celebrate queer black artists. It’s basically gonna reflect on those who came before and show where we are now. I’m the first queer comedian to headline there. 

BLADE: How did they know about you?

SAMPSON: How could they not? I’ve been performing for 20 years and have created a body of work that speaks for itself. I use my platform to contribute as much as I can to our growth as a community. I have a really great reputation that I’m proud of.

BLADE: Do you make it back to D.C. very often?

SAMPSON: I love D.C. I hadn’t been for about a year. I was having a little bit of family drama … but I get back as often as I can. D.C. is home.

BLADE: What prompted you to move? Career?

SAMPSON: I was crazy, I moved out here for love. We met in D.C., were absolute love birds and after we’d been together a little over a year, we moved to the Bay Area. It was a big jump. We broke up last year.

BLADE: Are you seeing anybody now?

SAMPSON: You would think as gorgeous and sexy as I am, you would think I am, but dating is hard, especially with the apps now. But nobody serious right now, which is sad.

BLADE: As a comedian, did the Cosby conviction hit you any harder?

SAMPSON: It was hard seeing him shuffle down that hallway in those handcuffs. That was hard because that’s a part of your childhood. He was America’s dad. We were all disappointed, black or white. We all looked at him and held him up as a favorite family member. But somebody who rapes people, it’s wrong and they should have to suffer the consequences.

BLADE: How are black gay guys different in California than D.C.?

SAMPSON: Oh Lord, you want me to be honest? They don’t date other black men in San Francisco or Los Angeles. If you see a black gay couple here, you better be taking some pictures because you won’t see it again for a long time.

BLADE: Why is that?

SAMPSON: I don’t have anything against interracial dating. Love is love, but I do believe there are some internal conflicts among black gay men out here. On the East Coast, it’s more celebrated but not as much on the West Coast. Atlanta, D.C., Chicago — those are black cities. The landscape is just a lot different in L.A. and San Francisco. And if you’re a darker-skinned black man, a lot of times people are only interested in you as a sexual fetish.

BLADE: What’s the last thing you saw that cracked you up?

SAMPSON: I love “Insecure” on HBO. I would love to be on that show. And “Pose” is another show that’s really funny.

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PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards

Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony

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Members of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington as well as local drag artists joined hosts Mike Millan and Felicia Curry with other performers for a WorldPride dance number at the Helen Hayes Awards on Monday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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)

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PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride

Schuyler Bailar gives keynote address

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D.C. Trans Pride 2025 was held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on May 17. (Washington Blade photo 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)

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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C

Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement

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Gay Pride Day 1976 (Washington Blade archive photo)

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.

D.C.’s Different Drummers march in the 2006 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade archive photo by Adam Cuthbert)

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 1995 Lesbian and Gay Freedom Festival was held on Freedom Plaza on June 18. (Washington Blade archive photo by Clint Steib)

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 D.C. Black Gay Men & Women’s Community Conference table at Gay Pride Day in 1978. (Washington Blade archive photo by Jim Marks)
A scene from 1985 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the 1988 Gay and Lesbian Pride Day. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)
A scene from the Capital Pride Block Party in 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)
Keke Palmer performs at the 2024 Capital Pride Festival. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
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