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LGBT duo makes historic debut in U.S. Figure Skating Championship

Karina Manta and Joseph Johnson both came out in October

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Karina Manta and Joseph Johnson (Screenshot via YouTube)

Ice dancers Karina Manta and Joseph Johnson made history as the first LGBT duo to compete in the U.S. Figure Skating Championship which took place in Detroit over the weekend.

The duo skated to “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” earning 104.81 points and finishing in seventh place overall.

NBC Sports commentator Terry Gannon noted that Manta and Johnson are part of the LGBT community right before they launched into their routine.

“This team is a part of the LGBTQ community and has talked a lot about that, embraced talking about it this week,” Gannon said.

Manta, 22, came out as bisexual in October in a Youtube video featuring her girlfriend. In October, Johnson also confirmed he is gay in an interview with Outsports.

In an Instagram post with rainbow flag and American flag emojis, Manta celebrated the monumental moment.

“I can’t express how much it meant for everyone to get behind us this weekend. Aside from the fact that it felt incredible to put out a skate like that, it felt powerful to have a stadium of people at their feet—applauding us as we are. That moment fills me with hope. That moment makes me excited for the future of our sport. That moment will probably be one of my favorite moments, forever,” she writes.

Watch their routine below.

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PHOTOS: Black Pride Opening Reception

Special guests include Ts Madison, Kerri Colby

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Ts Madison entertains at the Black Pride Opening Ceremony on Friday, May 23 at the Capital Hilton. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Opening Reception for the 34th annual D.C. Black Pride was held at the Capital Hilton on Friday, May 23. Presenters, speakers and entertainers included Ts Madison, Monroe Alise, Billy the Goat, Kerri Colby, Apple Brown Betty, Heather Mahogani, Lyrical Mar, Lolita Leopard, Ink, and Bang Garçon. Anthony Oakes was the host.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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PHOTOS: Silver Pride

Rayceen Pendarvis serves as emcee

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Rayceen Pendarvis was the emcee of Silver Pride 2025. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 2025 Silver Pride Resource Fair and Tea Dance was held at the Eaton Hotel on Wednesday, May 21.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Queer film festival comes to D.C.

DC/DOX to showcase LGBTQ documentaries made by LGBTQ filmmakers

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DC/DOX film festival will take place in D.C. on June 12.

DC/DOX will host a film festival beginning on Thursday, June 12, at the Regal Gallery Place, Eaton Cinema, and the U.S. Navy Memorial Burke Theatre. 

This festival will premier LGBTQ documentaries made by LGBTQ filmmakers. Each screening will be followed by in-person Q&As with the filmmakers. 

For more details, visit dcdoxfest.com

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