Arts & Entertainment
‘Queer Eye’ cast takes over D.C.
The Fab Four, minus Karamo Brown, visited in support of the Equality Act
The cast of “Queer Eye” took a trip to D.C. this week where they gave a panel discussion on LGBT youth issues at the Library of Congress, advocated for the Equality Act with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and took touristy cherry blossom photos.
Bobby Berk, Tan France, Antoni Porowski
The group also visited the Rayburn House Office Building at the Capitol where they met up with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The meeting may have been the result of Berk offering on Twitter to redecorate Ocasio-Cortez’s Capitol Hill office. Ocasio-Cortez was quick to accept.
“Swing by our office!” she tweeted. “We’ve barely had time to hang anything up, three of my staffers are expecting babies, and we’ve got a bach pad/warehouse type situation out here. SOS!”
Swing by our office!
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) April 2, 2019
We’ve barely had time to hang anything up, three of my staffers are expecting babies, and we’ve got a bach pad/warehouse type situation out here. ? SOS!
(The good news is that people are leaving a rainbow of positive post-its on our wall so that’s cute) https://t.co/vOHE6tHuMA
Of course, the Fab Four also made time for the touristy sites while visiting D.C. They snapped plenty of photos at the monuments and the cherry blossoms which they posted on social media.
Their visit excited plenty of people including Pete Buttigieg’s husband Chasen who hoped the Fab Four could help him pick an outfit for the HRC gala on Saturday. Berk sadly declined because their schedules were too packed.
Awww! We’d love too, but sadly packed back to back today ?
— Bobby Berk (@bobbyberk) April 4, 2019
Brandi Holtby, the wife of Capitals goalie Braden Holtby, invited the cast to a Capitals game on Thursday night but it appears their schedules didn’t allow them to accept the invitation.
Hey @QueerEye, want to come to the Caps game with me tonight? ??
— Brandi Holtby (@bbholtby) April 4, 2019
It’s unclear why Karamo Brown, the fifth member of the Fab Five, wasn’t on the trip. However, the culture expert did post some tweets that hinted it could be because of a difference in political views.
“The thing I love about the #Fab5 the most is that we all don’t hold the same view but we respect each other and the process,” Brown tweeted. “For me,
The thing I love about the #Fab5 the most is that we all don't hold the same view but we respect each other and the process.
— Karamo Brown (@Karamo) April 4, 2019
For me, its important to champion leaders who understand the importance of speaking the truth and who also understand that our democracy is a bipartisan system & in order to see sustainable change U must find a way to work w/ the other side while not disrespecting your own party
— Karamo Brown (@Karamo) April 4, 2019
a&e features
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
PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
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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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
