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
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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