Arts & Entertainment
Md. contestant Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon eliminated from ‘American Idol’
The judges chose not to save the out pastor’s son

Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon was eliminated from “American Idol” on Sunday marking the end of his journey on the reality singing competition.
The out contestant from Catonsville, Md. performed renditions of Barbra Streisand’s “Somewhere” and Joan Baez’s “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” Judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Ritchie praised his performances but ultimately he didn’t receive enough votes from America landing him in the bottom two along with fellow contestant Laci Kaye Booth.
However, the judges could choose to use their one “save” of the season on Harmon or Booth. After debate, the judges decided to save Booth and she advanced to the top five.
The decision confused some fans who thought Harmon was the better singer. According to a poll by Golden Derby, 82 percent of polled viewers believed Harmon should have been saved.
Other fans took to social media to slam “American Idol” for making the wrong choice.
Jeremiah is easily one of the best contestants there has ever been. This is not okay. #AmericanIdol
— Haley DeValliere (@HaleyRD) May 6, 2019
Confirmed my thoughts: worst AI judges ever. Refuse to provide criticism to contestants when needed. Now they send Jeremiah home. #AmericanIdol
— Tami Cannizzaro (@ItsJustTami) May 6, 2019
Why is Wade still here? Why is Jeremiah gone? Why do I watch this show? #AmericanIdol pic.twitter.com/7BKjnf5cns
— ✭K. Nykol✭ (@knykol) May 6, 2019
what the fuck is going on here???? how the fuck is the best singer Jeremiah getting kicked off. what a piece of shit show #AmericanIdol
— J.BB (@JBaddBlaster1) May 6, 2019
Harmon appeared to address the elimination on Twitter writing, “Your value is never up for a vote. #Mantra.”
Your value is never up for a vote. #Mantra
— Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon (@jlloydharmon) May 6, 2019
Harmon’s singing ability won him many fans but his background story was also memorable. Harmon is the son of a pastor, Rev. Jerry Harmon, and revealed his family had a hard time accepting him for being gay. In a heartwarming moment, Harmon’s parents sat in the audience to support Harmon last week.
Queerty reports that Rev. Jerry Harmon may have supported his son on television but in a sermon delivered in April he denounced LGBTQ equality.
“This is the sign of a society that God has turned over to itself. Now we live in a society today where we are forced to accept this as normal, and if we don’t we are bigots. If we don’t, we hate. We don’t hate anybody friend…We are trying to point you to the only way to salvation, friend,” Rev. Harmon told the congregation at Grace Bible Baptist Church.
The Capital Pride Alliance presented the 2026 Capital Pride Honors at “The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia” at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 7.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)












Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
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