Arts & Entertainment
Rammstein band members protest Russia’s anti-LGBTQ laws with onstage kiss
The gesture is illegal under the country’s ‘gay propaganda’ legislation
Rammstein guitarists Paul Landers and Richard Krusp kissed onstage during their concert at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia on Monday night in a direct protest to Russia’s “gay propaganda” law.
Landers and Krusp kissed while performing the heavy metal band’s 2019 song “Ausländer.” Under Russia’s “gay propaganda” law, which passed in 2013, it is illegal to promote “non-traditional sexual relations” to youth. The law is also enforced for foreigners who can be arrested and detained for up to 15 days, fined up to 5,000 rubles and deported. It is unclear if Rammstein, whose band members hail from Germany, will face repercussions for the kiss.
Rammstein proudly displayed a picture of the kiss on Instagram captioning the post “Russia, we love you.”
According to Rolling Stone, Rammstein has proudly supported LGBTQ rights at their past concerts. At a show in Poland, frontman Till Lindemann waved a Pride flag while crowd surfing in an inflatable boat.
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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