Arts & Entertainment
Lil’ Nas X becomes first out CMA winner
Lil’ Nas X has become the first out gay performer to win a Country Music Association Award.
The 20-year old artist received his CMA in the “Musical Event of the Year” category, sharing the prize with collaborator Billy Ray Cyrus for their remix of “Old Town Road.” Their song spent 20 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Lil Nax X expressed his excitement on Twitter, retweeting the CMA’s post announcing the win with the comment, “LETS GOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! ?⚡️”
The musician has already made an impact in the industry despite his young age. Last summer, he he won “Song of the Year” at the MTV Video Music Awards, becoming the first out gay man to win in the category.
Lil’ Nas X had come out not long before the MTV awards, ending Pride month by making the announcement – somewhat cryptically – on Twitter.
First, he tweeted “some of y’all already know, some of y’all don’t care, some of y’all not gone fwm no more. but before this month ends i want y’all to listen closely to c7osure.”
The tweet ended with a rainbow emoji.
The lyrics of the song referenced in the message include the lines:
“I know, I know, I know it don’t feel like it’s time
But I look back at this moment, I’ll see that I’m fine
I know, I know, I know it don’t feel like it’s time
I set boundaries for myself, it’s time to cross the line.”
To make his intention clearer, the musician then issued a second tweet featuring a detail from the album’s cover art, a rainbow-colored skyscraper in the city skyline.
After his coming out, the majority of his followers expressed their support for the singer, with a few saying they didn’t care and even fewer expressing disapproval.
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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
