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Lil’ Nas X becomes first out CMA winner

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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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PHOTOS: Shenandoah Valley Pride

LGBTQ celebration held at Turner Pavilion in Harrisonburg, Va.

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A scene from the 2026 Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival. (Washington Blade photo by Landon Shackelford)

The 2026 Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival was held at Turner Pavilion in Harrisonburg, Va. on Sunday, Sept. 20.

(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)

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PHOTOS: Walk and 5K to End HIV

Whitman-Walker Health holds 40th annual event

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A scene from the 2026 Walk and 5K to End HIV on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Whitman-Walker Health held the 40th annual Walk and 5K to End HIV at Anacostia Park on Saturday, Sept. 19.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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PHOTOS: Wanda Alston Foundation Fall Reception

LGBTQ youth services organization honors Robert White, Japer Bowles, Washington Capitals

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Rayceen Pendarvis was the emcee at the Wanda Alston Foundation 2026 Fall Reception. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Wanda Alston Foundation held its Fall Reception at the Penthouse Rooftop at The Wharf on Friday, Sept. 18. Honorees included D.C. Councilmember Robert White, Director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs Japer Bowles, and the Washington Capitals. Rayceen Pendarvis served as the emcee and entertainment was provided by the Thomas Circle Singers.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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