Arts & Entertainment
No romance for Finn and Poe in ‘Rise of Skywalker,’ say ‘Star Wars’ actors


“Star Wars” fans hoping to see a romance between dashing fighter pilot Poe Dameron and heroic ex-stormtrooper Finn got some bad news today – it’s not going to happen.
At least, it won’t be happening in the upcoming “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” due to arrive in movie theaters on December 20, according to three people who should definitely know – actors Oscar Isaac and John Boyega, who play Poe and Finn, respectively, and the film’s director, J. J. Abrams.
In an interview with Variety, Isaac expressed his personal disappointment that the two characters’ “natural chemistry,” immediately noted by fans when they were introduced in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” did not get the romantic development it deserved in the subsequent films.
“Personally, I kind of hoped and wished that maybe that would’ve been taken further in the other films, but I don’t have control,” said the fan favorite actor. “It seemed like a natural progression, but sadly enough it’s a time when people are too afraid, I think, of… I don’t know what.”
He went on to add that the “ambiguity” of the two men’s relationship could allow room for people to see themselves represented, before concluding, “But if they would’ve been boyfriends, that would have been fun.”
Boyega commented, “They’ve always had a quite loving and open relationship in which it wouldn’t be too weird if it went beyond it – but at the same time, they are just platonic at the moment.”
As for Abrams, who directed the new film as well as co-writing it with Chris Terrio, he kept things vague while still effectively closing the door on the idea of a Poe-Finn love story.“That relationship to me is a far deeper one than a romantic one,” the filmmaker said. “It is a deep bond that these two have, not just because of the trial by fire in which they met, but also because of their willingness to be as intimate as they are, as afraid as they, as unsure as they are, and still be bold, and still be daring and brave.”
Still, Abrams continued by saying that he has always wanted the people of “Star Wars” to look “more the way the world looks than not.”
“And in the case of the LGBTQ community,” he said, “it was important to me that people who go to see this movie feel that they’re being represented in the film.”
When pressed to clarify whether that means there will be a queer character in “The Rise of Skywalker,” Abrams displayed his usual reticence to give away too much, by answering with a smile, “I will say I’m giving away nothing about what happens in the movie – but I did say what I just said.”
The idea of a romance between Poe and Finn sprang up within the “Star Wars” fan community with the release of “The Force Awakens” in 2015, when the two characters were “shipped” as #FinnPoe on social media. The notion had enough momentum that LucasFilm President Kathleen Kennedy told Spanish-language news site Ecartelera in 2017 that the franchise “had talked about” pursuing it in the saga’s future storyline.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony

The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)



























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)











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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.




