The year in photos

From a pandemic to protests, 2020 is one for the history books

Published

5 years ago

December 30, 2020

Michael Key

From a pandemic to protests, 2020 is one for the history books.

**Monet Dupree** performs at Freddie’s Follies at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Gill on Jan. 13 at a time before the concept of ‘social distancing.’

**David Spivey** is named ‘Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2020’ on Jan. 17.

Members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington perform at the Brother, Help Thyself Foundation Grant Awards ceremony in the now-shuttered DC Eagle.

Virginia Gov. **Ralph Northam** attends an Equality Virginia event on Feb. 4 in Richmond celebrating the impending passage of the Virginia Values Act in the Virginia General Assembly.

The Washington Blade holds its annual Most Eligible LGBT Singles party at Duplex Diner on Feb. 14.

Mayor **Pete Buttigieg** makes a presidential campaign stop in Northern Virginia on Feb. 23.

Rep. **Mark Takano** (D-Calif.) speaks at a congressional hearing on LGBT rights on Feb. 27.

Gay Trump supporter **Brandon Straka** speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 28.

As life with COVID-19 became a new reality, someone erected a “HOPE” sign in Winchester, Va.

The streets and restaurants of the gayborhood were empty by March 17 as new COVID-19 restrictions were put in place.

**Ruby Corado** has her temperature checked before entering the Casa Ruby community center on May 8.

Riots broke out in the streets of D.C. on May 31 following the murder of George Floyd.

A peaceful Black Lives Matter protest was held at Black Lives Matter Plaza on June 6.

The activist group No Justice No Pride organized a ‘Defund MPD’ march and protest on June 13.

The No Justice No Pride ‘Defund MPD’ march ended in a protest in front of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s home.

A makeshift memorial was created in front of the United States Supreme Court following the death of Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Signs mourning the loss of trans women of color were among those on the White House fence on election day, Nov. 3.

A ‘Make America Great Again’ pro-Trump mega rally was held on the streets of D.C. Protesters included Gays for Trump.

A series of new coronavirus restrictions threaten the future of LGBT businesses.

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Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala

‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton

Published

6 hours ago

May 20, 2026

Michael Key

17th Street Dance performs at the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington's Spring Affair 'Sapphire & Sparkle' gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 16. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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** speaks at the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s Spring Affair on Saturday, May 16. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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)

Photos

PHOTOS: Equality Prince William Pride

Fifth annual LGBTQ celebration held in Manassas, Va.

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2026

Landon Shackelford

Mayor of Manassas Michelle Davis-Younger, center, cuts the ribbon to open Equality Prince William Pride at Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16. (Washington Blade photo by Landon Shackelford)

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

Published

3 days ago

May 17, 2026

Daniel Truitt

Ashley Biden accepts an award on behalf of her brother, Beau Biden, at the Washington Blade's Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

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)