The year in photos

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

Published

3 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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PHOTOS: Shenandoah Valley Pride

Annual LGBTQ celebration held in Harrisonburg, Va.

Published

3 days ago

September 19, 2023

Michael Key

The 2023 Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival was held at Court Square in Harrisonburg, Va. on Saturday, Sept. 16.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

PHOTOS: Winchester Pride

Out mayor welcomes crowd to LGBTQ celebration at Museum of the Shenandoah Valley

Published

2 weeks ago

September 9, 2023

Michael Key

Openly gay mayor of Winchester, Va. John David Smith, Jr. welcomes the crowd at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley to Winchester Pride on Saturday, Sept. 9. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Winchester Pride festival was held at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, Va. on Saturday, Sept. 9.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Covering Winchester Pride at @visitMSV for @WashBlade . pic.twitter.com/FRf19dNgKF
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) September 9, 2023

Photos

PHOTOS: Miss Gay Freestate

Raquel DeLorean crowned the winner at The Lodge

Published

2 weeks ago

September 9, 2023

Michael Key

Raquel DeLorean is crowned Miss Gay Freestate 2023 at The Lodge in Boonsboro, Md. on Friday, Sept. 8. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Miss Gay Freestate pageant was held at the Lodge in Boonsboro, Md. on Friday, Sept. 8. Performers included Nicole James, Maranda Rights, Sasha Renee, Stormi Skyy, Ivanna Rights, Jalah Nicole, Frieda Poussay, Chi Chi Ray Colby and Amethyst Diamond. Raquel DeLorean was crowned the winner with Ashley Lynn named the first alternate. Both DeLorean and Lynn qualify to compete in the 2023 Miss Gay Maryland competition.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)