Arts & Entertainment
‘Can’t Cancel Pride’ kick-offs celebration with star-studded livestream
The second annual event will raise much-needed funds for LGBTQ+ communities most impacted by COVID-19.
For the second year in a row, iHeartMedia is stepping up with a star-studded virtual celebration designed to keep the spirit of Pride alive and well during the still-ongoing restrictions of the Covid pandemic – and to raise some much-needed funds for the LGBTQ+ community.
“Can’t Cancel Pride,” presented by iHeart and Procter & Gamble, is a virtual relief benefit for the LGBTQ+ community, featuring performances and appearances from the most influential voices in the community as well as the biggest names in culture and entertainment. It’s the second installment for the livestreamed event, following a successful 2020 presentation which raised over $4 million to benefit the LGBTQ+ communities most impacted by COVID-19. This year’s event has a goal to raise even more in 2021, as the pandemic continues to have a damaging effect on the fundraising efforts that LGBTQ+ organizations rely on to survive.
The lineup of talent involved is truly stellar. Among the names scheduled to appear are Bebe Rexha, Brothers Osborne, Busy Phillips, Demi Lovato, Gus Kenworthy, Hayley Kiyoko, Jennifer Hudson, JoJo Siwa, Lil Nas X, Marshmello, MJ Rodriguez, Nina West, P!NK, Ricky Martin, Regard, Troye Sivan, Tate McRae, and many more. Diamond-selling singer-songwriter Rexha will also join iHeartMedia on-air personality Elvis Duran as host, as well as performing her new single “Sacrifice.”
The “Can’t Cancel Pride” livestream is just the beginning of iHeart’s Pride month. The event will kick off a month-long celebration throughout June, with iHeartMedia radio stations airing spots to encourage listeners to watch the event on demand, share their special Pride moments on social media using the hashtag #CantCancelPride, and support the participating nonprofits by visiting cantcancelpride.com or texting “RAINBOW” to 56512.
“As the country is returning back to normal and we are slowly starting to gather again, LGBTQ+ communities around the world are still feeling the devastating effects of COVID-19,” says iHeartMedia’s Chief Marketing Officer, Gayle Troberman. “We look forward to once again celebrating the incredible voices and allies of the LGBTQ+ community with an amazing night of music that will honor Pride and the communities’ fight for equal rights, all while benefiting six remarkable nonprofits that make an everyday positive impact.”
Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer for P&G, says, “’Can’t Cancel Pride’ is about creating visibility for the LGBTQ+ community and showing them they are not alone. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic remains heightened for LGBTQ+ people, who continue to face issues driven by persistent bias, intolerance and inequality. We want to use our voice to help bring much needed resources, support, acts of good, and love to this remarkable and resilient community.”
Last year’s month-long celebration provided critical resources for its six nonprofit partners, including:
- Helping CenterLink provide microgrants to 190+ LGBTQ+ community centers and organizations.
- Supporting The Trevor Project’s lifeline, chat, and text crisis services, which served more than 14,000 crisis contacts from LGBTQ+ young people in June 2020 alone.
- Aideing SAGE in forging connections and reducing isolation for LGBT elders during the pandemic.
- Contributing to the National Black Justice Coalition’s federal public policy work and Youth And Young Adult Action Council.
- Distributing proceeds to benefit LGBTQ+ individuals around the world through OutRight Action International’s COVID-19 Global LGBTIQ Emergency Fund.
- Supported GLAAD’s Spirit Day, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ anti-bullying campaign.
P&G is joined in supporting “Can’t Cancel Pride” by several other brand sponsors, including Allē by Allergan Aesthetics, Dawn, General Motors, The Art of Shaving and GilletteLabs, Bounty, Charmin, Jared, Puffs, Downy, Tide, OLAY, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
The one-hour benefit special produced by iHeartMedia and P&G will stream on June 4, at 9 p.m., on iHeartRadio’sTikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram TV pages, iHeartRadio’s PrideRadio.com and Revry, as well as broadcasting on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio App. The event will be available on demand via iHeartRadio’s TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram TV pages, iHeartRadio’s PrideRadio.com and Revry throughout Pride Month until Wednesday, June 30.
For those among you who are vaxxed and ready to enjoy an in-person kick-off to Pride Month, June 4 is also the first night of OUTLOUD: Raising Voices, a three-day live concert event series at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. A global Pride celebration that will be also be streamed (for free) around the world, the event will join forces with Pride Live’s Stonewall Day to present a stellar line-up of performers curated by none other than Adam Lambert on behalf of the Feel Something Foundation. Sofi Tukker headlines on June 4, with Hayley Kiyoko topping the bill on June 5, and Lambert himself leading the pack for closing night on June 6. Additional acts performing during the weekend will include Daya, Tygapaw, Ryan Cassata, Madeline the Person, Mykki Blanco, Madame Gandhi, Malia Civetz, Vincint (feat. Parson James, Queen Herby and Ty Sutherland), Sam Sparro, Angel Bonilla, and many others. For details and tickets to the live event, visit the OUTLOUD website.
a&e features
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)














