Photos

The year in photos

Top LGBTQ news photos of 2023

Published

2 years ago

December 30, 2023

From left: U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler is sworn in at the U.S. Capitol; gay actors Jonathan Bailey and Matt Bomer attend the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner; Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi throws out the first pitch at the Night Out at the Nationals game; and "RuPaul's Drag Race" winner Sasha Colby performs at Pitchers DC. (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

**Dan Bear** wins the title of Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather on Jan. 15 at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill.

*President **Joe Biden** gives his State of the Union Address on Feb. 7 at the U.S. Capitol.*

*Cupid’s Undie Run, an annual fundraiser for neurofibromatosis (NF) research, is held at Union Stage at The Wharf DC on Feb. 11.*

*The 50th anniversary Scarlet’s Bake Sale is held at The Crucible on Feb. 12. Participants bid on baked goods and bottles of liquor to raise money for HIPS.*

*Drag personalities and local bar scene workers pay their respects for the legendary drag queen Ba’Naka, a.k.a. Dustin Michael Schaad, at a celebration of life event on Feb. 25 at Pitchers.*

*‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ season three contestant **Mariah Paris Balenciaga** performs at Kiki on March 5.*

*Hundreds of activists participated in the March for Queer & Trans Youth Autonomy from Union Station to the U.S. Capitol on March 31.*

*Television personality **Carson Kressley** emcees the RuPaul’s Drag Race Finale Viewing Party at Bunker on April 14.*

**Sasha Colby**, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15, performs at Pitchers on April 19.

Annie’s Paramount Steak House holds a 75th anniversary party complete with a block party, games and entertainment on April 29.

*The annual Gay Day at Zoo is held at the Smithsonian National Zoo on May 7.*

Us Helping Us holds the annual Black Pride in the Park at Fort Dupont Park on May 29.

*Gay D.C. Councilmember **Zachary Parker** speaks at a ceremony raising the Progress Flag over the D.C. Government’s Wilson Building at the beginning of Pride month on June 1.*

*Speaker Emerita **Nancy Pelosi** throws out the first pitch at Nationals Park for Night Out at the Nationals on June 6.*

**Evry Pleasure** leads a Barbie party at Red Bear Brewing on July 14.

*Students, educators and advocates march against the anti-trans policies of Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin in Falls Church, Va. on Aug. 15.*

Thousands participate in the 60th Anniversary March on Washington on Aug. 26.

*U.S. Sen. **Laphonza Butler** (D-Calif.) is sworn into office on Oct. 3. She is the first openly gay Black U.S. Senator to hold office.*

Gay actors **Jonathan Bailey** and **Matt Bomer** attend the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Oct. 14.

*D.C. Safe Haven organizes a Transgender Day of Remembrance rally at Freedom Plaza on Nov. 17.*

Up Next

PHOTOS: New Year’s Eve at JR.’s

Don't Miss

PHOTOS: Equality NoVa Holiday Party

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Photos

PHOTOS: Queen of Hearts

Bev crowned winner of 44th annual pageant at The Lodge

Published

17 hours ago

February 24, 2026

Michael Key

Bev is crowned Queen of Hearts 2026 at The Lodge in Boonsboro, Md. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 44th annual Queen of Hearts pageant was held at The Lodge in Boonsboro, Md. on Friday, Feb. 20. Six contestants vied for the title and Bev was crowned the winner.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

View on Threads

Photos

PHOTOS: Cupid’s Undie Run

Annual fundraiser for NF research held at The Wharf DC

Published

3 days ago

February 21, 2026

Michael Key

A dance party was held at Union Stage before Cupid's Undie Run on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Cupid’s Undie Run, an annual fundraiser for neurofibromatosis (NF) research, was held at Union Stage and at The Wharf DC on Saturday, Feb. 21.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Photos

PHOTOS: Clash

New weekly drag show held at Trade

Published

6 days ago

February 18, 2026

Michael Key

Tatianna and Crimsyn host the drag show, Clash. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Crimsyn and Tatianna hosted the new weekly drag show Clash at Trade (1410 14th Street, N.W.) on Feb. 14, 2026. Performers included Aave, Crimsyn, Desiree Dik, and Tatianna.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)