Photos

The year in photos

Top LGBTQ news photos of 2023

Published

3 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: Crush Dance Bar

Patrons enjoy a night out at popular LGBTQ venue

Published

4 days ago

July 6, 2026

Landon Shackelford

(Washington Blade photo by Landon Shackelford)

Patrons enjoyed a night out at the popular LGBTQ venue Crush Dance Bar on Friday, July 3.

(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)

Photos

PHOTOS: Frederick Pride Festival

LGBTQ celebration held at Carroll Creek Park

Published

1 week ago

June 30, 2026

Michael Key

A scene from the 2026 Frederick Pride Festival. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 13th annual Frederick Pride Festival was held at Carroll Creek Park in Frederick, Md. on Saturday, June 27.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

View on Threads

Photos

PHOTOS: Fredericksburg Pride March and Festival

LGBTQ celebration held in historic Virginia town

Published

2 weeks ago

June 29, 2026

Michael Key

A scene from the 2026 Fredericksburg Pride March. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The sixth annual Fredericksburg Pride March was held in downtown Fredericksburg, Va. on Saturday, June 27. Stafford County Board of Supervisors Chair Deuntay Diggs led the march alongside Fredericksburg City Council Member Jannan W. Holmes. The Fredericksburg Pride Festival took place at Riverfront Park after the march. Bree Fram was the featured speaker.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)