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.*

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PHOTOS: Amsterdam Pride Canal Parade

Annual LGBTQ celebration held in Dutch city during World Pride

Published

21 hours ago

August 1, 2026

Michael Key and Michael K. Lavers

A scene from the 2026 Amsterdam Pride Canal Parade. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Editor’s note: International News Editor Michael K. Lavers and Photo Editor Michael Key are on assignment in the Netherlands through Aug. 10.

AMSTERDAM — The 2026 Amsterdam Pride Canal Parade was held on Saturday, Aug. 1.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key and Michael K. Lavers)

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Photos

PHOTOS: Lambda Legal in the Pines

Fundraiser held at ‘Normal Heart’ house

Published

2 days ago

July 31, 2026

Guest photographer

A scene from the 'Lambda Legal in the Pines' fundraiser on July 25. (Photo by Santiago Felipe)

The LGBTQ organization Lambda Legal held its annual “Lambda Legal in the Pines” fundraiser on Saturday, July 25. The event was held at a house on Fire Island featured in Ryan Murphy’s 2014 HBO film, “The Normal Heart.”

Organizers say over $500,000 was raised to support Lambda Legal’s national litigation and advocacy work.

(Photos by Santiago Felipe)