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PHOTOS: On assignment in Hungary, Poland, and Germany

International News Editor Michael K. Lavers traveled to Eastern Europe this month

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9 months ago

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Stickers on the door to the offices of the Háttér Society, a Hungarian LGBTQ rights group, in Budapest, Hungary, on April 4, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

BERLIN — The Washington Blade was on assignment in Hungary, Poland, and Germany from April 2-16.

The Blade interviewed LGBTQ activists, government officials, and refugees from Ukraine who have resettled in Berlin and in Warsaw, the Polish capital. The Blade also visited Auschwitz in Oświęcim, Poland.

A billboard at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, on April 2, 2024, proclaims the country to be “family-friendly.” (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
Part of the Shoes on the Danube Bank, a memorial to Hungarian Jewish people who the Arrow Cross Party, a fascist Hungarian militia, massacred during World War II. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
Posters on the Dohány Street Synagogue’s fence in Budapest, Hungary, with pictures of Israelis who Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip took hostage on Oct. 7, 2023. Carmel Gat’s sister-in-law, Yarden Roman-Gat, was among the hostages released last November. Roman-Gat’s brother, Gili Roman, is a gay man who lives in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
A falafel restaurant in Budapest, Hungary, with a decal on the window that notes it welcomes LGBTQ customers. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
The drink menu at CoXx, a gay cruising bar in Budapest, Hungary. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
An anti-transgender book for sale in a bookstore in Budapest, Hungary, on April 4, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
The Hungarian Parliament in Budapest, Hungary, on April 4, 2024. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his government over the last decade has cracked down on LGBTQ rights in the country. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
A UNHCR-affiliated community center for refugees in Kraków, Poland, on April 5, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
A picture of Polish-born Pope John Paul II inside St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Kraków, Poland. The Roman Catholic Church remains a powerful institution in Poland. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
An anti-Russian President Vladimir Putin sticker on a streetlight in Kraków, Poland, on April 6, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
Posters at Lindo Bar, a gay bar in Kraków, Poland. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
Patrons at Lindo Bar, a gay bar in Kraków, Poland, on April 6, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
Magda Dropek votes in Kraków, Poland, on April 7, 2024. (Photo courtesy or Dropek’s X account)
Auschwitz I camp in Oświęcim, Poland, on April 7, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

A mural in Warsaw, Poland. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
La Pose, a gay bar in Warsaw, Poland. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
The Warsaw House Foundation on April 8, 2024, hosted a clothes swap for transgender people at La Pose. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Drag queens entertain patrons of La Pose, a gay bar in Warsaw, Poland, on April 8, 2024, during a broadcast of an episode of “Czas na Show” or “Drag Me Out,” a reality show that features male Polish celebrities performing in drag with drag queens. (Washington Blade video by Michael K. Lavers)
International News Editor Michael K. Lavers interviews gay Deputy Polish Justice Minister Krzysztof Śmiszek at his office in Warsaw, Poland, on April 9, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Patryk Janczewski)
The Polish Sejm in Warsaw, Poland. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
Mirosława Makuchowska of Kampania Przeciw Homofobii, a Polish LGBTQ rights group, at her organization’s offices in Warsaw, Poland, on April 10, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
Pride flags fly from an apartment’s terrace in Warsaw, Poland, on April 11, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
The Ukrainian and Pride flags in Warsaw House Foundation’s apartment in Warsaw, Poland, on April 11, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
Drag queens perform at Ramona Bar, a gay bar in Warsaw, Poland, on April 11, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
A poster for a sex workers rally in Berlin. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
A memorial to Ukrainians who have died during Russia’s war against their country in Berlin on April 13, 2024. The memorial was across the street from the Russian Embassy. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
Lunch in Berlin’s Tiergarten park on April 13, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
A gender-neutral bathroom at SchwuZ, an LGBTQ club in Berlin. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Performers at SchwuZ on April 14, 2024. (Washington Blade video by Michael K. Lavers)
A pro-Palestinian sticker near Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin on April 14, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
The Canadian Embassy in Berlin on April 15, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
Dmitry Shapoval, a gay Ukrainian man with HIV, in Berlin on April 15, 2024. He fled Ukraine in March 2022 after Russia launched its war against his country. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
The menu at Felixx, a gay bar in Vienna (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
A picture of former President Donald Trump in a New York courtroom on the front page of Die Presse, an Austrian newspaper, on April 16, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
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PHOTOS: Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2025

Jason Elliott wins 40th annual competition

Published

1 week ago

on

January 15, 2025

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Jason Elliott, center, was named Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2025. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 40th annual Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather competition was held on Sunday, Jan. 12 at the Hyatt Regency Washington. The event was one of the highlights of 2025 Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend. Eight competitors vied for the title of Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2025, with Jason Elliott named the winner. 

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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PHOTOS: Crush

Patrons enjoyed a night out on Saturday

Published

2 weeks ago

on

January 9, 2025

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Crush Dance Bar on Saturday, Jan. 4. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Revelers enjoyed an evening out at Crush Dance Bar (2007 14th Street, N.W.) on Saturday.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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PHOTOS: 2024 Year-in-Review

The year’s top photos in LGBTQ news

Published

3 weeks ago

on

January 2, 2025

By

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

It was a momentous year in LGBTQ news. With the backdrop of a consequential election looming, LGBTQ life in the D.C. region flourished.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Activists stage a rally in front of the Heritage Foundation on Jan. 1 to bring awareness to Project 2025.
Hennessey performs at Black Friday at As You Are on Jan. 5.
Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend brings leather enthusiasts from across the country to D.C. in January. 
Sasha Adams Sanchez performs at the Freddie’s Follies drag show at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. on Jan. 20.
Patrons enjoy a night out at Thurst Lounge on Feb. 3.
The 2024 Cupid’s Undie Run is held at The Wharf on Feb. 17.
Mistress Isabelle Brooks of RuPaul’s Drag Race performs at ‘Drag Me to the Disco’ at the Howard Theatre on March 2.
JR.’s annual Bonnet Ball is held on March 31.
Exhibitors show their wares at the National Cannabis Festival at the RFK Stadium grounds on April 20.
The Mr./Miss/Mx. Capital Pride Pageant is held on April 26 at Penn Social.
The Taste of Point fundraiser for the Point Foundation is held at Room & Board on May 2.
Freddie Lutz passes out signs to supporters outside of Freddie’s Beach Bar on May 4. The ‘Love Fest’ counter-demonstration outside of the Arlington, Va. gay bar is in response to a group of anti-LGBTQ protestors outside the establishment.
‘I Am Your Mother’ drag show is performed at Red Bear Brewing on May 12.
Billy Porter is the headline performer at D.C. Black Pride on May 25. 
Lorenzo Hall of WUSA9 emcees at the Pride Honors on May 31.
The Capital Pride Parade is held on June 8.
Keke Palmer performs at the Capital Pride Festival and Concert on June 9.
The Washington Blade holds Pride on the Pier at The Wharf on June 9.

Baltimore Pride is held on June 15.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington perform “Portraits” at the Kennedy Center in June.
Frederick Pride is held on June 22.

Fredericksburg Pride is held on June 29.

Hagerstown Pride is held on July 13.

The Republican National Convention is held in Milwaukee, Wis. in July.

Former President Donald Trump attends the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wis. on July 17. 
The SMYAL for Summer fundraiser was held on July 25.
Noah Van Gilder is crowned the winner of the NJB+ Pageant on Aug. 4.
President Joe Biden and Christopher Kane in the Oval Office on Aug. 12, 2024.
President Joe Biden speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 19.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore attends the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 19.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 22.
Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson speaks at the HRC National Dinner on Sept. 9.
Virginia Pridefest was held in Richmond, Va. on Sept. 14.
National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund President Kierra Johnson speaks at the group’s D.C. Board cocktail reception on Sept. 20.
D.C. Council member Robert White speaks at the Washington Blade’s candidate forum at Crush on Sept. 24.
Dominique Jackson, star of ‘Pose’ on FX, leads the ‘Kunty’ dance party at Bunker on Oct. 5.
Winchester Pride is held at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, Va. on Oct. 5.
Kidd O’Shea of ‘Good Morning Washington’ is voted Best Local TV/Radio Personality in the Washington Blade’s Best of LGBTQ D.C. readers’ poll.
Franklin County Pride is held on the campus of Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pa. on Oct. 13.
The Washington Blade holds its Best of LGBTQ DC Party at Crush on Oct. 17.
The High Heel Race is held on 17th Street, N.W. on Oct. 29.
 Vice President Kamala Harris gives her concession speech at Howard University on Nov. 6.
The Pride Reveal party is held at The Schuyler at The Hamilton Hotel on Nov. 14.
Citrine performs at a ‘Wicked’-themed show at JR.’s Bar on Nov. 23.
Panels of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt are put on display on the South Lawn of the White House for World AIDS Day on Dec. 1.
Activists gather outside of the United States Supreme Court on Dec. 4 during oral arguments in the U.S. v. Skrmetti case.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington perform ‘The Holiday Show’ at Howard Theatre in December.
Whitman-Walker Health holds the 38th annual Walk to End HIV at Anacostia Park on Dec. 7.
D.C. Council member Zachary Parker speaks at the Washington Blade’s post-election LGBTQ community forum on Dec. 12. 
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