PHOTOS: SMYAL through the years

LGBTQ youth services organization celebrates 40-year milestone

Published

1 year ago

September 19, 2024

Members of SMYAL march in the 1991 D.C. Gay Pride Day Parade. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)

The D.C.-based LGBTQ youth services organization SMYAL was founded in 1984.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key, Doug Hinckle, Kristi Gasaway, Yevin Yum, Clint Steib, Jonathan Ellis, Pete Exis, Erin Webber and Drew Brown)

*SMYAL board members, on front, pose alongside SMYAL youth on March 19, 1988. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)*

*A peer counsellor is trained for the SMYAL youth hotline on November 16, 1988. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinckle)*

*The SMYAL Prom is held on May 9, 1992. (Washington Blade archive photo by Kevin Yum)*

*A group of SMYAL and PFLAG speakers meet at the SMYAL drop-in center in 1994. (Washington Blade archive photo by Kristi Gasaway)*

*A group of youth participate in a SMYAL meeting on April 12, 1995. (Washington Blade archive photo by Clint Steib)*

Members and staff of SMYAL participate in an action alongside PFLAG in downtown D.C. in 1997. Pictured on bottom right is out actor **Wilson Cruz** of ‘My So-Called Life.’ (Photo courtesy of Michael Key)

*SMYAL youth march in the 2003 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade archive photo by Luis Gomez)*

*Activist **Judy Shepard**, on right, speaks to a reception of supporters before the 2009 SMYAL Fall Brunch. (Washington Blade archive photo by Michael Key)*

*SMYAL youth and staff march in the 2010 Capital Pride Parade (Washington Blade archive photo by Erin Weber)*

*A youth speaker from SMYAL is featured at an anti-bullying rally in front of the Wilson Building on April 21, 2011. (Washington Blade archive photo by Michael Key)*

*SMYAL has an information table at Youth Pride at Dupont Circle in 2011. (Washington Blade archive photo by Pete Exis)*

*Beloved journalist **Wendy Rieger** served as the emcee at many SMYAL Fall Brunches. Here, she is pictured speaking at the 2012 Brunch. (Washington Blade archive photo by Jonathan Ellis)*

*Then-SMYAL Executive Director **Andrew Barnett**, on left, unveils a new SMYAL logo and ‘rebranding’ at a gathering in 2013. (Washington Blade archive photo by Michael Key)*

*SMYAL youth and staff attend the 2016 Youth Pride festival at Dupont Circle. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)*

*Youth leaders meet with the Washington Blade in the SMYAL drop-in center’s ‘back yard’ on October 21, 2016. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)*

*Activist couple **Sean Doolittle** (of Washington Nationals fame) and **Eireann Dolan** attend SMYAL’s 35th anniversary event in 2019. (Washington Blade file photo by Drew Brown)*

*SMYAL youth, staff and supporters march in the 2023 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)*

*Attendees bid on items in the silent auction for the 2023 SMYAL Fall Brunch. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)*

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PHOTOS: Freddie’s Follies

Queens perform at weekly Arlington show

Published

3 days ago

January 6, 2026

Michael Key

The Freddie's Follies drag show was held at Freddie's Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Freddie’s Follies drag show was held at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. on Saturday, Jan. 3. Performers included Monet Dupree, Michelle Livigne, Shirley Naytch, Gigi Paris Couture and Shenandoah.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Photos

The year in photos

Top LGBTQ news photos of 2025

Published

6 days ago

January 3, 2026

Michael Key

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

The 40th annual Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather competition is held on Jan. 12 at the Hyatt Regency Washington.

A drag dance protest is held outside the Kennedy Center on Jan. 13.

Activists gather for The People’s March on the Reflecting Pool near the Lincoln Memorial on Jan. 18.

The Transgender Unity Rally and March is held on March 1. Activists march from the U.S. Capitol to the White House.

President **Donald Trump** addresses the Joint Session of Congress on March 4.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington performs “Passports” at Lincoln Theatre on March 14.

The American Civil Liberties Union displays a ‘Freedom to Be’ trans flag on the Mall on May 17.

Actress **Ts Madison** speaks at the Black Pride Opening Reception on May 23.

The WorldPride Parade moves through the streets of Washington, D.C. on June 7.

**Doechii** performs at the main stage of the WorldPride Festival on June 8.

Activist/performer **Tara Hoot** speaks at the D.C. Drag Awards at Trade on July 20.

Cast members from ‘Queer Eye’ speak at a CAA event at Crush Dance Bar on Aug. 4.

The National Guard is controversially deployed by President Trump into Washington, D.C. Military-style vehicles are parked in front of Union Station on Aug.14.

Activists march in a ‘Trump Must Go’ protest ending at the White House on Aug. 16.

Supporters of trans students attend a meeting of the Arlington School Board on Aug. 21 to counter a speech by anti-trans Virginia gubernatorial candidate, Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears.

Local governmental officials as well as volunteers and staff of MoCo Pride Center attend a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new LGBTQ community center in Bethesda, Md. on Aug. 30.

Activists protest cuts to PEPFAR funding outside of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Sept. 2.

**Ivanna Rights** is crowned Miss Gay Maryland America 2025 at The Lodge in Boonsboro, Md. on Sept. 6.

Thousands join the We Are All D.C. March on Sept. 6.

A scene from the We Are All D.C. March on Sept. 6.

**Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson** speaks at the U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS on Sept. 7.

**Cake Pop!** performs at the Washington Blade’s Best of LGBTQ D.C. party at Crush Dance Bar on Oct. 16.

A participant poses for the camera at the High Heel Race on 17th Street, N.W. on Oct. 28.

President **Joe Biden** speaks at the International LGBTQ Leaders Conference at the JW Marriott on Dec. 5.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington perform ‘The Holiday Show’ at the Lincoln Theatre on Dec. 12.

Photos

PHOTOS: 10’s Across the Board

Impulse Group DC holds anniversary celebration at Bravo Bravo

Published

3 weeks ago

December 17, 2025

Michael Key

Impulse Group DC's '10's Across the Board' party was held at Bravo Bravo on Sunday, Dec. 14. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Impulse Group DC held “10’s Across the Board: A Celebration of 10 Years” at Bravo Bravo (1001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) on Sunday, Dec. 14. Impulse Group DC is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) and affinity group of AIDS Healthcare Foundation dedicated “to engaging, supporting, and connecting gay men” through culturally relevant health and advocacy work.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)