Photos

PHOTOS: SMYAL through the years

LGBTQ youth services organization celebrates 40-year milestone

Published

1 year ago

September 19, 2024

Washington Blade photography department

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)*

Up Next

PHOTOS: Love Takes Justice

Don't Miss

PHOTOS: Virginia Pride

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Photos

PHOTOS: Pride Reveal

‘Exist. Resist. Have the audacity!’ announced as 2026 theme

Published

12 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Michael Key

Members of Cheer DC warm up the crowd at Pride Reveal on Thursday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Capital Pride Alliance held the annual Pride Reveal event at The Schuyler at The Hamilton Hotel on Thursday, Feb. 26. The theme for this year’s Capital Pride: “Exist. Resist. Have the audacity!”

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Photos

PHOTOS: Queen of Hearts

Bev crowned winner of 44th annual pageant at The Lodge

Published

5 days 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)