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: Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2026

Gage Ryder wins annual competition

Published

4 days ago

January 19, 2026

Michael Key

Gage Ryder, center, wins the title of Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2026 in a competition at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Jan. 18. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The 2026 Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather competition was held at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill on Sunday. Seven contestants vied for the title and Gage Ryder was named the winner.

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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PHOTOS: ‘ICE Out For Good’ Sunday protests

Northern Virginia demonstrations among nationwide protest

Published

2 weeks ago

January 12, 2026

Michael Key

A demonstrator holds a sign with the photo of Renee Nicole Good. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

“ICE Out For Good” demonstrations were held in the Northern Virginia municipalities of Haymarket, Annandale and Arlington, among others, on Sunday, Jan. 12.

Nearly 1,200 similar actions were scheduled nationwide over the weekend, according to a statement from organizers.

Demonstrations in D.C. against ICE included a protest march on Friday and a march around the White House on Saturday.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

*Picketers stand along James Madison Highway near Heathcode Blvd. just outside of Haymarket, Va. on Sunday, Jan. 11.*

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*Demonstrators in the ‘ICE Out For Good’ protests hold signs on an overpass over the Capital Beltway in Annandale, Va. on Jan. 11.*

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*Demonstrators participating in the ICE Out For Good protests stand along Mount Vernon Ave. in Alexandria, Va.* on Jan. 11.

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PHOTOS: ‘ICE Out For Good’

Demonstrators protest ICE across country following shooting

Published

2 weeks ago

January 10, 2026

Michael Key

D.C. shadow representative Oye Owolewa speaks at a rally outside of the White House on Saturday, Jan. 10. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

A protest was held outside of the White House on Saturday following the killing of Renee Nicole Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis. Across the Potomac, picketers held signs calling for “Justice for Renee” in Tysons, Va.

“ICE Out For Good” demonstrations were held in cities and towns across the country, according to multiple reports. A march was held yesterday in Washington, D.C., as the Blade reported. Further demonstrations are planned for tomorrow.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)