a&e features
Best of LGBTQ D.C. 2024
The Blade’s annual review of your favorites in food, nightlife, and more
Once again the Blade is proud to celebrate the best in our local community, from activists to pizza.
With nearly 5,000 nominations and 35,000 votes, this was the biggest year yet for our annual friendly competition, our 23rd year organizing this contest. Stephen Rutgers coordinated the voting; Michael Key coordinated the photos. This year’s contributing writers are: Lou Chibbaro Jr., Chris Kane, Kevin Naff, Joe Reberkenny, Tinashe Chingarande, Clinton Engelberger, Erkki Forster, Joey DiGuglielmo, Evan Caplan, and Patrick Folliard.
This year’s Local Hero Award, which is the only award voted on by Blade staff, goes to the tireless June Crenshaw, a ubiquitous presence in our local community who does life-saving work.
Local Hero: June Crenshaw
Those who know June Crenshaw describe her as a fierce advocate for the safety and empowerment of LGBTQ youth who are experiencing homelessness.
Since 2016, Crenshaw has served as executive director of the Wanda Alston Foundation, a D.C.-based nonprofit organization providing support and services for homeless LGBTQ youth in the D.C. metro area.
The Alston Foundation says in a statement that under Crenshaw’s leadership, the organization provides two to six years of shelter, case management, connection to medical and mental health care, development of life skills, and employment and school support for LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness between the ages of 18 and 24.
“Since joining the Wanda Alston Foundation, June has significantly increased awareness of the prevalence of homelessness among LGBTQ youth and the trauma they experience,” the statement says. “She tirelessly fights for resources to be allocated to programs that create a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness,” it says.
“She educates, trains, and motivates her staff and volunteers to ensure a consistent vision and optimal organizational performance,” the statement continues. “She has tripled the organization’s budget and, after 13 years of operations, opened the second location and a Counseling Center that focuses on supporting queer folks impacted by Intimate Partner Violence,” it says.
Crenshaw took on additional responsibilities in 2022 when a D.C. Superior Court judge appointed the Alston Foundation to serve as the city’s receiver for the LGBTQ community services center Casa Ruby, placing the Alston Foundation in full control of the operations and finances of the then faltering Casa Ruby, which has since ceased operating.
Meanwhile, in addition to her role as executive director of the Alston Foundation, Crenshaw also serves as co-chair of the organizing committee for World Pride 2025, the international LGBTQ Pride celebration that D.C. will host, and which will take place May 23 to June 7, 2025.
“Those two things keep me very busy,” Crenshaw told the Blade. “But I continue to be engaged with the community advocating around resources for queer organizations to be able to serve and support our community members. So, real strong advocacy around the D.C. budget and making sure resources come to organizations like the Wanda Alston Foundation, but other organizations as well.”
A native of Oklahoma, Crenshaw earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Tulsa in 1984, the year she moved to D.C. where she became involved in a wide range of endeavors in both nonprofit organizations and the business world.
She worked from 1989 to 1994 as a supervisor for research for the D.C.-based firm Washington Service Bureau, Inc., before working from 1994 to 2012 as a supervisor and later as project manager for Coventry Healthcare, Inc., a Bethesda-based national health insurance company that became part of the Aetna health insurance corporation.
Among her many involvements with nonprofit organizations, Crenshaw has served since 2007 as chair of the board of directors of the Rainbow Response Coalition, a D.C.-based coalition of local LGBTQ groups that provides training and education to address the issue of intimate partner violence in the LGBTQ community.
She served as chair of the board and board member of Whitman-Walker Health, the D.C. LGBTQ supportive healthcare provider from 2006 to 2016, and as a board member of the Whitman-Walker Foundation from 2017 to 2022.
From 2013 to 2020 she served on the board of directors of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organization. And from 2007 to 2015, she served on the Advisory Board for the D.C. Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs.
“Although I’m no longer on board of the Human Rights Campaign, I’ve stayed very involved in a lot of the work that’s done there,” she said regarding her current endeavors. “I’m hoping to participate in the get-out-the-vote initiative and to make sure that Kamala Harris becomes our next president and threats against our community are minimized,” Crenshaw said. (Lou Chibbaro Jr.)
FOOD & DRINK
Best Coffee Shop: Tatte Bakery & Café
Multiple locations
After snagging the Editor’s Choice award two years running, Tatte now claims the Best Coffee Shop spot. Boston-based Tatte blanketed D.C. with its Mediterranean-inspired breakfasts, pastries, and coffees beginning in 2020. There are now more than a dozen around the DMV, serving seasonal brunches, craft drinks, and a welcome spot for people watching and catching up on emails.
Editor’s Choice: Three Fifty Bakery and Coffee Bar
Best Outdoor Dining: Le Diplomate
1601 14th St., N.W.
Snagging several Best Brunch awards and winning the Editor’s Choice for Best Outdoor Dining last year, “Le Dip” has myriad fans for all meals. Its American take on a Parisian Bistro has proven popular over the past decade, now a cornerstone of the 14th Street corridor. Beloved for its bread basket, meaty cheeseburger, mussels, and more, its outdoor sheds took over an entire half-block of 14th Street, now a permanent fixture from which to view passersby while sipping aperitifs.
Editor’s Choice: Hank’s Oyster Bar
Best Restaurant: Tabard Inn
1739 N St., N.W.
One of the oldest hotels in Washington, D.C., the Tabard Inn opened in 1922 in the style of an English manor and has been oozing charm ever since. While not gay-owned, it’s become a welcoming gathering space for LGBTQ locals and visitors, owing to its geography in Dupont Circle, eccentric nature, somewhat hidden locale, and diverse staff and clientele. The restaurant, started as a tea room, is full of art and warmth, and places a focus on Mid-Atlantic cuisine.
Editor’s Choice: Pineapple & Pearls
Best Brunch: Perry’s Drag Brunch
1811 Columbia Rd., N.W.
Celebrated for its long-running brunch (and winning the title in 2021), Perry’s Drag Brunch is raucous and fabulous. Hosted only on Sundays (two seatings), this event treats guests to eclectic food like eggs, yakisoba, tater tots, and tiramisu. Perry’s recently picked up a new chef, Masako Morishita, who won the 2024 James Beard Award for Best Emerging Chef. The restaurant also just debuted a Japanese breakfast.
Editor’s Choice: City Tap Dupont Drag Brunch
Best Local Brewery: Red Bear Brewing Company
209 M St., N.E.
Having taken home Best Brunch, Best Neighborhood Bar and Best Local Brewery awards in the past, this year, it’s back to win the Local Brewery award. This gay-owned venue in the District hosts drag shows, trivia, and stand-up performances, among other events. It pours beers with suggestive titles like “Hefe Don’t Preach,” “OktoBEARfest,” or “Tall, Dark and Nutty,” to name a few. Its festive drag brunch, running monthly, pulls out all the stops with its themes, like Broadway, Chromatica Ball, and goth. Desiree Dik serves as host.
Editor’s Choice: DC Brau
Best Local Distillery: Republic Restoratives Distillery
1369 New York Ave., N.E.
Winning this title in 2021 and 2019, Republic Restoratives is women-owned, community-led, and made in the District. Republic’s vodka, Civic Pride, was created out of frustration with popular brands co-opting the rainbow flag while also supporting organizations or efforts that directly harm LGBTQ people. It recently created and then quickly sold out bottles of “Madam” a bourbon-rye whiskey on whose label VPOTUS Kamala Harris’s smiling visage is featured.
Editor’s Choice: Cotton & Reed
Best Burger: Duke’s Grocery
Multiple locations
The 2021 and 2023 winner, Duke’s Grocery serves burgers with a British accent. With locations in Dupont Circle, Woodley Park, Navy Yard, and Foggy Bottom, this restaurant serves guests hearty portions of bar food. The burger has landed it on a whole bunch of lists, from Zagat to the Washington Post. Besides its famed Proper Burger, it also has a salmon, Impossible, and Wagyu burger. The Dupont location was closed for a year, undergoing a renovation, and recently reopened to royal fanfare.
Editor’s Choice: Lucky Buns
Best Ice Cream/Gelato: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Multiple locations
August or December, Jeni’s is known to cause pedestrian traffic backups on the busy 14th Street thoroughfare because of lines out the door. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams has a “uniquely smooth texture and buttercream body” in fanciful flavors like birthday cake and fruit crumble. It scooped up the award last year and the year before, as well. There are locations in Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda, Navy Yard, Yards Park, and McLean.
Editor’s Choice: Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Best Pizza: Andy’s Pizza
Multiple locations
Slicing and saucing in the New York tradition, Andy’s Pizza serves up pizza from stone ovens crafted from long-fermented dough, Wisconsin mozzarella, and California tomatoes. Andy’s boasts seven spots across the area, including one in Shaw near popular gay bars. Options include flavors like pepperoni and white sauce, but the whole pies come in a range of options, including a Buffalo crispy chicken and a vegan pie with plant-based cheese.
Editor’s Choice: We the Pizza
Best LGBTQ-Owned Business: KNEAD Hospitality
Multiple locations
Gay couple and business partners Michael Reginbogin and Jason Berry co-founded KNEAD Hospitality & Design in 2014. The restaurant group has birthed eateries like Mi Vida, Gatsby, Succotash, and several others. “We want people to eat with their eyes,” said Berry in a 2021 interview with the Blade.
Editor’s Choice: A Tour of Her Own
Best Local Winery: Chester Gap Cellars
4615 Remount Rd, Front Royal, VA 22630
Located in Virginia, a small estate winery located outside Front Royal, Chester Gap is gay-owned and welcomes LGBTQ visitors for valley vistas and vintages. The owners — Jeff Seese and Travis Patton — also have an AirBnb so you can stay the evening, enjoy the fully stocked kitchen and outdoor fire pit, and wine at all hours.
Editor’s Choice: District Winery
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Best Drag Queen: Destiny B. Childs
Destiny B. Childs came onto the local drag scene in 2003 performing at a variety show. In 2003, as manager of Freddie’s Beach Bar, she was drafted into drag duty as hostess and show director for Freddie’s Follies and soon after started performing at Ziegfeld’s.
She holds many pageant titles including Miss Zodiac 2005, Miss Freddie’s 2006-2007, Miss International Gay Rodeo 2007, Miss Gaye USA 2008, Miss Gaye America D.C. 2008, Miss Gaye Universe 2011 and Miss Ziegfields 2016.
She’s also been a longtime mainstay as hostess of the Capital Pride concert and has been in the Imperial Court since 2011, holding the title “first empress.”
Childs (Ric Benavides outside drag) says she “works hard to ensure all members of the Imperial Court feel welcomed, safe, and loved.”
Runner-up: Bombalicious Eklaver
Best Drag King: King Molasses
In a Vox explainer video, King Molasses described themselves as “the sweetest, stickiest drag king you’ll ever meet.” Molasses fuses different elements of traditional Nigerian fashion with a southern cowboy aesthetic to deliver electric performances that leave guests salivating for more. Follow him on Instagram for more.
Runner-up: King Flirty Xperience
Best Transgender Performer: Indiana Bones
Indiana Bones describes her drag persona as “very femme, very pop star-esque” and “an extension of my femininity.”
Known outside drag as Adriana Emilia, she says, “I love looking and feeling beautiful while lip syncing to the main pop girls.”
Bones, a trans woman, performs all over the D.C. area including Wednesdays at Kiki, weekends at either Nellie’s drag brunch or City Tap House Dupont. She’ll also be at a new venue HER Diner. She has been in the hospitality industry for about a decade but is “taking a break” from it now and performing full time.
“Thank you D.C. for loving me,” she says.
Follow her on @theonlyindiana on Instagram for show times and dates.
Runner-up: Brooke N Hymen
Best Drag Show: Freddie’s Follies
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 S. 23rd St.
Arlington, Va.
Freddie’s Beach Bar is the place to be for the gays who love happy hour. Along with amazing food and drinks, the restaurant also offers vibrant karaoke nights, piano nights, and thrilling games like beach blanket bingo. Anyone who’s been there can attest to Freddie’s being the place to be after work, blazer off, tie untied, heels exchanged for flats.
Freddie’s hosts various drag shows each month. The main event is Freddie’s Follies every Saturday night at 8 p.m. The current cast is Destiny B. Childs, Sasha Adams Sanchez, and Monet Dupree.
Editor’s Choice: SHOOK at Shaker’s
Best Local Artist presented by Wild Side Media: Keyonna Jones
Washington native Keyonna Jones is passionate about art, community advocacy, and entrepreneurship. With a background in journalism and a master’s degree in science management, she brings a distinct lens to her work.
As the founder of Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center, Jones has been instrumental in bringing new and necessary artistic experiences to the East of the River community in D.C. She also serves as board chair of The Creative School, showcasing her commitment to youth, education and creativity.
Jones, a lesbian, is also a skilled tattoo artist, published fashion stylist, talented photographer, graphic designer, and gardener.
Runner-up: Haus of Bambi
Best Live Music in D.C. presented by Wild Side Media: The Anthem
901 Wharf St., S.W.
Since opening its doors in October of 2017, The Anthem has earned its place among the DMV’s best music venues.
Located on the Wharf, the cavernous 57,000-square-foot venue, which cost $60 million to build and has a movable stage and backdrop that allows capacity to vary from 2,500 to 6,000, is not intimate. Far from it. It’s big with shows ranging from seated to general admission. Entrance lines can move swiftly or slowly. But once in, the space offers good acoustics and decent sightlines, and there are lots of clean bathrooms and multiple bars for drinks and food.
The Anthem adds a vibrancy to the Waterfront. It’s Metro accessible and has lots of nearby, but pricey, parking. Upcoming acts include Latto, Zayn, and the B-52s who are slated to perform on Halloween night.
Editor’s Choice: 9:30 Club
Best Theater presented by Wild Side Media: Kennedy Center
2700 F St., N.W.
For many DMV residents, the historic Kennedy Center serves as a portal to the performing arts. The Center presents diverse artists, including numerous LGBTQ voices, across all of its programming, whether it be theater, opera, dance, the symphony, comedy, hip hop, or jazz.
And the Social Impact division recently had SMYAL as one of its Culture Caucus members. And lately the Center has even been hosting drag brunches at its Roof Terrace Restaurant. The Kennedy Center made its public debut on Sept. 8, 1971, with a gala opening performance featuring the world premiere of a Requiem mass honoring President Kennedy, a work commissioned from the legendary composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. Its vast interior spaces include the Eisenhower Theatre, Opera House, Concert Hall, and assorted smaller venues.
Its Broadway Center Stage series brings some incredible Broadway talent, including fabulous queer stars, which currently includes Beanie Feldstein, Noah Galvin, Kevin McHale, and Nina White in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
Editor’s Choice: Arena Stage
Best Live Music Outside of D.C.: Wolf Trap
1551 Trap Rd.
Vienna, Va.
Set on 117 acres of rolling hills and forest in Vienna, Va., Wolf Trap ranks high for outdoor entertainment.
Arvind Manocha, the out president and CEO of Northern Virginia’s Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts for more than a decade, understands his platform and what comes with it. For him that means promoting diversity and queer inclusion.
Over the past two years, Wolf Trap has presented “Out & About,” an annual two-day outdoor music festival spotlighting LGBTQ artists and vocal allies. With the new musical event, Manocha and his programming team are coalescing entertainment and visibility.
Featuring big queer names like Brandi Carlisle, Rufus Wainwright, and Be Steadwell, etc. Comfortably out for some time, Manocha regularly attends Wolf Trap performances and donor events with his husband Gideon Malone. And for some pre-Valentine’s Day fun, Titus Burgess, the queer comedian, singer, and actor who is best known for his role as Titus Andromedon on the Netflix series “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” is booked for Feb. 12.
Editor’s Choice: Merriweather Post Pavilion
Best Theater Production: ‘Macbeth,’ Shakespeare Theatre Company
610 F St., N.W.
If there was a hot ticket in D.C. last season, Shakespeare Theatre Company’s (STC) “Macbeth” was it.
Among the Bard’s shortest and most popular tragedies, “Macbeth” typically comes with a built-in audience. But in directing the classic, STC’s artistic director Simon Godwin didn’t take any chances. He packed the production with talented star power including stage and screen star Ralph Fiennes (“The English Patient”) as the eponymous Scottish general and Olivier Award-winner Indira Varma (“Game of Thrones”) who played the monumentally ruthless Lady Macbeth.
Prior to coming to Washington in April of 2024, the greatly anticipated production enjoyed successful runs in Liverpool, Edinburgh, and London. Here, STC took its contemporary and satisfying take on “Macbeth” to a former BET soundstage in Brentwood, transforming the massive empty space into a war-scorched set perfect for scenes both large and intimate.
Editor’s Choice: “Fat Ham,” Studio Theatre
Best LGBTQ Bar: Crush Dance Bar
2007 14th St., N.W.
Although Crush is one of the newest LGBTQ bars in the district, the weekly line around the block shows weekend after weekend that the 14th Street dance bar is the place to let loose, enjoy a cocktail, and live out your dancing queen fantasy. Its walls covered with nostalgic posters of pop divas and vinyl records of the latest playlist mainstays show that Crush is a sanctuary of dance.
The two floors boast three bars, a large rooftop patio, and a room that tributes dancing’s greatest invention since surround sound: disco balls. Its list of signature cocktails includes the Kamala Kolada, Miora Rosé, and ever-popular orange and grapefruit crushes.
Its owners Stephen Rutgers and Mark Rutstein, who formerly operated the Cobalt Dance Bar, have come together to “create a new entertainment space that bridges the gap of labels” in the nation’s capital.
Editor’s Choice: Little Gay Pub
Best Bartender: Ben Oursler, Annie’s
1609 17th St., N.W.
It makes sense that a restaurant like Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse with such an vaunted history in Washington’s LGBTQ scene would have the most voted for bartender, and this year’s honor goes to Ben Oursler.
Oursler has helped Annie’s stay the special LGBTQ institution D.C. queers have loved for decades by slinging drinks and smiles to everyone who comes in. His infectious attitude and spirit help make Annie’s a place of year-round celebration.
Runner-up: Jared Keith Lee, Crush
Best Local DJ: DJ Matt Bailer
If you have visited any gay bars over the past few years, there’s zero chance you haven’t seen, heard, and danced to the musical stylings of DJ Matt Bailer on the dance floor. Bailer effortlessly mixes the trendiest artists, like Chappell Roan, with classic hits like “YMCA” to create a sound that is uniquely Bailer.
It is hard to stand on the sidelines of the dance floor as his funky beats interlock with tried-and-true staples that get not only the dance floor jumping but the whole bar. His non-stop schedule is a testament to not only his dedication to the craft, but also to the D.C. LGBTQ community’s desire to dance to his mixes. You can find DJ Matt Bailer at a range of spaces including the 2024 voted best LGBTQ bar Crush, Kiki, Pitchers, and the wildly popular ‘90s dance party Peach Pit at DC9.
Runner-up: DJ Heat
Best Neighborhood Bar: Number Nine
1435 P St., N.W.
With two floors of comfy seating, handsome bartenders who remember your order, and polished vibe, it makes sense that Number Nine was voted best neighborhood bar. The bar being a hot spot for Stonewall sports events, their collection of non-stop iconic music videos, and daily two-for-one drink deals keep the crowds coming. Don’t forget to grab a mint Lifesaver (and copy of the Blade) from the giant bowl out front before you sit down, sip, and relax with your friends for the night.
Editor’s Choice: Larry’s Lounge
Best Happy Hour presented by ABSOLUT: Crush Dance Bar
2007 14th St., N.W.
Newcomer Crush made the Blade’s Best Of list twice this year. The bar’s fun nostalgic dance theme gets people in the door, but the happy hour is what keeps them there. Each weekday from 5-8 p.m. Crush offers $7 premium drinks, $9 craft cocktails (including their namesake Orange Crush), and half-priced draft beers.
Editor’s Choice: JR.’s Bar & Grill
Best Outdoor Drinking: Little Gay Pub
1100 P St., N.W.
D.C. may not be known for our year-round perfect weather, but the queer community in the city has always fancied outdoor spaces that offer comfortably cute places to sip and share with friends. Logan Circle’s Little Gay Pub was voted this year’s best outdoor drinking spot as it has an enclosed awning, picnic tables with rainbow parasols, and iconic red telephone box mural that makes the bar impossible to miss.
Editor’s Choice: Kiki
Best LGBTQ-Friendly Bar: Dacha Beer Garden
1600 7th St., N.W. and 79 Potomac Ave., S.E.
Although not owned by a member of the LGBTQ community nor officially a gay bar, you will consistently see groups of D.C.’s LGBTQ community hanging out at Dacha Beer Garden drinking boots of beer and enjoying a selection off the beer garden’s extensive menu. With its giant murals of gay icons Elizabeth Taylor at the Shaw location and Jackie Onassis in the Navy Yard spot, it’s easy to see why gay, straight, and everyone in between can find something they like at Dacha.
Editor’s Choice: Stoney’s
Best LGBTQ Bar Outside the District: Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 23rd St. S
Arlington, Va.
It is difficult to talk about the LGBTQ bar scene in the DMV without mentioning Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington. Freddie’s has been a staple LGBTQ bar in the area since it opened more than 20 years ago. Serving classic cocktails and a full menu, its famous Sunday Buffet Brunch, and daily events including drag shows, bingo, and karaoke, it makes sense that Washington Blade readers voted Freddie’s the best “LGBTQ+ but straight friendly restaurant and bar” outside of the District.
Editor’s Choice: Baltimore Eagle
Best Museum: National Gallery of Art
6th St. and Constitution Ave., N.W.
The National Gallery of Art earned the title of Best Museum this year, taking the title from the National Air & Space Museum. Home to more than 150,000 paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, photographs, prints, and drawings, the gallery showcases masterpieces by artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Rembrandt, as well as the only Leonardo da Vinci painting outside of Europe, alongside contemporary art. Moreover, the gallery features an impressive collection of works by queer artists, including Ellsworth Kelly, Zanele Muholi, and Andy Warhol, which you can explore with a 45-minute self-guided tour. The gallery’s stunning architecture –– with one building in neoclassical and the other in modern style –– is worth the visit alone. Admission is free, and unlike the Air & Space Museum, advance ticket reservations are not required.
Editor’s Choice: National Museum of African American History & Culture
COMMUNITY
Best Local TV/Radio Personality: Kidd O’Shea
At 16 years old, Good Morning Washington (GMW) co-host Kidd O’Shea would make fake radio shows in his bedroom he would later play for his friend on a cassette tape during their drive to school.
Now, he’s the winner of the Washington Blade’s Best of LGBTQ DC Local Radio/TV Personality award.
“I am so lucky to be able to do what I get to do, and to be able to do it in this city,” O’Shea said.
O’Shea has been a co-host and travel correspondent for GMW on ABC7 for nearly 10 years. His bright energy and passion for visiting new places have made him a television and radio staple for the D.C. community.
Britt Waters, a GMW co-host and the recipient of this award last year, has known O’Shea for 10 years and has worked with him for three.
She said the recognition was long overdue given how much the community adores O’Shea.
“I may have won last year, but I think my mom voted for Kidd last year,” Waters said. “That just shows you how lovable he is.”
Before O’Shea came to D.C., he worked in radio in his hometown of Milwaukee.
He initially dreamed of being on broadcast news as a teenager, and would record segments with his friends who owned camcorders. After meeting a neighbor who was a local TV news anchor, O’Shea was advised to get his start in radio –– and that’s exactly what he did.
“I literally picked up a phone book and looked up small radio stations, and there was one about 45 minutes from my parents’ house,” he said. “It was a polka country music station that played gospel music Sunday morning at 7 a.m.”
He worked a 1-7 a.m. shift at that station for three months, but ultimately decided he was “ready for the big city.” O’Shea called a Milwaukee radio station and got his start pushing buttons and answering phones but eventually worked his way up.
O’Shea said he’s grateful to be pursuing a career where sharing your personal life is encouraged. He joked that he talks about his partner of five years “every other sentence” to his GMW co-hosts, but said he’s excited to work in a space where he can be open.
“Coming up through radio, that’s really how you make that connection is being honest and open,” he said. “If I met you at a bar on a Friday night, I would tell you the same story that I tell you the next morning on the radio or TV.”
O’Shea has been a visible presence for the LGBTQ community since he first opened up about his identity on air on a Milwaukee radio show he co-hosted called the Kidd and Elizabeth Show.
After former President Barack Obama endorsed gay marriage in 2012, O’Shea casually offered his thoughts on the endorsement “as a gay man” with his co-host Elizabeth Kay.
“Listeners were like, ‘I think Kidd just said he’s gay,’” he said. “That was a really important moment in my career, because while I wasn’t hiding it, I was still not revealing completely who I was. And once I did, people understood my relationship better with my co-host.”
Shortly after that segment, a 17-year-old boy called into the show to get advice about coming out to his parents.
The next day, the boy called back to tell them he did it and everything went great.
“[It’s worth it] if just one person feels more comfortable by waking up and seeing me on television and being like, ‘Oh, I’m not alone, I’m not different,’” O’Shea said. “I think that visibility is just so important.”
Waters said O’Shea and the GMW team’s appeal to the community that people see on screen is what they see in real life.
Waters said she was nervous to meet O’Shea for the first time 10 years ago, as she assumed he would be a “buttoned-up entertainment reporter.” But when she got to know him, she realized he was authentic and attracted to the simple things in life.
“You give him vodka soda, the same meal every week at Annie’s and a good conversation,” Waters said. “It’s crazy, because he travels the world and gets to do all of these different excursions and experiences for the show. But I think he values being with us most and in our community in D.C., having a good time.”
It’s the vibrant and supportive D.C. community that O’Shea said keeps him grounded in the area.
“After moving here and finding great friends, a great community, a great job and supportive coworkers –– I’m going to keep riding this one as long as I possibly can,” O’Shea said. (Clinton Engelberger)
Runner-Up: Chuck Bell, NBC4
Best LGBTQ Event: Capital Pride
2000 14th St., N.W.
What’s D.C. without Capital Pride — the crown jewel of all Pride events in the nation’s capital? Not only does this yearly event attract tens of thousands of attendees from all over the world, it is a celebration of the color and vibrancy the D.C. LGBTQ scene has to offer. And 2025 promises to be the biggest year yet for Capital Pride as the city prepares to host World Pride, which is expected to bring 2 million visitors to D.C. in May and June.
Editor’s Choice: Pride Run 5K
Best Pride Outside of D.C: Baltimore Pride
One of the buzziest events of the summer, Baltimore Pride is a showcase for the beauty of Baltimore’s LGBTQ scene. It features a parade and festival with plenty of diverse vendors and a less corporate vibe than many other urban Pride celebrations.
Editor’s Choice: Annapolis Pride
Best Clergy: Bishop. Thomas Wieczorek
Thomas Wieczorek’s popularity as a longstanding clergy member and priest with the D.C.-based affiliate parish of St. Mary’s National Catholic Church of North America prompted his fellow priests and bishops in 2022 to elect him as an auxiliary bishop.
Rather than a breakaway version of the Roman Catholic Church, Wieczorek describes the National Catholic Church of North America as an independent Catholic Church that ordains married, LGBTQ clergy and “welcomes and affirms ALL to the table.” He holds a weekly virtual church service via Facebook Live to meet the needs of what he calls an active community that offers sacraments including baptism, Eucharist, confirmation, and marriage.
He also notes that his wide-ranging “chapters in life” include being a newspaper reporter, police officer, fire chief, public safety director, and city manager. As if that were not enough, he is an owner and partner in a consulting firm that assists local governments with public safety issues throughout the U.S. and Canada and is the father of two and grandfather of seven.
Runner-up: Rev. Ashley Goff
Best House of Worship: Sixth & I
600 I St., N.W.
This historic synagogue is a non-denominational, non-membership, non-traditional Jewish congregation. It is one of the oldest synagogues in the city and is well-known for hosting many lectures, concerts, and art exhibitions for the general public.
Editor’s Choice: Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C.
Most Committed Activist: Rayceen Pendarvis
Rayceen Pendarvis has once again been selected as Most Committed Activist in the role of longtime event moderator, emcee, entertainer, and LGBTQ rights advocate. Pendarvis became a well-known and admired figure in the local LGBTQ community as host of the “Ask Rayceen Show,” a live monthly variety program that had a 10-year run from 2012 to 2021.
Pendarvis has also served as an elected D.C. Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, and has hosted multiple fundraisers, Pride celebrations, arts festivals, talent shows, fashion shows, and other events. In June of 2021, the D.C. Council unanimously approved a resolution recognizing Pendarvis’s accomplishments that it said made D.C. a better city. And that same year, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a mayoral proclamation recognizing the contributions of Pendarvis and the “Ask Rayceen Show.”
Since 2014, with the help of associate Zar, Pendarvis has been the lead public figure in the organization Team Rayceen Productions, which organizes a wide range of LGBTQ community events, many of which are broadcast live on its YouTube channel.
Runner-up: Ashley Smith
Best D.C. Public Official: Christina Henderson
D.C. Council member Christina Henderson (I-At Large) has been an outspoken longtime supporter of the LGBTQ community since first winning election to the Council in 2020 as well as in her prior work as a D.C. government official and as Deputy Chief of Staff for former D.C. Council member David Grosso, who was also an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ rights.
In her role as chair of the Council’s Committee on Health and as a member of the Committee on The Judiciary and Public Safety, Henderson has backed legislation and policies supportive of LGBTQ issues. She received a +10-candidate rating, the highest possible rating, from the Gay & Lesbian Activists Alliance in her 2020 election campaign, and a +8.5 GLAA rating in her re-election race this year, a rating that GLAA has described as very good.
As she has in past years, Henderson marched in this year’s Capital Pride Parade and participated in a Capital Pride “Kick Off” ceremony.
Runner-up: Japer Bowles
Best Daytrip: Annapolis
Next time you need a quick getaway, check out the endless activities in Maryland’s charming capital city on the Chesapeake.
Check out the famous historical landmarks like the Maryland State House and St. Anne’s Church. Explore the plethora of antique shops like Blue Crab Antiques and West Annapolis Antiques.
And you can’t visit without indulging in seafood dining spots like Cantler’s and O’Learys Seafood. There are also several gardens and parks, like Broadneck Park (613 College Pkwy.) or the Chase Home Garden (22 Maryland Ave.) where you can unplug and enjoy a stroll.
Editor’s Choice: Harpers Ferry
Best Local Professional Sports Team: Washington Spirit
D.C. is a sports city, home to many teams that play hard to earn their touchdowns, homeruns, and goals. This year Blade readers voted the Washington Spirit, our premier professional women’s soccer team, as the best local professional sports team. The incredible team is currently ranked second in the NWSL and has consistently supported local LGBTQ groups, like SMYAL. The Spirit understands the importance of playing hard and LGBTQ representation in sports.
Editor’s Choice: DC United
Best Amateur Sports League: Stonewall Bocce
Logan Circle., N.W.
A first-time winner in this category, Stonewall Bocce has grown from 80 members in its 2011 debut season to more than 780 players today. The league combines friendly competition with a strong commitment to the local community: As part of the nonprofit Stonewall Sports, Inc., the league’s mission is to donate 80 percent of its profits to local organizations that support those in need. Each of the 58 teams –– sporting witty names such as My Bocce My Choice, Son of a Bocce, and Ball Me Maybe –– gets to pick its own charity to support. Games are held every Thursday at 6:45 p.m. at Logan Circle and happy hour socials are regularly hosted at local spots.
Editor’s Choice: DC Gay Flag Football
Best LGBTQ Social Group: Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington
1517 18th St., N.W.
More than 250 voices strong, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington delivers electrifying performances that blend song, dance, and storytelling. Featuring three vocal ensembles, a youth chorus, and a dance troupe, the group has become a staple of the music scene in D.C. and beyond. As part of the “Equality Tour,” the chorus has spread the message of “equality, dignity, and justice” in cities across the country. In 2025, the GMCW will host a two-week International Choral Festival for World Pride, in which choruses from across the U.S. will join GMCW for “pop-up” concerts at various venues near the National Mall. Don’t miss their upcoming fall cabaret at the Keegan Theater on Oct. 19, or catch the always popular Holiday Show returning on Dec. 7.
Editor’s Choice: DC Gay Girls Plus
Best Non-Profit: SMYAL
SMYAL remains a cornerstone for LGBTQ youth in the D.C. area. Through its after-school programs, counseling services, and development opportunities, SMYAL provides queer and trans youth with safe spaces to express themselves, find support, and build community. In addition, the organization awards $35,000 in scholarships to students each year and also provides vital education and training for adults working with LGBTQ youth in schools, housing programs, local government agencies, and hospitals. SMYAL has pioneered innovative initiatives, including its Youth Housing Program, which is the largest LGBTQ youth housing provider in the DMV. This program offers more than 55 residents LGBTQ-affirming care and personalized services designed to help them achieve sustainable independence. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, SMYAL continues to empower LGBTQ youth, ensuring they have the resources and support necessary to thrive.
Editor’s Choice: Capital Pride Alliance
Best LGBTQ Community Center Outside of D.C.: CAMP Rehoboth
37 Baltimore Ave.
Rehoboth Beach, Del.
CAMP Rehoboth is an invaluable LGBTQ+ community center serving southern Delaware and beyond that is committed to fostering inclusivity for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Founded in the 1990s as a response to backlash against growing queer visibility in Rehoboth Beach, the organization has since become an essential force in building a safer, more accepting community. Describing itself as “an oasis and a voice for members of the LGBTQ+ community,” CAMP Rehoboth continues to look ahead with its strategic plan, “Pride in Progress,” which focuses on expanding its programs and services beyond Rehoboth Beach to maximize its impact. The center has also published Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, a free monthly newsletter chronicling LGBTQ+ life in the area, since its founding.
Editor’s Choice: Pride Center of Maryland
Best Local Website/Social Media Account: Washingtonian Problems
From challenges on the Metro to crime in the DMV, local elections, and cool things to do when you’re entertaining out-of-town guests, Washingtonian Problems spotlights the best — and, often, the worst — that our Nation’s Capital has to offer.
Editor’s Choice: Queer Talk DC
BUSINESS
Best Local Businessperson: Freddie Lutz, Freddie’s Beach Bar
Freddie Lutz, the owner of Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant in the Crystal City section of Arlington, Va., since 2001, has been recognized as a leading figure in support of the LGBTQ community and community business development in the section of Arlington where Freddie’s is located known as National Landing.
In 2018, Lutz opened his second business in Crystal City, Federico’s Ristorante Italiano, which is located on the same block on 23rd Street as Freddie’s Beach Bar and in the same building in which the iconic Café Italia was located and where Lutz began his career in the restaurant business in the 1970s as the Maitre’d. In October of 2021, Lutz opened a Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Lutz has referred to Freddie’s in Arlington and Rehoboth as “straight friendly” gay bars, where he has said everyone supportive of the LGBTQ community, especially those considered allies, are welcome. The entertainment offered at Freddie’s, including karaoke, drag bingo, and highly popular drag shows, have drawn large crowds. Also drawing crowds have been the LGBTQ community events such as fundraisers that Freddie’s has hosted.
Among the many honors and awards received by Lutz and Freddie’s Beach Bar was the 2017 Arlington County Human Rights Commission’s Human Rights Award honoring Freddie’s for its “outstanding accomplishments” in advancing human rights.
“I’m extremely proud of what I’ve done at Freddie’s, with all the diversity and the accolades,” Lutz told the Blade. “But I’ve always felt like I left my heart at Cafe Italia and now Federico’s.”
Runner-up: Russwin Francisco, Bite the Fruit
Best Medical Provider: Whitman-Walker Health
Multiple locations
Whitman-Walker Health has been serving D.C. since 1973.
Named after Walt Whitman, who once lived in Washington, and Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a physician who worked in D.C. during the Civil War before she became a women’s rights activist, Whitman-Walker was one of the first organizations to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the city.
Whitman-Walker’s mission has expanded to include legal services and general medical and dental care for LGBTQ Washingtonians and the city’s residents as a whole.
Editor’s Choice: AIDS Healthcare Foundation
The Blade also acknowledges AIDS Healthcare Foundation for its continued work in D.C. and around the world.
Best Lawyer: A.J. Singletary
A.J. Singletary works on clean air and climate law, policy and transactions as a lawyer with Van Ness Feldman.
He represents renewable energy developers, power plant operators, vehicle and engine manufacturers, policy institutes and related clients on matters including strategic direction related to environmental law and policy, air quality permits under the Clean Air Act, regulation of vehicle emissions, new and existing climate change laws and regulations and offshore wind development.
Singletary, who’s gay, is also a mental health advocate and shares his experiences being bipolar and sober to reduce stigma around mental health.
Runner-up: Amy Nelson
Best Dentist: Dr. Gregory Martin, DDS
5454 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.
Dr. Gregory Martin and his team are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, heard and valued. They deliver dental care comprehensively, scientifically, and cosmetically to focus on the mouth/body connection at every step.
Dr. Martin’s comprehensive approach offers a full complement of modern, digital and precise dentistry adjacent to a complete suite of pioneering state-of-the-art medical grade aesthetics ensuring that oral health and confidence always goes far beyond the smile. He’s openly gay.
Dr. Martin’s office offers free tattoo removal for all patients, one of many extras available. Dr. Martin is a native to the D.C. area and a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.
Runner-up: Dr. Rob McKernan, Big Gay Smiles & Whitman-Walker Health
Best Private School: Barrie School
13500 Layhill Rd.
Silver Spring, Md.
Barrie School bills itself as a “progressive independent school that inspires excellence, intrinsic motivation and responsibility through innovation in learning.”
With students starting at 3 months of age through grade 12, the Silver Spring, Md.-based school features a 45-acre campus that boasts an “extraordinary learning environment integrating local, national and global educational opportunities.”
Editor’s Choice: Burgundy Farm Country Day School
Best Real Estate Agent: Stacey Williams-Zeiger, Zeiger Realty
10300 Sweetbriar Pkwy
Silver Spring, Md.
Zeiger Realty real estate offers brokerage services in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. This award-winning company doesn’t only buy and sell houses, it’s committed to building a welcoming community.
Runner-up: Taylor Carney, Compass
Best Real Estate Group: Bediz Group, Keller Williams
1918 18th St., N.W.
Bediz Group is a team of nine real estate agents with Keller Williams, one of the largest realty firms in the DMV. This firm is no stranger to five-star reviews and awards for its exceptional work. It offers a comprehensive suite of real estate services and is here to assist sellers, buyers, investors, tenants, and landlords.
Runner-up: Jenn Smira Team, Compass
Best Med Spa: ProMD Health
1003 K St., N.W.
This spot provides anti-aging treatments, Botox and hormone therapy for patients in the D.C. area. This place is a state-of-the-art medical facility specializing in non-surgical aesthetic treatments and procedures to help patients look younger and feel younger. Whether your goals are prevention, treating a skin concern, looking like you did 10 years ago, or feeling like you did 10 years ago, ProMD Health has something for everyone.
Editor’s Choice: Honey Skincare Studio
Best Hotel: Conrad
950 New York Ave., N.W.
A self-described “unexpected urban oasis,” this hotel is where you go to experience modern luxury in D.C. With an art-forward approach to contemporary luxury, Conrad invites guests to experience D.C. through the lens of a local resident of the District and enjoy the culture and color that makes our nation’s capital one of the most incredible cities in the world.
Editor’s Choice: Eaton DC
Best Tattoo Parlor: Tattoo Paradise
2444 18th St., N.W.
This popular tattoo spot has been serving the D.C. area since 2003. The artists here pride themselves on providing exceptional tattooing and body piercing services. The team consists of skilled in-house tattoo artists combined with a roster of talented guest tattooers from all over.
Editor’s Choice: Fatty’s Tattoos
Best Adult Store: Bite the Fruit
1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.
The age of pleasure never ends and where else to grab the best tools than here? Bite the Fruit is a peerless adult boutique shop of provocative apparel and sexual furnishings. As the store itself says, “Play like nobody’s watching!”
Editor’s Choice: What’s Your Pleasure D.C.
Best Car Dealership: BMW of Fairfax
8427 Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA
Looking for a sleek, classy car that’ll get you all the compliments? BMW of Fairfax has got you covered. Not only do the car dealers here provide great customer service and help you find the car of your dreams, they have access to Sonic’s nationwide inventory of new and pre-owned BMWs so you can find exactly what you’re looking for.
Editor’s Choice: DARCARS
Best Fitness or Workout Spot: VIDA Fitness
Multiple locations
With amenities like private personal training sessions, classes taught by nationally accredited coaches, state-of-the-art equipment, and the exclusive Penthouse Pool, Vida Fitness is understandably one of the DMV’s most known gyms. Vida Fitness is more than just a gym; it’s a community hub for LGBTQ individuals looking to stay active. Its inclusive environment and regular LGBTQ-friendly events make it a standout spot for fitness and social connections alike.
Editor’s Choice: [solidcore]
Most LGBTQ-Friendly Workplace: Whitman-Walker Health
1525 14th St., N.W.
Whitman-Walker Health, the 2023 winner of the “Medical Provider” category, is not only dedicated to patient care but also to the well-being of its employees. Located at Logan Circle, the organization is a pillar in D.C.’s LGBTQ community, known for offering stigma-free healthcare and legal services. As one of the first organizations to respond to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the city, Whitman-Walker continues to lead through the Whitman-Walker Institute, which emphasizes education and advocacy, while housing a research center pursuing breakthroughs in HIV treatment and prevention. Employees receive a generous benefit package that includes tuition reimbursement, continuing education funds, and domestic partnership benefits.
Editor’s Choice: Stratus Firm
Best Home Furnishings: Miss Pixie’s
1830 Columbia Rd., N.W.
Whether you’ve just moved to D.C. and need to furnish your apartment or you’re searching for that perfect addition to your “whatnots,” Miss Pixie’s is the go-to spot. The home furnishing store is packed with chairs, tables, couches, bookshelves, paintings, vases, photos, magazines, offering anything “Victorian to yesterday with a bit of midcentury and shabby chic thrown in” that might fancy up your living quarters. This year, Miss Pixie’s relocated from 14th Street back to Adams Morgan, a return to the neighborhood where it first opened shop in the late 1990s. Miss Pixie’s keeps its 34,000 followers on its Instagram page happy with a steady feed of unique finds –– whether it’s a framed map of Rehoboth Beach or a charming table-and-chair set for your balcony. Items are affordably priced and new treasures arrive every Thursday and Friday.
Editor’s Choice: GoodWood
Best Pet Business or Veterinarian: City Dogs
1832 18th St., N.W.
Whether your furry friend needs a quick haircut, a fun day at daycare, or an overnight stay while you’re away, City Dogs has it all covered. Locally owned and operated, City Dogs offers a loving, cage-free environment with experienced staff. Their services include grooming, daycare, and boarding, with convenient drop-off and pick-up options. Daycare is especially helpful for new puppies and recently adopted rescue dogs, with City Dogs providing attention and socialization while you’re at work. Dogs are grouped by size and play style, with smaller, gentle pups and seniors in one room, and larger, more energetic dogs in another, ensuring a safe and playful experience for every pet.
Editor’s Choice: District Dogs
Best Alternative Transportation: Metro
Thanks to its exceptional Metro system, D.C. is one of the few cities in the U.S. where you are able to live comfortably without a car. The Metro is fast and reliable –– you usually don’t wait longer than 10 minutes for the next train –– and it’s incredibly user-friendly. Stations are not only clean but also feature the iconic concrete arch, with warm, calming lighting enhancing your commuting experience. It’s easy to travel across the greater D.C. area: You can get from Nationals Park to U Street, or from Arlington to Dupont Circle, in under 20 minutes. And for areas not directly served by the MetroRail, the extensive MetroBus network provides excellent connectivity. This combination gives D.C. one of the best public transportation systems in the country.
Editor’s Choice: Capital Bikeshare
Best Salon/Spa: Logan 14
1314 14th St., N.W.
After eight consecutive wins in this category, Logan 14 was voted Most LGBTQ-Friendly Workplace in 2023, but it reclaimed the Best Salon/Spa title this year. Logan 14 offers a wide range of beauty and wellness services, describing itself as “a sanctuary in the middle of busy Washington, D.C.” About 75 percent of its clientele identifies as LGBTQ, and it is staffed by passionate beauty professionals skilled in haircuts, coloring, bridal services, rejuvenating massages and skincare treatments. The medspa features other options such as Botox, fillers, and laser hair removal. Logan 14 exclusively uses Aveda products, due to its environmentally conscious manufacturing. With a focus on inclusivity and exceptional service, Logan 14 continues to be a beloved destination for beauty and wellness in the heart of the city.
Editor’s Choice: Salon Quency
REHOBOTH BEACH
Best Rehoboth-Area Bartender: Doug Moore, Starboard
2009 DE-1
Dewey Beach, Del.
Anyone who’s been to the Starboard in Dewey Beach knows Doug Moore, the ever-smiling, energetic bartender and first-time winner in this category.
Moore, who’s gay, has worked at the ‘board for 17 years, starting in 2007 in the gift shop, then moving to serving, then to bartending. He helped to open the Shark Tank, the Starboard’s year-round bar located at the front of the sprawling complex, in 2008 and says that since then, “crushes have taken over.”
He has seen a lot of change in 17 years as the area has become “a lot more year round down here, which we love. People are moving here and retiring here so it’s amazing. More people are discovering what a great destination the Delaware shore is.”
The other big change Moore has seen came in his personal life. He’s now nearly five years sober and serves on the board of Attack Addiction, a non-profit that works to de-stigmatize substance abuse.
Moore, who recently turned 40, is single, lives in Rehoboth, and enjoys beach volleyball. He grew up in Bear, Del., and graduated from the University of Delaware. He says he enjoys seeing Rehoboth gay guys migrating to Dewey Beach; he works five days a week, so stop by and say hello.
“We are come one come all at the Starboard,” he enthuses. “You’ll see everyone from six-month-old babies to a group of gay guys for Sunday brunch to bikers next to nuns next to senior week partiers. We put on a good time and everyone is there to have fun.”
Runner-Up: Zack West, Nalu
Best Rehoboth Drag Queen: Magnolia Applebottom
Magnolia has quickly become an iconic figure on the Rehoboth nightlife scene, winning this category multiple times, including last year. She is a tireless performer, taking the stage at venues across Rehoboth Beach and even across Delaware. At Diego’s she presides over the popular Splash party, which took this year’s award for Best Rehoboth Drag Show. In addition to her inventive costumes and witty banter, Magnolia sings live, which has endeared her to audiences all year long. In addition to her regular duties at Diego’s and Blue Moon, she’s headlined Salisbury Pride for three years and co-headlined a terrific show with pianist Nate Buccieri in Milton, Del., this summer.
Runner-up: Roxy Overbrooke
Best Rehoboth Drag Show: Splash Party with Magnolia Applebottom at Diego’s
37298 Rehoboth Ave.
Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Magnolia extends her winning streak to this category, edging out the competition, which is stiff in Rehoboth. Whether she’s celebrating Pride or covering Whitney Houston and getting the customers dancing, Mags gives it her all and Rehoboth readers have responded with two resounding wins this year.
Editor’s Choice: Drag Brunch at the Pines
Best Rehoboth-Area Live Show: Pamala Stanley at Diego’s
37298 Rehoboth Ave.
Rehoboth Beach, Del.
What can we say about Pamala Stanley that we haven’t said before? The Blade crowned her “Queen of Rehoboth” years ago for a reason. She’s played multiple venues in town over the years but her latest residency at Diego’s feels like a return to the good old days of the Blue Moon, with its indoor-outdoor stage, room for dancing, shirtless shot boys, and over-the-top party vibe. She packed Diego’s all summer with her longstanding Sunday night dance party and added a Broadway piano show on Monday nights, both of which will continue through the holidays. Pamala is true talent, wowing crowds with her voice and somehow managing to remember the lyrics to everything from Janet Jackson to Johnny Mathis. We simply can’t imagine the town without her.
Editor’s Choice: Games with Magnolia at Blue Moon
Best Rehoboth Outdoor Dining: Purple Parrot
134 Rehoboth Ave.
Rehoboth Beach, Del.
The gay-owned Purple Parrot celebrated its 25th anniversary this year and it remains a local institution. The bar and restaurant, which serve American cuisine with a beach flair, have always focused on being a welcoming space for all. Co-owner Hugh Fuller told the Blade earlier this year that this is one of the reasons why the restaurant has had such a lasting impact.
“Back in the ‘90s when we first opened up, the amount of straight crossdressers that would come were like, ‘Oh, are we allowed to come in? Are we welcomed into a place like that?’ And we were like ‘Everybody that walks on this planet is welcome here!’” Fuller said. “Those are the kinds of things, you know, where people just felt comfortable. They would get stared at out on the street, but inside they would walk around and feel like they were in their own skin. It was just really cool to see.”
The menu includes crab cakes, burgers, quesadillas, and more, along with special prime rib and German cuisine nights. The vibe is decidedly beachy in the Biergarten with sand, an outdoor bar with a roof covered in flowers, and umbrellas.
Editor’s Choice: Aqua
Best Rehoboth Coffee Shop: Crystal Restaurant
37300 Rehoboth Ave., Ext. 1
Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Crystal is a new winner in this category, beloved for its diner vibe and affordable, delicious breakfasts, the perfect hangover cure after a long night next door at Diego’s. You can certainly pay more for a satisfying plate of eggs, bacon, and hash browns, but why would you? Locals and tourists alike have been flocking here for years for the food, service, and coffee and the Blade’s readers have finally taken notice.
Editor’s Choice: Rise Up
Best Rehoboth Restaurant: Blue Moon
35 Baltimore Ave.
Rehoboth Beach, Del.
This category has grown more competitive in recent years with the arrival of The Pines, Drift, and Bodhi Kitchen, all within a stone’s throw of the iconic Moon. The proprietors of Second Block Hospitality Group, which owns those three popular spots, even won Restaurateurs of the Year from the Delaware Restaurant Association earlier this month. But the Blue Moon is standing strong and is beloved by Blade readers for its longevity, year-round entertainment, and, of course, its food. The popular Tasting Tuesday returned last month and runs through the off-season, offering discounted three-course dinners with wine pairings. Sunday brunch remains among the best in town. A visit to Rehoboth simply isn’t complete without a stop at the Moon.
Editor’s Choice: Henlopen City Oyster House
Best Rehoboth Real Estate Agent: Lee Ann Wilkinson
16698 Kings Highway A
Lewes, Del.
This category was closer than in recent years, but Lee Ann Wilkinson stays on top for an unprecedented seventh consecutive year. Maybe we should name this award after her?
Wilkinson, of Berkshire Hathaway, earlier this year celebrated a major industry award after being named No. 1 in total sales volume for the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Network. She’s an LGBTQ ally and the Blade profiled her in May. She told us then, “I grew up coming down for the summer until my family moved here full-time from Norristown, outside of Philly. We had businesses and family in Rehoboth. I think Rehoboth has always been gay-friendly. We never thought about it. My grandfather had a house in Rehoboth before I was born. The gay population was always welcome.”
Three of Wilkinson’s four daughters work for her and she told the Blade she has no plans to retire anytime soon. So we could see the family in this category again.
Runner-up: Andy Staton
Best Rehoboth Business: Diego’s
37298 Rehoboth Ave.
Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Diego’s pivoted during COVID and added an expansive outdoor bar area that has proven exceedingly popular with LGBTQ crowds. Owners Darryl and Joe Ciarlante-Zuber opened in 2018 and have done an exceptional job of programming the non-stop entertainment, including drag shows, world-renowned DJs, and the aforementioned Pamala Stanley. The bartenders are always welcoming and efficient, keeping the large crowds satisfied. Diego’s has become the go-to place for late-night dancing and remains popular at happy hour and, of course, on Sundays.
Editor’s Choice: Aqua Bar & Grill
a&e features
In stressful times, escape to Rehoboth Beach
Here’s what’s new in D.C.’s favorite beach town for 2025
At last, after an uncharacteristically cold and snowy winter, another Rehoboth Beach season is upon us. I have been going to Rehoboth Beach since 1984, and it was the first place I went where people only knew me as a gay man. It was the year I came out. It was a summer community back then. Today it really is an exciting year-round community. But it’s still the summer season when Rehoboth shines, and when the businesses make most of their money.
The summer brings out tens of thousands of tourists, from day-trippers, to those with second homes at the beach. Everyone comes to the beach for the sun and sand, food, and drink. Some like to relax, others to party, and you can do both in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Stop by CAMP Rehoboth, the LGBTQ community center on Baltimore Avenue, to get the latest updates on what is happening. CAMP sponsors Sunfestival each Labor Day weekend, and a huge block party on Baltimore Avenue in October. They train the Rehoboth Beach police on how to work with the LGBTQ community, and have all kinds of special and regularly scheduled events. Pick up a copy of their publication, Letters, which is distributed around town.
I asked Kim Leisey, CAMP’s executive director, for her thoughts, and she said, “CAMP Rehoboth looks forward to welcoming our friends and visitors to Rehoboth Beach. We are a safe space for our community and will be sponsoring social opportunities, art receptions, concerts, and art exhibits, throughout the summer. If you are planning a wedding, shower, reception, or business meeting, our beautiful atrium is available for rental. We look forward to a summer of solidarity and fun.” While at CAMP stop in the courtyard at a favorite place of mine, Lori’s Oy Vey! Café, and tryher famous chicken salad.
There’s something for everyone at the beach, from walking the boardwalk and eating Thrasher’s fries, to visiting Funland, or playing a game of miniature golf. Or head to some of the world-class restaurants like Drift, Eden, Blue Moon, or Back Porch.
Some random bits on the summer 2025 season. Prices are going up like everywhere else. Your parking meter will cost you $4 an hour. Meters are in effect May 15-Sept. 15. Parking permits for all the non-metered spaces in town are also expensive. Transferable permits are $365,non-transferable $295, or after Aug. 1 if you only come for the end of summer, it’s $165. Detailed information is available on the town’s website.
Rehoboth lost one of its best restaurant this off-season, JAM, but Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant is open for its fourth season. Owner Freddie Lutz told the Blade, “We are looking forward to a fabulous season. Freddie’s has a dance floor and is the only music video bar in town.” There is also live entertainment, karaoke, and Freddie’s Follies drag show Friday nights.
My favorite happy hour bar is Aqua Grill, which has reopened for the season. I recommend taking advantage of their great Tuesday Taco night, and Thursday burger night. Then there is The Pines and Top of the Pines. Bob Suppies of Second Block Hospitality told me, “Come, relax, and play. We are ready! I have been spending summers here since the mid-90’s, and Rehoboth Beach seems to age like a fine wine. Between the new, and favorite restaurants opening back up, the shops bursting with incredible finds, and all the great LGBTQ+ bars to entertain everyone, nowhere beats the Delaware beaches this summer.”
Head down the block on Baltimore Avenue and you get to La Fable restaurant. Go all the way to the beach and you will see the new lifeguard station, which is slated to open later this month. Also, demolition of the old hotel and north boardwalk Grotto Pizza has happened. The site will become a new four-story, 60-room hotel, with ground level retail space.
Then join me at my favorite morning place at the beach, The Coffee Mill, in the mews between Rehoboth and Baltimore Avenues, open every morning at 7 a.m. Owners Mel and Bob also have the Mill Creamery, the ice cream parlor in the mews, and Brashhh! on 1st street, where Mel sells his own clothing line, called FEARLESS! Then there is the ever-popular Purple Parrot, celebrating its 26th year, now with new owners Tyler Townsend and Drew Mitchell, who welcome you to their iconic place. It has only gotten better. If you head farther down Rehoboth Avenue you will find the Summer House with its upscale Libation Room, and a nice garden looking out on Rehoboth Avenue. Also on Rehoboth Avenue is Gidget’s Gadgets owned by the fabulous Steve Fallon. With the renewed interest in vinyl records you may want to stop in at Extended Play.
Then there is the always busy and fun, Diego’s Bar and Nightclub. Joe Zuber of Diego’s told the Blade, “Get ready for a great gay ole time in Rehoboth Beach. Plenty of entertainment, dancing and fun as we seem to be the next Stonewall generation with this newest administration. Each election brings its concerns about how our gay community will be affected. Come to Rehoboth Beach to escape this summer season!”
If you are in town for Sunday happy hour, make sure to stop there to hear the talented Pamala Stanley who is celebrating her 20th season entertaining in Rehoboth.And on Mondays, Stanley plays Broadway and other classics on the piano at Diego’s.
If you are looking for culture Rehoboth has some of that as well. There is the Clear Space Theatre on Baltimore Avenue. Rumors abound that Clear Space will move out of town. But I can’t believe the commissioners and mayor would be dumb enough to let that happen. This year’s shows include “Spring Awakening,” “Buyer + Cellar,” “Hairspray,” “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” and “RENT.”Tickets sell fast so I suggest you book early and they are available online. Then mark your calendars for Saturday, July 19 for Rehoboth Beach Pride 2025 at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the other fine restaurants and clubs in town. Just a reminder, during season you often need dinner reservations. Come to the beach often enough, and you can try them all: Café Azafran, Dos Locos, Goolee’s Grille, Rigby’s, Frank and Louie’s, Above the Dunes, Mariachi, and Henlopen City Oyster House, and Red, White & Basil. And take a short drive to Dewey for breakfast or lunch at the Starboard; popular bartender Doug Moore (winner of the Blade’s Best Rehoboth-Area Bartender 2024 award) holds court at one of the inside bars, which has become a de facto gay bar on Saturdays.
One major development in the local dining scene last summer was the purchase of the Big Fish Restaurant Group by Baltimore-based Atlas Restaurant Group. Nearly a year later, not much has changed at the many Big Fish restaurants, although many locals are hoping for a renovation of Obie’s along with a gay night at the ocean-front bar/restaurant.
These are only a few of the fantastic places to eat and drink at the beach. Remember, book your reservations for hotels and restaurants, early. Rehoboth is a happening place and gets very busy.
We are living in stressful times. A visit to Rehoboth is a nice way to escape them for a while. Take the time to destress, enjoy the sun and sand. Take a stroll on the boardwalk and listen to the sound of the ocean, and people having fun. Enjoy good times, good food, good friends, and remember that life can still be good. Recharge your batteries for the rest of the year, by enjoying some summer fun in Rehoboth Beach.
a&e features
Down to shuck!
Oyster farmers Jordan Nally and fiancé Jimmy Kane on caring for Delaware’s waters — and sharing something special with customers
Although I didn’t come out to my family until my 20s, they should have seen the signs. During one of our annual trips to Indian Shores Beach in Florida, my parents splurged on a Polynesian dining adventure at the only tourist spot in town – Tiki Gardens. While waiting for our table, my sisters found a saltwater tank lined with oysters. For what felt like a fortune to an eight-year-old, a fisherman would shuck a pair and sift through the contents. Dressed in my floral Hawaiian shirt, my excitement turned to desperation when both of my sisters’ oysters revealed pearls. After much begging, my father reluctantly paid to have the small, oddly shaped gems mounted in rings. Watching my sisters flaunt their new jewelry, I seethed with envy and secretly vowed to return one day to claim my own treasure from the sea.
Nearly 50 years later, I’m a full-time resident of Rehoboth Beach, Del. It’s the Atlantic Ocean, not the Gulf of Mexico, but it’s close enough to Florida for me. As a local in a small coastal town, I’m keenly interested in how entrepreneurs are capitalizing on the growing tourism industry with innovative business ideas, so when I stumble across an Instagram page featuring two gay oyster farmers, Jordan Nally and his fiancé Jimmy Kane operating just a few miles away on Rehoboth Bay, my curiosity is piqued. After liking all the posts on the page, I slip into their DMs and ask whether we can meet for an interview. I’m delighted and a little nervous when they agree and invite me out on the boat to tour the farm and talk shellfish. Since everything I know about oysters came from a restaurant menu, I did some research.
Less than a week later, I arrive at the marina on Collins Avenue in Dewey on a picture-perfect morning in early May. Nally is waiting by his pickup truck, casually chatting up a couple of tourists. He’s a Delaware native and looks every bit like an oyster farmer in a long-sleeve, sweat-wicking shirt, PVC-coated shorts, and a branded baseball cap for sun protection. That’s all the more surprising given that Nally spent more than a decade working for JPMorgan Chase and had run for election to the Delaware House of Representatives in 2020.
As a good reporter, I’ve done my research: I know that the Inland Bays (made up of Rehoboth, Indian River, and Little Assawoman Bays) were once prolific oyster producers, with peak annual harvests reaching up to two million bushels. However, by the mid-20th century, overharvesting and a parasitic fungus drastically reduced the oyster populations. By 1960, the annual harvest had plummeted to just 49,000 bushels, marking a low point for the industry. In 2013, former Gov. Jack Markell signed legislation, and the commercial shellfish industry was reborn.
As we unload the flatbed of his EV pickup truck and transport the contents to the waiting boat, a retrofitted pontoon, “The Mullet,” Nally fills me in on his origin story. He came up with the idea to dive into aquaculture while he was quarantined in a hotel in Vermont with nothing but a TV and a local magazine with a cover story on oyster farming. He pitched the idea to his partner Jimmy Kane over the phone, and together they started planning how to make it happen. Nally jokes that what began as a fun “COVID project” quickly bloomed into a thriving business: “Some people did sourdough starter, but we decided to start an oyster farm.”
Although Kane is always there to lend a helping hand, Nally is the one who’s usually out tending the farm. Still, Nally stresses that Kane plays a critical support role: “He’s in charge of merchandising, running sales at the market, and grounding me when I have too many wild ideas.”
In April 2023, the couple planted their first batch of “oyster babies,” provided by the hatchery at the University of Delaware. At the time, they were still living full time in Wilmington, so the first year on the farm meant long drives, managing their day jobs from the car, launching the boat, and working for hours out on the bay before heading back home. Eventually, the capital investment and 14-hour days paid off; now, just two years later, they have 50 floating bags, each holding about 2,000 oysters.
Out on the open water, we see a half-dozen other oyster farms off in the distance. Despite the great weather, we’re the only boat on the bay. Standing confidently at the helm with his eyes fixed on the horizon, Nally gives me a quick biology tutorial on how oysters make it from the bay to the bar. Growers trigger spawning by adjusting water conditions to mimic spring, then feed the larvae specialized algae. After two to three weeks, the larvae develop an “eyespot” and are transferred to grow-out areas on the seabed or suspended bags. Oysters generally reach market size in 18 to 36 months, but the ideal conditions in Rehoboth Bay cut that time down to less than six months.
Nally opens the throttle and, in less time than I expected, we reach the place where the magic happens – the acre of water designated for Nancy James Oysters. Unconventional and bordering on camp, the couple came up with the moniker to honor their late parents. When I ask Nally to explain why they’ve stuck with the venture, his answer, like the name of their business, is personal: “Every single day, we learn something new. And every single oyster reminds us why we started: to grow sustainably, care deeply for our waters, and share something truly special with our customers.”
As we arrive at the oyster farm, Nally cuts the engines and explains the innovative farming technique Nancy James uses to grow its oysters; picture a series of mesh bags, buoyed by floats, and attached to a main line stretching across a tract of water and anchored at both ends. Growing oysters at the water’s surface allows Nally and Kane to capitalize on natural currents and food availability, resulting in faster growth rates and enhanced flavor profiles. The only downside to this growing technique is that the guys never find pearls because the insides of their oysters are cleaner than those of the bottom dwellers.
The farm is directly across from Bird Island, and the cacophony of 10,000 birds is even louder than the whirring sound from the propellers. After anchoring the boat, Nally casually strips down to his bathing suit and surf shoes and jumps into the 60-degree water without a second thought. It’s the ultimate cold plunge, but if he feels the cold, he doesn’t show it; there’s too much work to do.
“You ready to get dirty?”
The waters of Rehoboth Bay may be pristine, but Nally’s question and smirking grin reinforce the message that oyster farming is a messy business. The first order of the day is to change out the older bags to address biofouling — the attachment of seaweed and algae that can affect the health and inhibit growth of new oysters. Nally selects three gnarly bags and hauls them over to the boat. I pull one onto the deck. Once he’s back on board, we empty the first bag onto the cleaning table, and I feel my stomach lurch. Mixed in with small crabs and tiny shrimp, the oysters are covered in muck. Suddenly, I’m glad to be wearing a pair of rubber gloves.
Following instructions, I start sorting; chefs prefer smaller oysters with well-shaped shells. Trying not to get distracted by Nally’s stories and the ravenous flock of waiting sea birds floating above me, I count out four batches of 100 oysters for same-day delivery. Nally and Kane care about how their oysters taste and look. The boat has a portable generator, sump pump, and pressure washer to clean the shells thoroughly. Always ready to quote DNREC requirements scripture and verse, Nally explains that he has to use approved water, and the easiest way is to clean them with water from where they’re growing.
When I ask if it’s hard to comply with the federal and state requirements, like logging the exact time oysters go in and come out of the water, Nally shrugs and offers a surprisingly pragmatic answer: “Everyone on the bay is aware of safety and works together to comply. If anyone gets sick from shellfish, they don’t care where it came from; it will affect all of us. When you are eating oysters in Delaware that came from Delaware, I feel really confident about safety.”
After harvesting and storing the oysters on ice, Nally checks the currents and wind direction before jumping back into the water; he regularly inspects the bags, floats, securing lines, and clips to ensure everything is in working order. As the oysters grow, Nally and Kane move them into bags with progressively larger mesh sizes and mark each with color-coded zip ties to indicate their growth stage. As they mature, the oysters are thinned out and spread across more bags to prevent overcrowding. It’s hard work, but at the end of the day, the two men are proud of what they’ve built together.
Nally explains that the warm temperatures, sandy bottoms, and high salinity of Rehoboth Bay are ideal. Still, not all farm sites are created equal: “The water here tastes different than the water on that side of the bay. It’s the fetch you’re getting from waves, all the swell, and the current. We have a really strong current on this side, and that side doesn’t, so they’re not as salty.”
Although Rehoboth Bay is known for its shallow depths and typically calm waters, aquafarming is still risky. Nally recalled a harrowing incident last winter when his lines got tangled in the boat’s propeller. Rough weather and a hefty chop made it hard to keep the boat steady. Determined to free the line, he put on his wetsuit and plunged into the frigid water. As a safety measure, he shared his location via iPhone with Kane and told him that if the location stopped moving, Nally was in the water and Kane should call the Coast Guard.
On another occasion, Nally slipped on a wet deck and hit his head — an accident reminiscent of what happened to poor Jennifer Coolidge in “White Lotus.” Fortunately, he fell into the boat rather than overboard. He takes no chances now, wearing a special life vest that automatically inflates if he falls into the bay.
Nally and Kane are the only local farmers offering premium catering services, bringing the freshest oysters and top-notch shuckers to events such as weddings and birthday parties. Nancy James Oysters can also be enjoyed at local restaurants, including Drift Seafood & Raw Bar and Lewes Oyster House. You can find them in person at the Bethany Farmers Market and the Historic Lewes Farmers Market. This summer, the couple will be shucking oysters live every Sunday afternoon at Aqua Bar & Grill. Oysters are always available for purchase online at nancyjamesoysters.com.
It’s another beautiful day when I make the short trip to town and park just outside Drift on Baltimore Avenue. Grabbing an empty seat at the outside bar window, I order without looking at the menu (at Drift, ask for the “Rehoboth Rose” oyster). In less time than it takes to check my phone, there are a dozen premium oysters in front of me — bedded in a tray of crushed ice, just waiting to be devoured.
Savoring the poetry of the presentation, I lift a shell to my mouth and slurp down the meat in one swallow. The taste is pure Delaware. Tom Wiswell, the former executive chef at Drift, describes it best: “It reminds me of being a kid at Rehoboth Beach and like a wave splashing you in the face. It’s fresh, briny, and salty.”
As I enjoy a swallow of a good glass of Cava and reach for another oyster, I realize why these exotic delicacies were dubbed “white gold.” Nearly a half-century older and wiser than that kid in the Hawaiian shirt at Tiki Gardens, I’ve finally realized that the hidden treasure inside the oyster was never the pearl.
a&e features
Your guide to the many Pride celebrations in D.C. region
Scores of events scheduled across DMV amid WorldPride excitement
June is just around the corner, but Pride events have already begun in the region. There are many events scheduled in D.C. for WorldPride 2025, as well as for D.C. Black Pride, Trans Pride, Silver Pride, Latinx Pride, API Pride and Youth Pride. Cities and towns in the region also offer their own LGBTQ Pride festivals and parades.
D.C. API Pride has events scheduled from May 17-June 8 with meetings, shows, concerts, workshops and socials. Highlights include the API Pride Welcome Reception on Wednesday, June 4 at the National Union Building (918 F Street, N.W.); a screening of Saving Face with Director Alice Wu on Sunday June 1 from 2-4 p.m. at the Smithsonian Asian Art Museum (1050 Independence Avenue, S.W.); the Desi & South Asian Drag Show on Thursday, June 5 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Sinners & Saints (639 Florida Avenue, N.W.); and the QTAPI Nightlife Extravaganza on Friday, June 6 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. at Koi Lounge (1413 K Street, N.W.) Visit qtapidc.org/apipride for more information and to register for events.
D.C. Silver Pride is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21 from 4-7 p.m. at the Eaton Hotel (1201 K Street, N.W.). The resource fair and tea dance is hosted by Rayceen Pendarvis.
D.C. Latinx Pride has events scheduled from May 16-June 19. Highlights include a kickoff reception on Thursday, May 22 from 8-10 p.m. at Shakers DC (2014 9th Street, N.W.); La Fe, a celebration of faith and resilience, at the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge Street, N.W.) on Sunday, May 25 from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.; La Fiesta: the Official Latinx Pride Party at Bunker (2001 14th Street, N.W.) on Thursday, May 29 at from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m.; as well as parties, a history walking tour, a film festival, panel discussions and more. Tickets are available for the Official Latinx Pride Party at latinxhistoryproject.org and run from $15 to $76.
Trans Pride Washington, D.C. is scheduled for May 17 beginning with registration at 9:30 a.m., a resource fair from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., panel discussions and workshops throughout the day, the Engendered Spirit Awards at 4 and a keynote speech by Schuyler Bailar with an afterparty scheduled for 6-9:30 p.m. RSVP at transpridewashingtondc.org. Location is shared after RSVP.
D.C. Youth Pride has events scheduled from May 30-June 7 in various locations throughout the city. Registration is free but required. Youth Pride Day is scheduled for May 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Woolly Mammoth Theater Company (641 D Street, N.W.). The event is for LGBTQ+ youth ages 6-18 years old and their parents/caregivers/family (those over 18 must be accompanying an attendee 18 years of age or younger). Register on Eventbrite. Other events include the “Pride Rising” event on Friday, May 30 for LGBTQ+ young adults, a Teen Pride Night, a book launch and a “Proud to Teach” mixer for LGBTQ+ educations at Crush Dance Bar (2007 14th Street, N.W.) on Thursday, June 5 from 6-8:30 p.m.
D.C. Black Pride
The 34th annual D.C. Black Pride has events scheduled from Wednesday, May 21 through Monday, May 26 at the Capital Hilton (1101 16th Street, N.W.) and other venues throughout the city.
Thurst Lounge (2204 14th Street, N.W.) is holding a Thurstnik Reloaded extended hours nightlife event from May 21-26. The event is free; no tickets or wristbands are required.
Xavier Entertainment presents 5 days with 8 events for Black Pride with Supreme Fantasy 2025 from May 22-26. Passes are available at xavierpartydc.com. Events include the DC Black World Pride Kickoff party at Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U Street, N.W.) on Thursday, May 22; the 3000 Men Block party at Karma (2221 Adams Place, N.E.) on Friday, May 23; Official DC Black Pride After Hours parties at Power Nightclub (2335 Bladensburg Road, N.E.) are scheduled for Saturday, May 24, Sunday, May 25 and Monday, May 26 from 4-8 a.m.; the Cook Out Party is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 from 5-9 p.m. at Aqua Nightclub (1818 New York Avenue, N.E.); the 5000 Men Meatloaf Saturday Rooftop Party featuring headliner Yung Miami at Public Nightclub (1214 18th Street, N.W.) on Saturday, May 24 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.; the DC Black World Pride Main Event at Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U Street, N.W.) is scheduled for Sunday, May 25 starting at 4 p.m.; the Meatloaf After Dark party at Power Nightclub (2335 Bladensburg Road, N.E.) is scheduled for Monday, May 26 from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m.
The Welcome to D.C. Happy Hour is scheduled for Thursday, May 22 from 5-10 p.m. at Metrobar (640 Rhode Island Avenue, N.E.).
The Welcome to D.C. Happy Hour is scheduled for Thursday, May 22 from 5-10 p.m. at Decades Rooftop (1219 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.). Purchase tickets at blisspride.com.
The 9th annual D.C. Black Pride Unity Free Ball is scheduled for Thursday, May 22 from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. at the Capital Hilton Hotel (1001 16th Street, N.W.). RSVP at Eventbrite for the free event.
Daryl Wilson Promotions presents The Pregame Act 1 party scheduled for Thursday, May 22 from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. at The Ugly Mug (723 8th Street, S.E.).
The Welcome Reception is scheduled for Friday, May 23 at 3 p.m. until 9 a.m. on Saturday at the Capital Hilton Hotel (1001 16th Street, N.W.).
The 34th annual D.C. Black Pride Opening Reception is scheduled for Friday, May 23 from 5-10 p.m. at the Capital Hilton Hotel (1001 16th Street, N.W.). Special guests include Kerri Colby, TS Madison and Monroe Alise.
The Bliss Pastel Party, a women’s event, is scheduled for Friday, May 23 from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. at Strand (1400 Eye Street, N.W.). $20 advance tickets are available at Blisspride.com.
The Capital House Music Festival salutes Sam the Man Burns at a free music festival featuring artists and DJs on May 24 from 10 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. at Alethia Tanner Park (227 Harry Thomas Way, N.E.).
The “For the Culture” Brunch Cruise is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 aboard The Spirit of Washington. Boarding time is 11:15 a.m. at the dock at 580 Water Street, S.W. The boat returns to the dock at 3 p.m.
The Writers Forum, a panel of Black, LGBTQ+ writers, is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 from 1-3 p.m. at the Capital Hilton Hotel (1001 16th Street, N.W.).
Daryl Wilson Promotions presents the “Infamous” Saturday Day Party on May 24 from 5-11 p.m. at The Park (1201 Half Street, S.E.).
The Mary Bowman Poetry Slam Open Mic is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 from 6-8 p.m. at the Capital Hilton Hotel (1001 16th Street, N.W.). Twelve of performance poets from around the country compete for over $1,500 in prizes in a night of poetry hosted by Kenneth Something.
The Pure Bliss Party, a women’s event, is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. at Strand (1400 Eye Street, N.W.). Tickets are $25 in advance and available at Blisspride.com.
The Capitol Ballroom Council presents Brunch & Babes: DC Black Pride WorldPride Edition at Hook Hall (3400 Georgia Avenue, N.W.) on Sunday, May 25 from noon until 4 p.m. The drag event, hosted by Sophia McIntosh, features a brunch buffet and giveaways. Tickets are $20-$80.
The Clubhouse 50th anniversary “Children’s Hour Party” with special guest Rochelle Fleming is scheduled for Sunday, May 25 from 3-9 p.m. at Bravo Bravo (1001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.).
Daryl Wilson Promotions presents The Wet Dreams Mega Day Party scheduled for Sunday, May 25 from 5-11 p.m. at The Bullpen (1201 Half Street, N.E.).
D.C. Black Pride 2025 Closeout – The Finale is scheduled for Sunday, May 25 from 6-10 p.m. at Twelve After Twelve (1212 18h Street, N.W.). $15 advance tickets are available at Blisspride.com.
Daryl Wilson Events is hosting the Sunday Night Super Party on Sunday, May 25 from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. on Monday at The Park (920 14th Street, N.W.).
Pride in the Park is scheduled for Monday, May 26 from 12-7 p.m. at Fort Dupont Park (Minnesota Avenue, S.E.).
The World Pride Black Queer Film Festival is scheduled for May 27-29 from 6-9 p.m. at Howard University’s Blackburn Digital Auditorium (2397 6th Street, N.W.). The event is free, but RSVP and see descriptions of films and showtimes on Eventbrite.
D.C. WorldPride 2025
The international event WorldPride 2025 is to be held in Washington, D.C. from May 18-June 8. Events include a Choral Festival from May 23-June 8; a WorldPride Film Festival from May 27-29; the Capital Cup Sports Festival from May 30-June 4; a Human Rights Conference on June 4-6, as well as marches, concerts, parties, a street festival and more. Visit worldpridedc.org for more information on affiliated events.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington is presenting the International Choral Festival for WorldPride 2025 with daily hour-long pop-up performances from singers from around the world on Friday, May 23 through Sunday, June 8 in venues throughout the city. The festival is free and open to the public, however, premium passes with reserved seating is available at GMCW.org.
The WorldPride Film Festival is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27 through Thursday, May 29 and includes LGBTQ-themed films from across the globe. Screenings are to be held at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – Cojeaux Cinemas (630 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W. and 1660 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Va.) and Atlas Performing Arts Center – Sprenger Theater (1333 H Street, N.E.). Movie descriptions and showtimes are listed at worldpridedc.org.
Team D.C. is hosting the Capital Cup Sports Festival on Friday, May 30 through Wednesday, June 4 in multiple venues. Athletes from around the world compete in basketball, bocce, cornhole, climbing, swimming, darts, dodgeball, flag football, kickball, golf, pickleball, regatta, roller derby, rugby, soccer, tennis, volleyball and wrestling. The D.C. Front Runners annual Pride Run 5K at Congressional Cemetery on June 1 is included. Find a tentative schedule and registration information at worldpridedc.org.
The Welcome Ceremony + Concert is scheduled for Saturday, May 31 at National’s Park (1500 South Capitol Street, S.E.). Shakira is performing in her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour. Tickets run from $108 to $730 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
The WorldPride Human Rights Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4 through Friday June 6 at the JW Marriott (1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.). Featured speakers include the Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Dr. Lady Phyll and Paula Gerber. Early bird registration is available through capitalpride.org for $350, with virtual registration available for $200.
The National Trans Visibility March is holding a Policy and Safety Summit at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport (2799 Richmond Highway, Arlington, Va.) on Thursday, June 5 through Friday, June 6. Find more information on panels and topics at ntvmarch.org.
The Capital Pride Honors are scheduled for Thursday, June 5 from 7-11 p.m. at the National Building Museum (401 F Street, N.W.). The red carpet gala includes live music, food and a formal awards ceremony for trailblazers in the LGBTQ+ community. Tickets are $105.25 and are available through capitalpride.org.
The Pride Celebration Concert with the International Pride Orchestra is scheduled for Thursday, June 5 at 7:30 at Strathmore Music Center (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, Md.). The International Pride Orchestra joins the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington for an evening of music. Tickets run from $35-$100 and can be purchased through strathmore.org.
The World Pride Music Festival: Global Dance Party is scheduled for Friday, June 6 through Saturday, June 7 at RFK Festival Grounds (2500 Independence Avenue, S.E.). The two day festival spans three stages. Attendees must be 18 years of age or older to participate. Performers on Friday include Jennifer Lopez, Gallants, Marina, Paris Hilton, Rita Ora, Tinashe, Betty Who, LP Giobbi, Patrick Mason and Trisha Paytas among others, with a closing set by Zedd. Saturday performers include Troye Sivan, Grimes, Kim Petras, Purple Disco Machine, Ray, Sofi Tukker, Anabel Englund, Coco & Breezy, Crush Club, Aluna, Sasha Colby and a DJ set by RuPaul.
The WorldPride 17th Street Block Party is scheduled for Friday, June 6 from 5-10 p.m. and Saturday, June 7 from noon until 10 p.m. along 17th Street, N.W. in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. There will be a beverage garden and LGBTQ+ entertainment.
The Washington Blade is hosting the sixth annual Pride on the Pier Boat Parade & Fireworks Show at The Wharf (101 District Square, S.W.) on Friday, June 6 from 3-10 p.m. and Saturday, June 7 from noon until 10 p.m. The event is free, though VIP tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite for $30. The boat parade is schedule for 7 p.m. on June 6, and the fireworks show is scheduled for 9 p.m. on June 7. More information is available at prideonthepierdc.com.
The Full Bloom: Friday Main Event is scheduled for Friday, June 6 at 9 p.m. at 1235 W Street, N.E. Tickets are $100 and available at capitalpride.org.
LUSH: The DC Lesbian Nightclub Experience is scheduled for June 6 at 10 p.m. at 618 DC (618 H Street, N.W.). Advance tickets are $15 at ra.co. The event is 21+ and features an “all-dyke DJ lineup” with Lady Lavender, Flotussin and Jacq Jill.
The WorldPride Parade is scheduled for Saturday, June 7 with the step off at 2 p.m. at 14th Street and T Street, N.W. The parade is slated to move down 14th street to Freedom Plaza and then Pennsylvania Avenue.
The WorldPride Street Festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 7 and Sunday June 8 for noon until 10 p.m. along Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. between 9th and 3rd Streets. There will be food courts, beverage gardens, a Camp Pride Family Area / kids’ zone, community vendors, activities, entertainment and more.
The Post-Parade + Closing Concerts is scheduled for Saturday, June 7 through Sunday, June 8 at the Street Festival and Concert Grounds at 3rd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. The event is free to the public, though Tier 2 VIP tickets are available (and quickly selling out) at capitalpride.org for $335.01 for the Saturday concert or $575.20 for Saturday and Sunday. Cynthia Erivo, David Archuleta, CeCe Peniston and Kristine W take the stage on Saturday for the post-parade. Doechii, Khalid, Brooke Eden, 2AM Ricky, Parker Matthews and MkX are scheduled to perform in the Sunday Closing Concert.
The Fabric of Freedom Main Saturday Event is scheduled for June 7 at 10 p.m. at 1235 W Street, N.E. KINETIC Presents and the Capital Pride Alliance host the party featuring three stages, over 100,000 square feet of dance floor, and a performance by Pabllo Vittar. Tickets are available for purchase at capitalpride.org and run from $120.92 to $188.80.
Unwraveled: The Official Women’s Party for WorldPride 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, June 7 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. at The Park at 14th (920 14th Street, N.W.). Tickets run from $63.48 to $105.25 and are available for purchase at capitalpride.org.
The International Rally + March on Washington for Freedom is scheduled for Sunday, June 8 with the rally beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the march kicking off from the Lincoln Memorial (2 Lincoln Memorial Circle, N.W.) at noon. The march will end near the U.S. Capitol Building for the WorldPride DC Street Festival and Closing Concert.
Visit worldpridedc.org/events to see a full list of partner and affiliate events for WorldPride 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Regional Prides
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride is to be held on Saturday, May 17 at the Harris Pavilion (9201 Center Street, Manassas, Va.) from noon until 4 p.m. The family-friendly event is held in the historic center of Old Town Manassas.
The second annual Herndon Pride is being held at Arts Herndon (750 Center Street, Herndon, Va.) on Saturday, May 24 from noon until 5 p.m.
Annapolis Pride, one of the larger Pride celebrations in the region, includes both a parade and festival on Saturday, May 31. The parade is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Calvert and Bladen Streets and end at Amos Garrett Boulevard off of West Street. The festival is to be held at Maryland Hall (801 Chase Street, Annapolis, Md.) from noon until 5 p.m.
The 2025 Arlington Pride Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 31 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City (2799 Richmond Highway, Arlington, Va.). The indoor event is free. A number of other ticketed events ($30-$250) are scheduled for Arlington Pride as well, including a pageant hosted by Shi-Queeta Lee, a drag brunch, speed dating and an afterparty.
The fourth annual Loudoun Pride Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 31 from noon until 6 p.m. at Ida Lee Park (60 Ida Lee Drive N.W., Leesburg, Va.). The ticketed event ($5) includes musical performances, a magic show, face painting, bounce houses, food vendors, an alcohol pavilion and the return of “Dragstravaganza.”
Page County / Luray Pride is set for Saturday, May 31 from noon until 5 p.m. at River’s Bend Ranch (397 Riverbend Rd., Stanley, Va.). The family-friendly event is free, but horseback riding is available for those who sign up in advance for $60 + tip to trail guide.
The Charles County Department of Health is holding the third annual PrEP for Pride at 4545 Crain Highway in White Plains, Md. from noon until 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 31. The free festival includes a spirited Pride Walk, entertainment and vendors.
Reston Pride is scheduled for Saturday, May 31 from 6-9 p.m. and Sunday, June 1 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza (1609 Washington Plaza N., Reston, Va.). The free events planned for the weekend include the Rising Voices! Community Concert on Saturday and the Pride Festival on Sunday.
The third annual Culpeper Pride Festival is scheduled for Sunday, June 1 from noon until 5 p.m. at the Mountain Run Winery (10753 Mountain Run Lake Road, Culpeper, Va.). The free event includes music, vendors, a 2 p.m. runway contest. An after hours drag show is scheduled for 6-8 p.m., with tickets available for $10.
The City of Rockville Human Rights Commission is hosting the ninth annual Rockville Pride Festival on Sunday, June 1 from 2-5 p.m. at Rockville Town Square (131 Gibbs Street, Rockville, Md.).
The fourth annual Portsmouth Pride Fest is scheduled for Sunday, June 1 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Portsmouth Festival Park (16 Crawford Circle, Portsmouth, Va.). The family-friendly free event includes entertainment, vendors, community information and a dog park.
Fairfax Pride is scheduled for Saturday, June 7 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Stacy C. Sherwood Center (3740 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, Va.). The Fairfax Pride Launch Event hosted by Fairfax City and George Mason University is set to include children’s activities, crafts, and more.
The 4th annual Mosaic Pride is coming to the Mosaic District (District Avenue, Fairfax, Va.) with drag shows, live music and more on Saturday, June 14 from 3-9 p.m. The day’s events include a 3 p.m. parade, drag story time with Tara Hoot and an aerialist performance.
The 50th annual Baltimore Pride is to be held June 8-15. The full list of scheduled events has not yet been released, but generally includes the Baltimore Pride Parade and the Baltimore Pride Festival. Check back with the Washington Blade for more specific event times as they become available.
The fourth annual Delmarva Pride Festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at S. Harrison and E. Dover Streets in Easton, Md. The free event includes vendors and entertainment. Other Delmarva Pride events scheduled over the weekend include “A Night in New Orleans” concert and dance on Thursday, June 12 at 7 p.m. at the Garfield Center for the Arts (210 High Street, Chestertown, Md.), as well as a drag show and art event on Friday, a dance (18+) on Saturday and a Pride Brunch on Sunday.
Hampton Roads Pride Weekend is scheduled for June 20-22. Weekend events include a unique boat parade, a Pridefest, a block party and more.
The fifth annual Catonsville Pride is scheduled for Saturday, June 21 from 2-5 p.m. at Catonsville Presbyterian Church (1400 Frederick Road, Catonsville, Md.). The ticketed event ($4-$5) is a charity fundraiser with all net proceeds slated to go to the Journeys Cottage at The Children’s Home (a safe space for trans youth).
The 13th annual Hagerstown Pride is scheduled for Saturday, June 21 from noon until 6 p.m. at Doubs Woods Park (1307 Maryland Avenue, Hagerstown, Md.).
The 12th annual Frederick Pride Festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Carroll Creek Linear Park (50 Carroll Creek Way, Frederick, Md.). The free event includes a full food truck court, a beverage garden, hundreds of vendors, a car show, musical guests, drag performances, a children’s area and more.
The eighth annual Alexandria Pride Fair is scheduled for Saturday, June 28 from 3-6 p.m. at Alexandria City Hall and Market Square (301 King Street, Alexandria, Va.). The free event includes exhibitors and vendors, a drag story hour, food trucks, live music, health services a mobile art lab, dancing are more.
FXBG PRIDE (Fredericksburg, Va.) is scheduled for Saturday, June 28 with a march set to begin with speeches at 10 a.m. at Riverfront Park (701 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg, Va.) and move through downtown Fredericksburg. Following the march, the FXBG Pride Festival is scheduled from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Riverfront Park. An afterparty at Market Square (214 William Street, Fredericksburg, Va.) is scheduled for 6-11 p.m., with 18+ after 9 p.m. All events are free.
The 2025 Salisbury Pride Parade and Festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 28. The parade is planned to begin at 3 p.m. and move along Main Street in downtown Salisbury, Md. The festival is to run from 2-6:30 p.m.
The Montgomery County Pride in the Plaza is scheduled for Sunday, June 29 from noon until 8 p.m. at Veterans Plaza (1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, Md.).
Cumberland Pride is scheduled for Sunday, June 29 from noon until 4 p.m. at Canal Place (13 Canal Street, Cumberland, Md.). The free event includes entertainment, vendors and more.
Some cities have opted for Pride celebrations later in the year. Pride festivals in Front Royal, Va. and Westminster, Md. are slated for July 26. C’ville Pride Festival (Charlottesville, Va.), Shenandoah Valley Pride (Harrisonburg, Va.) and Virginia Pridefest (Richmond, Va.) are scheduled for September. Staunton Pride (Staunton, Va.), Southwest Virginia Pride (Salem, Va.), Winchester Pride (Winchester, Va.) and HoCo Pride (Columbia, Md.) are scheduled for October.
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Calendar: May 16-22
