Arts & Entertainment
Kristen Stewart and Bonham Carter join James Franco in transgender hoax biopic
(Screenshot courtesy of YouTube)
Kristen Stewart and Helena Bonham Carter are in talks to join James Franco in the cast of “JT Leroy”, the biopic about a cis woman who pretended to be a transgender author.
The movie will tell the true story of a woman, Laura Albert, who pretended to be a man who identified as transgender in her writing. The novel “Sarah” was about his supposed rough life on the streets and believed to be a memoir at the time. Another woman, Savanah Knoop, would physically impersonate Leroy during rare appearances fooling literary and celebrity circles.
The story was revealed to be a hoax in an investigative story for New York Magazine in 2005.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Franco is attached to the film while Stewart, who is up for the role of Knoop, and Bonham Carter, who is up for the role of Albert, are in negotiations. Justin Kelly, who previously directed “I Am Michael,” will direct.
Shooting is set for this summer.
Sundance Film Festival premiered “Author: The JT Leroy Story”, a documentary about JT Leroy, last month.
The Capital Pride Alliance presented the 2026 Capital Pride Honors at “The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia” at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 7.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
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Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
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Calendar: June 12-18
Hundreds of thousands expected to attend D.C. Pride events
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Queen Jean is Tony’s first transgender winner
David Archuleta, Monroe Alise named D.C. Pride parade marshals
