Arts & Entertainment
Ellen DeGeneres recounts her teary Medal of Freedom ceremony
talk show host recalls forgetting her ID
Ellen DeGeneres revealed on her show Tuesday what it was like to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama in a ceremony that brought out DeGeneres’s emotional side.
DeGeneres, who received a medal along with Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Michael Jordan, among others, said she was “so honored” to be included in the group.
“The ceremony was incredible. If you haven’t seen what President Obama said, go to our website, it was beautiful. I don’t even know how to express in words how honored I felt getting that from the President of the United States who I love so very much,” DeGeneres says.
DeGeneres was brought to tears when she accepted the medal but the talk show host almost didn’t make it inside when she forgot her ID.
“And all the honorees are passing me. Bruce Springsteen and Patti [Springsteen’s wife] are passing me and they’re like, ‘How do you not bring ID to the White House?’ And I was like, ‘This is my ID, Bruce. This is my ID,’” DeGeneres said pointing to her face.
Watch DeGeneres recount the story below.
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.
PHOTOS: The Audacity Brunch
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Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Baltimore Pride is here
Calendar: June 12-18
Hundreds of thousands expected to attend D.C. Pride events
PHOTOS: Pride Run
Queen Jean is Tony’s first transgender winner
David Archuleta, Monroe Alise named D.C. Pride parade marshals
