Arts & Entertainment
Tank’s D.C. Black Pride performance leaves fans confused
the singer left people confused over his sexuality
Tank is standing firm as an LGBT ally despite being criticized for his performance at D.C. Black Pride over Memorial Day weekend.
The singer, who grew up in the D.C. area, took the stage shirtless and crooned to a packed audience during a day party event but social media questioned his sexuality and his support.
So Tank really did do Pride.
pic.twitter.com/BAZHN7itwy— tyrese sanders (@tysandsnyc) May 29, 2017
Gay men with nice bodies and clean cut faces… yeah Tank was loving that view.
— Tarshay (@Ucan_KissMyPump) May 29, 2017
But half naked at Pride doe? ??????
— Bussy Jolie♓️ (@Im_bull_forreal) May 31, 2017
However, there was a lot of support for Tank’s choice to celebrate with the LGBT community.
Encouraging to see Tank, a straight black man, performing at Black LGBT Pride event in DC this weekend. Open minds. Open hearts. https://t.co/BpogpPRMbX
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) May 30, 2017
Tank performed at Gay Pride pic.twitter.com/ALP8yg5qFr
— 90210 (@HOSEAXXI) May 29, 2017
What y’all really need to be talking about is how Tank performed at a gay pride event before y’all favs that y’all love and support so much. pic.twitter.com/TIs0HRdTQx
— ᴅᴏʟʟᴀʀ (@callmedollar) May 30, 2017
The R&B star didn’t address the criticism, instead choosing to post a photo of himself performing simply captioned, “An amazing moment.”
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
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