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Watch: Laverne Cox surprises trans man who has never met another trans person

The ‘Orange is the New Black’ star’s meeting got emotional

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Ashley Graham, Laverne Cox and Rickey on ‘Fearless’ (Screenshot via YouTube)

Laverne Cox gave Rickey, a transgender man from Kansas City, Missouri, the surprise of a lifetime when she met him for Ellen DeGeneres’ new digital series “Fearless.”

The series, hosted by model Ashley Graham, is aimed at “empowering everyday people to be totally, unapologetically fearless.” This episode introduced Rickey, 25, who comes from a conservative family. Rickey explained his struggles being transgender saying that he wears baggy hoodies to conceal his chest until he gets top surgery.

“The hoodies … it’s to hide my chest because I have to bind, and it makes me flat-chested, and they don’t know,” Rickey says. “Top surgery will make me more confident in myself because I feel trapped right now. But, this is who I am, and I don’t have to hide it anymore.”

Rickey told Graham one of his low points saying “I used to get up like 5 in the morning to take showers so I wouldn’t have to look at myself in the mirror.”

Graham says she wants to introduce him to someone who can relate to his struggles. When Rickey sees actress and transgender activist Cox, he breaks down into tears. Cox is the first openly transgender person he’s met.

Cox listened to Rickey’s journey and offered some advice.

“My work has been to love myself at every phase ― to be able to look in the mirror every day and say, ‘You are beautiful,'” Cox says. “Everyone should be able to actualize themselves. Our journey is a little bit different than other people’s, but it’s the same journey,” the actress, author and activist says. “We’re just trying to be the best us we can be.”

Cox and Graham then offer Rickey $10,000 towards his surgery.

Watch below.

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PHOTOS: The Audacity Brunch

2026 Capital Pride Honors presented at ‘Full Fuchsia’ ceremony

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The 2026 Capital Pride Honors were presented at The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia on Sunday, June 7. (Washington Blade photo by Landon Shackelford)

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)

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Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves

Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community

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(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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

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Out & About

Baltimore Pride is here

Parade, block party, festival planned for Maryland city

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A scene from last year’s Baltimore Pride. This year’s main events take place on Saturday and Sunday. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

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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