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Janelle Monáe to receive HRC Equality Award

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Janelle Monáe (Image via Instagram)

Janelle Monáe will be honored with the HRC’s Equality Award, the civil rights organization announced on Thursday.

The Human Rights Campaign, which is the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, will honor the award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, performer, and activist at the 2020 HRC Los Angeles Dinner on Saturday, March 28 at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown.

In a statement, HRC President Alphonso David said, “A highly celebrated and influential artist, Janelle Monáe is an icon who has used her global platform to share a message of celebrating authenticity and embracing all of who we are. Through her activism on initiatives that work to inspire civic engagement and advance gender justice, Janelle has been a guiding force for positive change. We are incredibly excited to honor Janelle Monáe with the HRC Equality Award at the 2020 Los Angeles Dinner.”

Monáe has been a leading voice in the public conversation about the importance of LGBTQ visibility and representation. Her “I want young girls, young boys, nonbinary, gay, straight, queer people who are having a hard time dealing with their sexuality. The singer dealing with feeling ostracized or bullied for just being their unique selves, to know that I see you,” Monáe told.   

An 8-time Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, performer, activist, and fashion icon, Monáe is not only of the most celebrated musical artists of our time, but a leading voice in the public conversation about LGBTQ visibility and acceptance. She dedicated her double-Grammy-nominated 2018 album “Dirty Computer” to young LGBTQ people struggling to live their authentic selves, telling  Rolling Stone in an interview at the time, “I want young girls, young boys, nonbinary, gay, straight, queer people who are having a hard time dealing with their sexuality, dealing with feeling ostracized or bullied for just being their unique selves, to know that I see you.” As an actor, she recently appeared in the  acclaimed “Harriet,” for which she has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award, and will soon be headlining the upcoming thriller “Antebellum,” as well as starring as Dorothy Pitman Hughes in the upcoming Gloria Steinem biopic “The Glorias: A Life on the Road.” She will also star in the second season of the critically acclaimed Amazon Prime series, “Homecoming.”

She is a co-chair for When We All Vote, an organization dedicated to changing the culture around voting in order to close the age and race gap and increase participation in every election. In addition, she leads Fem the Future, an initiative which empowers female media creatives and filmmakers.

The 2020 Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Dinner is the first since HRC opened its Los Angeles office. The event brings together HRC’s most active members and supporters in the greater Los Angeles area to raise crucial funds in the fight for LGBTQ equality.

For tickets and further information visit the HRC website.

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Out & About

Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth

Politicians slated to speak at annual Blue Moon party

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Sarah McBride is scheduled to deliver keynote remarks at the Blade’s 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party on May 17 in Rehoboth Beach. (Washington Blade file photo by Daniel Truitt)

The Washington Blade’s 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party returns Friday, May 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave.) in Rehoboth Beach, Del. 

It’s an exciting election year in Delaware, which is poised to elect its first Black woman senator (Lisa Blunt Rochester) and the nation’s first transgender member of Congress (Sarah McBride).

McBride is scheduled to speak at the party along with several politicos from the area. With the retirement of longtime state Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, a staunch LGBTQ ally, three strong contenders are running to replace him. All three — Marty Rendon, Kathy McGuiness, and Claire Snyder-Hall — are slated to speak at the party. A representative from Blunt Rochester’s campaign is scheduled to speak, along with Kim Leisey, the new executive director of CAMP Rehoboth. 

Tax-deductible tickets are $20 and available on Eventbrite or via the Blade’s Facebook page. The party is sponsored by Justin Noble of Sotheby’s, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.

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Out & About

Andy Cohen coming to D.C.

‘Real Housewives’ producer to return to Sixth & I

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Andy Cohen

Andy Cohen, executive producer of “The Real Housewives” franchise and host of “Watch What Happens Live,” will return to Sixth & I on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.

This event will be his fifth appearance at the venue to celebrate the paperback release of his New York Times bestselling memoir, “The Daddy Diaries,” talk about the latest Housewives happenings, and answer audience questions about everyone’s favorite Bravolebrities.

Cohen will be in conversation with Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents California and is the first LGBTQ immigrant to win a congressional seat. Rep. Garcia has also been known to quote from “The Real Housewives” in congressional hearings.

Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased on Eventbrite. 

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Bars & Parties

Want to dance for a good cause?

Artists Mercedes and Desto host a queer party

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(Image via Eventbrite)

“Herses- Purse Frist Extravaganza” will be on Friday, May 3 at 9 p.m. at 1835 14th St. N.W. This will be an evening of dancing and performances, hosted by HAUS of Bambi Award-winning Performance Artist, BUMPER. Refreshments are also available for purchase.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

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