The year in photos

From a pandemic to protests, 2020 is one for the history books

Published

5 years ago

December 30, 2020

Michael Key

From a pandemic to protests, 2020 is one for the history books.

**Monet Dupree** performs at Freddie’s Follies at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Gill on Jan. 13 at a time before the concept of ‘social distancing.’

**David Spivey** is named ‘Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather 2020’ on Jan. 17.

Members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington perform at the Brother, Help Thyself Foundation Grant Awards ceremony in the now-shuttered DC Eagle.

Virginia Gov. **Ralph Northam** attends an Equality Virginia event on Feb. 4 in Richmond celebrating the impending passage of the Virginia Values Act in the Virginia General Assembly.

The Washington Blade holds its annual Most Eligible LGBT Singles party at Duplex Diner on Feb. 14.

Mayor **Pete Buttigieg** makes a presidential campaign stop in Northern Virginia on Feb. 23.

Rep. **Mark Takano** (D-Calif.) speaks at a congressional hearing on LGBT rights on Feb. 27.

Gay Trump supporter **Brandon Straka** speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 28.

As life with COVID-19 became a new reality, someone erected a “HOPE” sign in Winchester, Va.

The streets and restaurants of the gayborhood were empty by March 17 as new COVID-19 restrictions were put in place.

**Ruby Corado** has her temperature checked before entering the Casa Ruby community center on May 8.

Riots broke out in the streets of D.C. on May 31 following the murder of George Floyd.

A peaceful Black Lives Matter protest was held at Black Lives Matter Plaza on June 6.

The activist group No Justice No Pride organized a ‘Defund MPD’ march and protest on June 13.

The No Justice No Pride ‘Defund MPD’ march ended in a protest in front of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s home.

A makeshift memorial was created in front of the United States Supreme Court following the death of Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Signs mourning the loss of trans women of color were among those on the White House fence on election day, Nov. 3.

A ‘Make America Great Again’ pro-Trump mega rally was held on the streets of D.C. Protesters included Gays for Trump.

A series of new coronavirus restrictions threaten the future of LGBT businesses.

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PHOTOS: ‘ICE Out For Good’ Sunday protests

Northern Virginia demonstrations among nationwide protest

Published

4 days ago

January 12, 2026

Michael Key

A demonstrator holds a sign with the photo of Renee Nicole Good. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

“ICE Out For Good” demonstrations were held in the Northern Virginia municipalities of Haymarket, Annandale and Arlington, among others, on Sunday, Jan. 12.

Nearly 1,200 similar actions were scheduled nationwide over the weekend, according to a statement from organizers.

Demonstrations in D.C. against ICE included a protest march on Friday and a march around the White House on Saturday.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

*Picketers stand along James Madison Highway near Heathcode Blvd. just outside of Haymarket, Va. on Sunday, Jan. 11.*

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*Demonstrators in the ‘ICE Out For Good’ protests hold signs on an overpass over the Capital Beltway in Annandale, Va. on Jan. 11.*

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*Demonstrators participating in the ICE Out For Good protests stand along Mount Vernon Ave. in Alexandria, Va.* on Jan. 11.

PHOTOS: ‘ICE Out For Good’

Demonstrators protest ICE across country following shooting

Published

5 days ago

January 10, 2026

Michael Key

D.C. shadow representative Oye Owolewa speaks at a rally outside of the White House on Saturday, Jan. 10. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

A protest was held outside of the White House on Saturday following the killing of Renee Nicole Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis. Across the Potomac, picketers held signs calling for “Justice for Renee” in Tysons, Va.

“ICE Out For Good” demonstrations were held in cities and towns across the country, according to multiple reports. A march was held yesterday in Washington, D.C., as the Blade reported. Further demonstrations are planned for tomorrow.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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PHOTOS: Freddie’s Follies

Queens perform at weekly Arlington show

Published

1 week ago

January 6, 2026

Michael Key

The Freddie's Follies drag show was held at Freddie's Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Freddie’s Follies drag show was held at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. on Saturday, Jan. 3. Performers included Monet Dupree, Michelle Livigne, Shirley Naytch, Gigi Paris Couture and Shenandoah.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)