Skip to content
LGBTQ News

LGBTQ News

All News

rights

Straight Pride Month would finally help cishet people feel like they belong

As we kick off June’s Pride activities, many cis-hetero Christian nationalists are feeling dejected. So, in their attempts to reclaim the month, many Republican governors have pushed “counterprogramming” by labeling June as “Nuclear Family Month” in Indiana and Tennessee, “Strong...

LGBTQ NationJun 11, 2026

rights

The right is trying to overturn marriage equality. That will hurt LGBTQ+ families.

Across much of America, marriage equality is widely accepted and recognized as a fundamental right. More than a decade after the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex couples had a constitutional right to marry, LGBTQ+ families across America have flourished. ...

LGBTQ NationJun 11, 2026

rights

Why I’m supporting Gary Goodweather for D.C. mayor

Hey fellow LGBTQ+ Democrats, this is worth reading! Especially if you're a voter in Washington, D.C. who's planning to cast a ballot for the nomination of local candidates in the District of Columbia in 2026. Because next Tuesday June 16 is a really Big Deal for D.C. Democrats. I...

Washington BladeJun 11, 2026

rights

Don’t just vote for change — vote for Hope Solomon for mayor

My name is Hope Solomon, and I’m running for mayor of Washington, D.C. I’ve spent my entire life here. I attended D.C. Public Schools. I grew up working in my family’s small business here in D.C. I live in Dupont Circle. For 17 years, I worked in national security with the Depart...

Washington BladeJun 11, 2026

rights

Vote Kenyan McDuffie for D.C. mayor

Elections are always important, but this year in D.C. they will bring major changes. Because of that, your vote in the Democratic primary on June 16 is more important than ever. D.C. is so overwhelmingly Democratic it is a near certainty the winners in the Democratic primary will...

Washington BladeJun 11, 2026

rights

Your queer D.C. voting guide

LGBTQ voters in the nation’s capital are choosing among a long list of LGBTQ supportive candidates running for mayor, D.C. City Council, and the position of D.C. Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives in the city’s June 16 primary election. LGBTQ activists who have spoken ...

Washington BladeJun 11, 2026

rights

Blade reporters reflect on covering Pulse massacre 10 years ago

Friday marks 10 years since a gunman killed 49 people inside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla. The massacre, which, at the time was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, left the LGBTQ community in this country and around the world reeling. It also prompted renew...

Washington BladeJun 11, 2026

community

Dayna Kathan of "Vanderpump Rules" comes out as a lesbian in Pride Month post

Dayna Kathan, a fan-favorite personality from the reality TV series Vanderpump Rules, came out as a "late in life lesbian" in a June 7 Instagram post. Kathan previously came out as bisexual during Season 8 of the show, in a scene filmed in June 2020, as well as in a June 2019 Ins...

LGBTQ NationJun 10, 2026

safety

MAGA PAC drops millions on anti-trans AI ad showing James Talarico in a dress

A far-right political action committee has released an anti-trans AI-generated attack ad depicting Texas Democratic Senate candidate and state Rep. James Talarico in a dress. The ad shows an AI-generated Talarico in a dress similar to the one worn by Julie Andrews in 1965’s The S...

LGBTQ NationJun 10, 2026

community

Rehoboth’s Pride on the Bay set for June 27

Pride month festivities continue through the end of the month and there’s a new event for Rehoboth/Dewey Beach residents and visitors, Pride on the Bay, set for June 27. Boaters will tie up at the sandbar near Massey’s Landing from 12-4 p.m. Visit Pride on the Bay’s Facebook page...

Washington BladeJun 10, 2026

rights

Why do LGBTQ+ people love flags so much? The answer is complicated.

Earlier this year, the federal government removed Pride flags from the Stonewall National Monument, and the outrage from the LGBTQ+ community was deafening. Activists across the country spoke out against it, LGBTQ+ media published column after column denouncing the removal, and a...

LGBTQ NationJun 10, 2026

rights

Niece of MLK Jr spouts anti-trans rhetoric when asked about Trump slush fund

Dr. Alveda King, niece of civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was asked at a committee hearing about President Trump’s $1.8 billion slush fund for January 6 rioters. Her response was to peddle alarmist anti-abortion rhetoric and misinformation about gender-affirm...

LGBTQ NationJun 10, 2026

culture

Blade editor inducted into D.C. Society of Professional Journalists Hall of Fame

The Society of Professional Journalists' Washington, D.C., Pro Chapter on Tuesday inducted Kevin Naff, the Washington Blade's editor and co-owner, into its Hall of Fame. The induction took place at the group's annual dinner that took place at the National Press Club. White House ...

Washington BladeJun 10, 2026

rights

Pride in a new world order

It can be tempting to feel somber this Pride. In 2025 and 2026, the United States dismantled much of the LGBTQ+ rights infrastructure it had spent decades building — eliminating the Global Equality Fund, defunding local LGBTQ+ organizations, and banning the rainbow flag from fede...

Washington BladeJun 10, 2026

rights

McDuffie on LGBTQ support and standing up to Trump

Former D.C. Council member Kenyan McDuffie is running for mayor as Muriel Bowser’s third term expires in January. He’s running in a crowded Democratic primary field; recent polls show him in second place behind Council member Janeese Lewis George. D.C.’s primary is Tuesday, June ...

Washington BladeJun 10, 2026

rights

Comedian brutally mocks MAGAs who hate rainbow flags but proudly wave Trump flags

Satirical comedian and activist Walter Masterson released a Pride Month video on Monday in which he mocks MAGA supporters at pro-Trump demonstrations by complaining about people "with these flags and hats" that they "wave around in people's faces," adding, "It's become their enti...

LGBTQ NationJun 10, 2026

community

PHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride

Fairfax City Pride was held at the Sherwood Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, Va.) on Saturday, June 6. (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key) The post PHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News....

Washington BladeJun 9, 2026

rights

Laverne Cox explains why she dated & left a MAGA cop

Laverne Cox is opening up about her former relationship with a Trump-supporting New York City police officer. The actress and trans rights advocate joined the hosts of The View on Monday to discuss her new memoir Transcendent. During their conversation, co-host Alyssa Farah Griff...

LGBTQ NationJun 9, 2026

rights

EXCLUSIVE: Pelosi reflects on four decades of LGBTQ advocacy

For nearly four decades, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has been one of the most influential champions of LGBTQ rights in American politics. The former U.S. House of Representatives speaker helped lead landmark LGBTQ legislation through Congress; including the repe...

Washington BladeJun 9, 2026

culture

Bowen Yang says he felt like "the seasoning" and "never felt central" to SNL

Out Saturday Night Live alum Bowen Yang says he “never felt central” to the show, saying that he "never played the dad or the straight man teacher. I was always there as the seasoning.” The actor, comedian, and podcast host’s comment came during an episode of Variety’s Actors on ...

LGBTQ NationJun 9, 2026

rights

Rachel Maddow savors the moment as Trump gets repeatedly booed at Knicks game

Donald Trump was roundly booed multiple times while attending a Knicks game in his hometown of New York City last night, and out MS NOW host Rachel Maddow appeared to enjoy the moments. As the national anthem was sung, the Jumbotron focused on the president, who was saluting in h...

LGBTQ NationJun 9, 2026