The Washington Blade

2 days ago | washingtonblade.com | Michael K. Lavers

A prominent LGBTQ activist who lives in the U.K. said she could not travel to D.C. for the WorldPride 2025 Human Rights Conference because the U.S. revoked her eligibility to enter the country without a visa. Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, the co-founder of UK Black Pride known as Lady Phyll, was supposed to speak at the conference’s opening plenary at the National Theater. Opoku-Gyimah instead spoke remotely.

2 days ago | washingtonblade.com | Jake Stewart

Rewind back to 2017. Trump took office following his election win, and Republicans controlled both the House and the Senate. Superstar Katy Perry suffered a public relations disaster following the release of her latest album. Nintendo brought us a brand-spanking-new Switch, while a now-iconic horror movie—written and directed by a Black man—became a smash hit among critics and audiences alike. Well, this feels familiar. Why, then, does Pride in 2025 feel so different?

2 days ago | washingtonblade.com | Kevin Naff

WorldPride was supposed to attract up to three million visitors to the Nation’s Capital for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration that would boost all of the region’s queer-owned businesses and shine a bright light on the progressive, pro-LGBTQ city that is Washington. Then came the 2024 election. In an instant, the mood shifted. Then the anti-trans attacks came — eliminating “X” gender markers on passports, a trans military ban, efforts to criminalize affirming healthcare. The list goes on.

3 days ago | washingtonblade.com | Joe Reberkenny

Trans USA National Pageantry and the National Center for Transgender Equality will hold a series of events in D.C. on Sunday in commemoration of the International Transgender Day of Visibility. The TRANSform the Vote rally will take place on the National Mall. Organized by the Queer Equity Institute and NCTE, the event aims to celebrate trans liberation, combat violence and promote civic engagement. Elected officials, activists and artists are expected to participate.

3 days ago | washingtonblade.com | Joe Reberkenny

Washington boasts many historic landmarks. From well-known spaces that have been around for at least a century — like the White House and Capitol — to lesser-known locations of historic significance, such as Frank Kameny’s house in Northwest that became the headquarters of the first gay civil rights organizing group in the U.S., it’s clear that history is not in short supply in Washington.