TEL AVIV, Israel — The Washington Blade was on assignment in Israel from Oct. 4-14, 2024. 

The Blade covered the first anniversary of Oct. 7, and interviewed the cousin of a woman who Hamas militants killed after they kidnapped her and her sister-in-law. The Blade also interviewed the widow of a gay Israel Defense Forces soldier who spearheaded efforts to amend the country’s Bereaved Families Law to recognize LGBTQ widows and widowers of fallen servicemembers.

Activists in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva also spoke with the Blade.

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The Blade could not access Al Jazeera’s website in Israel. 

The Israeli government in May banned the Qatar-based network from working in the country, and shut down its bureaus in East Jerusalem and Nazareth, a predominantly Arab city in northern Israel. A judge in June extended the ban for 45 days. Israeli soldiers on Sept. 22 raided Al Jazeera’s bureau in Ramallah, the Palestinian capital, and ordered its closure for 45 days. (Washington Blade screenshot by Michael K. Lavers)

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The advocacy organization GLSEN held its annual Rise Up LA event at NeueHouse Hollywood on Friday, Oct. 18. GLSEN presented its Champion Award to Emmy-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph.

(Photos by Eloise Alterman)

The LGBTQ rights organization Family Equality held its annual LA Impact Gala on Saturday, September 28 at Citizen News in Los Angeles. Honorees at the event included actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson and husband, producer Justin Mikita. Also honored at the event were Rainbow Book Bus founders Adam Powell and Eric Cervini. Speakers, presenters and performers included Jinx Monsoon, Jai Rodriguez, Richie Jackson, Lyle, Angel Bonilla, David Hernandez, and Family Equality Interim CEO Alexis Kantor.

(Photos by Getty Images for Family Equality)

WEST HOLLYWOOD – GLSEN hosted its LA Pride Reception Fundraiser on Wednesday, June 12 at The Chapel at The Abbey in West Hollywood. There were featured performances from Disney stars Aly & AJ, Angeria Paris VanMicheals of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” as well as Mo Heart. DJ Stacy Christine provided the music.

(Photos by David Laffe; courtesy GLSEN)

WASHINGTON – The LGBTQ+ Victory Fund held its annual National Champagne Brunch at the Grand Hyatt on Sunday, April 7. Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) delivered the keynote address.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

The Human Rights Campaign held its National Dinner at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Oct. 14. Speakers and awardees included President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Shonda Rhimes, Lena Wiathe, Matt Bomer, Jonathan Bailey, Golda Rosheuvel, Debbie Allen, Brian Michael Smith and Delaware state Senator Sarah McBride.

(Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Covering the @HRC Human Rights Campaign National Dinner for @WashBlade . pic.twitter.com/BJ9PsTSy8m

— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) October 14, 2023

Our actor Jonathan Bailey introduces Matt Bomer at the @HRC National Dinner. Covering for @WashBlade pic.twitter.com/UauMayWiKM

— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) October 15, 2023

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key and Michael K. Lavers)

WASHINGTON — The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) held its 20th annual National Dinner at the National Building Museum on Friday, Nov. 18. Honorees included Erik Day of the PRIDE Employee Resource Group, Betsy Cerulo of AdNet/AccountNet, Casey Oakes of Google, the Twin Cities Quorum and Bank of America. Speakers included NGLCC co-founders Justin G. Nelson and Chance E. Mitchell as well as community advocates Dennis and Judy Shepard. Entertainment was provided by Debbie Gibson, Pepper Mashay and the youth performers of the Be A Friend Project.

(Blade photos by Michael Key)

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A post shared by Michael Patrick Key (@michaelpatrickkey)

Covering the 20th annual @NGLCC National Dinner for @WashBlade pic.twitter.com/pbwFBzCCZS

— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) November 19, 2022

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign held its annual National Dinner at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Oct. 29. Speakers included Vice President Kamala Harris and actor George Takei.

(Blade photos by Michael Key)