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PHOTOS: Israel at war

International News Editor Michael K. Lavers was on assignment in the country last month

Published

2 months ago

November 7, 2024

The Pride House of Be’er Sheva in Be'er Sheva, Israel, on Oct. 9, 2024. The banner on the gate reads, "Get them out of hell!" in reference to the hostages who remain in the Gaza Strip. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

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.

Destroyed homes in the outskirts of Khan Younis, Gaza, in January 2024. (Courtesy photo)

Layla, a gay bar in Tel Aviv, in an Instagram post for an Oct. 1 party notes the Israel Defense Forces are “demilitarizing Lebanon.” The promotion includes a picture of long-time Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, who the IDF killed in the Beirut suburb of Dahieh less than a week earlier. Iran on Oct. 1 launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles towards Israel in response to Nasrallah’s death. (Photo courtesy of Layla’s Instagram page)

A public art display at Ben-Gurion Airport on Oct. 4, 2024, demands the release of the hostages who remain in the Gaza Strip. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

A mural in Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 4, 2024.(Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

A boy plays a piano in Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 4, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 4, 2024. (Washington Blade video by Michael K. Lavers)

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)

An Israeli Pride flag flies next to a banner on a terrace in Tel Aviv, Israel, that calls for the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Hilton Beach in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 5, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

A bomb shelter near Be’eri, Israel, on Oct. 5, 2024. Hamas militants on Oct. 7 killed three people from the nearby Nova Music Festival who took shelter inside. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Part of the makeshift Nova Music Festival memorial near Re’im, Israel, on Oct. 5, 2024. Hamas militants on Oct. 7 killed 360 people at the all-night rave and took 40 other partygoers hostage. The Nova Music Festival took place roughly three miles from the Israel-Gaza border. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

The Nova Music Festival memorial. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Cats in Independence Park in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 6, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

A mural in Tel Aviv, Israel, notes Hamas is still holding Shiri Bibas and her two children, Kfir and Ariel, hostage in Gaza. Kfir was 9-months-old on Oct. 7. His brother was 4-years-old. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

An anti-war sticker on a light pole in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 6, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

KAN 11, an Israeli television station, broadcasts from Kfar Aza, Israel, on Oct. 7, 2024. The kibbutz is one of the many kibbutzim near the Israel-Gaza border that Hamas militants attacked on Oct. 7. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

A juice stand at the intersection of Dizengoff Street and Ben-Gurion Boulevard in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 7, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Two men in Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, embrace while watching the Bereaved Families Memorial Service on Oct. 7, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

‘Red alerts’ for ballistic missiles that Hezbollah launched from Lebanon on Oct. 7, 2024. The missiles targeted an Israel Defense Forces base north of Tel Aviv. The IDF interceptions woke this reporter up at around 11 p.m. (Washington Blade screenshot by Michael K. Lavers)

Yarmulkes for sale in Jerusalem on Oct. 8, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Dome of the Rock above the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Oct. 8, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

**Omer Ohana** looks a picture of his fiancé, Sagi Golan, a gay Israel Defense Forces major who died fighting Hamas militants in Be’eri, Israel, on Oct. 7, 2023, A memorial service for Golan took place in Herzliya, Israel, on Oct. 8, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

A billboard overlooking the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv, Israel, with a caricature of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu references Oct. 7 and says, “We won’t forget.” (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

The Pride House of Be’er Sheva in Be’er Sheva, Israel, on Oct. 9, 2024. The banner on the gate reads, “Get them out of hell!” in reference to the hostages who remain in the Gaza Strip. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Street art in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

A poster with **Carmel Gat**‘s face on it inside a replica of a tunnel in the Gaza Strip that was built in Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, Israel. Hamas militants on Oct. 7 kidnapped Gat from Be’eri, a kibbutz near the Gaza border. They killed her and five other hostages in late August. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Shortly after dawn in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 12, 2024, as the country marked Yom Kippur. (Video by Michael K. Lavers)

Banners that hung from an overpass above the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 12, 2024, contain pictures of the hostages who remain in Gaza. They also call for their release and “bringing back hope.” (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Fishermen along the Jaffa waterfront in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 12, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

The sun sets over Hilton Beach in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 13, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

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Emmy-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph honored at benefit

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2 months ago

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Guest photographer

Sheryl Lee Ralph speaks at GLSEN's Rise Up LA event on Friday. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff for GLSEN)

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Family Equality raises over $400,000 at annual event

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From left, Justin Mikita, Jinx Monsoon and Jesse Tyler Ferguson attend Family Equality's LA Impact Gala on Saturday. (Photo by Getty Images for Family Equality)

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PHOTOS: GLSEN LA Pride Reception Fundraiser

Education organization holds event at The Abbey

Published

6 months ago

June 16, 2024

Special to the LA Blade

GLSEN Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, center, Poses with Disney stars Aly & Aj at the LA Pride Reception Fundraiser (Photo by David Laffe; courtesy GLSEN)

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.

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PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch

Sen. Butler delivers keynote address

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8 months ago

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Sen. Laphonza Butler speaks at the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch on Sunday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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PHOTOS: HRC National Dinner

LGBTQ rights organization holds gala event and awards ceremony

Published

1 year ago

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Actor Golda Rosheuvel presents writer/producer Shonda Rhimes with the National Equality Award at the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 14. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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(Blade photos by Michael Key)

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A post shared by Michael Patrick Key (@michaelpatrickkey)

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

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2022 LGBTQ news photography

Published

2 years ago

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Michael Key and Michael K. Lavers

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

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

**Willam Belli** performs at the District Disco Launch Party at Zebbie’s Garden on Saturday, Feb. 5. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

*QUA — LGBTQ Ukrainians in America organize a rally for LGBTQ Ukrainians in front of the White House on Sunday, April 3. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)*

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*Actor/entertainer **Carson Kressley** emcees the Worthy Mentoring Pride Brunch at the Four Seasons Washington Hotel on Sunday, May 22. (Blade photo by Michael Key)*

*Star Trek Discovery’s **Anthony Rapp** speaks at Awesome Con at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on June 4. (Blade photo by Michael Key)*

Members of the Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus join other elected officials and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on the stage at the Equality PAC Pride Gala on Thursday, June 16 at Hotel Washington. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

**The Vixen** of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ season 10 performs at Pitchers DC on July 6. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Upwards of 500,000 people attend the annual Christopher Street Day Parade in Berlin, Germany on Saturday, July 23. Activists from Ukraine are among those who take part. (Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

*Tributes to Queen Elizabeth II are placed in front of the British Embassy in D.C. on Friday, Sept. 9. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)*

*Brazilian Congresswoman-elect **Erika Hilton** speaks at a pro-Lula rally in São Paulo, Brazil, on Oct. 3. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)*

*Vice President **Kamala Harris** speaks at the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner on Oct. 29. (Blade photo by Michael Key)*

**Judy** and **Dennis Shepard** speak at the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce National Dinner at the National Building Museum on Nov. 18. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

*Singer **Sam Smith** performs at the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act at the White House on Dec. 13. (Blade photo by Michael Key)*

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PHOTOS: NGLCC National Dinner

The LGBT Chamber of Commerce held its 20th annual event at the National Building Museum

Published

2 years ago

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Michael Key

The 20th annual NGLCC National Dinner was held on Friday at the National Building Museum. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

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

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PHOTOS: HRC National Dinner

HRC held its annual National Dinner in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 29. Speakers included Vice President Kamala Harris and actor George Takei

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Michael Key

HRC President Kelley Robinson speaks at the 2022 National Dinner. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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)

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PHOTOS: Berlin Pride

Activists from Ukraine joined annual Christopher Street Day Parade

Published

2 years ago

July 25, 2022

Michael K. Lavers

LGBTQ and intersex activists from Ukraine are among those who participated in the annual Christopher Street Day parade in Berlin on Saturday. (Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Upwards of 500,000 people attended the annual Christopher Street Day Parade in the German capital on Saturday. Activists from Ukraine are among those who took part.

(Blade photos by Michael K. Lavers)