Arts & Entertainment

Ellen DeGeneres celebrates 20th anniversary of coming out

the talk show episode marks when the comedian and her character opened up

Published

8 years ago

April 28, 2017

Mariah Cooper

(Screenshot via YouTube.)

Ellen DeGeneres celebrates the 20th anniversary of coming out in a special commemorative episode of her talk show on Friday.

DeGeneres’ character Ellen Morgan came out on the sitcom “Ellen” in an episode titled, “The Puppy Episode.” It aired on April 30, 1997 and was the first time a lead TV character had come out as gay. DeGeneres came out at the same time in real life on the cover of Time magazine with the headline, “Yep, I’m Gay.”

In a preview clip, DeGeneres explains why the now iconic sitcom episode was titled “The Puppy Episode.”

“It was called ‘The Puppy Episode’ because we wanted to keep it a secret until it aired and because ‘Ellen Throws Her Career Away’ seemed too on the nose,” DeGeneres joked to the audience. “Actually, the real reason we called it ‘The Puppy Episode’ is cause when the writers told the executives that they wanted me to come out because my character needed to be in a relationship after four years of not being in a relationship, someone at the studio said, ‘Well, get her a puppy. She’s not gonna come out.’ And so, we called it ‘The Puppy Episode.'”

DeGeneres is joined by guests Oprah Winfrey and Laura Dern who both played important parts in the comedian’s coming out. Dern played Susan in the episode, a woman who helps Ellen come to terms with her sexuality. Winfrey played Ellen’s therapist and in real life had DeGeneres on as a guest for an hour-long episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

“You wouldn’t have been able to open hearts and touch hearts and change people’s minds and make a difference in the world had you not had the courage to do that,” Winfrey tells DeGeneres in the clip.

In a sneak peek of the episode posted on Instagram, DeGeneres gets emotional recounting the big moment.

I can’t wait for you to see this on tomorrow. It might be my favorite episode ever. What a difference 20 years makes.

A post shared by Ellen (@theellenshow) on Apr 27, 2017 at 5:01pm PDT

“It was the hardest thing that I ever had to do in my life and I would not change one moment of it because it led me to be exactly where I am today standing in front of all of you,” DeGeneres says in her monologue.

Other special guests include her “Ellen” co-stars Joely Fisher and David Anthony Higgins and DeGeneres’ wife Portia de Rossi.

“The Ellen DeGeneres” commemorative episode airs Friday at 3 p.m.

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Arts & Entertainment

Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns bigger than ever with two-day WorldPride celebration

Published

21 hours ago

April 15, 2025

Staff reports

The Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier will be extended to a two-day celebration in honor of WorldPride coming to D.C. this year. Taking place on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at The Wharf, this year’s event promises more entertainment, more community, and more pride than ever before — all set against the stunning waterfront backdrop of our nation’s capital.

With the addition of Friday, the party kicks off at 3 p.m., with the inaugural WorldPride Boat Parade at 7 p.m. As an Official WorldPride Partner event, the boat parade will feature 30 decorated boats parading along the Washington Channel. For information on signing up for the boat parade contact Stephen Rutgers at [email protected].

Saturday’s signature Pier Party kicks off at 12 p.m., featuring a drag show, DJ’s, streaming of the WorldPride Parade, and the iconic Fireworks Show Presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation — one of D.C. Pride’s most anticipated spectacles.

“We’re expanding Washington Blade Pride on the Pier to reflect the excitement and momentum building for WorldPride in D.C.,” said Blade publisher Lynne Brown. “It’s a celebration of our community’s progress and a powerful reminder of the joy and visibility Pride brings to the heart of our city.”

Now in its seventh year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.

Pride on the Pier is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for exclusive pier access, hosted bars, and private viewing areas for the boat parade and the fireworks show. To purchase VIP tickets visit www.prideonthepierdc.com/vip.

Friday VIP: 5-9 p.m., enjoy an air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, cash bar and complimentary drink.

Saturday VIP Session #1: 2-5 p.m., enjoy an air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, catered food, and an open bar.

Saturday VIP Session #2: 6-9 p.m., enjoy the air-conditioned lounge, private bathroom, catered snacks and dinner, and open bar with a front-row view of the fireworks.

Event Details:

📍 Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq., S.W., Washington, D.C.)
📅 Dates: Friday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7, 2025
🛥️Boat Parade: 7 p.m. (June 6). 🎆 Fireworks Show: 9 p.m. (June 7)
🎟️ VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP

Event sponsors include Absolut, Capital Pride, DC Fray, Infinate Legacy, Heineken, Leonard-Litz Foundation, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Relish Catering, Washingtonian, and The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePierDC.com