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YouTuber Dan Howell comes out as gay

The BBC presenter opened up about his sexuality to his six million followers

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Dan Howell. (Screenshot via YouTube)

YouTuber and BBC presenter Dan Howell has come out.

The 28-year-old British Internet personality shared the news with his more than six million subscribers with a 45-minute video titled “Basically I’m Gay.”

“Spoiler alert: I’m not straight,” Howell begins. “We live in a heteronormative world … which means people are presumed to be straight. If you’re not, then at some point you have to ‘come out’.”

Howell says he feels the term “queer” applies more to his identity but he is comfortable using the word “gay.”

“Whatever heterosexual is, I ain’t it,” Howell says. “Really, if you ask me, I don’t think anyone is totally straight. I think there’s a lot of social and emotional issues getting in the way of yet-to-be-understood feelings of attraction that can be very flexible. Am I totally gay? No.”

Howell also hinted at his relationship with fellow YouTuber and frequent collaborator Phil Lester.

“Obviously we were more than friends, but it was more than just romantic,” Howell says. “This is someone who genuinely liked me. I trusted them. And for the first time since I was a tiny child I actually felt safe…we are real best friends. Companions through life. Like, actual soul mate.”

Howell shared a message of encouragement to his viewers who haven’t come out yet.

“To anyone watching this that isn’t out, it’s OK,” he adds. “You’re OK. You were born this way. It’s right. And anyone that has a problem with it is wrong.”

Watch below.

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PHOTOS: The Audacity Brunch

2026 Capital Pride Honors presented at ‘Full Fuchsia’ ceremony

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The 2026 Capital Pride Honors were presented at The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia on Sunday, June 7. (Washington Blade photo by Landon Shackelford)

The Capital Pride Alliance presented the 2026 Capital Pride Honors at “The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia” at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 7.

(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)

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Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves

Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community

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(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.

The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.

This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.

For more details, visit the cemetery’s website

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Out & About

Baltimore Pride is here

Parade, block party, festival planned for Maryland city

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A scene from last year’s Baltimore Pride. This year’s main events take place on Saturday and Sunday. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.

The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.

There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events. 

For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website

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