Arts & Entertainment
DC Universe gets first gay villain in ‘Birds of Prey’
Ewan McGregor’s Black Mask will make history
DC Universe will see its first gay villain in Black Mask, portrayed by Ewan McGregor, in “Birds of Prey.”
“Birds of Prey” follows Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) after she splits from the Joker and joins Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) and Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) to fight off crime lord and primary villain, Black Mask.
According to We Got This Covered, “Black Mask, the movieās main antagonist, will reportedly be portrayed as homosexual. Though his sexuality is never explicitly stated, multiple sources have told We Got This Covered that the sexual tension between him and fellow villain Victor Zsasz will be palpable and the way he acts in general makes it pretty clear that heās gay.ā
Some DC fans were happy with the LGBTQ representation while others took issue with the character’s stereotypical description of āflamboyantly gay.ā
how the fuck is black mask going to be āflamboyantly gayā what goes on ?!
— hilda (@Iavagirl) July 9, 2019
I donāt care if heās gay tbh…all I want is a great villain and that he has a black mask attached to his face https://t.co/6A0fcneIQX
— Nilu | #SaveSwampThing (@NileshRajendran) July 10, 2019
#BlackMask being gay is a great step forward in LGBTQ+ representation in comicbook films. I'm so excited for Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn. This will be a fabulous ? big hit for Margot Robbie.
— Ben Cruz (@BenCruz18073020) July 11, 2019
100% support a gay black mask
— BatFamily Talk! (@BatFamilyTalk) July 9, 2019
100% do not support him being offensive flamboyant stereotype https://t.co/759bPB0voY
“Birds of Prey” hits theaters on Feb. 7, 2020.
Arts & Entertainment
Washington Bladeās Pride on the Pier returns bigger than everĀ with two-day WorldPride celebration
The Washington Bladeās 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 yearās event promises more entertainment, more community, and more pride than ever before ā all set against the stunning waterfront backdrop of our nationās 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].
Saturdayās 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 ā one of D.C. Prideās most anticipated spectacles.
āWeāre expanding Washington Blade Pride on the Pier to reflect the excitement and momentum building for WorldPride in D.C.,ā said Blade publisher Lynne Brown. āItās a celebration of our communityās progress and a powerful reminder of the joy and visibility Pride brings to the heart of our city.ā
Now in its seventh year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the cityās 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:
š Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq., S.W., Washington, D.C.)
š
Dates: Friday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7, 2025
š„ļøBoat Parade: 7 p.m. (June 6). š Fireworks Show: 9 p.m. (June 7)
šļø VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP
Event sponsors include Absolut, Capital Pride, DC Fray, Infinate Legacy, Heineken, Leonard-Litz Foundation, Mayorās Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Relish Catering,Ā Washingtonian, and The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePierDC.com
Arts & Entertainment
Win a pair of tickets to Grace Jones & Janelle MonƔe @ The Anthem on June 5, 2025!
The Cherry Weekend main event party was “Fire” at Betty (1235 W Street, N.E.) on Saturday, April 12. Detox of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” met with fans.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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