On October 5, 1969, the first issue of “The Gay Blade” was published in Washington, D.C. Eventually renamed The Washington Blade, the publication became the principal lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) newspaper of Washington, D.C. and environs.
The Blade began as a monthly newsletter in lieu of the Mattachine Society of Washington’s newsletter produced in the 1950s and early 1960s. The Blade quickly grew, expanding its run to twice a month, and then weekly.
Since its inception, The Blade has covered current events from an LGBT perspective as well as LGBT life in D.C. and the social and political progress of the gay rights movement.
For those living in Hampton Roads with close ties to the District may be interested in viewing digitized copies of the Blade provided by the D.C. Public Library. You may access digital copies of the Blade from years 1969-82 here. Archives for years 1983-2014 are available on microfiche and bound copies at the D.C. Public Library.
