Local
Blade reporter attacked, robbed in Rehoboth Beach
Blade reporter Chris Johnson was attacked and robbed in Rehoboth Beach, DE over the memorial day weekend.
Washington Blade reporter Chris Johnson (Blade photo by Michael Key)
Washington Blade reporter Chris Johnson suffered a broken nose in an attack by two or three unidentified assailants in Rehoboth Beach, Del., Sunday night while walking along a residential street near the house where he was staying for the Memorial Day weekend.
Johnson said the attackers jumped him from behind as he walked along King Charles Street while he was headed toward the town’s business section to meet friends at the Blue Moon gay bar and restaurant.
He said one of the assailants, whom he described as young black males, grabbed his cell phone as they punched him in the head and body. He said they made no attempt to take his wallet and did not say anything as they attacked him.
Johnson said a police officer and detective from the Rehoboth Beach Police Department interviewed him about the incident, saying the matter was under investigation.
The incident took place on Johnson’s birthday.
Rehoboth Beach Police Chief Keith Banks said he would issue a statement on Tuesday seeking help from the public in the police investigation, with the hope that someone who may have witnessed the assault against Johnson or who might know the identities of the attackers would come forward.
Banks said the attack against Johnson, which he lists as a robbery by force and violence, is the first such incent to occur in the town so far this year. He said there were eight cases of robbery by force and violence in Rehoboth last year, and police made arrests in each of those cases. Some took place on the boardwalk.
“The fact that we made an arrest in every case last year shows how we take this very seriously,” Banks said.
Banks said that from Johnson’s description of what happened, there’s no evidence to indicate the attack and robbery was a hate crime. But he said police would pursue all possible leads and could change their classification of the crime if new information surfaces.
Johnson said at least one of the attackers appeared to be in his late teens and early 20s, sported a shaved head, had a medium build, and was wearing a red sweat shirt with a hood. Johnson said hood was not placed over the man’s head at the time of the attack.
Johnson was treated and released from Beebe Memorial Hospital in nearby Lewes, Del. He said follow-up treatment for his injury would take place upon his return home to Arlington, Va.
Rehoboth Beach gay activist Peter Schott said violent assaults of this kind are “an anomaly” in the popular beach resort town, which has several gay bars and a large gay and lesbian presence.
World Pride 2025
D.C. liquor board extends drinking hours for WorldPride
Gay bars, other liquor-serving establishments can stay open 24 hours
D.C.’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board, which regulates liquor sales for the city’s bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and other establishments licensed to serve alcoholic beverages, has approved extended hours for alcohol service and sales during the days when most WorldPride events will be held in the nation’s capital.
In a May 2 announcement, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration, which works with the board, said the extended liquor serving and sales hours for WorldPride will take place beginning Friday, May 30, through 4 a.m. Monday, June 9.
Although the official schedule for WorldPride events shows the events will take place May 17-June 8, most of the large events, including a two-day Pride street festival, parade, and concert, were expected to take place between May 30 and June 8.
According to the ABCA announcement and an ABCA spokesperson, liquor servicing establishments with the appropriate license can stay open for 24 hours and serve alcoholic beverages from 6 a.m. through the day and evening until 4 a.m., with no liquor sales allowed from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. during the May 30-June 9 period.
The ABCA announcement says liquor serving establishments must apply for the extended hours option and pay a $100 registration fee by a deadline on May 27.
Sources familiar with the liquor board have said the board has for many years approved the extension of liquor serving and sales hours for important events and for certain holidays such as New Year’s Eve.
At the time it approved the extended hours for WorldPride the liquor board also approved extended hours during the time when games for a World Cup soccer tournament will be held in the city on June 18, June 22, and June 26.
It couldn’t immediately be determined how many of D.C.’s 22 LGBTQ bars plan to apply for the extended drinking hours. David Perruzza, owner of the Adams Morgan gay bar Pitchers and its adjoining lesbian bar A League of Her Own, said he will apply for the 4 a.m. extended hours option but he does not intend to keep the two bars open for the full 23 hours.
Under the city’s current alcoholic beverage regulations, licensed liquor serving establishments may serve alcoholic beverages until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends.
World Pride 2025
Episcopal bishop to speak at WorldPride human rights conference
Trump demanded apology from Mariann Edgar Budde over post-Inauguration sermon
The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde is among those who are scheduled to speak at the WorldPride 2025 Human Rights Conference that will take place from June 4-6.
Budde, who is the bishop of the Diocese of Washington, in January urged President Donald Trump “to have mercy” on LGBTQ people, immigrants, and others “who are scared right now” during a post-Inauguration service that he and Vice President JD Vance attended at the Washington National Cathedral. Trump criticized Budde’s comments and demanded an apology.
The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde speaks at the Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 21, 2025. (PBS NewsHour clip)
A press release the Washington Blade received notes Icelandic Industries Minister Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, UK Black Pride founder Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, and Bob the Drag Queen are among those who are also expected to participate in the conference.
The conference will take place at the JW Marriott (1331 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) and registration is open here.
World Pride 2025
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A Brazilian drag queen and singer who performed with Madonna at her 2024 concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach will perform at WorldPride.
The Capital Pride Alliance on Thursday announced Pabllo Vittar will perform on the Main Stage of the main party that will take place on June 7 at DCBX (1235 W St., N.E.) in Northeast D.C.
Vittar and Anitta, a Brazilian pop star who is bisexual, on May 4, 2024, joined Madonna on stage at her free concert, which was the last one of her Celebration Tour. Authorities estimated 1.6 million people attended.
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