Local
Trans woman charged in carjacking of U.S. senator’s daughter
A transgender woman awaiting possible placement in a court-ordered counseling program was one of two people charged last week with allegedly carjacking a vehicle a U.S. senator’s daughter was driving in D.C.
Prince George’s County police arrested two suspects at a Taco Bell restaurant in Seat Pleasant, Md., about an hour after they allegedly pulled U.S. Sen. Bob Corker’s daughter Julia Corker, 22, from her Chevrolet Tahoe while she was stopped at a red light at Seventh and D streets, N.W., police said. The two reportedly drove away in the vehicle and later parked it outside the Taco Bell, which is located near a police station.
The transgender woman, who according to D.C. court records uses the name Gabrielle, was identified by police by her legal name, DeWalden Connor, 22, of Capitol Heights, Md. The other suspect was identified as Steven Alston, 25, of Northeast D.C. Both suspects were held this week in Prince George’s County on $75,000 bond pending their extradition to D.C.
Records in D.C. Superior Court show that at the time of her arrest, Connor was awaiting placement in a special diversion program following an Oct. 21 arrest in D.C. on a charge of sexual solicitation. The records show the diversion program is operated by Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive, which is based in Adams Morgan.
HIPS Executive Director Cyndee Clay said privacy rules prevented her from disclosing the names of participants in the program. She said the court and the U.S. Attorney’s office have retained HIPS to operate the program, which provides counseling and skills training for trans women arrested on prostitution related charges. Diversion programs call for the dropping of first-offense charges against enrollees if they successfully complete the program.
Court records show that Superior Court Judge Kaye Christian was scheduled to rule Dec. 17 on whether Connor should be accepted into the HIPS program. It could not immediately be determined if the carjacking arrest would adversely affect her chances of being accepted in the program.
According to an account released by the senator’s office, D.C. police, Capitol Hill police, the FBI, and Prince George’s County police responded within minutes of Julie Corker’s report of the carjacking. The law enforcement agencies arranged for the tracking of the vehicle through its OnStar anti-theft, global positioning device, police said, which resulted in county police finding the car.
Police charged Connor and Alston with unauthorized use of a vehicle and theft of over $500. The two could be charged with additional offenses upon extradition to D.C.
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
Pabllo Vittar to perform at WorldPride
Brazilian drag queen, singer, joined Madonna on stage in 2024 Rio concert
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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