Local
Supreme Court rejects request to block D.C. gay marriage law
Roberts says ‘a stay is not warranted’
U.S. Supreme Court (DC Agenda photo by Michael Key)
The U.S. Supreme Court denied a request late Tuesday that D.C.’s same-sex marriage law be prevented from taking effect, a move that would have given opponents more time to organize a voter referendum to overturn the law.
Chief Justice John Roberts, who ruled on the matter on behalf of the court, issued a three-page decision saying Bishop Harry Jackson and others opposed to the marraige law could not show that they could win the case on its merits, or that allowing the law to take effect would cause them irreparable harm.
Roberts said the opponents’ argument that the D.C. Board of Elections & Ethics acted improperly by denying the referendum request on grounds that it would violate the city’s Human Rights Act “has some force.”
“Without addressing the merits of the petitioners’ underlying claim, however, I conclude that a stay is not warranted,” he wrote. Roberts cited past rulings of the Supreme Court that have said it’s the court’s practice to “defer to the decisions of the courts of the District of Columbia on matters of exclusively local concern.”
The D.C. Superior Court and Court of Appeals previously ruled against Jackson’s request for a stay in the gay marriage law.
Roberts also disputed one of Jackson’s claims that D.C. violated its own Home Rule Charter approved by Congress when it restricted the use of referenda and initiatives that take away rights protected by the city’s Human Rights Act. Jackson and his backers have said that policy is invalid because the City Council enacted it as a regular law rather than as an amendment to the City Charter.
“A joint resolution of disapproval by Congress would prevent the act from going into effect, but Congress has chosen not to act,” Roberts wrote. “The challenged provision purporting to exempt certain D.C. Council actions from the referendum process … was itself subject to review by Congress before it went into effect.”
The appeal to the Supreme Court came after the D.C. Superior Court and the D.C. Court of Appeals rejected earlier requests for a court injunction to block the law. Those requests were filed by Jackson, the pastor of a Beltsville, Md., church and other local opponents of same-sex marriage.
Rev. Walter Fauntroy, D.C.’s former delegate to Congress, was among the same-sex marriage opponents that filed the stay request Monday before the Supreme Court.
Gay rights attorney Mark Levine said earlier that an appeal to the Supreme Court to intervene in the matter would have to be based on a claim that allowing same-sex marriages to be performed in the District would violate the opponents’ constitutional rights.
“I don’t believe there’s any constitutional issues involved in this,” he said last week. “But I’m sure Rev. Jackson’s attorneys could come up with something.”
Levine had said the chance that the court would agree with a constitutional claim was highly unlikely.
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.
PDAB: A mysterious acronym that could affect your health
I make more money than my partner and getting resentful
D.C. liquor board extends drinking hours for WorldPride
PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch
Executive director of LGBTQ Catholic group to travel to Rome for conclave
TRAITOR: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has blood on his hands
Potential Pope Francis successor views homosexuality as an ‘abomination’
Jacob Elordi rides high in ‘On Swift Horses’
Liberal Party wins Canadian election
