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New GLLU officers welcomed at reception & more
New GLLU officers welcomed at reception
More than one dozen recently designated affiliate members of the D.C. police’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit were formally introduced March 25 during a reception at the D.C. Center.
Close to two dozen GLLU affiliate officers, who work out of the department’s seven police districts throughout the city, are part of Police Chief Cathy Lanier’s plan to expand and decentralize the unit.
“This is just the beginning,” said Assistant D.C. Police Chief Diane Groomes. “Chief Lanier would say this is a work in progress.”
Groomes said more officers have expressed an interest in joining the GLLU than any of the other special liaison units, including the Latino, Asian & Pacific Islander, and Deaf & Hard of Hearing units.
The reception was hosted by the D.C. Center; Gays & Lesbians Opposing Violence, a center project; and Rainbow Response, a local coalition that advocates for LGBT people victimized by domestic violence. GLLU officials have said that the largest percentage of calls the unit receives for assistance are related to domestic violence matters.
Kelly Pickard, GLOV’s co-chair, told the gathering that her group is hopeful that the expanded GLLU and its newly designated members will help local activists more aggressively combat anti-LGBT hate crimes. She noted that D.C. has the largest number of anti-LGBT hate crimes recorded among most U.S. cities.
“You are heroic in what you do, day and night,” she told officers at the reception.
Rainbow Response official June Crenshaw echoed Pickard’s sentiments, saying, “We depend on you.”
LOU CHIBBARO JR.
Equality Maryland staffer to focus on marriage
Equality Maryland announced March 25 the appointment of Aimee Martin as its field organizer for marriage equality.
A resident of Montgomery County, Martin joins Equality Maryland with experience in mobilizing support on behalf of legislative and electoral campaigns.
“Aimee has labored in the trenches in the recent battles in New Jersey, Maine and California,” said Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Equality Maryland’s executive director. “She has done the hard work of advancing marriage equality in some of the toughest circumstances. We are thrilled to have her join us as we ramp up our efforts to win marriage in the Free State.”
Martin’s initial tasks will include winning stronger support for Equality Maryland from straight allies and the religious community and training speakers to discuss issues related to partner recognition.
Martin’s appointment is effective April 12. Equality Maryland is planning a series of events to introduce Martin and Owen Smith, the group’s recently appointed field organizer for transgender equality issues, this summer.
STEVE CHARING/BALTIMORE OUTLoud
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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