Connect with us

Local

White House protesters released from jail

Trial set for Dan Choi, Jim Pietrangelo

Published

on

U.S. Army Lt. Dan Choi and five LGBT military veterans were released from jail Wednesday, one day after U.S. Park Police officers arrested them for handcuffing themselves to the White House fence in a protest against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Choi and Army veteran Capt. Jim Pietrangelo, who was among the people arrested at this week’s protest, were arrested in a similar White House action on March 18.

Similar to the earlier protest, each of the six arrested Tuesday at the White House fence were charged with a single misdemeanor count of refusing to obey a police order to leave the area of the fence.

At an arraignment Wednesday, D.C. Superior Court Judge Richard Ringell combined the two White House arrest cases for Choi and Pietrangelo and set a trial date for July 14 after the two pleaded not guilty. The men rejected an offer by prosecutors to pay a $100 fine in exchange for ending the case in a process known as post and forfeit.

The other four protesters accepted the post-and-forfeit offer and agreed to a condition requested by the D.C. Attorney General’s office, which prosecutes misdemeanor cases, that they stay away from the streets surrounding the White House until they pay the $100 fine. Ringell gave them one month to pay the fine.

The four who accepted the offer were Navy Petty Officers Larry Whitt and Autumn Sandeen, Air Force Cadet Mara Boyd, and Marine Corps Corporal Evelyn Thomas.

Attorneys representing Choi and Pietrangelo contested the White House “stay-away” order as a condition for their clients’ release, saying such a condition violates their First Amendment rights to approach the White House to express their opinions. But Ringell ruled against a motion by the attorneys to void stay-away order.

The charges pending against the six arrested protesters do not carry a penalty of incarceration in jail. But Ringell told the four who accepted the post and forfeit plea that they could face jail time if they fail to pay the fine and don’t show up for a court date he set as an alternative route to allow them seek a trial.

He told Choi and Pietrangelo that they, too, could face jail time for contempt of court if they fail to show up for trial.

Robin McGhee, co-chair of the LGBT protest group GetEqual.org, which coordinated the White House arrest actions, said the group plans more civil disobedience actions in the coming weeks, both in Washington and elsewhere.

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

World Pride 2025

D.C. liquor board extends drinking hours for WorldPride

Gay bars, other liquor-serving establishments can stay open 24 hours

Published

on

Sasha Colby performs at Pitchers in 2023. Liquor-serving establishments in D.C. will be able to remain open for 24 hours during WorldPride. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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.

Continue Reading

World Pride 2025

Episcopal bishop to speak at WorldPride human rights conference

Trump demanded apology from Mariann Edgar Budde over post-Inauguration sermon

Published

on

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde. (Screen capture via PBS NewsHour/YouTube)

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.

Continue Reading

World Pride 2025

Pabllo Vittar to perform at WorldPride

Brazilian drag queen, singer, joined Madonna on stage in 2024 Rio concert

Published

on

Pabllo Vittar (Screen capture via Pabllo Vittar/YouTube)

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.

Continue Reading

Popular