Local
Webb vote leaves many supporters disappointed
Va. senator opposes ‘Don’t Ask’ repeal measure
Many LGBT Virginians are disappointed at U.S. Sen. Jim Webb’s (D-Va.) vote against overturning “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Webb, a former Navy Secretary, was the sole Democrat to vote May 27 against an amendment to defense budget legislation that aims to repeal the military’s ban on open service by gays and lesbians. He’s chair of the Armed Services Committee Personnel Subcommittee.
In a statement released the day of the vote, Webb said he was waiting for the completion of a Department of Defense review on the matter and cited a May 24 White House letter and chiefs of all four military branches who concur that the study should be completed before Congress takes legislative action.
“I see no reason to pre-empt the process that our senior Defense Department leaders put into motion and I am concerned that many members of the military would view such a move as disrespectful to the importance of their roles in this process,” he said in the statement.
But several gay activists in Virginia and beyond who are following the repeal effort didn’t buy Webb’s explanation. Others said they weren’t surprised by the vote, yet found it disappointing.
“This is not totally unexpected,” said Del. Adam Ebbin (D-Va.), the only openly gay member of the Virginia General Assembly. “When Sen. Webb was a candidate, he was candid in that he at that time said he did not support repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ I suppose that his stated willingness to look at the reports demonstrates a small bit of progress, but when conservative Democrats vote to repeal the policy and move forward, it is extremely disappointing that Sen. Webb did not join them.”
Webb has supported other gay rights legislation. He voted for the Matthew Shepard & James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which Congress passed last year; he’s signed on as a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act; and he opposes Virginia’s Marshall-Newman amendment, which bans same-sex marriage. He also made an appearance at a gay fundraiser in Arlington by Virginia Partisans when he was running for his Senate seat.
Several observers said there are enough provisions in the legislation regarding implementation that Webb’s concerns were unwarranted.
“We were disappointed with the senator’s vote because we felt the provision addressed all of the possible procedural issues,” said Claire Gastanaga, general counsel for Equality Virginia. “The way this is structured, the vote wasn’t on the process. This was just putting Congress on record that they support the decision. To cite the process is misplaced at this juncture.”
Virginia Partisans members are planning a letter to Webb to express their disappointment.
“This is legalized discrimination,” said Terry Mansberger, the group’s president. “This is a stall tactic. They’ve built into the legislation enough of a timetable to implement the repeal, but Webb is insisting on even longer time and more study. We don’t know what’s going to happen in Congress in November. We have the majority now and a supportive president. It’s time to move and not blow a golden opportunity. We can’t wait.”
The Human Rights Campaign and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network denounced Webb’s vote.
“There were many lawmakers who stood on the right side of history, but Sen. Webb disappointingly voted to maintain the kind of discrimination that hurts our national security,” said Michael Cole, an HRC spokesperson. “If you are interested in giving the military the tools they need to allow for open service, then the right vote would have been to repeal the law now with implementation pending the review.”
And SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis said the White House letter Webb cited is not an acceptable explanation because the legislation stipulates that no repeal action will occur before the Pentagon’s recommendations are reviewed by the House and Senate Armed Services committees.
“We are terribly disappointed in the senator’s vote,” Sarvis said in an e-mail. “He wrapped himself up in the procedure and failed to stand up and do the right thing.”
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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