Local
D.C. Center finds new home
Temp space in heart of U Street entertainment strip
After months of searching, the D.C. Center for the LGBT Community has found a new, temporary home along U Street, N.W., just days before it’s required to vacate its current building.
David Mariner, the Center’s executive director, said the Center will move into the storefront space at 1318 U Street, N.W., on Saturday and expects to open for business Monday.
“It’s a great, highly visible spot,” Mariner said. “It’s not quite as big as we would have liked, but we’re going to make it work.”
The new location is less than one block from the U Street Metro rail station and in the heart of the city’s historic black entertainment district, which has evolved over the past two decades into an upscale restaurant and nighclub destination. Newly built apartments and condominiums are located nearby, and the area has a growing LGBT population.
Mariner said the Center entered into a two-year lease with JBG Properties, the real estate development company that allowed the Center to operate in its current building at 1810 14th Street, N.W. That building was once used as an annex for the Whitman-Walker Clinic’s two main buildings, which are located nearby.
JBG earlier this year announced it would be demolishing the building at 1810 14th Street to make way for high-rise development complex. The building, while old, offered 6,000 square feet of usable office and meeting space, which enabled the Center to bring a number of community organizations under one roof.
According to Mariner, the new space on U Street offers about 2,000 square feet and includes one large open space and a conference room. He said the Center has retained a designer to configure the space into “a big open area” with multiple work stations.
“We’re offering work stations instead of offices,” he said. “It’s an open floor plan. The designer will give us layout options.”
Mariner noted that the Center remains hopeful D.C. will join more than one dozen other U.S. cities in providing at least some government funds to help the Center obtain a larger, permanent home in the near future.
“I’m hoping that after these two years, we will find something even better,” he said.
He called the new lease with JBG Properties “a good deal,” and noted the rent is lower than the standard rent rate in the upscale U Street strip.
“They’ve been very helpful and very supportive,” he said. “We’ve got a good deal. We’re lucky to have JGB as a supporter.”
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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