Local
Anti-gay group targets Md., D.C.
Annapolis rally decries same-sex marriage
The National Organization for Marriage, the leading group opposing same-sex marriage in the U.S., has set its sights on Maryland and D.C., where it plans to pour in money and resources to overturn D.C.’s same-sex marriage law and prevent Maryland from passing one.
The group was scheduled to hold a rally Wednesday night in Annapolis at the state capital building to demand that lawmakers reject a gay marriage bill that has been introduced in the Maryland Legislature.
NOM has scheduled an Aug. 15 rally in D.C. calling for a ballot measure to overturn the city’s same-sex marriage law, but it has yet to announce the time or location for the event.
The Annapolis and D.C. rallies are part of the group’s “Summer for Marriage Tour 2010,” that includes a series of 20 rallies “encouraging supporters to stand up for marriage,” according to an announcement on the NOM website. Staff and volunteers for the group are traveling by bus to the rallies, which began in Maine on July 14.
“We’re excited to get on the road and meet people face-to-face, sharing with them the importance of marriage and how critical the future of marriage is to our country,” said Brian Brown, NOM’s executive director. “We need Americans to rally behind marriage as the union of one man and one woman and tell the courts and state legislatures that marriage matters.”
Bishop Harry Jackson, the Maryland minister who is leading the fight against D.C.’s same-sex marriage law, was scheduled to join Brown as one of the speakers at the Annapolis rally on Wednesday. Other speakers were to include members of the legislature from Baltimore and Prince George’s County who are expected to lead the fight against a Maryland gay marriage bill.
Morgan Meneses-Sheets, executive director of the statewide LGBT group Equality Maryland, said the group was to hold a series of its own events Wednesday night throughout the state. But she said the group was not planning a counter protest at the state capital in Annapolis.
“We are asking our people not to engage them,” she said of the NOM rally participants. “It’s not in our best interest for us to be there. It’s just a PR event for them.”
Instead, Meneses-Sheets said Equality Maryland had organized teams of volunteers to distribute postcards in Baltimore and several counties throughout the state, including Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, in support of the state gay marriage bill. Those accepting the postcards were to be asked to mail them to their state representatives in a show of “growing support” for the marriage bill, she said.
Also scheduled for Wednesday night was a “Pride in Faith” meeting in Baltimore, where members of the clergy supportive of same-sex marriage would discuss ways to advance the same-sex marriage bill in the legislature.
The NOM 20-city tour was scheduled to end with the Washington, D.C. rally. Local D.C. groups have yet to announce plans on how they might respond to the D.C. rally.
The D.C. Court of Appeals ruled 5-4 last week against a lawsuit filed by Bishop Jacking seeking to force the city to hold a voter initiative calling for overturning the D.C. Marriage Equality Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in the District.
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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