Local
Gay men targeted in 5 D.C. hate crimes
Police issue alert, seek information

D.C. police put out a call for help this week in their investigation into five separate attacks against male victims in the city between June 2 and July 30 that investigators believe were motivated by anti-gay bias.
“In an attempt to raise community awareness and solicit information from the public, the Metropolitan Police Department is releasing this information relative to our ongoing investigation into a number of crimes as possible bias-related crimes,” according to a police e-mail alert sent to LGBT activists.
“Moreover, MPD is examining the cases for possible similarities. However, at this time, it has not been determined that these incidents are related,” the e-mail message says.
The alert says the first of the string of incidents took place June 2 about 5:20 p.m. along the 1500 block of R Street, N.W., when three young male suspects approached a male victim as he was “bending over to tie his shoe.” It says one of the suspects used a “homophobic epithet” before he or the other one struck the victim with a wooden object. It describes the suspects only as young black men.
On July 6 at about 9:20 p.m. a male victim was approached by two male suspects along the 800 block of Emerson Street, N.W. and knocked to the ground and assaulted while one of the suspects called him an anti-gay name, the police alert says.
The alert doesn’t disclose the names of any of the victims in the five incidents. In this incident, the victim, 29-year-old D.C. resident Francisco Martin, contacted the Blade shortly after the assault occurred to tell what happened, saying one of the attackers struck him in the head with a strip of plywood.
Martin, a makeup artist, described the suspects as black males, with one appearing between 30 to 35 years old, about 5’ 11” to 6’ tall and weighing between 170 and 180 pounds with a short haircut and wearing a white tank top and blue shorts. He said the other suspect appeared between 25 and 30, was between 5’7” and 5’8” tall and weighed about 150 pounds, with short black hair, a goatee, and wearing a yellow Polo shirt and jeans.
The alert says the third incident took place shortly after midnight on July 24, when the victim says he was approached by several black males after walking outside a club on the 2000 block of P Street, N.W. near Dupont Circle. “It is alleged that the assailants approached the victim and asked if the victim called them a homophobic epithet,” the police alert says
“At this point, the victim was knocked to the ground, assaulted and kicked,” it says. “When the victim attempted to call police from his cell phone, two of the suspects returned, assaulted him more, grabbed his cell phone and fled.” It says the victim described one of the suspects as having a dark complexion, weighing about 170 pounds and wearing a red shirt.
The next incident took place July 27 when “approximately six black males approached a male victim as he entered the lobby of a building in the 1400 block of R Street, N.W.,” the alert says. It says one of the suspects made an anti-gay remark as he and the others “began punching and kicking the victim.” It says the victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. It describes the suspects as black males in their teens.
The last of the five incidents occurred July 30 at about 1:45 a.m. as a male victim “was leaving an establishment at 22nd and P Streets, N.W. It says a “subject bumped into him and used a homophobic epithet.” It says the victim walked away but the subject and as many as 15 to 20 other “black males and black females” followed the victim. One or more of the people following him struck him from behind and knocked him to the ground, according to the police alert. It says the suspects fled in three vehicles, including a white Chevy Impala, a blue Toyota Corolla, and a Silver Dodge Charger with Virginia license plates.
The police alert says that anyone with information about the five incidents should call police at 202-727-9099 or 1-888-919-2746. It says people with information may also call the department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit at 202-727-5427.
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.