Local
FBI investigating ‘robocall’ attacks against Graham
Abortion money loan, alleged adultery cited in the two anonymous messages
Openly gay Councilmember Jim Graham (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Federal authorities are investigating at least two separate computer generated phone messages initiated by an anonymous person or group that denounced gay D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) as being “immoral” and “wretched.”
The phone messages, known as “robocalls,” were placed to homes of Ward 1 residents on Saturday. They urged the residents not to vote for Graham in his re-election bid because, among other things, he helped pay for an abortion for the girlfriend of a former member of his staff.
“Paying to take a life is evil, especially when you weren’t even the parent,” one of the phone messages said. “Jim Grahamn is wretched, immoral and doesn’t deserve to represent us. Let’s get a decent human being to fight for our children — not kill them.”
The allegation apparently was based on a Washington City Paper story last year reporting that Graham loaned his former aide, Ted Loza, money to help pay for an abortion for his girlfriend. The City Paper said Graham confirmed the report and said Loza repaid him. Graham later dismissed Loza after a grand jury indicted him on bribery charges related to the city’s taxicab industry. Graham has not been implicated in the taxicab bribery matter, which has been the subject of a federal investigation.
“We have turned over information about the calls to local and federal authorities, including the FBI and the Federal Communications Commission,” said Chuck Theis, a spokesperson for Graham’s election committee.
Theis said the calls appear to be aimed at the sender’s opposition to abortion. The automated phone messages did not refer to Graham’s status as one of two openly gay members of Council. The second of the two robocalls accuses Graham of having committed adultery with a woman, a claim that Theis calls “ridiculous” as well as “outrageous.”
Federal law prohibits robocalls that don’t identify the individual or organization initiating the calls. Theis said phone companies routinely cooperate with local and federal authorities to help trace the calls and identify the vendor that the initiator retains to transmit the calls. The vendor is required by law to reveal the call’s initiator to the authorities.
Graham’s two opponents in the Sept. 14 Democratic primary and his Republican opponent in the November general election have each said they had nothing to do with the attack calls. GOP opponent Marc Morgan, who is gay, issued a statement calling the phone messages “a horrible political stunt” that’s unethical.
“I have personally reached out to Councilmember Graham and assured him that neither I nor anyone associated with my campaign was involved,” Morgan said. “Furthermore, I will work with the Council member to identity the responsible parties and assure they are due swift and necessary punishment.”
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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