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Annapolis rally draws 500 marriage supporters

Opponents have their lobby day planned for next week

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Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler speaks at Lobby Day Monday. (Photo by Steve Charing, courtesy Baltimore Outloud)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Buoyed by the real prospects of achieving marriage equality in Maryland in 2011, an enthusiastic crowd estimated to be at least 500 jammed Lawyer’s Mall for the annual Equality Maryland-organized Lobby Day rally on Monday.

Two signature bills — the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act (SB 116) and the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act (HB 235) — are making their way through the legislative process during the current General Assembly.

The news that Sens. Ed Kasemeyer (Howard, Baltimore County) and Kathy Klausmeier (Baltimore City, Baltimore County) announced their support for the marriage bill earlier in the day was met with a loud cheer.

Groups opposing marriage rights for same-sex couples, such as the National Organization for Marriage are expected to hold their own rally next week.

After brief introductory remarks by Equality Maryland’s executive director Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Senate Majority Leader Rob Garagiola (Montgomery County), lead sponsor of SB 116 told the crowd, “As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, no one can argue that the capacity and bond of love is any different between heterosexual and same-sex couples.”

House Majority Leader Kumar Barve (Montgomery County), lead sponsor of the House version of the marriage equality bill (HB 175), followed.

“I am very proud to be a sponsor of this legislation and SB 116/HB 175 is a testament to what it means to be an American and what it means to be free and equal in our society,” he told the crowd.

Other speakers included Del. Ariana Kelly (Montgomery County), lead sponsor of the gender identity non-discrimination bill; Attorney General Douglas Gansler; and Sandy Rawls, founder of Trans-United, a transgender advocacy group.

The final speaker was former Equality Maryland director Dan Furmansky. “Right now we can literally feel the winds of change upon us,” he said. “Today we are part of a much broader movement …we now are the leaders in this movement and we will be next state for marriage equality.”

The Lobby Day event was bolstered by unusually mild weather. Following the rally, participants broke off according to their own legislative districts to visit with senators and delegates to press the two bills in pre-scheduled meetings.

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World Pride 2025

D.C. liquor board extends drinking hours for WorldPride

Gay bars, other liquor-serving establishments can stay open 24 hours

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Sasha Colby performs at Pitchers in 2023. Liquor-serving establishments in D.C. will be able to remain open for 24 hours during WorldPride. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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.

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World Pride 2025

Episcopal bishop to speak at WorldPride human rights conference

Trump demanded apology from Mariann Edgar Budde over post-Inauguration sermon

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The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde. (Screen capture via PBS NewsHour/YouTube)

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.

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World Pride 2025

Pabllo Vittar to perform at WorldPride

Brazilian drag queen, singer, joined Madonna on stage in 2024 Rio concert

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Pabllo Vittar (Screen capture via Pabllo Vittar/YouTube)

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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