Local
Obituary: Thom Gibb, 60
Former Red Cross employee was active in Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington
Thom Gibb
Thom Gibb, a former member of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, died of AIDS-related illnesses Feb. 2 at his home in Columbia Heights. He was 60.
He died at home in his sleep, according to his friend and housemate of almost 30 years, Larry Rosen, who said Gibb was in relatively good health until his last month and “was still making jokes and laughing.”
Gibb spent his entire career with the American Red Cross as did his parents. He began as a volunteer in his native Pittsburgh. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Westminster College in Pennsylvania and went on to serve the Red Cross in several eastern states and Germany before transferring to the DC area in the late 1970s. He retired in 2008 and immediately became a volunteer again.
Gibb was a lifelong music lover, especially of opera and musical theater. He was an ardent devotee of Maria Callas, Stephen Sondheim and drag shows, and often bragged about having seen Katharine Hepburn in “Coco.” He joined the Gay Men’s Chorus in 1990 where he sang baritone. He was on the Chorus board and served one year as vice chairman. He was a member of the Circle of Excellence (1999) and a recipient of the “You Are the Light” Crystal Award. His last concert with the Chorus was in June 2005.
Rosen called Gibb a “kind, generous and caring man.” He was an early volunteer with Whitman-Walker’s AIDS services group and managed other volunteer caseworkers. He enjoyed food, cooking and dinner parties.
“He was best known for his ready sense of humor and distinctive laugh,” Gibb said. “He was always easy to find in a crowd just by listening for the sound of his laughter.”
Gibb is survived by David Buntin, Marc Fallow and Larry Rosen of Washington and J.R. Yeager of Oakland, Calif. He was cremated. A memorial service is scheduled for April 23 at 11:30 a.m., in the Hall of Service at the headquarters of the American Red Cross, 1730 E Street, N.W. Donations in memory of Gibb may be made to the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, 2000 P Street, NW, Suite 730, Washington, DC 20036, or to the charity of your choice.
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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