Local
D.C. man sentenced to 40 years in gay murder
A D.C. Superior Court judge on Tuesday sentenced District resident Justin Navarro, 26, to 40 years in prison for the November 2009 murder of Kevin Massey.
A D.C. Superior Court judge on Tuesday sentenced District resident Justin Navarro, 26, to 40 years in prison for the November 2009 murder of a gay man that prosecutors listed as an anti-gay hate crime.
A Superior Court jury in March found Navarro guilty of first-degree murder while armed, obstruction of justice, evidence tampering, and carrying a dangerous weapon in the stabbing death of Kevin Massey, 31, inside Massey’s apartment in Northwest D.C.
Although the jury declined a request by prosecutors to designate the murder as a hate crime, the United States Attorney’s Office urged Judge Lynn Leibovitz to consider the killing a hate crime in her deliberations over the sentence.
In announcing her sentence, Leibovitz called Navarro’s action a “senseless and brutal murder.” Prosecutors said Navarro stabbed Massey at least 18 times while calling him a “faggot.”
During the trial, witnesses testified that the murder stemmed from an incident one month earlier in which Massey pulled up Navarro’s pants while Navarro was being carried out of Massey’s apartment building. Prosecutors said Navarro was so high on PCP that he couldn’t walk, and that Massey merely tried to help him when his pants began to fall as he was being helped out of the building.
Witnesses testified that Navarro blamed Massey for the ridicule he began to receive from people who knew him and who joked that Navarro was gay and was one of Massey’s “bitches.” Massey was known in the neighborhood as being gay.
Prosecutors said that on Nov. 6, 2009, someone who knew Massey allowed Navarro to enter Massey’s apartment, apparently not knowing Navarro’s intent to harm Massey. Navarro went to the kitchen, retrieved a butcher’s knife and, in an unprovoked attack, stabbed Massey repeatedly in the back and upper body while calling him anti-gay names, prosecutors said.
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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