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‘Today’ show anchors to visit Rehoboth

Popular “Today” show anchors Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford are scheduled to visit Rehoboth Beach on July 23 to take part in a special day honoring Kotb.

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Hoda Today Show

‘Today’ anchor Hoda Kotb (right) stopped by gay-owned Coffee Mill in Rehoboth Beach last month. (Photo courtesy of the Coffee Mill)

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. — Popular “Today” show anchors Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford are scheduled to visit Rehoboth Beach on July 23 to take part in a special day honoring Kotb.

Browseabout Books on Rehoboth Avenue is promoting “Rehoda Beach Day” and in addition to both Gifford and Kotb signing copies of their respective books, other local businesses will be offering special gifts.

Steve Crane, owner of Browseabout, which has been a staple at the gay-popular beach resort for more than three decades, said, “there will be lots of surprises that day including a Kathie deLeecious Ice Cream treat, prepared by a local ice cream emporium. The day will likely include a visit to a favorite spot of Hoda’s, The Coffee Mill.

The “Today” show featured the gay-owned Rehoboth coffee shop on its show on June 13. Mel Damascena, an owner of the Coffee Mill, presented coffee to Kotb and Gifford during a segment in which Kotb identified her favorite places.

The Coffee Mill is the longest continually operated gay-owned coffee shop in Rehoboth Beach, having served coffee at its current location in Rehoboth Mews since 1992.

Damascena and his partner Bob Cartwright purchased it from two lesbian couples in November 2009, and now sell more than 100 varieties of organic coffees.

Damascena said Kotb’s mother, a regular summer visitor to Rehoboth Beach, is a long-time customer of the Coffee Mill and introduced her daughter to it.

“Hoda loves this place so much that she is known to spend hours talking to customers and generally enjoying the ambiance,” he said.

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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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Venus Valhalla performs at Pitchers. 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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