Local
O’Malley to headline Equality Md. event
Equality Maryland to honor Lt. Gov. Brown, A.G. Gansler and more along with the Gov. at fundraiser

Equality Maryland has an event slated for Wednesday in which several local elected officials will be honored including Gov. Martin O’Malley who said in July that getting a same-sex marriage law passed next year is among his legislative goals.
Dubbed “Celebrate and Honor,” it will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Chevy Chase Town Hall (4301 Willow Lane in Chevy Chase) with cocktails and presentations. Aside from O’Malley, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, Attorney General Doug Gansler, Comptroller Peter Franchot and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman will be honored.
Lisa Polyak, interim board chair for the organization, said the board decided whom to honor and was in agreement in its decisions. The organization has typically held a gala-type event but scaled back this year as it attempts to stabilize the organization after the departure of former director Morgan Meneses-Sheets, whom they fired in April after a disappointing 2011 legislative session that saw a marriage bill fail.
O’Malley, criticized by some Maryland gays for previously supporting civil unions over marriage, changed his tune after a marriage bill passed with strong gubernatorial support this year in New York. Did the board fear some criticism would emerge for their decision to honor O’Malley so quickly when for years he did little to help their cause?
Polyak said no.
“I think it’s a good idea to honor people who come out publicly in their support and pledge to put the strength of their office fully behind us,” she said.
Tickets are $50. Sponsorship levels are available ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Go to equalitymaryland.org and look under “events” for details.
Polyak said Equality Maryland has stabilized in recent months. She said the organization is operating in the black again after a shaky start to the year and a full board — bylaws say the C-4 arm can have 15 members — by month’s end. Many qualified candidates have applied for the executive director position, she said, which they hope to fill “no later than November.” She credits the five current board members for “working their fingers to the bone” to stabilize the organization this summer.
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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