Local
O’Malley launches video campaign for marriage equality
O’Malley delivered first in what marriage equality advocates say will be a series of video messages calling for the approval of a same-sex marriage bill
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley this week delivered the first in what marriage equality advocates say will be a series of video messages calling for the approval of a same-sex marriage bill next year by the Maryland Legislature.
The video campaign, organized by the newly formed Marylanders for Marriage Equality Coalition, is modeled after a similar campaign in New York State, which passed a same-sex marriage bill earlier this year under the leadership of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“I’m Gov. Martin O’Malley and I’m a Marylander for marriage equality,” O’Malley said in the video message recorded from his office at the State House in Annapolis.
“As a free and diverse people of many different faiths, we choose to be governed under the law by certain fundamental principles – among them equal protection of the law for every individual and the free exercise of religion without government intervention,” he said.
“The legislation we plan to introduce in the 2012 legislative session will protect religious freedom and equality of marital rights under the law,” he said. “I ask you to join us as we work to pass marriage equality in the State of Maryland.”
Raquel Guillory, O’Malley’s communications director, said the governor’s office provided the video equipment used to record his message. She said the Human Rights Campaign, which coordinated a similar video campaign in New York, arranged for O’Malley to make the video on behalf of the coalition.
HRC officials say they are working on additional videos expected to be recorded over the next few months by civil leaders, sports figures and “regular Maryland citizens.”
In addition to HRC, the coalition members include the state LGBT advocacy group Equality Maryland, the NAACP Baltimore Chapter, the ACLU of Maryland, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1199, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of Maryland, Progressive Maryland, National Black Justice Coalition, Catholics for Equality, Maryland Faith for Equality, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and the National Organization for Women of Maryland.
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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