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Howard County weighs gender identity bill

Twenty advocates testified before county council

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Twenty advocates of a bill to ban discrimination based on gender identity in Howard County testified before the County Council on Nov. 21. The bill, CB-54, was introduced on Oct. 27 and was sponsored by four of the five Council members, all Democrats: Chairman Calvin Ball, Mary Kay Sigaty, Jennifer Terrasa and Courtney Watson. The fifth member, Greg Fox, a Republican did not sign on.

The bill was crafted and placed before the Council as a result of the work of Gender Rights Maryland and the Howard County chapter of PFLAG. It would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and expression in the areas of housing, law enforcement, public accommodations, financing, employment, and health and social services.

The bill states: “An act amending the Health and Social Services Title of the Howard County Code to include gender identity and expression as a classification protected against certain types of unlawful, discriminatory practices; and generally relating to the Human Rights law of Howard County.”

If passed, gender identity would become the 16th protected class in Howard County, a jurisdiction known for its progressive record on diversity, and it would join two other Maryland jurisdictions, Baltimore City and Montgomery County with similar protections. A statewide bill is expected to be introduced in the 2012 General Assembly.

Those testifying on behalf of the bill received support from several dozen backers, most of whom donned purple as a way of expressing unity. Supporters from a variety of professional backgrounds testified, including Howard County Register of Wills Byron Macfarlane, who’s gay; Gender Rights Maryland board members Sharon Brackett, Dr. Dana Beyer and Jonathan Shurberg; Donna Cartwright of Pride at Work; Richard Espey of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network; Liz Seaton of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Wesley Garson of National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Carrie Evans, the new executive director of Equality Maryland.

In addition, people from all walks of life—transgender people as well as parents and relatives of children who identify as transgender—testified about how discrimination based on gender identity and expression has hurt them or their loved ones economically and socially. Catherine Hyde from PFLAG offered a compelling testimony on how she almost lost her transgender child to suicide.

Only four opponents of the bill testified. They cited biblical references to augment their positions. Two women—Vanessa Ali and Grace Harley—were asked by Council members to provide statistical data to back up their claims. Neither could produce that information.

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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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Sasha Colby performs at Pitchers in 2023. 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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