Local
Likely NYC Council candidate attends D.C. fundraiser
Elmendorf hosts event for Corey Johnson who may run to replace Quinn

More than 40 people attended a fundraiser for gay presumptive New York City Council candidate Corey Johnson in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday night.
Gay Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.) co-chaired the event that took place at gay Democratic lobbyist Steve Elmendorf’s home. Virginia state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) and columnist and Democratic strategist Karl Frisch were among those who attended.
“It was a real moving show of support for me from friends and allies down here in the District that I’ve been able to work with over the years,” Johnson, 30, told the Blade on Wednesday.
Elmendorf praised the likely candidate.
“Corey is a close personal friend and I offered to help him because I admire the guts he showed when he first came out as a high school quarterback; the dedication he has shown to the LGBT community and his passion for public service,” he said in an e-mail. “I have met a lot of candidates during my time in politics and government and he is one of the best.”
The former Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation staffer has not officially declared his candidacy, but he launched an exploratory committee in early April. Three of Johnson’s likely challengers in the 2013 Democratic primary—lawyer Yetta Kurland, Manhattan Community Board 2 Chair Brad Hoylman and Andrew Berman—are gay.
He would succeed lesbian New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn if elected.
“It says a lot on how far we’ve come,” said Johnson when asked about the fact that all three of his likely opponents are gay. “In many places in this country there aren’t LGBT elected officials. … In New York City things have progressed to such a point that I believe in certain parts of the city, voters no longer look at what a person’s sexual orientation is, they look at their history, their track record, their biography and what their vision is for the district. I believe all of us will be judged on that, so I think it shows tremendous progress that we’ve gotten to that point.”
Johnson, who has chaired Manhattan’s Community Board 4 since last July, attended the D.C. fundraiser three days after Quinn married her long-time partner Kim Catullo.
He acknowledged that he does not always agree with the likely 2013 mayoral candidate, but Johnson said that Quinn and her predecessor, gay New York State Sen. Tom Duane (D-Manhattan) are well known outside the district. He also pointed out that he has publicly disagreed with Mayor Michael Bloomberg over the New York Police Department’s controversial stop and frisk policy, a law that requires contractors that receive at least $1 million in tax breaks and low-interest financing to pay their employees at $10 an hour and a measure that would provide paid sick leave to New Yorkers who don’t already receive it from their employers.
Johnson also described Bloomberg’s decision to appeal a New York State Supreme Court judge’s 2005 decision that struck down a ban on nuptials for gays and lesbians as disappointing. The mayor has subsequently backed marriage rights for same-sex couples.
“I’m always happy to welcome anyone that wants to come to our side and help fight for our rights,” said Johnson. “The mayor has done that most recently and he’s someone that we should use as an ally as we move forward.”
Johnson first rose to prominence in 2000 when the New York Times published a story about him playing on his Massachusetts high school’s football team. He worked as former New York City Public Advocate Mark Green’s political director during his unsuccessful 2006 state attorney general campaign. Johnson has also written for the gay blog Towleroad.
“Since I was 17 years old, I’ve always been engaged and involved in political advocacy and working for non-profits to try to affect real change in the world,” he said.
Johnson said he does not have any higher political aspirations if elected to the City Council.
“My goal is just to be on the City Council,” he said. “My sole focus is to be elected to the City Council and be the best Council member possible in the West Side of Manhattan with all the neighborhoods that encompass this district.”
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.
-
Books5 days ago
Chronicling disastrous effects of ‘conversion therapy’
-
U.S. Federal Courts4 days ago
Second federal lawsuit filed against White House passport policy
-
Opinions5 days ago
We must show up to WorldPride 2025 in D.C.
-
District of Columbia4 days ago
Ruby Corado sentencing postponed for third time