Local
Md. congressional delegation backs marriage
Majority of lawmakers support state law; Cummings ‘on a journey’


Rep. Elijah Cummings, whose district includes Baltimore City, said in a statement released Wednesday, “The Maryland Legislature has spoken. I respect its decision and will not oppose it. It’s now up to the voters to decide whether to uphold the law.”
Maryland’s two Democratic senators and five of its eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives either support or won’t oppose the state’s same-sex marriage law, which will go before voters in a referendum on Nov. 6.
In response to a Washington Blade survey, the offices of Sens. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.), Reps. Donna Edwards, Steny Hoyer, John Sarbanes, and Chris Van Hollen – all Democrats – said the lawmakers strongly support the same-sex marriage law.
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), whose district includes Baltimore City, said in a statement released Wednesday, “The Maryland Legislature has spoken. I respect its decision and will not oppose it. It’s now up to the voters to decide whether to uphold the law.”
The state’s remaining three House members, Republicans Roscoe Bartlett and Andy Harris and Democrat C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger, did not respond to the Blade’s inquiries seeking their position on the marriage law.
Bartlett, who has represented a district in Western Maryland considered to be the most conservative and Republican-leaning part of the state, received a “0” rating on LGBT-related issues from the Human Rights Campaign in the 111th Congress spanning the years 2009-2010. HRC doesn’t release its ratings for the current Congress spanning 2011-2012 until September or October.
Harris, who represents the Republican-leaning Eastern Shore section of the state, is serving in his first term, after defeating Democratic Rep. Frank Kratovil in the 2010 election. HRC won’t have a rating for him until it releases its 2012 ratings later this year.
Ruppersberger, considered a moderate Democrat, represents a district that includes the Baltimore suburbs and surrounding counties. LGBT activists in Maryland have expressed disappointment that he hasn’t co-sponsored any of the LGBT rights legislation that his fellow Democratic House members in the state have backed, including the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA. HRC has given him an overall rating of 75 on a rating scale of 0 to 100.
Cummings, while not coming out directly for the marriage equality law, received a HRC rating of 100.
“We’re pleased a majority of the Maryland congressional delegation support the state’s new marriage law that protects religious freedom,” said Josh Levin, campaign manager for Marylanders for Marriage Equality, the group leading the campaign to uphold the law in the referendum vote.
In an earlier statement released to the Blade last week, Cummings said that while he would not interfere with the “will” of the state legislature on the same-sex marriage law, he added, “I support civil unions, which would ensure that people who care for one another will be able to jointly purchase property, assign Powers of Attorney, make decisions about healthcare for one another, and establish other essential contractual relationships.”
In the statement he issued on Wednesday, June 27, Cummings did not mention civil unions.
“Like many of my friends and colleagues, I have been on a journey when it comes to supporting same-sex marriage,” he said in his statement. “When you come from a religious background where you’ve been taught all your life that marriage is between a man and a woman, and then you find yourself looking at how a society is changing and how many in your own community are seeing the issue in terms of fairness and equality, it makes you re-think your position,” he said.
“I identify with, for instance, President Obama’s evolution on the topic,” Cummings said.
Last month, Obama announced his full support for marriage equality, saying his evolution on the issue was completed.
Political observers in Maryland, meanwhile, note that changes in the state’s congressional districts based on the required 10-year reapportionment due to population changes has significantly altered Bartlett’s district. Observers say a Democrat now has a shot at defeating Bartlett, who is serving in his 10th term.
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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