Local

Hundreds pay tribute to Nellie’s bartender

Medical Examiner says Chung took his own life

Published

13 years ago

July 16, 2012

Michael K. Lavers

David Chung (Photo by John Jack Gallagher)

Hundreds of friends, colleagues, patrons and others gathered at JR.’s on Sunday to pay tribute to a Nellie’s bartender who passed away earlier this month.

Mourners wore purple arm bands and T-shirts as pictures of David Chung flashed on television screens throughout the bar. A memorial that contained purple and white pompoms and flowers and a bottle of Jameson whiskey with his picture stood near the bar’s entrance—patrons toasted Chung with shots of the Irish spirit throughout the afternoon.

“He was full of love for everyone,” Zachary Wine, who first met Chung when he applied for a job at Nellie’s, told the Blade. “He was one of the most caring individuals I’ve ever had the grace to know. And he carried that not just to the people he was close with, but the people he didn’t know.”

JR.’s manager Dave Perruzza said he will always remember Chung’s smile.

“Every time I saw him there was always a smile on his face,” he said. “That’s the one thing people remember him by.”

Chung, 26, was found dead early on July 8.

Beverly Fields of the D.C. Medical Examiner’s office told the Blade that the cause of death was “asphyxia due to hanging.” She further confirmed that Chung took his own life. Wine said during the memorial service that Chung, who is from Paramus, N.J., had struggled with what he described as suicidal tendencies.

He told the Blade that he decided to publicly discuss Chung’s suicide as a way to help others who may want to take their own lives. “If you care about someone, tell them. If you can’t tell them, show them,” said Wine. “If you can’t show them, make yourself find a way to let the people you care about know, and never stop. I myself am horrible about showing my emotions, but it’s only through being there for someone that we can try to make sure this tragedy doesn’t happen again.”

A 2002 University of California San Francisco study found that rates of suicide attempts among urban gay and bisexual men were three times higher than the overall rate for adult men. The Trevor Project further notes that LGBT youth are up to four times more likely to try to take their own lives than heterosexual teenagers.

Dr. Patricia Hawkins, a clinical psychologist, told the Blade that possible warning signs that someone is contemplating suicide include lethargy, a loss of interest in the future, giving away favorite things and writing a long letter to friends and family. She said the D.C. Department of Public Health, Whitman-Walker Health and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline are among agencies that offer resources and other assistance to those who may seek to take their own life.

“If you’re worried about somebody and your gut tells you that something is terribly wrong, trust your instincts,” said Hawkins. “You’re much better to talk with the person about it and bring it up. That little bit of support can make a tremendous difference.”

Chung’s funeral took place on July 12 at the Metropolitan Wesley A.M.E. Church in Northwest Washington. A second memorial service is scheduled to take place at Nellie’s on Thursday with proceeds going to a fund that will help Chung’s sister and brother-in-law pay for their children’s education.

The JR.’s memorial service raised more than $3,000 for the Wanda Alston House, a D.C. organization that provides housing and other services to homeless LGBT youth.

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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

Published

13 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Lou Chibbaro Jr.

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.

World Pride 2025

Episcopal bishop to speak at WorldPride human rights conference

Trump demanded apology from Mariann Edgar Budde over post-Inauguration sermon

Published

21 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Michael K. Lavers

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.

World Pride 2025

Pabllo Vittar to perform at WorldPride

Brazilian drag queen, singer, joined Madonna on stage in 2024 Rio concert

Published

2 days ago

May 1, 2025

Staff reports

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.