Local
Man charged in fatal shooting of gay Baltimore photographer
Baltimore officers took Quinton Bass of Raleigh, N.C., into custody on Aug. 31


Gay photographer Alex Ulrich was allegedly shot to death by Quinton Bass during a robbery (Photo courtesy of Baltimore Police Department)
Baltimore police have arrested a North Carolina man in connection with a double shooting last month in Mount Vernon that left a gay aspiring photographer dead.
Anthony Guglielmi of the Baltimore Police Department told the Washington Blade that Quinton Bass, 25, of Raleigh, N.C., was arrested on gun charges on Aug. 31. He said officers who had been dispatched to patrol the neighborhood in the weeks after the Aug. 10 shooting that left Alexander “Alex” Ulrich, Jr., dead and community activist Lawrence R. Peterson critically injured took Bass, who has a previous criminal record, into custody after they found him and four others drinking alcohol in East Mount Vernon Park.
“Patrol officers gave that information to the homicide detective based on what was captured during an interview that corroborated what Homicide had,” said Guglielmi.
Bass allegedly shot Ulrich and Peterson during what Guglielmi described as a robbery as they stood on the front steps of a building near the Belvedere Hotel on East Chase Street. Guglielmi told the Blade in the days after the crime that it appeared Ulrich’s sexual orientation did not play a role in the crime.
He noted a third unidentified person was also robbed during the incident.
“As the community and our circle of friends breathes a sigh of relief upon the arrest of Alex’s murderer, I think it’s important to look at Bass’ prior criminal history and his status as a homeless person to see that the current system we have in no way deterred nor prevented Alex’s loss,” Ulrich’s friend, Ian Finkenbinder, told the Blade upon learning of Bass’ arrest. “Instead, the culture of criminality, violence and death propagated by the criminal justice system and endemic homelessness has resulted in the loss of our friend and the further destruction of Bass’ life due to the poor choices he made from the options he had. We need to find real solutions to these problems or Alex’s death, sadly, will not be the last.”
Bass remains held on $175,000 bail. He is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 2.
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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