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Pro-Question group raises nearly $6 million to defend Md. marriage law

Marylanders for Marriage Equality filed latest campaign finance report on Nov. 27.

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Martin O'Malley, Question 6, election 2012, Maryland, gay marriage, same sex marriage, gay news, Washington Blade
Martin O'Malley, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Question 6, Maryland, election 2012, gay marriage, same sex marriage, marriage equality, gay news, Washington Blade

Governor Martin O’Malley with Brendon Ayanbadejo of the Baltimore Ravens outside Northwood Elementary School in Baltimore on Nov. 6 (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Marylanders for Marriage Equality raised nearly $6 million to defend the state’s same-sex marriage law, according to campaign finance reports.

The latest report the pro-Question 6 group filed with state election officials on Nov. 27 indicates it raised $776,041.15 between Oct. 22 and Nov. 20 with an additional $78,802.87 in in-kind contributions. This figure comes on top of the $4,504,262.61 it raised between July 27-Oct. 7 and $547,490.19 in in-kind contributions during the same period.

Marylanders for Marriage Equality raised a total of $5,906,596.82 in cash and in-kind contributions.

HRC, United Therapeutics Corporation, MGM among largest donors

The campaign’s latest report indicates the Human Rights Campaign donated $188,000 and $33,264.47 in in-kind contributions in the days leading up to the Nov. 6 referendum. The Human Rights Campaign Maryland Families PAC contributed $35,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality on Oct. 31 and another $55,000 on Nov. 2.

MGM, which seeks to build a casino at National Harbor in Prince George’s County after voters approved expanded gambling in the state, contributed $75,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality on Oct. 23. The D.C. biotechnology company United Therapeutics Corporation that transgender woman Martine Rothblatt founded donated $100,000 to the pro-Question 6 group. Baltimore attorney Peter Angelos on Nov. 2 contributed $50,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality on Nov. 2.

The owners of the 9:30 Club in Northwest Washington, which hosted a Marylanders for Marriage Equality fundraiser that gay former “American Idol” Adam Lambert headlined in September, donated $25,000 to the campaign. The Democratic State Committee of Maryland on Oct. 22 transferred $10,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality.

Freedom to Marry, which had initially declined to join the coalition of groups defending Maryland’s same-sex marriage law, gave a $70,000 contribution to Marylanders for Marriage Equality on Oct. 24. Other donors included former O’Malley aide Joseph Bryce, Whitman-Walker Health Executive Director Don Blanchon, the Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police, Equality Maryland and the ACLU of Maryland.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in October donated $250,000. Former National Football League Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and his wife Chan announced a $100,000 contribution to Marylanders for Marriage Equality during an Oct. 2 fundraiser at gay Democratic lobbyist Steve Elmendorf’s Logan Circle home that Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and others attended.

Gay former Republican National Committee Chair Ken Mehlman also co-hosted a star-studded Marylanders for Marriage Equality fundraiser in New York City in September at which O’Malley also spoke.

“We knew that preserving marriage equality at the ballot box was going to take tremendous effort and sacrifice,” Carrie Evans, executive director of Equality Maryland, told Washington Blade. “The fact that we were able to raise almost $6 million underscores how important this issue was for so many different people and organizations. From wealthy Republicans, to labor unions, to the college student who sent $15 with a note saying ‘I wish it was more, but I hope it helps you,’ we all came together to stand up for fairness and equality for all Maryland families.

HRC spokesperson Kevin Nix agreed.

“The final report — like the previous ones — indicates the outpouring of grassroots support we had throughout the campaign,” he said. “We’re certainly grateful to all those who donated their time and money to this extraordinary win.”

Marylanders on Nov. 6 upheld the state’s same-sex marriage law O’Malley signed in Marcy by a 52-48 percent margin. Voters in Maine and Washington on the same day also approved nuptials for gays and lesbians at the ballot box, while Minnesotans rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman.

Question 6 opponents raise slightly more than $2.4 million

The Maryland Marriage Alliance, which opposed Question 6, reported in its latest campaign finance report it raised $697,572.07 between Oct. 22 and Nov. 20. It also noted $53,809.08 in in-kind contributions.

The National Organization for Marriage on Oct. 24 transferred $400,000 to the Maryland Marriage Alliance, while the Knights of Columbus donated $100,000 on Oct. 30. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., on Oct. 26 gave $25,000 to the anti-Question 6 group.

The Roman Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of Baltimore donated $10,000 on Nov. 20.

Other Maryland Marriage Alliance donors include the Catholic Dioceses of Arlington, Va., and Wheeling-Charleston, W.V., Colonial Baptist Church in Randallstown and Bethesda resident Sterling Colton. The anti-Question 6 raised a total of $2,452,881.74 in cash and in-kind contributions from July 27–Nov. 20.

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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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