Local
Gay Marylanders celebrate state’s same-sex marriage law
Equality Maryland event drew nearly 100 people to Chase Court in Baltimore
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake hosted some of Maryland’s first same-sex weddings on Jan. 1.(Photo by Steve Charing)
BALTIMORE – Nearly 100 people gathered at Chase Court on Thursday to celebrate Maryland’s same-sex marriage law that took effect on Jan. 1.
“It’s great that we can be on the celebration side of things,” Tony Bowen, member of the Equality Maryland Foundation Board of Directors, said during the event. “It’s great that we can be saying that after Jan. 1, there are plenty of lovely couples that are now married.”
David Egan, owner of Chase Court, noted the former Christ Episcopal Church parish house has hosted commitment ceremonies for gay and lesbian couples since 2004. He became emotional as he referenced the state’s same-sex marriage law.
“We’re very proud at this point to be calling them same-sex marriages,” Egan said. “It’s a thrill for us. It’s important for me personally, to us as a business. And I want to say to so many people in our industry, the wedding industry, who are so thrilled for all kinds of reasons to see this happening.”
Maryland is one of nine states and D.C. that allow same-sex marriage, while neighboring Delaware is among the states expected to debate the issue this year.
Baltimore residents John Kyle and Peter Satten married on Jan. 1 in a small ceremony at the Blue Hill Tavern in the city’s Canton neighborhood — they chose to tie the knot on the first day same-sex couples could legally marry in Maryland, in part, because it was their 23rd anniversary.
“I feel great about it,” Kyle told the Washington Blade when asked about the law taking effect. “I worked hard for it: Fundraising, volunteering, working the polls, lobbying in the legislature. It’s great that we got this right now right here in Maryland.”
Equality Maryland Office Manager Vanessa Bowling and her partner of nearly five years plan to marry in 2014.
“Other than the fact that we love each other and want to spend our lives together, having that legal recognition and being able to take care of our property and our family and everything that the law will allow us to do is very important to us,” she told the Blade.
Bowling conceded she was “in shock” when voters in November approved the state’s same-sex marriage law by a 52-48 percent margin. She said the reality of nuptials for gays and lesbians in Maryland “didn’t really hit me until” the law took effect.
“I saw these pictures of couples and they were getting married — legally,” Bowling said. “That was the first time I cried, from excitement. I know that’s really strange, but I get calls every day, e-mails every day of people who want to know how the law will affect them, what they need to do to make sure their out-of-state license is honored. So it’s surreal to me and it is wonderful to see how many people are trying to get all the information, make sure everything is covered and they’re really excited about their marriages being legal.”
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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