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Va. lawmakers to consider anti-LGBT discrimination bill
SB 701 would bar discrimination against LGBT state employees
Gay state Sen. Adam Ebbin is a Senate Bill 710 co-sponsor (Photo courtesy of Adam Ebbin)
“Senate Bill 701 is about fairness,” state Sen. A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico,) who co-sponsored the measure alongside gay state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria,) said during a Jan. 17 press conference in Richmond ahead of the scheduled hearing on SB 701 in the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology. “Virginians are about fairness and there should be no visible discrimination in our state workforce. Virginia is better than what we’ve shown in this regard.”
Ebbin noted former Govs. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine signed executive orders that banned anti-gay discrimination against state employees. Governor Bob McDonnell has not followed suit.
“In Virginia, you can be fired for being lesbian, bisexual, gay or transgender,” Ebbin said. “There’s just nothing to stop it and real people are moving away or deciding not to come here because of our lack of protections for LGBT Virginians. That’s a loss for all of us and it’s a loss that I’ve heard from personally from friends who don’t want to come here or people who have left. It’s a fundamental American value that tax paying individuals who work hard should not be discriminated against in the workplace because of who they are and it makes good business sense as [Equality Virginia Executive Director] James [Parrish] said to have non-discrimination policies.”
The state Senate in 2010 and 2011 passed bills similar to SB 701 twice, but they both stalled in the House of Delegates.
The proposal currently has 45 co-sponsors in both legislative chambers, but Parrish conceded to the Washington Blade during an interview late last year that SB 701’s chances of passing in the Republican-controlled House of Delegates this year are “very slim.”
“It’s time that the state catches up with the business community and 90 percent of Virginians who believe that gays and lesbians have the right to work in the government without discrimination,” Parrish said during the Jan. 17 press conference. “Protecting LGBT employees and especially job security is a timely and important issue for all Virginians. LGBT Virginians aren’t asking for special treatment. We are just asking for the right to work while living an authentic life.”
Susie Corbett of Mothers and Others of Virginia agreed as she referenced her gay son whom she said is currently looking for a job in Richmond.
“In the current economy that could be difficult,” she said. “It scares me to think that the state of Virginia might add homophobia to his hurdles because that is just old fashioned discrimination and it is time for Virginia to join the 21st century.”
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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