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Ayanbadejo to use Super Bowl to raise gay marriage awareness
Baltimore Ravens face San Francisco 49ers on Feb. 3
Brendon Ayanbadejo of the Baltimore Ravens with Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley outside Northwood Elementary School in Baltimore on Nov. 6. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo hopes to use the media attention surrounding his team’s appearance in the Super Bowl to further highlight his support of marriage rights for same-sex couples.
New York Times columnist Frank Bruni reported on Jan. 22 that Ayanbadejo sent an e-mail to same-sex marriage advocates Brian Ellner and Michael Skolnik hours after the Ravens clinched the AFC Championship by defeating the New England Patriots. Bruni said the linebacker asked them whether there is “anything I can do for marriage equality or anti-bullying over the next couple of weeks to harness this Super Bowl media?”
Ayanbadejo described his message to Ellner and Skolnik during a follow-up interview with Bruni as his “Jerry Maguire e-mail.” He said his “ultimate goal” after the Super Bowl that will take place in New Orleans on Feb. 5 was to “get our message out there,” including an appearance on comedian Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show.
Ayanbadejo, who has backed marriage rights for same-sex couples for several years, in late 2011 emerged as one of Maryland’s most high-profile supporters of the issue after he appeared in a Marylanders for Marriage Equality web video.
He headlined subsequent fundraisers with Gov. Martin O’Malley and others in support of the campaign that backed the same-sex marriage law the governor signed last March. Ayanbadejo also joined O’Malley, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings at a polling place in Charm City hours before a referendum on the statute passed by a 52-48 percent margin on Election Day.
The linebacker’s advocacy around the issue has also sparked controversy among those who oppose nuptials for gays and lesbians.
State Del. Emmett Burns (D-Baltimore County) told Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti in an Aug. 29 letter after Ayanbadejo donated two Ravens tickets as part of a Marylanders for Marriage Equality fundraiser that he “should concentrate on football and steer clear of dividing the fan base.” Chris Kluwe of the Minnesota Vikings subsequently defended Ayanbadejo in a series of profanity-laced tweets that blasted Burns.
“Brendon is permitted to express his viewpoints,” Ravens spokesperson Patrick Gleason told the Washington Blade in response to Ayanbadejo’s latest comments on the issue. “The Ravens have always supported his right to free speech.”
Gleason said Ayanbadejo was unavailable for an interview before the team traveled to New Orleans on Monday.
Ellner declined to provide the Blade a copy of the e-mail he received from the linebacker.
“He understands that as a straight biracial player in the Super Bowl he can have a huge impact on the future of this issue,” Ellner said. “He has courage because this comes from a deeply held sense of basic fairness. He’s part of a new generation of athlete ally. He’s creating a playbook for this.”
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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