Local
D.C. budget bill includes marriage equality ‘clarification’
When it comes to estate taxes, has the tax office properly implemented D.C. same-sex marriage law?
The D.C. fiscal year 2014 budget, for which the City Council gave preliminary approval on May 22, includes a “marriage equality estate tax clarification” provision that has raised questions about whether the city’s Office of Tax and Revenue has properly implemented the D.C. same-sex marriage law for purposes of estate taxes.
The provision added to the budget bill by D.C. Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) “directs the Chief Financial Officer to amend all estate tax forms, filing instructions, and regulations necessary to indicate that all married couples are eligible for certain tax deductions and exclusions, regardless of whether the marriage is recognized under federal law.”
D.C. resident Marc Nicholson said he contacted Evans after an estate planning attorney advised him that the city’s estate tax law appeared to prevent a surviving spouse of a same-sex married couple from obtaining an exemption to the city’s inheritance tax based on existing tax forms, rules and instructions. Evans, who is chair of the Council’s Committee on Finance and Revenue, said he believes the law as currently worded adequately covers same-sex couples on matters involving the D.C. estate tax.
“I just wanted to reinforce that all of this is applicable so that we don’t have any misunderstandings or ambiguities or any interpretation that could lead to some other understanding,” Evans said. “That the reason behind it,” he said of his clarification language in the budget bill.
When asked by the Blade whether the Office of Tax and Revenue failed to properly change its estate tax rules and forms three years after the D.C. Marriage Equality Act took effect, spokesperson Natalie Wilson said, “OTR directed its efforts first to individual income tax forms and instructions, which affected more taxpayers more immediately.”
Wilson said “OTR will refund any taxes overpaid” if a surviving spouse of a same-sex marriage brings information about a possible improper estate tax bill the office’s attention.
Michelle Zavos, a local attorney specializing in LGBT family law, said the D.C. marriage equality law “absolutely” enables surviving same-sex spouses to receive the same estate tax exemption that a surviving spouse of a heterosexual marriage receives.
“It’s probably a good idea for the City Council to put that language in the budget, but the law as it stands makes this very clear,” Zavos said. Same-sex couples have the exact same rights and benefits of marriage as opposite sex couples, she said.
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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