Local
McClurkin withdraws from King Memorial concert
Performance by ‘ex-gay’ minister triggered complaints from LGBT activists


An ‘ex-gay’ minister has withdrawn from a concert Saturday at the King memorial. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
At the request of D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, controversial gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, who has said God delivered him from the sin of homosexuality, has withdrawn as a performer at a city-sponsored concert scheduled to take place Saturday night, Aug. 10, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
McClurkin’s withdrawal from the event, which is being organized by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, came one day after local gay activist and longtime civil rights advocate Phil Pannell called the gospel singer’s public statements on homosexuality “vile.”
Pannell and other LGBT activists said McClurkin’s participation in the event would be at odds with King’s call for ending discrimination and injustice against all people.
“The Mayor directed the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities to ask Donnie McClurkin to withdraw,” Gray spokesperson Doxie McCoy told the Blade in an email. “No disrespect to Mr. McClurkin, but Mayor Gray thought it best that he withdraw from the concert in the name of not having his appearance to be a distraction at an event about peace, love and justice for all,” McCoy said.
In a separate statement, Commission Executive Director Lionell Thomas said, “So that Donnie’s participation did not become a distraction from the goals of the program, a mutual decision was reached between the DCCAH and his management team that it was best for him to withdraw from the event.”
In statements in press interviews and at his concerts throughout the country, McClurkin, a Grammy Award winning musician, emerged as one of the lead figures in the so-called “ex-gay” movement beginning in 2007. On at least one appearance he compared being gay to a drug addiction and said it was God’s plan that gays should change their sexual orientation.
When challenged by gay activists and others who dispute claims that someone can change their sexual orientation, McClurkin fired back at his critics.
“Don’t tell me that I stand up and say vile words against the gay community because I don’t,” CNN quoted him as saying at an October 2007 concert for then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. “I don’t speak against homosexuality. I tell you that God delivered me from homosexuality”
The concert at the King Memorial at 8 p.m. Saturday is entitled “Reflections on Peace: From Gandhi to King.” It is the first in a series of events scheduled to take place in D.C. over the next two weeks to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for civil rights at which King delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech.
An announcement issued on Wednesday by a public relations firm promoting the concert said McClurkin was “just added” to the list of performers at the event.
Sarah Massey, a spokesperson for the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, whose members are appointed by the mayor, said she believes the commission staff rather than the 13-member Commission made the initial decision to invite McClurkin to perform at the concert.
Among those serving on the Commission are gay activists Darrin Glymph, a D.C. attorney; and Jose Alberto Ucles, an official with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
A statement released by the Commission says, “Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom,” the Aug. 10 concert consists of a “candlelight musical program [that] will feature sacred classical music, time-honored Sri-Lankan and Indian Sacred Songs, traditional hymns and African-American gospel songs.”
Organizers said some of the performances would reflect Martin Luther King’s following of the non-violent civil disobedience tactics of freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi of India.
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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