Local
Equality Md. to celebrate 25 years
Brunch gathering will honor openly gay state Sen. Madaleno


Maryland state Sen. Rich Madaleno (D-Montgomery County) will be honored at an event in October. (Washington Blade photo by Jeff Surprenant)
In an email message to supporters, Equality Maryland, the state’s largest LGBT civil rights organization, announced its plans to hold a brunch celebrating 25 years of advocacy and to honor state Sen. Rich Madaleno (D-Montgomery County). The brunch has been scheduled for Oct. 27 at the Lord Baltimore Hotel in Baltimore.
“It is hard to imagine that 25 years ago we did not have local anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBT workers, no policies or laws providing protections to same-sex couples, no hate crimes laws and no policies protecting students in Maryland,” the email reads. “Our community has made seismic strides in Maryland and we want you to celebrate this historic progress with us!”
The message praises Madaleno for his work in the Maryland legislature. “Senator Madaleno has been instrumental in all our legislative achievements—passing a hate crimes law, medical decision making for domestic partners, and of course, marriage equality. And he is the lead sponsor of the bill that will extend the protections of our anti discrimination laws to transgender Marylanders.”
Adam May, national correspondent for “America Tonight” and Derek Valcourt, Emmy Award-winning reporter for WJZ-TV will co-emcee the gala. Tickets are $100 each with a 15 percent discount if purchased before Sept. 1.
There will be a gourmet brunch and tickets also include access to the pre-brunch reception and silent auction, which includes opportunities to bid on wedding services, vacation getaways, sports and theater tickets.
“Working over the past three months with a team of EQMD volunteers and staff, my co-chair, Janee Pelletier, and I have been planning what will surely be an exciting celebration of our successes, and two and a half decades of LGBT advocacy in Maryland,” David A. Vignolo, the event’s co-chair and member of the Equality Maryland Foundation Board of Directors, told the Blade.
For more information and to purchase tickets at “early bird” rates, visit equalitymaryland.org/25th-anniversary-celebration-tickets.
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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