Local
McAuliffe portrays Cuccinelli as anti-gay during last debate
Republican gubernatorial candidate did not mention opposition to same-sex marriage
Terry McAuliffe (center) at an Equality Virginia fundraiser in Arlington, Va. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
McAuliffe pointed out Cuccinelli once described gay Virginians as “soulless human beings” in response to a question that Harry Wilson of Roanoke College asked about how each candidate would compromise and fight for their principles if elected to the Executive Mansion on Nov. 5.
“Who talks like that,” McAuliffe said. “There’s somebody in this audience who might be gay or has a friend who’s gay. You cannot grow and diversify our economy with this mean-spirited language.”
McAuliffe also pointed out that Cuccinelli is among the three attorneys general who did not sign onto a 2012 letter that urged Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. The former DNC chair further criticized his Republican opponent over his support of more strict regulation of the commonwealth’s abortion clinics and a personhood bill he sponsored in 2007 while in the state Senate.
“We have got to stop this attack on women,” McAuliffe said. “We have got to stop this attack on gay Virginians. We cannot be putting up walls around Virginia if we are going to grow. We have to bring people together.”
A poll that Rasmussen Reports conducted on Oct. 20 shows McAuliffe leads Cuccinelli by a 50-33 percent margin. Eight percent of respondents said they support Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Robert Sarvis, who did not participate in the debate that Roanoke television station WDBJ sponsored.
A survey of likely Virginia voters that Quinnipiac University conducted between Oct. 15-21 found McAuliffe ahead of Cuccinelli by a 46-39 percent margin. Ten percent of respondents backed Sarvis.
Forty-six percent of likely Virginia voters who responded to a separate Quinnipiac University poll between Oct. 2-8 said they feel Cuccinelli is too conservative.
Cuccinelli did not discuss his opposition to marriage rights for same-sex couples and other LGBT-specific issues during the debate.
He told Wilson his handling of the commonwealth’s economy is among the things for which he wants journalists and pundits to most remember him.
“More people are just dying for the dignity of work — and I mean full-time work, not Obamacare part-time work — full-time work than anything else we’re facing in Virginia right now,” Cuccinelli said.
Sarvis criticized McAuliffe, Cuccinelli and debate organizers in a statement his campaign released late on Thursday.
“Virginia voters were prevented from hearing me discuss the problems and challenges we face,” Sarvis said. “The commonwealth’s electorate was deprived of an opportunity to hear about my vision of Virginia that’s both open-minded and open for business.”
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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