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E.W. Jackson: I respect ‘every individual’

GOP lieutenant gubernatorial candidate once described gay men as pedophiles.

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E.W. Jackson, Republican Party, Virginia, gay news, Washington Blade

E.W. Jackson, Republican Party, Virginia, gay news, Washington Blade

E.W. Jackson (Photo public domain)

Republican Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial candidate E.W. Jackson on Thursday sought to downplay criticisms over anti-gay statements he has previously made.

“My role is lieutenant governor is to serve all the people of Virginia,” Jackson said during an interview on “News Talk with Bruce DePuyt” on News Channel 8. “I’m a person who respects every individual.”

LGBT rights advocates and Democrats have repeatedly criticized Jackson, who is a minister from Chesapeake, for comparing gay men to pedophiles and describing them as “very sick people.” The Richmond Times-Dispatch in September reported that Jackson said during a speech at a Shenandoah County church that he disagrees with Pope Francis’ suggestion the Roman Catholic Church has grown “obsessed” with same-sex marriage, abortion and contraception.

Campaign finance reports indicate the Family Research Council, anti-gay televangelist Pat Robertson and the Family Foundation in Richmond, Va., have contributed to Jackson’s campaign.

Jackson on Tuesday told WUSA anchor Derek McGinty he did not make the anti-gay comments he said his Democratic opponent, state Sen. Ralph Northam (D-Norfolk), continues to attribute to him.

DePuyt played a clip during his interview with the Chesapeake minister that shows him saying “homosexuality is a horrible sin” that “poisons culture.” Jackson added gay people’s minds “are perverted” and they’re “frankly very sick people.”

The Republican lieutenant gubernatorial candidate also said “no two males or females were ever meant to be together.”

“I refuse to apologize for being a Bible-believing Christian,” Jackson told DePuyt. “There’s millions of us all over the commonwealth of Virginia. No matter how much I’m persecuted for it, I will not apologize for that. Believing that marriage is a union between one man and one woman, having certain moral beliefs is not incompatible with treating all people with respect.”

DePuyt pressed Jackson further on his previous statements that include describing gay men as having “perverted” minds.

“That was not in a political campaign,” Jackson said, once again referring to what he described as Biblical teachings and his feeling that some people feel his religious beliefs disqualify him from seeking public office. “I understand the difference between my role as a minister and my role as a lieutenant governor. I’ve got to serve gay people, straight people, people who believe in God, people who don’t believe in God.”

A poll that Roanoke College released on Wednesday shows Northam ahead of Jackson by a 48-32 percent margin. A Washington Post/Abt SRBI survey unveiled on Oct. 28 shows Northam ahead of Jackson by a 52-39 percent margin.

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World Pride 2025

D.C. liquor board extends drinking hours for WorldPride

Gay bars, other liquor-serving establishments can stay open 24 hours

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Sasha Colby performs at Pitchers in 2023. Liquor-serving establishments in D.C. will be able to remain open for 24 hours during WorldPride. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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.

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World Pride 2025

Episcopal bishop to speak at WorldPride human rights conference

Trump demanded apology from Mariann Edgar Budde over post-Inauguration sermon

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The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde. (Screen capture via PBS NewsHour/YouTube)

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.

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World Pride 2025

Pabllo Vittar to perform at WorldPride

Brazilian drag queen, singer, joined Madonna on stage in 2024 Rio concert

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Pabllo Vittar (Screen capture via Pabllo Vittar/YouTube)

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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