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Grand opening for D.C. Center’s new space

Reeves Center location doubles size of facility

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D.C. Center, Reeves Building, gay news, Washington Blade
D.C. Center, Reeves Building, gay news, Washington Blade

The D.C. Center’s grand opening in the Reeves Center is set for Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and other public officials are scheduled to attend the D.C. Center for the LGBT Community’s official grand opening ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 23, at its new space in the city’s Reeves Center municipal building at 14th and U streets, N.W.

The event, scheduled to take place from 12-4 p.m., represents an important step in the D.C. Center’s 11-year history, according to Center President Michael Sessa.

“The move into Reeves is a monumental milestone not only for this version of The D.C. Center, but for all prior attempts and versions of a ‘GLBT’ center in D.C. since the ‘80s,” Sessa said in a statement.

The new space is located on the ground floor of the Reeves Center, with entrances both on 14th Street and through the building’s seven-story tall atrium, which the Center plans to use for events too large to fit into its new offices.

D.C. Center Executive Director David Mariner points out that the new space is double the size of the space at the old offices less than two blocks away at 1318 U St., N.W. Mariner said that through generous donations from key supporters, including local businesses, the new space was designed as a community center and includes expanded amenities such as a large conference room and office space for at least two LGBT organizations that will share the new space.

“I think we’re one step closer to the community center that we’ve dreamed about,” Mariner said. “And with twice as much square footage we’re going to be able to do a lot more,” he said.

The city announced earlier this year that it plans to sell the Reeves Center to a private developer and that the sale would likely result in the building being demolished as soon as three years from now. But Gray and other city officials have promised to make sure the D.C. Center finds a suitable new home if and when it’s forced to leave the Reeves Center prior to the end of its 15-year lease.

Sessa, meanwhile, announced in a Nov. 14 statement that he will be stepping down as the Center’s president and CEO on Jan. 1 but will remain on the board. Sessa said Mariner is being promoted to a new post of executive director and CEO.

“My goal in serving as president and CEO was to ensure the long-term sustainability of a center, to get one established, as I always truly believed D.C. would be better served by a community center similar to how so many other cities across the nation and around the world have benefitted,” he said.

Sessa has played a lead role in transforming the Center from a fledgling start-up project with no permanent home in 2002 to a thriving LGBT organization, according Center board member and veteran lesbian activist Patricia Hawkins.

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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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