Local
Va. group asks for ‘Equality’ license plate
Message would read, ‘Equality for All’
Virginia State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) said he was not contacted by Equality Virginia to be the one to introduce the legislation to create the “Equality for All” license plate, but said he fully supports such legislation and believes it will pass, despite the Virginia General Assembly’s longstanding reluctance to pass LGBT rights measures. (Photo courtesy of Adam Ebbin)
The statewide LGBT advocacy group Equality Virginia says it has arranged for members of the Virginia General Assembly to introduce legislation to create a license plate bearing its name as well as the slogan “Equality for All.”
“A number of Equality Virginia supporters have shown an interest for an equality license plate,” the group says on its website. “As a result, we are working with legislators to pass a bill this session that will give Virginians the option to put an equality license plate on their car.”
But the website message notes that under existing law, a bill expected to be introduced in January to create the license plate cannot move forward unless Equality Virginia submits 450 pre-paid applications from Virginia motorists requesting the plate. The fee for the plate is $25.
The website message includes a link to an online application set up by Equality Virginia, which says it will collect all the payments and applications and deliver them in bulk to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
“While we expect this legislation to pass, please rest assured that if it does not, you will be fully refunded,” the website message says.
Virginia State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), who’s gay, said he was not contacted by Equality Virginia to be the one to introduce the legislation to create the “Equality for All” license plate. But said he fully supports such legislation and believes it will pass, despite the Virginia General Assembly’s longstanding reluctance to pass LGBT rights measures.
“The General Assembly has passed both pro-life and pro-choice license plates in the past,” Ebbin said. “So license plates for a point of view are not new,” he said, adding that the legislature has approved more than 100 different kinds of personalized license plates. Many, he said, advocate for a cause such as animal rights.
James Parish, Equality Virginia’s executive director, said the depiction of the plate shown on the website could be modified before it is formally introduced in the General Assembly, but he expects the final product to be similar to the image published on the site. He said members of the General Assembly all know what Equality Virginia stands for and the overwhelming response by EV members and supporters to the proposed license plate has been “highly supportive.”
The online form for applying for the “Equality” license plate can be reached via equalityvirginia.org.
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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