Connect with us

Local

Ebbin finishes fourth, Levine eighth in straw poll

Beyer takes lead in unscientific survey

Published

on

Adam Ebbin, Virginia, gay news, Washington Blade
Adam Ebbin, Virginia, gay news, Washington Blade

State Sen. Adam Ebbin (Photo courtesy of Adam Ebbin)

Gay congressional candidates Adam Ebbin and Mark Levine finished in fourth place and eighth place respectively in an unscientific straw poll conducted March 17 in a race in which 11 Democrats are competing in a June 10 primary for the 8th District U.S. House seat being vacated by Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.).

Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, who’s considered the frontrunner in the race, finished first with 127 votes. Ebbin received 41 votes, with Levine receiving 22 votes.

The straw poll was conducted by the campaign of Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-Va.), whose 11th District boarders on the 8th District. Donald Brownlee, a Connolly campaign official, said the straw poll was taken at Connolly’s annual St. Patrick’s Day party in Fairfax just across the border from the 8th District. He said a majority of the attendees that participated in the poll are residents of the 8th District.

“We are neutral in the race,” he said of the 8th District contest. Connolly is running unopposed in the primary.

Beyer came in first place in another straw poll on March 1 conducted within the 8th District by the Mount Vernon District Democratic Committee at the committee’s annual Mardi Gras party. Ebbin came in fifth and Levine came in 10th in that poll, which organizers also said was unscientific. Just over 400 people voted in the poll.

“Adam is proud of the support he’s gotten across the 8th District as the campaign continues to gain momentum,” said Michael Beckendorf, Ebbin’s campaign manager, who declined comment on the straw polls.

Levine said most straw polls are conducted at political fundraisers where people pay to attend, as was the case with the two straw polls for the 8th District congressional race.

“They are useful as good fundraisers,” he said. “But the only real poll will be the one on June 10.”

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

World Pride 2025

D.C. liquor board extends drinking hours for WorldPride

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

World Pride 2025

Episcopal bishop to speak at WorldPride human rights conference

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

World Pride 2025

Pabllo Vittar to perform at WorldPride

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Popular