Local
Ebbin posts $178,000 in Va. race
Levine loans campaign $250,000


Gay State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) had just over $178,000 in campaign funds for the most recent reporting period. (Photo courtesy of Adam Ebbin)
Gay rights attorney and talk show host Mark Levine reported cash receipts of more than $322,000 in campaign funds this week, placing him in second place behind front runner Donald Beyer in the 10-candidate race for the Northern Virginia congressional seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.).
Federal Election Commission records show Beyer, Virginia’s former lieutenant governor, had receipts of more than $672,000 in campaign funds as of March 31, the end of the most recent campaign finance reporting period.
Gay State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), who’s also running for the 8th District congressional seat, had just over $178,000 in campaign funds for the same reporting period.
However, unlike Ebbin and Beyer, FEC finance records show that Levine’s total receipts include a $250,000 loan he made to his campaign. The records show that just $72,808 of his $322,808 total came from individual contributors.
Levine, whose name recognition is not as high as that of Ebbin and Beyer, said his personal loan helps him become competitive with Beyer unlike most of the other candidates.
“I am beholden to no one,” he said when asked about his decision to lend the funds to his campaign. “It has never been about money for me. I use money as a means to achieve an end – to change the world for the better.”
A statement released by Ebbin’s campaign says Ebbin’s campaign funds came from 653 individual donors, with 70 percent of the total coming from “grass roots” donors that, according to his campaign manager, gave $200 or less per donation.
“I’m honored by the outpouring of support I’ve received from Northern Virginians,” Ebbin said in a statement. “For more than a decade, I’ve been fighting for progressive causes in the General Assembly. I look forward to continuing my work for our values as the next member of Congress from the 8th District,” he said.
FEC records show Ebbin came in sixth place among the 10 candidates in total receipts and cash on hand for his campaign. After Beyer and Levine, those coming in ahead of Ebbin in campaign fund receipts were Virginia Urban League president Lavern Chatman ($298,696—including a $100,000 donation to herself); Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille ($214,572); and Del. Patrick Hope ($186,534).

Mark Levine (Photo courtesy of Mark Levine)
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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