Local
Safeway assault case still open
Unidentified woman sought in July attack on gay man


This unidentified female suspect remains at large after allegedly assaulting a gay man at a Safeway.
An unidentified female suspect captured on video assaulting a gay man at a Safeway store at 5th and L Streets, N.W., on July 2 while calling him “faggot” remains at large more than a month after the incident sparked widespread interest on social media.
“This case is still open and under investigation,” said D.C. police spokesperson Gwendolyn Crump. “No arrest at this time.”
The victim of the alleged assault, local Realtor Mark Rutstein, 40, told the Blade at the time of the incident that the suspect began punching him in the face and calling him a faggot seconds after he approached her at a customer service counter and politely asked her if she was standing in line.
In attempting to defend himself Rutstein said he pulled the woman to the floor by her hair and held her down while screaming for security to help him. He said he released the woman when security guards and an assistant manager arrived.
But to his dismay and over his objections, the guards and the assistant manager escorted the woman to the door and allowed her to flee, according to Rutstein. He said the manager then refused his request to call police, telling him a police station was located across the street and he should go there if he wanted police assistance.
Rutstein said he flagged down a police car outside the store, resulting in four officers arriving at the store to take a police report. Two were from the department’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit.
While there, the officers obtained an electronic copy of video footage of the alleged assault from the store’s security camera system. Police later released photos taken from the video and appealed to the public for help in identifying the suspect.
In response to criticism over the decision by Safeway employees to allow the suspect to escape, a Safeway spokesperson said the guards missed seeing how the incident started and assumed it was a fight between two customers.
“We have apologized to the customer and are conducting our own investigation as well as continue to cooperate with law enforcement on their investigation,” Safeway spokesperson Craig Muckle said in a July 9 statement.
Police listed the incident as an anti-gay hate crime.
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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