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GLCCB board president replaced after 52 days

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Bill Redmond-Palmer, gay news, Washington Blade
Bill Redmond-Palmer, gay news, Washington Blade

William Redmond-Palmer is out as president of the GLCCB. (Blade photo by Steve Charing)

After serving as president of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB) board of directors for only 52 days, William Redmond-Palmer was removed by a unanimous vote of the board. The GLCCB announced on Jan. 29 a reorganization in leadership under which Christopher Adkins, the previous vice president, will assume the role of interim GLCCB board president effective immediately.

“As our most senior Board member, Chris has been a cornerstone for the GLCCB during a period of great transition and challenge. We are confident that his sensible pragmatism, commitment to community engagement and passion for social justice will continue to steer the organization in the right direction,” the board said in a statement. “We’d also like to thank Bill for his service to the organization and dedication to our LGBTQ community, and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

The vote to remove Redmond-Palmer was prompted by the manner in which he communicated with staff and volunteers, Adkins said.

“While we appreciate all the work and effort Bill gave to the GLCCB, the decision to part ways was in response to employee and volunteer complaints about his communications,” Adkins told the Blade.  “Several conversations were held about professional expectations in attempts to address these complaints. In the end we all felt it better to go our separate ways. We thank him again for his time and service.”

Redmond-Palmer, who replaced outgoing term-limited president Michael McCarthy on Dec. 8, had worked in leadership and advocacy organizations in the LGBTQ community including serving on the GLCCB board of directors during the 1990s.

“After 20 years of serving and observing the GLCCB, I believe the community wants and needs an immediate and radical cultural shift away from the status quo,” Redmond-Palmer told the Blade. “Because my management and communication styles have an honesty, integrity, passion and zeal that not everyone appreciates, I was unfortunately unable to convince the board and executive director to share in that vision.”

Adkins is a social science researcher focused on providing individual and group services, specializing in work related to human sexuality, women’s issues and social factors of disease. A native of Wichita, Kan., Adkins holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Cleveland State University and a master’s from Boston University. He has served on the GLCCB board since March 2013.

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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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