Local
Center has busy calendar
New development coordinator also planning Pride


Paul Liller has big plans for the Baltimore Center. (Photo by Steve Charing)
Paul Liller, the 2015 Pride coordinator, and now the new development coordinator for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB), is quite busy.
“We have an ambitious schedule for 2015, and it’s my job to help make it successful,” he says. Liller’s new responsibilities include all aspects of Pride, GLCCB fundraising, donor interactions, all events, grants implementation, outreach and much more.
Liller says that after considerable effort and negotiations, Pride will return to the Eager Street and Charles Street locale on July 25 where it had been a popular two-day celebration and a vital source of revenue for the GLCCB throughout its history. The more laid-back Sunday Druid Hill Park event is scheduled for July 26.
Liller, 32, is enthusiastic, confident and driven to make Pride, as well as the Center’s other programs, a success. Liller and the GLCCB have set out an ambitious agenda that in itself would be daunting even without his being the maestro for Pride.
Those other events on the docket include:
From April 13-17, the Center will host an open house week at the Waxter Center, 1000 Cathedral St., so that community members can see where the GLCCB is headquartered. On April 17, there will be a kickoff party for youth programs and a media rollout to explain the Center’s new responsibility in communicating about Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP.
There will be a casino night at Grand Central on April 18 to benefit Pride. On May 2, the Voice of Pride will take place at Steampunk Alley. The Hunks in Trunks fundraiser will occur on May 13. And for history buffs, the LGBT Archives Exhibit opening reception is scheduled for May 15.
Following Pride, the GLCCB will celebrate LGBT History Month with Oktoberfest the first week, Black Pride, Hearts and Ears, and Chase Brexton will be joining the GLCCB for events the remainder of the month. And on Halloween, the Center will hold its “Outrageous” gala.
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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