Local
Whitman-Walker honors Tenner, Wanzer
D.C. public schools also recognized for support of LGBT health
Adam Tenner of Metro Teen AIDS was among the honorees. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Whitman-Walker Health’s Legal Services Department is honoring LGBT youth advocate Adam Tenner, longtime Whitman-Walker volunteer and transgender advocate SaVanna Wanzer, and the D.C. Public Schools for their commitment and support for LGBT health.
Tenner, founder and current head of Metro Teen AIDS, which recently merged with Whitman-Walker; Wanzer and a representative of D.C. Public Schools received special awards from Whitman-Walker’s Legal Services Department at a reception and benefit Wednesday night at the Long View Gallery at 1234 9th Street, N.W.
Whitman-Walker spokesperson Shawn Jain said in a statement that Tenner and D.C. Public Schools received the Joel A. Toubin Memorial Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations “making extraordinary contributions to the fight against HIV and the fight for LGBT health.”
He said Wanzer, who is also known for her LGBT photography work, was slated to be the first-time recipient of the Robert Fenner Urquhart Award, which is named after a longtime volunteer and employee with Whitman-Walker who died this year.
Wanzer has been a Whitman-Walker volunteer for more than 20 years. Among other things, she has worked for many years at the Whitman-Walker food bank and has managed its annual Thanksgiving dinner. In 2006 she became the founder of D.C.’s annual Trans Pride celebration. She has also served for nine years on the Whitman-Walker board and now serves as a volunteer with the Legal Services Program’s Name and Gender Change Clinic.
Jain said the Toubin Award is being presented jointly to Tenner and the D.C. Public Schools in recognition of their “collaborative work to ensure that the school system has the appropriate systems in place to allow LGBTQ youth to learn and thrive without fear for their safety, with dignity, a sense of community, and respect.”
Among other things, Whitman-Walker has praised the school system for its adoption this year of a school policy guidance that provides the best practices for addressing issues involving transgender and gender nonconforming students.
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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