Local
‘Relentlessly Gay’ rally seeks post-marriage agenda
About 30 turn out to celebrate court ruling, look to future
About 30 people attended a Baltimore rally on June 28. (Photo by Bob Ford)
Seizing on the momentum created largely by social media fostered by a Maryland woman who allegedly received a note from a neighbor saying her yard decorations are “relentlessly gay,” a rally was held in Baltimore bearing the same name. About 30 people gathered at Mount Vernon Place on June 28 to not only commemorate the anniversary of Stonewall and celebrate the victory for marriage equality at the U.S. Supreme Court but also to emphasize that the work in Baltimore, in Maryland and in the United States regarding the broader LGBT community is not over.
Brian Gaither of the Homophobia Opposition Network, who helped organize the event, enumerated several areas that need to be addressed, including LGBT homelessness, racism, homophobia, the stigma of HIV/AIDS and violence against LGBT people including unsolved murders of transgender individuals.
Several community leaders spoke through a bullhorn to elaborate on those issues. AIDS activist Carlton Smith pointed out that in Baltimore-Towson-Columbia, one-third of African-American gay men ages 18-35 are HIV positive and there is a need for gay men to be tested.
Bryanna Jenkins and Monica Yorkman of Baltimore Trans United—a coalition of transgender advocacy groups—emphasized that this struggle is far from over and that “trans people are not on equal ground.” The organization is planning a march for July 24 in the Charles Village neighborhood to call attention to transgender issues.
Paul Liller, deputy director of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB) and Jabari Lyles, a GLCCB board member pointed out that the center is not a legislative advocacy organization but a community-based one. Liller asked the crowd to not judge the center by its past and to move forward. Lyles said that trans issues are gay men’s issues, too, and he urged everybody to attend meetings and become involved.
Morgan Menesses-Sheets, a former executive director of Equality Maryland, emphasized the importance of marriage equality and how her family has been impacted by its enactment. But she acknowledged that it is “far from the end of achieving equality.”
“Today’s rally was to celebrate the progress represented by the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges as well as to highlight the issues still facing the broader LGBT community,” Gaither told the Blade. “Recognition of our rights is important, but our struggle is for respect, dignity and freedom from bigotry. Once we have achieved those things, we will be much closer to the full equality we deserve.”
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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