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Kenneth Carroll Willis dies at 69

Retired from GSA after 32 years of service

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Kenneth Carroll Willis, gay news, Washington Blade
Kenneth Carroll Willis, gay news, Washington Blade

Kenneth Carroll Willis

Kenneth C. Willis died in hospice care on July 29 after a long battle with jaw cancer. He was 69.

Willis, born June 12, 1946, had been a Dupont Circle resident for 40 years and was a familiar sight on 17th Street, N.W., where he lived with his husband. He loved jogging, reading in the circle and patronizing the many restaurants, nightclubs and bookstores in the neighborhood. He was especially fond of Trio, and, in its day, Lambda Rising. He loved the Gay Men’s Chorus concerts. He had recently retired as an information systems specialist with the Inspector General of General Services Administration, where he was given an exemplary service award “in recognition of 32 years of professionalism, dedication and commitment to excellence.” He walked to and from GSA’s building at 18th and F streets, N.W. all those years. During the war in Vietnam, he was an Army MP in Saigon. He held two degrees from the University of Mississippi.

Originally from a small town in Mississippi, Willis moved to Washington in 1975 for its freedom and opportunity. He used to say that he had escaped. In 1981, he met his future husband Robert H. Wood at a popular gay bar, the Frat House, later renamed Omega.

Willis and Wood became charter members of Partners in 1995, a group of gay couples who sought to establish social lives apart from bars.

Willis and Wood obtained a domestic partnership on the first day that form of civil union became available in Washington: July 1, 2002. They were married on May 17, 2010, the first year that was possible, 29 years to the day after they met.

Willis enjoyed eight-10 weekends each season at bed and breakfasts in Rehoboth Beach, Del., especially the Delaware Inn, where he and Wood were guests from 1998 until it closed in 2013. Long days on the beach were followed by joyful nights at places like the Boat House, the Renegade, the Strand, the Blue Moon, and more recently, the Aqua Grill.

Willis is survived by his husband, two brothers, two brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces and nephews on both sides, their children, and many cousins. A memorial service will be held Sept. 20, 12:45 p.m. at Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., N.W.). His ashes will be placed at Arlington National Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to Whitman-Walker Health, attn: Development, 1701 14th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009.

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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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