Local

Gay minister seeks Baltimore Council seat

AIDS activist, father of 5, is second out gay man to run

Published

9 years ago

February 24, 2016

Steve Charing

Rev. Kinji Scott is running for Baltimore City Council in the 5th district.

Citing flaws in the Baltimore City government and drawing upon his own experience of discrimination, Rev. Kinji Scott has filed as a candidate for the Baltimore City Council in the 5th District. In doing so, he becomes the second openly gay candidate to run for the City Council in 2016. Kelly Cross recently announced he is a candidate for the 12th District.

Scott, 46, and a father of five sons, will be among seven candidates vying for the seat in the 5th Councilmanic District, which includes the West Baltimore neighborhoods of Pimlico, Mount Washington, Cheswolde and Glen. It has been represented by the retiring Rochelle “Rikki” Spector for the past 36 years.

“I am running for office because the Baltimore City Council has lost touch with the citizens,” Scott told the Blade. “I am not a politician.”

Scott said that there is a need for a voice that represents the people’s interests and not those of the politicians and noted he is that proven voice.

“I have stood against the city administration, criminals in our community, and Baltimore City Police Department on behalf of Baltimoreans,” he said. “I will continue when I am elected to the City Council.”

Scott, who prides himself as being the only gay Baptist minister in Baltimore, was an activist most of his life. However, he says a tragic event in 2005 motivated him to do more.

He had been a group home manager for the now defunct Fellowship of Lights — a place in Baltimore where homeless or runaway gay or straight youths ages 12 to 17 came for shelter. When Scott found suitable housing for a 16-year-old boy named Vatell Murray, who was a resident of the home, the Baltimore City Department of Social Services dismissed it, according to Scott, and instead placed the teenager in an area where people had threatened to kill him. Department officials, said Scott, had promised to keep him safe.

Tragically, the teen was murdered 45 days later, and after denouncing the tragedy publicly, Scott said he was fired from his job. Since then he has spoken out on such community issues as lead paint poisoning, juvenile services, housing, police reform and public education. He has also been a strong voice concerning hate crimes against LGBT community, such as the beating of Kenni Shaw in 2012.

Scott accelerated his activism after his experience at a Baltimore City Health Department clinic soon after being diagnosed in 2012 with the co-infections HIV and syphilis. Scott said contracting both infections is not uncommon from MSM encounters.

“Syphilis ulcers on the genitals establish entry ways for HIV,” Scott explained. “We can’t simply talk about HIV without talking about syphilis. Baltimore City Health Department has to do a better spreading this message in our schools, churches and places where people gather like bars and clubs. Especially when it comes to our young LGBTQ community members that message has to be established.”

He added, “The Baltimore City Police stepped up patrolling the infamous ‘meat rack’ in Mount Vernon where young black men sex workers can be found, but the Health Department canvassing and outreach has not increased. That needs to happen and when I am elected I will get it done.”

Scott earned a master’s in American history from Southern Illinois University and has completed all but his thesis for a second master’s in city planning from Morgan State University. He said his life’s experiences and his zeal to help others in need provide the rationale for his candidacy.

“I am an outspoken and passionate activist with a history of advocating on behalf of Baltimoreans,” he said. “I want to advocate on behalf of Baltimoreans as a member of Baltimore City Council.”

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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

Published

8 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Lou Chibbaro Jr.

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.

World Pride 2025

Episcopal bishop to speak at WorldPride human rights conference

Trump demanded apology from Mariann Edgar Budde over post-Inauguration sermon

Published

17 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Michael K. Lavers

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.

World Pride 2025

Pabllo Vittar to perform at WorldPride

Brazilian drag queen, singer, joined Madonna on stage in 2024 Rio concert

Published

1 day ago

May 1, 2025

Staff reports

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.