Local
LGBT contingent cheered in St. Patrick’s Parade
‘People were so surprised to see us’


An LGBT contingent in last Sunday’s St. Patrick’s Parade was cheered by the crowd. (Photo courtesy of Dignity Washington)
Crowds that lined Constitution Avenue, N.W., on Sunday, March 13, to watch D.C.’s 45th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade greeted an LGBT contingent with enthusiastic cheers and applause, according to D.C. LGBT Center official Pat Hawkins and Dignity Washington President Daniel Barutta.
Hawkins, who describes herself as a proud Irish lesbian, served as chief organizer of the LGBT contingent, which was sponsored by the D.C. LGBT Center. Barutta, who says he’s a proud gay Catholic, helped organize Dignity Washington’s participation in the contingent. The group, among other things, sponsors a weekly Sunday Catholic Mass for LGBT Catholics and their families and friends.
“We had a really good reception,” Hawkins told the Washington Blade. “People were so surprised to see us. When they realized who we are they clapped and cheered. They were really nice.”
Hawkins said 30 to 40 people marched in the LGBT contingent. She noted that the LGBT contingent this year was placed in the middle of the parade.
Barutta said he and fellow Dignity members were moved by the positive reaction to the LGBT contingent from crowds that lined the parade route along Constitution Avenue between 7th Street and 17th Street, N.W.
Dignity members wore bright green clothing and rainbow colored sashes. They carried the group’s large banner that, among other things, says “DC’s LGBT Catholics.”
“We got a really good reaction from the crowd from kids to elderly people giving us the thumbs up,” said Barutta.
Sunday’s parade marked the second year in a row that the D.C. LGBT Center organized a contingent in the parade.
In a little-noticed development, parade organizers last year named the D.C. Center’s LGBT contingent as one of 14 contingents out of a total of over 100 to receive a trophy for special recognition. According to parade organizer Susan Sullivan, a panel of judges designated the D.C. Center contingent in the 2015 parade as the “Best Novelty Group.”
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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