Local
D.C. considers ban on city travel to states with anti-LGBT laws
Move follows Bowser’s N.C. travel ban
Mayor Muriel Bowser issued an order prohibiting city-funded travel to North Carolina. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
D.C. Council member David Grosso (I-At-Large) and six of his Council colleagues introduced a bill on Tuesday that would prohibit city government funding for travel to any state that adopts a law sanctioning discrimination against LGBT people.
The bill, the Government Travel and Human Rights Act of 2016, declares that the Mayor, Council, Attorney General, an Advisory Neighborhood Commission, or District agency shall not do either of the following:
• “Require any of its employees, officers, or members to travel to a state with a law in effect that affirmatively sanctions or requires discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.”
• “Use District funds to travel to a state, or approve a request for District-funded or District-sponsored travel to a state with a law in effect that affirmatively sanctions or requires discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.”
The bill says these restrictions “shall not apply to travel that is necessary for the enforcement of District law, to meet contractual obligations in existence prior to the effective date of this Act, or for protection of public health, welfare, or safety.”
Grosso and his Council colleagues introduced the bill less than a week after Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a mayoral order prohibiting city-funded travel to North Carolina. Bowser said her order was in response to a bill approved by the North Carolina Legislature and signed by the state’s governor that would allow businesses to discriminate against LGBT people on religious grounds.
Grosso praised Bowser for issuing the travel ban directed against North Carolina.
“The bill I am introducing now would enshrine such policy as D.C. law,” he said. “[T]he North Carolina law is part of a wave of attacks on the human rights of LGBT people across the country,” he said. “Indeed, the Governor of Mississippi has just this morning signed similarly awful legislation into law.”
A Grosso aide said at least four more Council members signed on as co-sponsors of the bill shortly after it was introduced at the Council’s legislative session on Tuesday, April 5, indicating it is strongly favored to pass in the 13-member Council when it comes up for a vote.
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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