Local
Shevlin, Suwanlert have union blessed
Ceremony at the Wat Thai Buddhist temple
Peerapol Jack Suwanlert and George Felix Shevlin, IV had their marriage blessed last month.
George Felix Shevlin, IV and Peerapol Jack Suwanlert of Washington and Rehoboth Beach, Del., respectively had their marriage blessed on April 17 at the Wat Thai Buddhist temple in Silver Spring, Md.
Phramaha Ruangrit Thaithae led eight other monks in a traditional Northeastern (Isaan) Thailand Bai Sri Su Kwan ceremony, which was attended by their mothers, friends and family. Shevlin and Suwanlert were legally married on Aug. 11, 2011, by the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan, a United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Sullivan had presided over Suwanlert’s naturalization ceremony in the United States Capitol Building in 2010.
Their son, Patrick Kul Shevlin, born June 20, 2015, was also blessed by Phramaha Thaithae at the ceremony.
Shevlin is the son of Linda Owens Shevlin of Glen Falls, N.Y., and the late George Felix Shevlin, III. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore and a degree from the London School of Economics. He is a member of the Maryland and United States Supreme Court bars. He worked for the United States House of Representatives for 20 years. His last position was the executive director of the House Democratic Caucus under Chairman John B. Larson. He is currently the political affairs officer for the Investment Company Institute, the trade association for the mutual fund industry.
Suwanlert was born in Muang City in the Province of Nakhon Ratchasima, in Thailand, where he spent most of his youth. He is the second son of Mongkol Suwanlert from Lampang in northern Thailand and Siriporn Rattanakul, from Nakhon Prathom (central part of Thailand).
He received a bachelor’s degree in public administration (police science) at the Royal Thai Police Cadet Academy in Sampran, Nakorn-Prathom, Thailand, where he worked as an interrogation inspector in Bangkok for the Royal Thai Police Force. He received a master’s degree in political science from the National Institute of Development Administration in Bangkok.
He moved to Washington in 2000 to work at the Marriott International Headquarters in Bethesda, Md., where he is director of global intelligence and support. Suwanlert is a member of the Private Security Analyst Group under Overseas Security Advisory Council, conference committee chair of the Public Sector Intelligence Council and the D.C. Intelligence Analyst Working Group. He completed his second master’s degree in Intelligence Studies at the American Military University in 2013.
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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