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Baltimore mayor’s LGBT liaison dies

Mallisham succumbs to pancreatitis

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Baltimore Black Pride, gay news, Washington Blade
Baltimore Black Pride, gay news, Washington Blade

Demetrius Mallisham died at age 46. (Photo courtesy mayor’s office)

Demetrius Mallisham, the mayor’s liaison to Baltimore’s LGBT community, died at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore on April 28 due to complications from pancreatitis. He was 46.

Mallisham was born in Newark, N.J., and was an “Army brat” living mostly in Ft. Belvoir, Va. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Radford University and had worked in various jobs.  One of those was in Prince George’s County where he was trying to get gang members back on the right track. Mallisham eventually moved to Baltimore and served in the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake released a statement on the day of his death. “All of us who worked with, and loved, Demetrius knew him as being constantly upbeat, enthusiastic and eager to help,” she said. “For someone who was not originally from Baltimore city, he made Charm City his home. I will never forget the number of times I joined a neighborhood event and saw him joyfully interacting with community members and children. What a champion of our city.”

For his service to the LGBT community as the Mayor’s Liaison, he received an award from The Center for Black Equity Baltimore in October 2014.

“Working for Madame Mayor is a blessing that I don’t take for granted,” Mallisham told the Blade at the time. “She makes my job easy by being a true ally to the LGBTQ community.”

Mallisham was well liked within Baltimore’s LGBT community.

“Demetrius was a good man. He was a bright soul always helping people and willing to find ways to help folks help themselves,” Merrick Moises, a close friend, told the Blade. “His death is quite shocking. I am comforted by the fact that he will always be loved and remembered for the light he carried with him and the joy he gave to others. He will be missed so much.”

His brother Mark Mallisham told the Blade that Demetrius was an advocate for all people. “His life mission was to help all people. He had a caring soul and was the nicest person I knew besides our Mom.”

A wake is planned for May 5 at 10:30 a.m., and the funeral is to take place at 11 a.m. at New Waverly United Methodist Church, 644 E. 33rd St., Baltimore 21218.

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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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