Local
Norton, Evans may face gay challengers
Libertarian activists start petition process to run


Libertarian Party leader Bruce Majors plans to run against Council member Jack Evans. (Photo courtesy of Bruce Majors)
D.C. Congressional Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-At-Large) and D.C. Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), who ran unopposed in the city’s Democratic primary, may be challenged in the November general election by two veteran Libertarian Party activists who are gay.
Ward 1 community activist and Libertarian Party stalwart Martin Moulton took out petitions on June 22 to run against Norton. D.C. Realtor and longtime Libertarian Party leader Bruce Majors took out petitions on June 20 to run against Evans.
In order to get on the ballot Moulton needs to collect 3,000 petition signatures in his citywide race. Majors needs 500 petition signatures to gain access to the ballot for his Ward 2 race against Evans.
Norton and Evans, who have longtime records of support for LGBT rights, are considered the strong favorites to win re-election.
But Majors surprised political observers in 2012 when he received more than 11,000 votes in his unsuccessful race against Norton for the congressional delegate seat. Although he lost his race his vote total enabled the Libertarian Party to obtain automatic ballot status for its candidates for the next two years.
Majors ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2014, receiving 1,297 votes in his challenge to Democrat Muriel Bowser and independent candidates David Catania and Carol Schwartz.
If Moulton and Majors obtain the necessary petition signatures they will likely be running on the same ballot as Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson and his vice presidential running mate William Weld.
With voter dissatisfaction surfacing toward Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton and GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, some political pundits are predicting that the Johnson-Weld ticket could receive significantly higher vote totals than third-party candidates normally receive.
It’s unclear whether the Johnson-Weld ticket in D.C. would have a “coattail” effect of pulling in more votes for Moulton and Majors since the overwhelming majority of D.C. voters are registered Democrats.
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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