Local
Vandals target LGBT-friendly church
Fire extinguisher sprayed on sanctuary, pews, prayer books and hymnals


Vandals broke in and destroyed property inside Immanuel Church of Christ. (Photo courtesy of Immanuel Church of Christ)
LGBT-friendly Immanuel Church of Christ, located in a peaceful, leafy neighborhood in Catonsville, Md., has been vandalized once again.
Last August, a rainbow flag that the church flies outside was stolen after a street signboard was posted that read, “Black lives matter and bullets can’t stop God’s love.” Weeks later, the church’s board read, “Refugees are people, not just a crisis.” Vandals left letters cut from black paper that read, “Have you forgotten 9-11? This church did,” according to WBAL-TV.
In the latest incident, vandals broke in through a first-floor window and sprayed a fire extinguisher on the sanctuary, pews, prayer books and hymnals. Electronic equipment was stolen and church offices were vandalized.
In addition, graffiti scrawled on a dry-erase board in the church music room had such messages as “666,” “Hail Satan,” “WTF Jezus (sic)” and “Death 2 All.”
Baltimore County Police, who believe the church’s acceptance of LGBT people could be a motive, told local media that they are investigating the incident as a possible “bias crime.” Police spokeswoman Elise Armacost later told the Blade that the terms “bias crime” and “hate crime” are “interchangeable.”
“Immanuel United Church of Christ has a profound commitment of support to and solidarity with the LGBTQ community,” Rev. Bev Lewis, the church’s pastor for more than three years, told the Blade. “We firmly believe in the UCC’s belief in extravagant welcome for all of God’s people whoever they are and wherever they are on life’s journey.”
Lewis said the attacks would not deter her or the church’s mission.
“We won’t stop our work of restorative social justice across the U.S. and with our global mission partners. We are going to take this blow and turn it into good. Our rainbow flag isn’t coming down,” she said.
Police believe the vandalism, discovered by the church custodian, occurred between 7:30 p.m. June 29 and 9:40 a.m. June 30. No suspects have been identified. Any information on this case should be reported to Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020.
Lewis estimates the damage to be more than $25,000 with a $5,000 insurance deductible. Furthermore, security equipment must be installed and that hasn’t been priced out yet.
She said that anyone wishing to donate to help with the losses could do so by mailing a check to: Immanuel Church of Christ, 1905 Edmondson Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228.
Virginia
Va. LG opposed marriage equality affirmation bill in handwritten note
Winsome Earle-Sears constitutionally required to sign HB 174 as Senate president

Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears last year in a handwritten note indicated her opposition to marriage rights for same-sex couples when she signed a bill that affirmed marriage equality in the state.
Brandon Jarvis of Virginia Scope on May 1 published Earle-Sears’s note on House Bill 174, which state Del. Rozia Henson, a Prince William County Democrat who is gay, introduced.
The Virginia Senate passed HB 174 by a 22-17 vote margin, and the state constitution required Earle-Sears to sign it as the chamber’s president. Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed the measure into law after it received bipartisan support.
“As the lieutenant governor, I recognize and respect my constitutional obligation to adhere to procedures set out in the constitution of Virginia,” wrote Earle-Sears in her note. “However, I remain morally opposed to the content of HB 174 as passed by the General Assembly.”
Earle-Sears, a former U.S. Marine who served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002-2004, in 2021 became the first woman elected Virginia’s lieutenant governor. Activists have criticized her for her opposition to LGBTQ rights in Virginia.
She sparked controversy last year when she misgendered state Sen. Danica Roem (D-Manassas), who is transgender, on the Senate floor. Earle-Sears has also spoken at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Earle-Sears is running to succeed Youngkin as governor once his term ends in January 2026. She will likely face former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat who previously represented Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.
John Reid, a conservative talk show host who is openly gay, last month secured the Republican nomination to succeed Earle-Sears as lieutenant governor. Youngkin has called for Reid to end his campaign amid reports that he posted “pornographic content” on social media.
Reid has strongly denied the reports.
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.
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