Local
Gay man recounts Ellicott City ordeal
Car, apartment damaged in historic flood
Conor Riley’s car was damaged in the Ellicott City flood last week. (Photo by Lesley Riley)
Colin Riley was spending July 30 at his mother’s house in Columbia, Md., with his boyfriend when in Ellicott City, just a few miles north, record-breaking rain began to fall at around 6:45 p.m. With a deluge of six inches in just two hours, the National Weather Service characterized it as a “thousand-year event.”
The torrential rains combined with runoff from nearby hills produced a flood of “off-the-charts” proportions funneling down historic Main Street to the Patapsco River. The raging waters ripped up sidewalks, pushed dozens of vehicles along the path as if they were toys tossing many into the river, crushing building foundations, and severely damaging numerous structures that contained businesses and residences. There were two fatalities.
Colin, 29, shares an apartment on Main Street with his 33-year-old brother Conor. Around 8 p.m. Colin received a call from Conor, informing him of the flooding that started while he was dining at Cacao Lane across from their apartment. Conor had told him his car had been washed away down Main Street, shocking Colin.
Then the two brothers connected on FaceTime. “The water almost covered the door to our apartment,” Colin tells the Blade. “He said that there was a gas leak and that he and his friends had to evacuate to the rooftop decks behind Cacao Lane.”
Colin, a bilingual research interviewer, says he was scared for his brother’s safety. “What if something set the gas off? What if he couldn’t get out? I was also worried about our apartment, fearing that it could be destroyed. Conor said that the waters were still rising. I felt so powerless; I wanted to help him somehow, but there was nothing I could do.”
Alarmed, Colin posted to Facebook at 8:30 p.m.: “There is horrible flash flooding in Ellicott City!!! The water is washing away cars. DO NOT go anywhere near there! If you can get out, do so immediately and safely!”
After the waters receded, Conor managed to get out safely.
“The flood had torn through our landlords’ shop and our hallway on the first floor,” says Colin. “The waters never went past that point, sparing our belongings on the second and third floors. His car was badly damaged.”
Colin thanks Howard County government and first responders for their help. Ellicott City remains in a state of emergency, and it will take many months to recover.
“We both want to help rebuild Ellicott City in any way possible. In the meantime, we’re staying with friends and family, hoping to rebuild our lives there. Above all, I’m thankful that my brother is okay. You can’t replace your loved ones.”
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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