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Symposium focuses on anti-LGBT violence
50 attend event at Hopkins


A panel of experts talked violence against the LGBT community at a Johns Hopkins event. From left: Dr. Chris Beyer, Monica Yorkman, Ava Pipitone and Dr. Daniel Webster. (Video by Johns Hopkins University)
More than 50 people attended a symposium on Sept. 12 at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where violence against the LGBT community and gun violence in general were discussed.
The symposium, coordinated by the LGBTQ Student Working Group at Johns Hopkins, was titled, “Violence Against LGBT Individuals: The Public Health Response.” It was in response to the massacre at Pulse nightclub in Orlando three months earlier specifically, but presenters noted that violence against LGBT individuals happen all over.
Jordan White, a Ph.D. student moderated the program. Among the speakers were Ronald J. Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University; Monica Yorkman of the Baltimore Transgender Alliance; and Dr. Daniel Webster, director of the Center for Gun Policy and Research. Dr. Chris Beyrer, an expert in epidemiology and international health and director of the Center for Public Health and Human Rights, moderated the panel discussion that took place following the presentations.
Yorkman explained that although Orlando was tragic, violence and abuse are suffered daily by women and trans women in Baltimore and beyond.
“Orlando was a horrible tragedy. It was a holocaust,” she told the audience. “For a lot of us, that holocaust was not an event. It’s a reality we live every day. Somewhere in this country, a transgender woman is killed almost every day. Violence equals erasure.”
Yorkman urges people to “come and get to know us” and is buoyed by the fact so many transgender people are leading successful lives.
Poet Kenneth Morrison-Wensdorfer recited the poem, “On That Night They Danced” he presented at a vigil in Baltimore following the Orlando tragedy. Activist Saida Agostini also recited an original poem.
Webster presented statistics on gun violence, which indicate an increase in occurrence once the assault weapons ban lapsed. He explained that, “gun availability not only makes aggression more lethal but increases suicides of LGBT people by guns.”
Besides Beyrer, Yorkman and Webster, the panel included Ava Pipitone, executive director of the Baltimore Transgender Alliance. In discussing intersectionality, Pipitone explained, “We have systemic oppression, racial oppression, gender identity. And it can’t be addressed without addressing all of the layers.”
In addition to violence, other issues discussed that impact the trans community included homelessness and joblessness.
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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