Local
Lesbian D.C. official named in school favoritism probe
Deputy mayor says placement of son in desirable school was within rules
Courtney Snowden (Photo courtesy the Raben Group)
Courtney Snowden, who serves as D.C.’s Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity, was identified this week as the subject of an investigation by the D.C. Inspector General into allegations that former city Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson gave preferential treatment to some city government officials by allowing their kids to enroll in prestigious schools.
The Washington Post cited unnamed but knowledgeable sources as saying Henderson in 2015 allowed Snowden to bypass a school lottery required of parents to apply for enrollment of their children in certain schools and allowed Snowden to enroll her son in the Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan school, which had a waiting list of more than 1,000 families seeking to enroll their kids.
Snowden, a lesbian, told the Post that neither she nor Henderson did anything wrong, pointing out that Henderson invoked her authority under school system rules to make a “discretionary” exemption to the lottery system based on her showing her son’s “unique needs” for enrolling in the school.
Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas informed the D.C. Council last month that an investigation conducted by his office found that Henderson “failed to act impartially and gave preferential treatment to certain District government officials and members of the public,” by placing their children in schools outside the lottery system, according to the Post.
The Post, which published stories linking Snowden to the investigation for three consecutive days last week, reported that D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser had been informed of the Inspector General’s investigation but was not told which city officials may have benefited from Henderson’s alleged favoritism.
“Courtney Snowden is an outstanding public servant who has taken on the critical task of ensuring that economic opportunity is available to all District residents,” mayoral spokesperson Kevin Harris said in a statement.
“The opportunity to petition the school chancellor for a waiver is available to all District parents,” he said in the statement. “Deputy Mayor Snowden did what any parent would do by pursuing every available option when her child faced a challenge.”
Henderson, who resigned from her post as chancellor last year, released a statement last month responding to the initial findings in a report that the Inspector General presented to the D.C. Council about her alleged improper favoritism actions.
Among other things, she said she stood by her decision to make “a very limited number of discretionary placements of students when extraordinary circumstances applied,” the Post reported.
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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