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Jared Polis announces bid to become Colorado governor

Out congressman could be first openly gay person elected governor

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Equality Act, gay news, Washington Blade

Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) is running for governor of Colorado.
(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The most senior out member of the U.S. House on Sunday announced his intent to run for governor of Colorado. If successful, he’d be the first openly gay person elected governor in the United States.

Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), who’s served in Congress since the start of the Obama administration in 2009, said in an email to supporters he’d formally declare his bid Monday to become governor and to succeed retiring Gov. John Hickenlooper.

“I’m running to be your next governor because I want to turn bold ideas into real results for your family,” Polis wrote. “Colorado can lead the way into the future and, together, we can build an economy that works for everybody — not just those at the top.”

Included in the email blast is video featuring Polis as well as supporters — the owner of Jones’ Scones, a graduate of the New America School founded by Polis, a teacher and a former state senator.

“My life has been about taking big ideas and turning them into results,” Polis said. “I’m running for governor to preserve what makes Colorado special. We’re working to make sure our state works for everyone, not just a few.

Among the goals cited by Polis are making Colorado “completely energy independent” and ensuring the state entirely runs on renewable energy by 2040 with green energy jobs that he says can’t be outsourced overseas. Polis also pledges free full-day preschool and kindergarten for Colorado and “an inclusive economy where workers make more, not just CEOs.”

As a member of Congress, Polis took the lead on legislation seeking to enhance LGBT rights, such as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the Student Non-Discrimination Act. Polis is a co-chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus and a co-sponsor of the Equality Act.

If Polis were to succeed in his bid to become Colorado governor, he’d be the first openly gay person elected governor in the United States and the only sitting openly gay governor.

However, the more general milestone of an openly LGBT person winning election as governor has been achieved. Last year, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, who’s bisexual, won election after being appointed to the position in 2015 following the resignation of her predecessor.

Another governor came out as gay after having been elected and serving in office. In 2004, New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey, came out as gay prior to resigning amid scandal involving an affair with a male aide.

Polis might have some competition for the distinction of becoming the first openly gay person elected governor. In Maryland, gay State Sen. Richard Madaleno (D-Montgomery County) has declared his candidacy to unseat Gov. Larry Hogan (R). In Connecticut, State Comptroller Kevin Lembo, who’s gay, has opened an exploratory committee to run for governor, but hasn’t made an official declaration.

Polis is running in a crowded field for the Democratic nomination. Other Democrats vying for the nomination are former State Sen. Michael Johnston, Denver businessperson Noel Ginsburg, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.), former Colorado treasurer Cary Kennedy and businessperson Moses Humes. The primary will take place on June 28 next year.

On the Republican side, declared candidates are Arapahoe County District Attorney George Brauchler, Larimer County Commissioner Lew Gaiter, former State Rep. Victor Mitchell, businessperson Doug Robinson and retired banker JoAnne Silva.

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World Pride 2025

D.C. liquor board extends drinking hours for WorldPride

Gay bars, other liquor-serving establishments can stay open 24 hours

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Sasha Colby performs at Pitchers in 2023. Liquor-serving establishments in D.C. will be able to remain open for 24 hours during WorldPride. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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.

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The Vatican

Executive director of LGBTQ Catholic group to travel to Rome for conclave

Marianne Duddy-Burke met Pope Francis in 2023

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DignityUSA Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke, middle, greets Pope Francis in 2023. (Photo courtesy of Marianne Duddy-Burke)

The executive director of a group that represents LGBTQ Catholics will travel to Rome next week for the papal conclave that starts on May 7.

DignityUSA Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke on Thursday told the Washington Blade she will arrive in Rome on May 6. Duddy-Burke said she plans to spend time in St. Peter’s Square “and have conversations with people.”

“I will wear Dignity insignia, have rainbow flags,” she said.

Pope Francis died on April 21. His funeral took place five days later.

The Vatican’s tone on LGBTQ and intersex issues softened under the Argentine-born pope’s papacy, even though church teachings on homosexuality did not change.

Francis, among other things, described laws that criminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations as “unjust” and supported civil unions for gays and lesbians. Transgender people were among those who greeted Francis’s coffin at Rome’s St. Mary Major Basilica before his burial on April 26.

Duddy-Burke and two others from the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics met with Francis in October 2023 during a meeting that focused on the Catholic Church’s future. Duddy-Burke noted Francis “invited” her and her colleagues as his “special guests for the audience and then had a conversation with him afterwards.”

“For me the sort of visibility that he (Francis) brought to our community and to our concerns feels irreversible,” said Duddy-Burke. “He empowered so many people and so many new ministries.”

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu — the archbishop of Kinshasa in Congo who has described homosexuality as an “abomination” — is among the cardinals who are reportedly in the running to succeed Francis.

“I really don’t know,” said Duddy-Burke when the Blade asked her who the next pope will be. “Of course, I am hoping and praying hard that it will be someone who will continue to lead the church on responsiveness of human need and greater inclusivity.”

“What happens in that room is such a mystery,” she added.

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World Pride 2025

Episcopal bishop to speak at WorldPride human rights conference

Trump demanded apology from Mariann Edgar Budde over post-Inauguration sermon

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The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde. (Screen capture via PBS NewsHour/YouTube)

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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