Local
Gay man files complaint against Washington Teachers Union
Alleges bias based on orientation, age, gender
Gay Maryland resident Barry Hobson earlier this year filed a complaint with the D.C. Office of Human Rights charging the D.C.-based Washington Teachers Union with violating the city’s Human Rights Act by firing him based on his sexual orientation, gender and age.
Hobson released a copy of his complaint to the Washington Blade on Monday.
His complaint says he was subjected to what he believes was unfair and discriminatory treatment and harassment by the union’s chief of staff shortly after he was hired as a receptionist/office assistant on Jan. 15, 2017.
“I began to experience harassment by respondent’s chief of staff (Ms. Egbufor) approximately ten days after submitting my new-hire paperwork, which clearly indicated I am in a same-sex relationship,” he states in the complaint. “Ms. Egbufor abruptly ended a phone call when I told her the male listed on my paperwork is my finance,” the complaint says.
It says Egbufor falsely accused him of failing to do his job and of repeatedly showing up late for work among other alleged infractions that Hobson said were completely fabricated by Egbufor, whom at least two fellow employees told him dislikes gay people, the complaint says.
It also says Washington Teachers Union President Elizabeth Davis persuaded the union’s board to fire him on April 3 on grounds of “attendance and punctuality” while allowing a female employee with a newborn child to start work later to avoid being late for work so she could drop off her child at a daycare center. This constitutes sex discrimination, Hobson says in his complaint.
His complaint says he learned that an older employee said to be 62 years old was allowed to keep his job after allegedly making personal purchases with the union’s corporate credit card. When Hobson asked why this employee was allowed to keep his job while Hobson was about to be fired, Davis explained that the older employee “needs more guidance than [you] youngsters,” Hobson’s complaint says, prompting Hobson to accuse the union of discriminating against him because of his age.
Larry Rubin, the Washington Teachers Union’s communications director, told the Blade on Tuesday he and union officials consider Hobson’s complaint baseless, “ridiculous” and “laughable.”
He referred the Blade to the union’s attorney, Lee W. Jackson, for further information on why the union feels the complaint has no merit. Jackson couldn’t immediately be reached.
An Oct. 10 notice that Office of Human Rights Director Monica Palacio sent to the union, which Hobson released to the Blade, says the union was required to submit to the OHR its official response to Hobson’s complaint by Oct. 30. The notice also says Hobson and a union official were required to attend a mandatory mediation session on Nov. 2 to determine whether a settlement agreement could be reached.
Hobson said the mediation failed and OHR has begun a formal investigation into the complaint. Under OHR procedures the investigation, which could take several months to complete, would determine whether probable cause exists that discrimination occurred. If that finding is reached, another mediation session would be held to determine whether a settled could be reached. The case would go to a public evidentiary hearing similar to a trial if a settlement could not be reached.
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
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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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