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Comings & Goings
News from Merkley’s office, WPA and Pride Fund


The ‘Comings & Goings’ column chronicles important life changes of Blade readers.
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].

Blake Mariappa Narendra
Congratulations to Blake Mariappa Narendra, who was named a Nuclear Security Working Group Fellow in the Office of Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). Narendra has an impressive background including currently serving as press lead for the U.S. Global Development Lab and Asia Bureau in the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Prior to this he served in the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance as Special Advisor for Outreach and Strategic Communications. He worked for the Ploughshares Fund as the Inaugural Hale Fellow and co-managed an outreach campaign supporting diplomatic efforts on nonproliferation negotiations with the Iranian Republic; and developed and edited informational materials including fact sheets and brochures for congressional staff and other audiences on the nonproliferation merits of a comprehensive agreement with Iran.
He has worked as a Defense Policy Analyst for SAIC and a research associate, Managing the Atom (MTA) at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. He held positions with the Obama administration including Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security at the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Nuclear Security Administration; and as a White House Associate in the Offices of Management and Administration and Presidential Personnel.
Congratulations also to Gregory Pratt, currently the Finance Coordinator at the Pride Fund to End Gun Violence. Pratt began at the Pride Fund as an intern. Pride Fund to End Gun Violence is a Political Action Committee supporting candidates who will act on sensible gun policy reforms while championing LGBTQ safety and equality.
Pratt continues his education and is a senior at American University where he is studying political science with minors in communication and theater. He is working toward certificates in Advanced Leadership Studies and Campaign Management. Prior to interning at the Pride Fund he interned at the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.

Gregory Pratt
Congratulations also to Nicholas Alexander Brown, who was named Director of Special Productions and Initiatives with Washington Performing Arts. Among other duties he will produce special productions and initiatives at the direction of the president and CEO, including the Mars Urban Arts Initiative and interdisciplinary collaborations with community, cultural, and civic organizations.
Prior to joining WPA, Nicholas spent many years working at the Library of Congress. His work there included being a program specialist in the Office of the Librarian and a music specialist/concert producer in the Library’s Music Division. He interned in the White House Social Office, Office of the First Lady.
Brown is the music director and founder of the The Irving Fine Society and a freelance musician. He made numerous appearances as a conductor including with the Boston Collaborative Orchestra, the 215th Army Band, and the King’s College London Symphony Orchestra. He has sung with the London Symphony Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir, and BBC Symphony Chorus.

Nicholas Alexander Brown
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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