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Comings & Goings

Barrio named Miami dev’l officer for Equality Florida

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Jonathan Barrio, gay news, Washington Blade

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].

Jonathan Barrio, gay news, Washington Blade

Jonathan Barrio (Photo courtesy of Barrio)

Congratulations to Jonathan Barrio on being named the Miami Development Officer for Equality Florida. Equality Florida consists of two organizations — Equality Florida Institute, Inc., a 501(c) (3) educational charity and Equality Florida Action, Inc., a 501(c) (4) advocacy organization. Together, these organizations form the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s LGBTQ community. According to its website, “Through education, grassroots organizing, coalition building, and lobbying, we are changing Florida so that no one suffers harassment or discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Barrio will manage major donor cultivation and stewardship programs for Miami. He will also plan, promote and execute Equality Florida’s Miami Gala.

Prior to this he was Development Manager at Safeguarding American Values for Everyone/SAVE Foundation. He was also a real estate agent with Keller Williams Real Estate, Miami Beach. Barrio founded Gay Vista Social Club of Miami as a place where members of the LGBTQ community can find an accepting and inclusive environment. He continues to provide guidance and direction to a growing leadership team. He has also previously served as personal assistant to Opera Director David Gately. He studied psychology at Miami Dade College.

Congratulations also to Roy Harrison who has just begun his new position with CSI Group in Kentucky. He will oversee the Management Consulting division of CSI Group. CSI Group is based in Lexington, and Toyota, Japan. It specializes in project management, import/export, automation, and staffing in the Japanese manufacturing space.

Upon taking the position Roy said, “My role will be to manage and expand the consulting division inside North America and Asia, and explore entering the European manufacturing market, as well.” He added, “I’m excited to take a leadership role in the growth of this 50-person (across Japan and North America) company.” Roy is bilingual in Japanese and English and in a previous position was lead translator at Toyota in Georgetown, Ky., where he led the translation team for North America and Japan-based translation projects.

Prior to his new position, his experience includes working as Digital Program Manager with Marriott International in Bethesda, Md.; manager at Lexmark in Lexington, Ky.; and a project manager with Consultant Solutions in Georgetown, Ky.   

Roy is an advisory panel member with the Lighthouse D.C. and Vice President for Membership with the Capital Tennis Association. He received his bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from George Washington University and studied Japanese at Sophia University in Tokyo. He was named a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Steve Beshear for civic leadership.

Roy Harrison (Photo courtesy of Harrison)

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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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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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World Pride 2025

Pabllo Vittar to perform at WorldPride

Brazilian drag queen, singer, joined Madonna on stage in 2024 Rio concert

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Pabllo Vittar (Screen capture via Pabllo Vittar/YouTube)

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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