Local
Writer, LGBT activist Nancy Davis dies at 82
Cryptographer was life partner to Lilli Vincenz
Nancy Ruth Davis, who began her career as a cryptographer for the U.S. Foreign Service before becoming a travel writer and an LGBT activist alongside her life partner, pioneering lesbian activist Lilli Vincenz, died Feb. 15. She was 82.
Her friend Kris McLaughlin said she died of natural causes in Oakton, Va.
She was born in Loveland, Colo., and starting at the age of 22 began her career as a cryptographer with the U.S. Foreign Service beginning with assignments at the State Department in Washington, D.C., according to her friend Bob Brown. Brown said that in addition to serving in D.C., Davis served in U.S. Foreign service posts in London, England; Belgrade, Yugoslavia; Cairo, Egypt; and the U.S. mission to the United Nations.
After leaving government service Davis became a freelance writer based in Greece and Mexico, where she wrote mostly for tourist magazines, Brown said in a write-up on Davis’s life.
From 1986 to 1989 Davis worked with D.C.’s then Whitman-Walker Clinic on projects related to its AIDS Services Operating Committee,” Brown said, adding that Davis helped found the Black Education Against AIDS Task Force and an Empowerment Group for People Living with AIDS.
Brown said Davis and Vincenz had a commitment ceremony in 1986 and bought a home in Arlington. Others who have known Davis and Vincenz said the two hosted many LGBT-related events at their home, where the two, according to D.C.’s Rainbow History Project, founded an organization in 1992 called the Community for Creative Self-Development.
Vincenz, a psychotherapist by profession, operated the organization as a “holistic learning community for empowering gay women and men and all gay-friendly people, creatively, spiritually, and psychologically,” the Rainbow History Project says in its biography of Vincenz. Brown’s write-up on Davis says Davis edited the organization’s quarterly newsletter.
“They traveled on Olivia Cruises all over the world as often as they could, as well as enjoyed time together in their beach house in Chinquapin, Va.,” Brown said in his write-up.
McLaughlin said Davis, joined by Vincenz, had a chance to bask in joy over the progress they helped to bring about in the LGBT rights movement at a June 2014 White House reception hosted by President Barack Obama to celebrate LGBT Pride Month. On display at the White House reception were picket signs that Vincenz helped to make for first-ever protests outside the White House in 1965 for homosexual rights that Vincenz participated in.
“Their joy was palpable,” said McLaughlin, who took them to the White House event. “They never dreamed that they would live to see such visible progress.”
Brown said there are no plans for a memorial service for Davis. McLaughlin said donations may be made in Davis’ name to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.
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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