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Comings & Goings

Ferrero to lead Fund for Investigative Journalism

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Earl E. Johnson, 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].

Eric Ferrero, gay news, Washington Blade
Eric Ferrero

Congratulations to Eric Ferrero on his appointment as executive director of the Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ). Mark Greenblattt, President of FIJ’s board and senior national investigative correspondent for the Scripps Washington Bureau said, “The Fund for Investigative Journalism’s work has never been more critical, and Eric Ferrero brings a unique blend of experience to help broaden our impact in the years ahead. Ferrero brings extensive management experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, with a deep background helping investigative journalists uncover groundbreaking stories. The entire FIJ family is thrilled to welcome him and looks forward to his leadership.”

Ferrero said, “I am humbled and excited to join the Fund for Investigative Journalism – especially right now, when so much is at stake. For more than 50 years, the Fund for Investigative Journalism has shown that one reporter, given proper support to dig deep and keep digging, can make a profound difference in the world.”

Ferrero previously served in senior roles at the Innocence Project, the Open Society Foundations, Amnesty International USA, the American Civil Liberties Union and other national and global organizations. He has worked closely with some of the nation’s leading investigative journalists to help them cover high-impact stories, including those published or broadcast by The New Yorker, CBS News “60 Minutes,” the Washington Post, the New York Times and PBS “Frontline,” as well as in regional and specialty outlets including the Texas Tribune, the Marshall Project and WBUR.  He has served on the board of directors of Suicide Prevention International and has been a featured panelist for numerous organizations including the National Association of Hispanic Journalists; National Association of Black Journalists; Hollywood for Social Change; Ford Foundation and at the Big Pitch Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Faculty Training Retreat.

Congratulations also to Gustavo M. Ventura on the publication of his important article “The Development of Patient Evacuation Resource Classification System (PERC) Using Systems Engineering to Assist Hospital Evacuations in a Disaster” in the Journal of the Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. He said, “I am proud that my research may provide a solution for hospitals evacuating under duress.”
Ventura’s 20 years of active duty service in the U.S. Navy included global program management, and extensive civilian-military coordination with humanitarian NGOs. He has diplomatic experience including as peace envoy staff, and significant executive experience as a member of the White House staff.

Most recently, he served in the areas of Emergency Management and Public Health developing the Patient Evacuation Resource Classification System for Residential Healthcare Facilities. He served as a United Nations Peacekeeper in 1996 selected as the UN Military Observer stationed at rebel headquarters of the POLISARIO in Tindouf, Algeria and was responsible for monitoring military maneuvers, briefing senior UN personnel on political and military conditions, and assisting international relief efforts at rebel camps throughout southwestern Algeria. In that role, he escorted various congressional and senior UN fact-finding delegations on their inspection of humanitarian and political conditions.

Earlier in his career, Ventura was on the White House Staff in the National AIDS Policy Office as Chief Administrator. In addition to other roles the office at the direction of the president developed and managed AIDS in the workplace training for all federal employees.

Gustavo M. Ventura
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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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Venus Valhalla performs at Pitchers. 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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