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Comings & Goings

Parson forms new consulting firm

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Brett Parson, gay news, Washington Blade
Brett Parson (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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].

Congratulations to Brett A. Parson on the formation of his consulting firm, Brett A. Parson Consulting. Parson has more than 25 years’ experience in local, state, and federal law enforcement. He is an internationally recognized leader who has championed award-winning innovations in multiple areas. During his time with the Metropolitan Police Department, in Washington, D.C., he created the Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit, which received Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, Innovations in Government Award, along with a $100,000 grant to help replicate the program. His roles have taken him across almost all aspects of MPD, working in vice, narcotics, gun recovery, alcohol-related crimes, bias-related (hate) crimes, domestic violence, violent crimes (sexual abuse and homicides), and supervising the city’s elite Narcotics Strike Force.

Currently he is working for The Georgetown University Law Center’s Innovative Policing Project ABLE. He said, “I am super excited about this project. ABLE seeks to change the culture of policing, by teaching officers when to intervene and how to effectively intervene when they see a fellow officer about to do something harmful or stop harm while it is occurring.” He added, “Imagine if the three officers who were present when Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd had this training and skills and confidence to save Mr. Floyd. The added benefit is that departments where this program has been implemented have seen a wholesale change in their culture.”  

Parson is working with Out to Protect, a group of police officers who are creating a network of liaison officers around the world. He is a member of their board. He also works for the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Association (IACLEA). He is president of the local chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors and the Shomrim Society.

Parson was recognized by MPD many times including as Officer of the Year, and Supervisor of the Year and received awards from groups including U.S. Attorney’s Office – Washington, D.C., the Human Rights Campaign, and Children’s National Medical Center.

Congratulations also to Derek Smith who is the new manager at HalfSmoke, in D.C. He said, “Come visit me as your resident manager for an amazing experience at HalfSmoke at Florida and 7th Streets NW! Especially for unlimited Happy Hour!” He reminds all COVID precautions are fully observed.

For the past eight years, he worked as a private chef in East Hampton, N.Y. and D.C. He has worked as catering sales specialist at Breadline (by La Madeleine); dining assistant manager at Hay-Adams Hotel; and catering manager at Marriott Food Service, Northfield, Vt.

Smith served in the United States Air Force and received a number of medals including the Air Medal (twice), for combat missions flown in Afghanistan; the aerial Achievement Medal, for combat support missions flown in the Middle Eastern theater; and Air Force Commendation Medal for Quick Diagnosis and repair of C-130 aircraft while under attack.

Derek Smith
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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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