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Sherise Bright takes over communications at HRC

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Sherise Bright

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 Sherise Bright, named Senior Vice President for Communications and Marketing at the Human Rights Campaign. Bright will lead HRC’s multi-faceted communications and marketing efforts that highlight the ongoing work of the organization to build a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society.

Interim HRC President Joni Madison said, “I could not be more thrilled to bring Sherise Bright on board as the new leader of the Human Rights Campaign’s communications and marketing work. Sherise brings a wealth of experience from the worlds of LGBTQ+ advocacy, education, law, impact litigation, public policy and entertainment, and comes prepared to roll up her sleeves to join our fight. She joins a group of incredibly talented and dynamic communications and marketing professionals whose impact, under her leadership, can only grow. With the LGBTQ+ community – particularly transgender youth – facing an onslaught of attacks in states across the country, Sherise’s talents will be put to good use communicating and advocating for the most marginalized among us.” Upon accepting the position Sherise said “I am thrilled to join the Human Rights Campaign at a pivotal time in our movement. With the onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, attacks on trans youth, and the disproportionate deaths of Black trans women–there’s so much work to do. I’m honored and ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work with my brilliant colleagues at HRC.”

Bright most recently served as chief communications officer at Lambda Legal. Prior to that, she was chief communications and brand strategist with SB Communications.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications/ ethnic studies from California State University in Fullerton.

Andres Bonell

Congratulations also to Andres Bonell on being a Five Star award winner and appearing in a Wealth Managers Under 40 special section in the February/March 2022 issue of Fortune magazine. Bonell is a Senior Investment Advisor, Bell Rock Capital, LLC, in Rehoboth Beach, Del. The Five Star Wealth Manager award is based on objective research criteria. Five Star Professional’s research team evaluates candidates from across major markets annually. Upon receiving the award, Bonell said, “I am grateful to my peers in the financial industry who nominated me for this award, and for my clients, who are the core of my professional success and satisfaction. As a proud member of a firm founded by LGBTQ women, I am honored to serve clients from a diverse cross-section of our community to help them achieve their financial goals and aspirations. Likewise, I am personally fulfilled by being able to mentor up-and-coming LGBTQ peers and allies in my industry.”

Bonell has owned or co-owned a number of businesses, including Aqua Grill in Rehoboth Beach, and was a franchisee of a Banna Strow’s in Miami. He is actively involved with a number of organizations impacting the daily lives and future of members of the local and global community, including Help2Haiti, Global Dreams USA, and NSU Art Museum.
Bonell earned his bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Florida.

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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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