Local
Blade reporter robbed on street in Columbia Heights
Daytime attack not believed to be motivated by sexual orientation
Washington Blade political reporter Chris Johnson became yet another victim in a crime spree hitting the D.C. LGBT community in the past two weeks when three male suspects on Monday shoved him to the ground while he was walking on 13th Street, N.W., in Columbia Heights near his home and stole his cell phone and wallet.
D.C. police arrested two of the three suspects believed to have committed the daytime robbery a short time after it happened when a nearby witness called 911 and police arrived while the suspects were still in the area. The third suspect fled before police could apprehend him.
Johnson, while shaken over the incident, was not injured. He said the three young men who committed the robbery did not make any reference to his sexual orientation and he does not believe he was targeted because he’s gay. He said the three were not carrying a weapon.
A D.C. police spokesperson said one of the two arrested is a 17-year-old juvenile male of Southeast D.C. whose name will not be disclosed and the other is 21-year-old Jaleel Ware also of Southeast D.C. A police report says both were charged with robbery.
The robbery of Johnson came at the end of a two-week period in which at least five LGBT people were subjected to violent crimes or threats of violence. The most serious of the incidents was the June 13 murder of D.C. transgender woman Zoe Spears, 23, who was shot to death in Fairmount Heights, Md., just across the D.C. line near Eastern Avenue.
Prince George’s County police, who are investigating the murder, say they have no suspects and no known motive for the killing.
The other incidents include the attack and assault of a gay male couple walking on U Street, N.W. by a group of nearly a dozen male suspects while one or more of them shouted anti-gay names at the couple. One of the victims was hospitalized after suffering two broken teeth.
During the same two-week period a transgender woman was assaulted by one of three suspects who called her anti-trans names while she was in a grocery store in the city’s Eckington neighborhood. Another incident involved an unidentified male suspect who pulled out a gun and threatened three transgender women outside the Casa Ruby LGBT community center building on Georgia Avenue, N.W. None of the women were injured.
What appeared to be a sudden crime spree impacting the LGBT community prompted LGBT activists to hold a vigil against violence in Dupont Circle on June 21.
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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