Washington, D.C., came alive on June 7, 2025, as thousands gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pride with the WorldPride parade, a vibrant and historic event marking a half-century of LGBTQ+ visibility and activism in the nation's capital. The two-mile-long parade, which began at 14th and T Streets NW at 2 p.m., wove through the heart of the city, passing iconic neighborhoods and landmarks before culminating near the Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue.
For many, this year’s WorldPride carried a special significance beyond celebration. It was the first time since the inaugural WorldPride event in Rome in 2000 that Washington hosted the international festival, and organizers, participants, and spectators alike felt the weight of history and current challenges. The parade featured approximately 300 groups of floats, vehicles, and walkers, including a 1,000-foot rainbow flag carried by a coalition of singers from across the country, serenading the crowd with songs like Beyoncé’s “Freedom.” The atmosphere was electric, with brass bands and DJs adding to the festive spirit, including D.C.’s Different Drummers Marching Band, an LGBTQ ensemble that embodied the event’s themes of inclusion and pride.
Actresses Laverne Cox and Renée Rapp, along with Deacon Maccubbin—who organized D.C.’s first Pride celebration 50 years ago—served as grand marshals, guiding the parade along its route. Tiffany Lyn Royster, director of community engagement with Capital Pride Alliance and WorldPride, highlighted the event's importance in the current political climate. “I think that people are just going to be louder and prouder,” she said. “We have folks who are from all over the world at this point participating in our parade on Saturday, and they came to help us fight and they came to help us be proud.”
Despite the joyous energy, the celebrations were shadowed by political tensions. Several high-profile corporate sponsors withdrew support following President Trump’s executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, dampening some of the initial excitement. Furthermore, the Trump administration’s policies and executive orders limiting transgender rights cast a pall over the festivities, causing some members of the LGBTQ+ community to express reservations about attending.
Adding to the controversy, the National Park Service initially ordered the closure and fencing off of Dupont Circle Park—a historic LGBTQ+ landmark in D.C.—from June 5 through June 8. The move sparked immediate backlash from local officials and community members, with Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Joe Bishop-Henchman comparing it to “NYC cordoning off Stonewall or SF blocking off the Castro.” However, in a swift reversal on the morning of June 7, the fencing was removed after collaboration between the Mayor’s office and the National Park Service, allowing the park to reopen for the weekend’s events.
The parade route itself was a journey through the city’s LGBTQ+ history and present. Starting at 14th and T Streets NW, participants marched down 14th Street, passed Thomas Circle Park, circled around, and continued past Freedom Plaza before concluding near 919 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Alongside the parade, a bustling block party on 17th Street, dubbed the city’s original “Gayborhood,” featured music, dancing, and a street festival showcasing artisans and multicultural performances. The block party, running from noon to 10 p.m., honored the neighborhood’s legacy of LGBTQ+ activism and community.
Post-parade festivities included a concert headlined by actress Cynthia Erivo at Third Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, with surprise guests hinted at by organizers. Other notable performers included David Archuleta, CeCe Peniston, Kristine W, Troye Sivan, Kim Petras, Purple Disco Machine, Raye, and Doechii, who closed out the weekend’s celebrations. The event also featured a “Camp Pride” kids’ zone, offering children opportunities to play, color, paint, and participate in a talent show, emphasizing the inclusive nature of the festival.
While the celebrations were in full swing, smaller protests took place throughout the city. A dance-oriented protest outside the Tesla showroom in Georgetown targeted Elon Musk and MAGA supporters, organized by a queer and trans dance troupe. An art exhibition and protest featuring transgender youth focused on anti-LGBTQ bills, especially those targeting trans youth, was held at the WorldPride Parade Staging Area Purple. Meanwhile, counterprotests such as the Men’s March to Abolish Abortion and Rally for Personhood and a Refuse Fascism protest took place around Lafayette Park, highlighting the city’s complex political landscape during this weekend of LGBTQ+ celebration.
Residents and visitors were advised to expect numerous road closures and parking restrictions around downtown, Dupont, Logan Circle, and the U Street area, with Metro service adjusting hours to accommodate the large crowds. The Metropolitan Police Department had issued detailed notices well in advance to ensure public safety during the festivities.
Despite some setbacks, including a canceled Shakira concert earlier in the festival due to production issues, WorldPride 2025 in Washington, D.C., drew an estimated 700,000 attendees—nearly double the usual crowd for the city’s Pride events. This surge reflected both a yearning for community and a defiant response to the political headwinds facing LGBTQ+ rights today.
For many participants, the event was a powerful reminder of the resilience and joy that define Pride. Thea Kano, artistic director for the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC, said, “When we sing, joy is the number one thing. We come in joy. It’s resistance. It’s resilience. In a sense, it feels that people are trying to take our joy away and, you know, good luck with that.”
Similarly, trumpeter Kirsten Zeiter, performing with the Different Drummers Marching Band, shared her excitement: “Any performance with them I just feel joy.”
As the weekend drew to a close, the city’s Pride celebrations continued with street festivals, DJs, drag performances, drumming, and a final concert, embodying the spirit of visibility, community, and activism that has defined Pride for 50 years in Washington, D.C.
