Maria LawsonCapital Pride board member Vernon Wall still remembers when Miley Cyrus stood her ground at Capital Pride in 2017 during the first Trump Administration.
“She said, ‘I promised that when this person was elected, I was never going to do ‘Party in the USA’ ever again,’” Wall said. “She said, ‘Standing in front of the Capitol, right now, on this stage, I’m going to do it because I really want people to know that we are the USA and we are important.’”
Seven years later, the stage is bigger, and so is the message. More than 3 million are expected to come to D.C. for World Pride. But Pride in the District has always been about more than parties and flags.
This year, it will be a 22-day celebration of the past and present of the LGBTQ+ community from May 17 to June 8.
“I want to make sure that people know that Pride began as a protest, but it’s also a celebration,” Wall said. “It’s not either-or. And I think that sometimes we move into this dynamic of is it a Pride or are we celebrating? It’s both, and we want people to do both.”
In a charged political climate, he’s heard extra worries from international travelers.
“We’re always responding and saying, ‘Of all places to come when there’s such unrest and discomfort, D.C. is the place to be because we handle marches and protests all the time,’” Wall said. “I feel probably the safest coming here for Pride than I would any other place.”
But he knows the political conversation is ever evolving.
“Now, if you ask me this tomorrow, that may be a different story, or in an hour when a tweet comes out,” Wall said. “Who knows? But right now, we’re feeling good.”
Dupont Circle ANC commissioner Vincent Slatt said he’s heard some concern due to anti-trans policies that have been enacted and threatened.
“While it might scare away some people who wanted to come for a party, I think it’s going to attract a lot more that want to come for a protest,” Slatt said. “The history of Pride is that it’s both a party and a protest.”
He said this isn’t a new concept.
“I study gay history, and so I know that we’ve had hard times before,” Slatt said. “This isn’t the first unfriendly administration that we’ve had to deal with, and when we look back at our history, we can see lots and lots and lots of our elders battle, and many times they won. Many times they lost.”
World Pride will include a human rights conference, rally, march, parade, street festival and sports fest.
World Pride 2025 is set to be one of the biggest celebrations of the LGBTQIA+ community this year 🌈
From performers to events and how to get tickets, here’s everything you need to know https://t.co/41br3vVVmQ
— GAY TIMES (@gaytimes) April 29, 2025
Witeck Communications president Bob Witeck has seen Capital Pride serve as the voice of the nation’s capital for 30 years as a volunteer and past honoree. Now, he’s excited for it to host the world.
“They had taken on this enormous obligation to present to the world the face of Pride in the United States,” Witeck said. “Of course, that means a lot of partners, corporations, governments and volunteers trying to make it as positive of a celebration as we can.”
However, he’s not as optimistic as he once was about the turnout.
“I fear that globally, that visitor audience is going to be smaller than we hoped,” Witeck said. “A lot of queer people living in Europe and all over the world are a little anxious about coming to the United States, not feeling like they’ll get a full feeling of safety and respect.”
Our obligation as Americans?
“We have to make sure that the spaces we’re gonna offer them, the programs we’re going to have and the events that we celebrate are going to be safe, respectful and full of positivity and joy,” Witeck said.
The change in administration has eliminated some Pride venues, like the Kennedy Center.
A week of LGBT events scheduled for this summer’s World Pride festival at the @kencen has been canceled, following a leadership change and new priorities at the renowned cultural institution, according to organizers and artists involved. https://t.co/YoXtb9AK8A
— NTD News (@NTDNews) April 28, 2025
“But also, it has created that sense of risk and vulnerability that people feel,” Witeck said.
He also said the political turnover will make attendees more outspoken.
“People are feeling emboldened to feel visible and to stand up,” Witeck said. “I think it’s changing in a certain way, the militancy and the purpose of being at Pride. It’s not just a party; it never has been just a party, but it has been far more celebratory than serious.”
There will also be unofficial programming around D.C. in neighborhoods like Logan Circle, Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle. The owner of two local gay and lesbian bars plans to entertain guests both inside his venue and as they wait in line.
“I hired a couple of RuPaul’s Drag Race girls to just go outside and talk to people and hang out with them so they aren’t bored in line,” said Dave Peruzza, owner of Pitchers and a League of Her Own. “I always feel like the worst thing about Prides is waiting in lines.”
He looks forward to seeing the statement that the event will make.
“I don’t know if he who shall not be mentioned is going to do something on the Mall, but the permits have already been issued for Pride, and D.C. issues the permits for streets, so he can’t do anything about that,” Peruzza said.
Peruzza also believes visitors should be rest assured that they’ll be safe here in D.C.
“Our mayor is very pro-gay,” Peruzza said. “Our council’s very pro-gay. You are safe here. Just come and have a good time, and don’t listen to what a couple of naysayers are going to say online. Just come and have a good time. We’ll keep you safe.”
On Saturday, we joined Trans Pride Washington DC for #TransPrideDC! A day full of impactful panels, sharing community resources, and giving Trans and Non-binary leaders their flowers. #TransPower
Drop a 🏳️⚧️ if you enjoyed Trans Pride this weekend ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/sRv49bahNk
— Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs #DistrictofPride (@DCLGBTQ) May 20, 2024
Security is top of mind for visitors and officials alike. The Metropolitan Police Department did not make a representative available for an interview. However, they shared this statement:
“The MPD is working closely with our local, state and federal partners as we prepare for World Pride 2025.”
“While there are no known threats to World Pride 2025, we always encourage the public to remain vigilant. If you see something, say something.”
“We’re a lot safer here in this city than we are in other states across the country and around the globe,” Slatt said.
D.C. isn’t just a host; it’s the movement’s backdrop. It’s where LGBTQ+ Americans first picketed the White House in 1965. For some, it’s still home base.
An exhibit from the Rainbow History Project on display in Freedom Plaza during World Pride aims to deliver this message.
“I believe in the power of history to really explain what happens and how we got to where we are and hopefully influence us where we’re going,” said Slatt, who’s also the Rainbow History Project’s curator. “Understanding the battles of the past can really help us win the battles of the future.”
From protest to parade, organizers and attendees are ready to create history in motion and show the world how far D.C. has come.
“You have a sense of, ‘I belong,’” Witeck said. “To me, looking up to those institutions and monuments reminds us that we’re part of America and an integral part, a very important part of America. We’re not outsiders.”
Wash staff
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