Upcoming High Heel Race marks Dupont’s struggle to remain D.C.’s LGBTQ+ hub

The 38th High Heel Race is set to light up 17th Street in Dupont Circle this October, drawing thousands to one of Washington, D.C.’s most colorful traditions. 

But even as the celebration returns, the neighborhood that built it faces mounting challenges.

Dupont Circle faces safety concerns, rising rents and costs, and demographic shifts that have displaced many LGBTQ+ residents. Once the center of LGBTQ+ life in Washington D.C., the neighborhood’s role as a safe haven is under strain, even as the High Heel Race endures as a symbol of resilience.

“It’s definitely been a challenging summer,” said Eli Downs, general manager of JR’s. “With the National Guard coming in and ICE raids happening, there’s a lot of tension. Even I went out less.” 

Downs said the anxiety reflects a wider unease across the city.

At Annie’s Paramount Steak House on 17th Street, NW, open since 1948, general manager Georgia Katinas said the restaurant’s role has remained steady. 

“We consider ourselves an informal community center for the LGBTQ+ community,” she said. “We are a safe space for all and always will be.”

Other owners strike a similar note of stability. Mitchell Aaronson, vice president of Cairo Wine & Liquor on 17th Street NW, said his shop continues to see loyal customers. “It’s an extra bonus to us to be in this neighborhood, and we see a lot of support from the community,” said Aaronson. 

Yet costs remain a challenge for small businesses. Downs noted that rents have risen sharply across D.C. and alcohol prices are climbing, making it harder to operate. 

“Running a small business is hard right now,” he said. “Each day comes with a new challenge. But we’re not going anywhere.”

Vincent Slatt, an advisory neighborhood commissioner and volunteer director of archiving at the Rainbow History Project, recalled the High Heel Race’s early days.

 “The High Heel Race started in 1987 as about 24 men dressed in costumes running from JR’s to Annie’s,” he said. 

Over time the contest grew into one of Washington’s most visible LGBTQ+ celebrations, drawing thousands of spectators each year to 17th Street. Contestants sprint in elaborate costumes and high heels, cheered on by thousands who line the sidewalks. 

Slatt said the neighborhood has changed dramatically in the past two decades.

 “When I moved here 20 years ago, this corner was full of clubs,” he said. “Now it’s condos I can’t afford. My rent keeps going up. I’m being forced out of my neighborhood by the rich people who can afford to buy a condo where I used to go dancing.”

His experience reflects a broader trend. The average rent in Dupont Circle is about $2,565 a month, according to RentCafe, which tracks rental markets nationwide. Home prices have also climbed, with the neighborhood’s median price at about $475,000, according to real estate brokerage Redfin.

He added that the impact goes beyond nightlife. “LGBT seniors are disproportionately affected by our housing crisis because many seniors had a lifetime of employment discrimination,” he said. “Many are single and childless, and they have no children to help support them.” 

Youth face similar struggles.

 “LGBT youth are a disproportionate number of runaway teenagers,” Slatt said. “In D.C., we’re about 11 or 12% of the population, but it’s 30 to 40% of the teenagers that are runaways.”

For many, Dupont Circle still represents a historic center of LGBTQ+ life in the capital, even as nightlife and demographics have shifted.

The High Heel Race illustrates this D.C. officials estimated last year’s crowd at more than 10,000, underscoring the race’s status as both celebration and protest. 

But residents and business leaders say the question remains: Can Dupont Circle continue to serve as both a celebration and a sanctuary?