Even amidst a global theme of unity, US politics took center stage as Washington, DC, hosted the historic World Pride 2025 festival, celebrating the vibrant LGBTQ community. This international festival, marking the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations in the nation’s capital, featured a weekend full of events, including a lively parade, free concerts with renowned artists like Cynthia Erivo and Doechii, and a significant march on Sunday.
The organizers of World Pride described the event as an opportunity to “celebrate, educate, support, and inspire” the global LGBTQ community. According to the event’s official website, “World Pride is occurring at a crucial time, bringing together voices from around the world to support the LGBTQ+ community’s ongoing fight for equality, visibility, and justice.” This year’s festival was heralded as a “historic moment” for the LGBTQ movement.
During Sunday’s march, which traversed the National Mall and concluded near the steps of the US Capitol, participants expressed deep concerns regarding the protection of the LGBTQ community in light of recent actions by the Trump administration. Notably, the administration has exerted pressure on corporations to dismantle diversity and inclusion programs, sought to ban transgender service members from the military, and restricted access to gender-affirming care for youth.
Liz Bauer, a first-grade teacher in DC, voiced her apprehensions, stating she’s “really worried” about the message being sent to transgender children, including those in her classroom. “It’s essential that we continue to resist, even in small ways, by creating inclusive environments for our students, giving them voices and space,” Bauer emphasized. “We must protect the rights of those whose existence is challenged.”
Bauer hopes World Pride sends a powerful message that “despite the current decisions that fail to support everyone and lack inclusivity, we are still here.” She affirmed, “We’re not going anywhere. We’re standing strong. Even those who cannot speak for themselves, we will be their voices.”
The absence of a formal proclamation recognizing Pride Month from the White House this year marked a departure from tradition, a practice initiated by former President Bill Clinton in 1999, who designated June as “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.”
Jay Abbit, who traveled from Hollywood, Florida, expressed his concerns about the broader implications of Trump’s refusal to acknowledge Pride Month. “It’s just a microaggression and a dog whistle to his supporters, and we need to push back against that,” Abbit remarked. “It may seem small, but it’s significant, and we must engage in these discussions.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris made a notable appearance via video at Sunday’s rally, emphasizing the importance of Pride as a time to “celebrate the progress we have made and recommit to the work still ahead.” She urged attendees, “As you gather with friends and allies from across the world, let us be clear: no one should be made to fight alone. We are all in this together.”
The World Pride 2025 event in Washington, DC, served not only as a celebration of the LGBTQ community but also as a clarion call for ongoing activism and support in the face of political challenges. As voices unite in the fight for equality, the festival stands as a testament to resilience and hope for a more inclusive future.
