World Pride 2025 Takes Over Washington Amid Political Tensions

Washington, D.C. – The nation’s capital hosted World Pride 2025 this weekend, marking 50 years of Pride celebrations in the U.S. The festival is an international showcase for the LGBTQ community, featuring a parade, concerts, and a march that ended near the U.S. Capitol on Sunday.

This year’s theme focused on reaching people worldwide. Organizers described the event as a time to “celebrate, educate, support, and inspire” the global LGBTQ community. “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,” said the event’s website.

Attendees expressed concern about recent political actions affecting LGBTQ rights, particularly those initiated by the Trump administration. Liz Bauer, a first-grade teacher in D.C., shared her worries regarding the administration’s message toward transgender youth. “It’s really important that we continue to push back, even in small ways, to find inclusive things that we can do for students,” Bauer said.

Bauer emphasized the importance of sending a message of resilience: “We’re not going anywhere. We’re standing strong,” she added. Former Vice President Kamala Harris also addressed supporters through a video message, urging attendees to remember that “no one should be made to fight alone.”

The mood at the march was hopeful despite challenges. Jay Abbit, who traveled from Hollywood, Florida, remarked on the administration’s failure to issue a Pride Month proclamation this year, highlighting the importance of community advocacy. “It’s just a microaggression and we need to push back against that,” he said.

Events like the World Pride 2025 rally serve as a reminder of the ongoing fight for LGBTQ rights, reinforcing the message that love and acceptance continue to thrive in the face of adversity.