Pride Month Celebrations Come to Washington, D.C.
By June 13, 2022 0 1333
•This June, Washington, D.C. has been painted and splashed in rainbow colors in commemoration of Pride Month, a time devoted to educating the city on issues related to equity in civil and political rights and celebrating and supporting the cultural heritage of the LGBTQ+ community.
Mayor Bowser “kicked off Pride festivities” at the city’s 31st Annual Black Pride Celebration in late May, highlighting the District’s “ongoing commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and announcing her administration’s plans to join the Capital Pride Alliance in welcoming the return of the “historic Capital Pride Parade.”
Pride Month’s events have proven to be a particular sponsorship opportunity for local and international businesses alike to support a shared cause and advertise to its constituents.
This weekend’s Capital Pride Parade brought together a host of participants, from dancers in pink tutus to premiere business sponsors, such as Marriott and Google. Floats, marching bands and allied groups and marchers paraded from 14th and T Streets NW, through Shaw, Logan Circle and Dupont Circle before finishing at 21st and P Streets, NW. The parade route was designed to “acknowledge the evolution of the LGBTQ+ neighborhoods” of D.C., according to Capital Pride Alliance.
On Sunday, the Capital Pride Festival and Concert was held on Pennsylvania Avenue. NW, with performance stages for “music, dancing, and kings and queens; hundreds of booths and vendors; interactive sports zones; family activities; and an outdoor food court and beer gardens,” according to The Washington Post. Headliner Joe Jonas’s band DNCE along with “RuPaul’s Drag Race”-winners Willow Pill and Symone and a DJ dance party were also featured.
Continuing the bustle of the Parade, more events are to come, like a Pride Night Out event at Nationals Park on June 14, a “Grag Queen” live concert at City Winery June 22, and a District of Pride Showcase presented by Mayor Bowser at the Lincoln Theatre on June 30.
Follow our coverage this week for more details about Capital Pride, including opinions and perspectives from D.C. officials.