WorldPride in Washington finished last night in the shadow of the Capitol and the White House. But largely, the news promised by WorldPride organizers had disappointing results for attendance and revenues. World Pride may not even end up to be the largest LGBTQ event in America in 2025. BBC reports on the numbers for WorldPride saying,
“The US Capitol won the bid to host World Pride years before Trump’s re-election. In January, the event’s organisers had projected that the celebration, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of Washington’s first Pride march, would attract three million visitors and contribute nearly $800 million to the local economy. But their expectations have now dropped to about a third of their previous estimates.”
Destination DC, the official tourism organization for the city, reports that overall occupancy over the weekend in Washington was down 3% compared to the same weekend in 2024. This means that the visibility of Pride may not have drawn the expected huge international visitors. The downturn of the entire city may suggest concerns related to World Pride may have kept even more tourists away.
Washington’s Mayor Muriel Bowser discussed the concerns of the weekend when she acknowledged that visitors
“Feel scared that an environment is developing that is anti-LGBTQ… but we can’t live in fear, we have to live our lives [and] be as best prepared as we can.”
Kelly Laczko, the owner of Her Diner in Dupont Circle, one of DC’s most vibrant LGBTQ neighborhoods, echoed this sentiment saying
“I feel like normally with Pride we are ready for the celebration… and obviously the current administration has put a big damper on that.”
Many stories developed over the weekend on a brighter note. Broadway and Hollywood star Cynthia Erivo headlined the celebration with power and pride. The festivities kicked off with a jaw-dropping sight: a rainbow flag as long as three football fields, carried by 500 proud voices and supporters from the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. Behind them, buses rolled by draped in trans, bi, and ace flags, with cheers ringing through the streets. Erivo lit up the night by singing Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” calling back to the lives lost in the Pulse nightclub shooting. As Erivo gave a quick shoutout to her “Wicked” hits, the crowd erupted in joy.
One of the headlines at The World Pride DC was RuPaul. As one YouTube user said, RuPaul was “acting a fool plus serving gardener at World Pride Music Festival clad in a full-on gardener fantasy—sunhat, shades, and all—RuPaul hit the decks and had the crowd gagging. Fans couldn’t get enough.”
Another memorable moment at WorldPride, Jennifer Lopez premiered “I’m Free,” an LGBTQ anthem with the lyric: “Free to love whoever I please.” Backed by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, she also covered George Michael’s “Freedom!” on the White House lawn—saluting queer fans and spotlighting freedom through song, not stardom.
Singer-songwriter and actor Reneé Rapp laughed and blew kisses from a pickup draped in a transgender flag, while Laverne Cox waved from a convertible. The two grand marshals, alongside Deacon Maccubbin, led a dazzling DC Pride Parade. Outside the National City Christian Church, rainbow flags and balloons greeted hundreds. Asian American and Pacific Islander groups, Mayor Muriel Bowser, and DC police joined the march, turning the streets into a bold, joyful celebration of queer pride.
A dark note occurred near the end of WorldPride’s parade in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, as people fled Dupont Circle following violent incidents. Local elected official Vincent Slatt told The Advocate there was both a shooting and a stabbing near the festivities. At 7:02 PM, two minors were hospitalized after a stabbing during a fight between juvenile groups in Dupont Circle Park. Later, at 7:52 PM, a man was shot in the foot nearby. He was transported conscious and breathing. Police have not confirmed whether the violence was linked to Pride or if the victims had attended the celebration.
Despite recent attacks on queer rights, the energy in D.C. said one thing loud and clear: we’re not going anywhere.
