By Victor Melamed
Washington, D.C. is alive with the vibrant energy of WorldPride this weekend, drawing LGBTQ+ individuals and allies from across the globe for a series of events blending celebration of diversity with fervent protest against the Trump administration’s policies.
However, the festivities are unfolding with an added layer of complexity as the iconic Dupont Circle has been closed to the public for the duration of the weekend.
The biennial WorldPride, which has been underway for weeks, culminates this weekend with its most prominent events.The highly anticipated WorldPride parade is set to march on Saturday, June 7th, starting at 14th and T Streets NW and proceeding to Pennsylvania Avenue, bringing its message within a block of the White House. On Sunday, June 8th, a significant rally will take place at the Lincoln Memorial, a symbolic site of historic protests, before an international march towards the U.S. Capitol Building.
President Trump’s administration is a focal point for much of the weekend’s activism. His executive orders limiting transgender rights, the ban on transgender individuals serving in the armed forces, and the rescission of anti-discrimination policies have fueled widespread outrage within the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Organizers emphasize that this WorldPride is a powerful demonstration of resistance against these rollbacks.
Despite some calls for boycotts and safety concerns amidst the current political climate, Destination DC projects that up to 3 million people, including 2 million international visitors, could attend. Ryan Bos, Executive Director of the Capital Pride Alliance, the lead organizer, acknowledged the prevailing anxieties, stating that many LGBTQ+ individuals “fear for their security, their safety, their mental health, and don’t see a lot of hope right now,” underscoring the vital need for visibility.
Adding to the weekend’s dynamic, Dupont Circle, a historic hub for D.C.’s LGBTQ+ community, has been closed by the National Park Service from Friday morning until Sunday evening.
This decision, despite a rescinded request from D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith to keep it open following community backlash, was made – allegedly – due to concerns over potential vandalism and unpermitted gatherings, citing past incidents during previous Pride events. The closure, enforced with anti-scale fencing, has been met with disappointment and frustration by community leaders who view it as a symbolic restriction on a beloved landmark.
While some groups, like the African Human Rights Coalition, have called for a boycott, citing the U.S. as an “antagonistic fascist regime” posing dangers to foreign attendees, others, like Brandon Wolf of the Human Rights Campaign, see WorldPride as an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community to assert its presence and resilience.“Pride is, and always has been, a protest,” Wolf stated, emphasizing the community’s determination to remain “defiant, united and unstoppable.”
The full impact of the Dupont Circle closure on overall attendance and the spirit of the weekend remains to be seen, but WorldPride D.C. is undoubtedly shaping up to be a deeply significant and politically charged event for the global LGBTQ+ movement.
