“If you’ve never been to the Pride Parade, just the energy of the crowd is overwhelming,” says Ryan Bos, executive director of the Capital Pride Alliance. “There’s such a diverse group of participants from all age ranges and aspects of our community.”
Starting at 4:30 p.m., a steady stream of marchers, floats, and trucks — representing hundreds of community organizations, unions, companies, and local restaurants and bars — will traverse a 1.5-mile long route through D.C.’s West End, Dupont Circle, and Logan Circle.
Some participants dance or lip sync atop floats, while others hold banners or throw out beads, candy, and prizes to the throngs lining the street.
Human rights activist Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard, will serve as Grand Marshal along with her husband, Dennis.
She says events like Pride are important to remind people that LGBTQ people exist and are still fighting for recognition and equality.
Judy Shepard, Photo: Priorities USA / YouTube
“I think it is really important right now, especially since the current administration is trying to turn back the clock on progress for the gay community, and, in fact, all marginalized communities,” says Shepard. “Of the Pride events we’ve been to, the most wonderful thing is the joy on everybody’s faces, being around their friends and their equals, their co-workers, their families, and celebrating who they are…. It’s the sheer joy that comes from bring together with like-minded people.”
The Capital Pride Parade kicks off on Saturday, June 9, at 4:30 p.m. at 22nd and P Streets, NW and ending at 14th and R Streets, NW. For more information and a parade route map, visit capitalpride.org.
Capital Pride Parade map
Have you ever been at the Capital Pride Parade? We might have a Pride photo of you in our archive of Scene photos. Come and see….
"Right now, more than ever, we need global solidarity. And WorldPride is probably the closest thing we have to a visible manifestation of the unity we have across borders," says Ymania Brown, one of the co-presidents of InterPride, the international umbrella organization of Pride organizers.
"The goal for us at InterPride and for WorldPride is for our members and everyone who comes to WorldPride in Washington, to walk away knowing that we are not alone," she continues. "That our struggles, while unique in different countries and different regions, are shared. And as a result of that shared struggle, our victories, and the successes we have in changing laws for our people, are collective."
The Israeli city of Tel Aviv canceled its Pride festivities -- including the Pride parade -- that had been scheduled for the past weekend, citing concerns over potential retaliation against Israel for air strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets that began on June 13.
The air strikes, part of Operation Rising Lion, involved 200 Israeli fighter jets targeting nearly 100 locations across Iran, including nuclear enrichment facilities and the presumed hiding places of Iranian military leaders.
When J. Ahmir "Ricky" Vines was in elementary school, growing up with a single mom, he would get in trouble with his teachers for scribbling lyrics during class. Eventually, realizing that his lyrical prowess could earn him some extra money, he began selling lyrics to local rappers in his town and stashing the extra cash in a shoebox.
"There's a big underground music culture in North Carolina," says the Winston-Salem native. "I would sell these lyrics to these older kids and these young rapper guys around the city."
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