Vibrant, visible, unbreakable: WorldPride 2025 marches on in DC
Photos by Elton Lugay
WASHINGTON – Celebrating Pride just steps from the White House should have felt like a victory lap for the LGBTQ+ community.
Instead, it felt like an act of resistance.
This year’s WorldPride in Washington, D.C., marking the 50th anniversary of Pride in the nation’s capital, unfolded under the shadow of a government that, as organizers pointedly noted, declined to officially acknowledge the event.
Yet, as rainbow flags unfurled and the city’s streets pulsed with music, color and defiant joy, it was clear: Unity and resistance are the keys to fighting back – especially for those who can’t.
On Saturday, more than 700,000 revelers – according to event organizers – lined 14th St, Thomas Circle and Pennsylvania Ave, transforming the city into a global runway for love, pride and, yes, a little bit of glitter.
The parade was led by a 1,000-foot rainbow flag stretching toward the White House, a bold reminder that the LGBTQ+ community remains vibrant, visible and unbreakable.
The longest Pride flag in history – stretching over 1,000 feet – waves boldly down Pennsylvania Ave, sending a vibrant message of unity, visibility, and love straight to the White House during WorldPride 2025. Photo by Elton Lugay
Grand marshals Laverne Cox, Reneé Rapp, and Deacon Maccubbin headlined a procession packed with Asian American and Pacific Islander groups, activists, Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC police, all cheered on by lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, queers, allies, activists and advocates from across the country. Organizers said more than 300 floats participated, making this year’s parade one of the largest in DC history.
Trailblazing actress and transgender advocate Laverne Cox rides through the WorldPride 2025 parade in DC as grand marshal, waving from a top-down car. “I accepted this role to honor our community’s resilience and to inspire the next generation to live authentically,” Cox shares, celebrating visibility and pride in the nation’s capital. Photo by Elton Lugay
API Queer Society marches proudly in the WorldPride 2025 parade, joining many AAPI groups to celebrate unity, visibility, and the vibrant diversity of the API LGBTQ+ community in DC. Photo by Elton Lugay
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser joins the WorldPride 2025 parade, smiling from ear to ear as she and her team hand out Pride souvenirs to cheering parade-goers, celebrating love and inclusion in the heart of the nation’s capital. Photo by Elton Lugay
The celebration was more than just a party. “We’re here to fight alongside you,” organizers told the crowd, echoing a message heard repeatedly throughout the weekend.
The festival’s proximity to the Capitol and the White House was not lost on anyone. “It’s not just a parade – it’s a statement,” said Evan Low, former mayor of Campbell, California, during a panel on LGBTQ+ advocacy at the Human Rights conference on June 6. “We’re not just celebrating; we’re demanding dignity and rights for all.”
California leader Evan Low moderates a panel on global LGBTQ+ rights at the WorldPride 2025 Human Rights conference in DC, amplifying voices for equality during Pride’s historic 50th anniversary celebration. Photo by Elton Lugay
That spirit of resistance was echoed by the Congressional Equality Caucus, which hosted a discussion moderated by Eugene Daniels, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association. Daniels noted that, while progress has been made, “the fight for equality continues just blocks from the Capitol.”
WHCA president Eugene Daniels leads the closing panel at the WorldPride 2025 Human Rights conference in DC, bringing powerful voices together to reflect on global LGBTQ+ progress and the path ahead. Photo by Elton Lugay
After the parade, thousands gathered under the blazing sun for performances by David Archuleta, CeCe Peniston, drag sensation Tatiana and Tony-winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo. The US Capitol dome gleamed in the background as festivalgoers danced, undeterred by the heat and united by a message of equality.
Legendary dance music artist CeCe Peniston performs her hit “Finally” and other tracks on the main stage at WorldPride in DC. The 55-year-old former beauty queen removed her boots mid-performance and continued barefoot, delivering an energetic set in a silver sequined dress despite the warm weather and direct sun. Her spirited performance drew cheers from the crowd. Photo by Elton Lugay
Drag queen Tatianna, known for competing on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” performs on the main stage at WorldPride in Washington, D.C., on June 7. Photo by Elton Lugay
Tony and Grammy-winning singer and actress Cynthia Erivo takes the stage at WorldPride in DC, and the crowd goes wild at her first appearance. Erivo, known for her powerful roles on Broadway and in film, performs “Imagine” with soulful vocals, delighting an audience thrilled to see her. As a celebrated LGBTQ+ ally and advocate for inclusion, Erivo’s headlining presence at Pride underscores the event’s message of visibility and acceptance. Photo by Elton Lugay
Courtney Act, Miss Peppermint, Mrs. Kasha Davis and Bob the Drag Queen lit up the National Theatre, drawing cheers and laughter – a reminder that joy can be an act of resistance, too.
Beloved performer Bob the Drag Queen lights up the stage at the National Theatre, delivering a show-stopping performance during the closing program of the WorldPride 2025 Human Rights Conference. Photo by Elton Lugay
The crowd erupts with cheers and applause as Cynthia Erivo takes the stage at WorldPride in DC, with fans capturing the moment on their phones and celebrating her powerful performance. Photo by Elton Lugay
For me, making the trip from Queens to DC was worth it, if only to stand in solidarity with those who couldn’t be here – those who, for reasons of safety, distance, or circumstance, are unable to march openly. Every step taken and every flag waved was for them, too.
Parade marchers proudly hold placards reading “We Will Not Be Erased,” “Born This Way – A Guardian,” and “Refuse, Resist, Let Everyone Enlist,” uniting in a powerful display of resilience and solidarity at WorldPride 2025. Photo by Elton Lugay
As I looked out from the rooftop of Room&Board at 14th and T streets, watching the parade set off, I was reminded that visibility matters. The government may have withheld its support, but the community’s unity – and its refusal to be erased – was impossible to ignore.
This year’s WorldPride was a celebration, yes, but also a challenge – to keep fighting, keep showing up, and keep making noise. Because, as history has shown, change rarely starts in the halls of power – it starts in the streets, with people who refuse to be silent.
As the sun set over Pennsylvania Ave., the message was clear: Pride endures, even – especially – when it’s not officially recognized. And for those who can’t march, the rest of us will keep marching on.
