'Not just a party:' World Pride celebrations end with defiant politics
on display
[June 09, 2025]
BY CHRISTINE FERNANDO, FATIMA HUSSEIN, JACQUELYN MARTIN
AND MIKE PESOLI
Washington (AP) — After the raucous rainbow-hued festivities of
Saturday's parade, the final day of World Pride 2025 in the nation's
capital kicked off on a more downbeat note.
Thousands gathered under grey skies Sunday morning at the Lincoln
Memorial for a rally and protest march, as the community gathers its
strength for a looming fight under President Donald Trump's second
administration.
“This is not just a party,” Ashley Smith, board president of Capital
Pride Alliance. “This is a rally for our lives.”
Smith acknowledged that international attendance numbers for the
bi-annual World Pride were measurably down, with many potential
attendees avoiding travel to the U.S. due to either fear of harassment
or in protest of Trump's policies.
“That should disturb us and mobilize us,” Smith said.
Protesters cheered on LGBTQ+ activists taking the stage while waving
both traditional Pride flags and flags representing transgender,
bisexual, intersex and other communities. Many had rainbow glitter and
rhinestones adorning their faces. They held signs declaring “Fight
back,” “Gay is good,” “Ban bombs not bathrooms” and “We will not be
erased.”
Trump’s campaign against transgender protections and oft-stated
antipathy for drag shows have set the community on edge, with some
hoping to see a renewed wave of street politics in response.
“Trans people just want to be loved. Everybody wants to live their own
lives and I don't understand the problem with it all,” said Tyler
Cargill, who came wearing an elaborate costume with a hat topped by a
replica of the U.S. Capitol building.
Wes Kincaid drove roughly 6 hours from Charlotte, North Carolina to
attend this year. Sitting on a park bench near the reflecting pond,
Kincaid said he made a point of attending this year, “because it’s more
important than ever to show up for our community.”
Reminders of the cuts to federal government programs were on full
display, Sunday. One attendee waved a pole bearing a massive rainbow
flag along with a large USAID flag; another held a “Proud gay federal
worker” sign; and a third held an umbrella with the logos of various
federal program facing cuts — including the PBS logo.
Trump's anti-trans rhetoric had fueled fears of violence or protests
targeting World Pride participants; at one point earlier this spring,
rumors circulated that the Proud Boys were planning to disrupt this
weekend’s celebrations. Those concerns prompted organizers to install
security fencing around the entire two-day street party on a multi-block
stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue.
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People attend the World Pride Rally and March at the Lincoln
Memorial, Sunday, June 8, 2025, on the National Mall in Washington.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
But so far, the only clear act of aggression has been the
vandalizing of a queer bar last week. Late Saturday night, there was
a pair of violent incidents near Dupont Circle — one of the
epicenters of the World Pride celebrations. Two juveniles were
stabbed and a man was shot in the foot in separate incidents. The
Metropolitan Police Department says it is not clear if either
incident was directly related to World Pride.
A cold rain began falling around noon Sunday as the rally speakers
cut short their comments and prepared to march. Some attendees
filtered away while others huddled under umbrellas and ponchos.
“Rain will not stop us, and after rain comes rainbows,” said one
speaker from the stage.
The speeches didn't just target the Trump administration or the
Republican party. Some turned their ire on Democratic politicians,
who they say have wilted under the pressure of Republican control of
the White House and both houses of Congress.
“We have to call out people who have abandoned our movement,” said
Tyler Hack of the Christopher Street Project.
“Being a Democrat is more than carrying the party affiliation,” Hack
added. “It’s about unapologetic support for the trans community.”
While the main march headed toward the U.S. Capitol, a separate
group splintered off and headed toward the White House, unfurling a
large “TRUMP MUST GO NOW” banner.
Those who stayed to brave the weather said their presence amid
less-than-ideal circumstances was vital.
“People are still out here, despite the rain, despite their
exhaustion,” said Gillian Brewer, a university student studying
physics from Silver Spring, Maryland. “We’re not going anywhere.”
Brewer expressed some frustration that the turnout for Sunday's
protest march was lower than for the World Pride parade the day
before, which she decided to skip.
“This is more important,” Brewer added. “You can party all you want
but at the end of the day, the protest is why we can party.”
Natalie Farmer, who traveled from San Diego with her wife,
attributed the difference in numbers between the march and
Saturday’s parade to people being tired from celebrating the
previous night.
“Some of us have to do the rallying to keep the party going,” Farmer
said. “We all fight in different ways.”
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