On June 8, Capital Pride held its forty-ninth Pride parade. Celebrating LGBTQ+ history and the community’s evolution at the Nation’s Capital, the event is one of the largest in the country and draws thousands of participants.
The parade took place in the historic Dupont Circle neighborhood, which is part of the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Piscataway and Anacostan peoples. Today, it is also home to a vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
The parade started at 3 p.m., with Grand Marshals Keke Palmer and Billy Porter riding through the 14th Street neighborhood. Following them were an array of marching bands, dancing drag queens and a sea of rainbow-colored floats.
After the parade, the celebrations continued with a lively block party on 17th Street. It featured local vendors, music, dancing and a profound sense of togetherness.
“I believe it helps build a sense of community across queer people and allies and goes a long way to showing solidarity,” said Annelise Schader, an attendee.
