News4’s Aimee Cho reports on groups coming together to provide safe spaces for members of the LGBTQ community.
Capital Pride is ramping up to get all of D.C. awash in color to mark LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June, celebrating the full spectrum of love and identity.
The dates for Capital Pride are June 1-30, 2021, but pride is a year-round celebration. Events will be held through at least October, which is LGBTQ+ History Month.
This June, people are encouraged to celebrate by decorating D.C. homes and businesses with bright colors, signs and art.
#StillWe is this year’s theme. The 2020 celebrations were centered around that idea, and Capital Pride says the message of resiliency is more relevant than ever.
“In a year like no other, still, we came together to educate, advocate for change, uplift marginalized voices, and support our neighbors,” Capital Pride said in a statement.
Here are key dates for pride events and celebrations in D.C.
DC Pride 2021 Parade, Festival
Will D.C. have a pride parade and festival? Yes, with some changes.
The Colorful Pridemobile Parade is set for Saturday, June 12, the same weekend D.C. lifts remaining capacity restrictions on businesses.
The parade will feature only vehicles and won't follow the route that's been used in years past. Instead, Capital Pride will run through all four quadrants of the District.
Those who like to walk, bike or roller blade can start early with D.C.'s Pride Walk and Rally. Gather at Dupont Circle at noon. At 12:30, the parade will depart for Freedom Plaza and arrive in time for a 1:30 p.m. rally with Mayor Muriel Bowser. The Pridemobile Parade will pass by this event.
The Colorful Fest is planned for October.
DC, Maryland, Virginia Pride Events 2021
Paint the Town Colorful with Pride
Throughout June
Capital Pride is encouraging everyone in D.C., Maryland and Virginia to go big and colorful with decorations.
People are encouraged to have decorations up on homes and businesses by June 1, but you must decorate and register by June 12 to be involved in the Colorful Pridemobile Parade.
Neighborhoods with the highest number of registered participants will be selected for the parade. Registration is free.
You can take a self-guided tour of the pride-decorated house floats by checking out Capital Pride’s map.
If you decorate your home for Pride Month, tag @nbcwashington on Instagram or email isee@nbcwashington.com for a chance to be featured.
Queering Sound 2021
Through June 13
Rhizome DC (6950 Maple St NW)
This exhibit includes visual art plus live music on June 6 and 13. Make an appointment, check it out during live events or come during open hours: Saturday, June 5, 2-4 p.m.; Sunday, June 6, 2-4 p.m.; Saturday, June 12, 2-4 p.m.; Sunday, June 13, 2-4 p.m.
GMCW Turns 40
Streaming through June 20
Watch the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington D.C.'s celebration of the organization's 40th year. Tickets are $25, but there are discounts available for students and those with financial hardship.
Pride Month Movie Nights at Red Bear Brewing
Thursdays in June at 7 p.m.
Red Bear Brewing
The first flick is “Paris Is Burning,” a famous documentary on New York's “house” and drag culture, on June 3. Then, there’s “The Wizard of Oz” on June 10; “Transamerica” on June 17 and “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” on June 24.
Queen City Kings Drag presents Flame: Rising From the Ashes of COVID (Virtual)
Sunday, June 6 at 9 p.m.
Sixteen "drag kings, queens, and in-betweens" will perform at this virtual celebration that celebrates this turning point in the pandemic and Pride Month. It's free to watch on Twitch.
Pool Party - DC Black Pride
Friday, June 11, 8 p.m. to midnight
Vida Fitness At the Yards (1212 4th Street, SE)
As part of 12 Months of Black Pride, DC Black Pride is hosting a pool party fundraiser with VIDA Fitness. There will be DJs, cocktails and great views. Tickets start at $10.
Stay tuned for more DB Black Pride events, including DC Black Pride Awards Reception on July 21.
Puppy Pride PAWrade
Saturday, June 12, 8-11 a.m.
Bark Social Bethesda (935 Prose Street, North Bethesda, Maryland)
Dress up your pup and head down for a pup parade, plus specials on drinks.
Capitol Hill Village Events
Various dates
Capitol Hill Village (1355 E St. SE)
The nonprofit Capitol Hill Village, which focuses on supporting older adults to live independently, is hosting coffee drop-ins, social hours, tea times and drag performances and more through the month of June. Here’s the calendar.
The Capital Pride Honors
Friday, June 11, 7 p.m.
Compass Coffee Ivy City, 1401 Okie Street, Northeast D.C.
Capital Pride will honor activists for LGBTQ people with a limited in-person ceremony and a livestream. Honorees and ticket information haven't been released yet.
Washington Blade Describe-a-Thon (Virtual)
Saturday, June 12, 10 a.m. to noon
Help D.C.'s leading LGBTQ newspaper digitize its collection. You don't need any prior experience to volunteer, but you should register in advance.
Colorful Pridemobile Parade
Saturday, June 12, 2021, 3-6 p.m.
Neighborhoods TBA
A colorful caravan will roll through select D.C. neighborhoods to celebrate LGBTQ pride.
Vehicles that want to participate can register with Capital Pride.
It's not the typical Capital Pride parade that's drawn thousands to Dupont Circle and other parts of the city: Participants will be in vehicles, with no walkers or bikers allowed.
The route will be announced closer to the event. But organizers promise to pass through Dupont and Logan Circle plus landmarks such as the Capitol. The parade will also go through neighborhoods that have high participation in the decorating initiative, Paint the Town Colorful With Pride.
Drag Family Story Time - Virtual
June 12, 11 a.m.
Performers Domingø, Arma Dura, and Katie Magician host this story time hosted by the D.C. Public Library. You can watch on YouTube.
LGBTQ+ Housing and Homelessness Conversation - Montgomery County Pride
Wednesday, June 16 at 7 p.m.
Virtual (Zoom)
Register here to get more details.
Takoma Pride Weekend
June 19-20
Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland
Show your #TakomaPride by dressing up, taking pictures at the rainbow crosswalk and checking out drag queen story time and more. Many businesses will offer deals and specials, including Busboys and Poets, Cielo Rojo, and Takoma Bev Co.
Drag Show Brunch
Saturday, June 26, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bark Social Bethesda (935 Prose Street, North Bethesda, Maryland)
Montgomery County's Pride in the Plaza
Sunday, June 27, 1-8 p.m.
Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, Maryland
On National HIV Testing Day, Do It For You Montgomery County will host a LGBTQ+ resource fair with mini-ball, food, giveaways and HIV testing. It's free to attend.
Youth Writers Showcase - Montgomery County Pride
Tuesday, June 29 at 9 a.m.
Sign up to get more details here.
Chasten Buttigieg Book Discussion
June 30, 7 p.m.
Virtual (on Zoom)
Chasten Buttigieg, author of "I Have Something to Tell You" and husband of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, will discuss his book virtually. Sign up here for more details.
