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It was Pride Month’s biggest weekend in D.C., and the flagship event brought out tens of thousands. News4’s Derrick Ward has more on the festivities from Dupont Circle.
People took to the streets Saturday in the name of LGBTQ+ pride and rights for D.C.’s Capital Pride Parade.
There was fun, music and great joy – but also the sobering commitment to defending those rights, which the Human Rights Commission (HRC) said are under attack.
Indeed, the organization declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans due to hundreds of bills moving through state legislatures around the country which the HRC said amount to an attack on the community.
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People dance on the VIDA Fitness float during the 2023 Capital Pride Parade.
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A marcher dances in front of spectators during the Capital Pride Parade.
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People dance on a float during the Capital Pride Parade.
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People roller-skate in the 2023 Capital Pride Parade.
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Cheer DC dancers march down the road during the Capital Pride Parade.
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A member of the OUT Riders Women's Motorcycle Club Bikers leads the parade during the Capital Pride Festival.
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Spectators watch the Capital Pride Parade.
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A man howls and waves the 6-Striped LGBTQ+ Pride Flag as he marches down the road during the Capital Pride Parade.
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Members from the Scandinavian community march down the road during the Capital Pride Parade.
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Whether people came to march or just to support, they also provided a boost to the local economy, especially the restaurant and hospitality sectors.
Many businesses put out the welcome mat, or in the case of the Royal Sonesta Hotel on P Street, the welcome bar.
“We bought some barbeque and we brought some drinks and so far so good, I think the folks are really enjoying it,” Paul Devincenzo, of the Royal Sonesta Hotel, said.
Concerns over counter protests going beyond just protests didn’t materialize, but something of a party did. As floats broke off from the parade, some of those parties went mobile in the name of acceptance.
The parade ended just below Dupont Circle at around 7 p.m., but the affirming energy certainly continued.
