Washington
Cnn
–
Even with a theme to reach people around the world, American politics has taken the spotlight while Washington, DC, welcomed World Pride 2025, an international festival celebrating the LGBTQ community.
The celebrations throughout the weekend, which included a parade, free concerts featuring the artists Cynthia Erivo and Doechii more a walk on Sunday, marked the 50th anniversary of the celebrations of pride in the national capital. The organizers described the event Like a moment to “celebrate, educate, support and inspire” the LGBTQ world community.
“World pride occurs at a crucial moment, bringing together votes from around the world to support the continuous fight of the LGBTQ + community for equality, visibility and justice,” notes the event website, describing the festival of this year as a “historic moment”.
The participants of the Marche on Sunday, who traveled along the National Shopping Center and ended the steps of the American Capitol, said that the challenges of the protection of the LGBTQ community in the midst of the recent actions of the Trump administration were hung on the celebrations. The Trump administration has largely put pressure on Companies to end diversity and inclusion programstook action for Prohibit members of the Transgender Service to serve in the army and Restricted access to affirming care For young people.
Liz Bauer, a first -year teacher at DC, said that she was “really worried” about the message that the administration sends to transgender children, including those she taught in her class.
“It is really important that we continue to repel, even in small ways, to find inclusive things that we can do for students, in particular by giving them voices and giving them space,” said Bauer, “and protecting each time someone tries to change their ability to exist because they will always exist.”
Bauer said that she hoped that World Pride is sending a message that “even if, right now, decisions are made that do not support everyone and do not understand everyone, that we are still there.”
“We are not going anywhere. We hold strong,” said Bauer. “And even people who cannot speak for themselves, we are going to speak for them.”
The White House did not issue a proclamation recognizing the month of pride this year, a tradition established for the first time by former president Bill Clinton, who appointed June as “month of gay and lesbian pride” in 1999.
Jay Abbit, who traveled Hollywood, Florida, told CNN on Sunday that he was concerned about Trump’s wider implications not recognizing the month of pride.
“It’s just a microagression and a whistling dog to his supporters, and we have to get back,” said Abbit. “It is not a great thing, but it is a microagression, and we must speak, have these conversations.”
Former vice-president Kamala Harris, on the other hand, appeared in a video during the Sunday rally, telling participants, pride is the time to “celebrate the progress we have achieved and re-engage the work to come”.
“Right now, while you are giving up with friends and allies around the world, let’s be clear, no one should be done to fight alone,” said Harris. “We are all in the same way.”