Attendance for WorldPride D.C. could fall short of expectations
Destination DC CEO Elliott Ferguson said visitation for WorldPride 2025, a three-week celebration of the LGBTQ community, was pacing more slowly than the city had anticipated.
The city had originally projected that 3 million people (2 million overnight visitors and 1 million regional travelers) would attend WorldPride in Washington and generate economic impact of $787 million. The headline event is a Shakira concert at Nationals Park on May 31.
"There are some concerns tied to the numbers that were associated with those coming for World Pride," he said. "The numbers still look good, but they're not as good as anticipated. Some of the concerns are tied to the federal government being here, and concerns about the international community being able to gain access to the U.S. and then leave the U.S."
Ferguson said he is trying to make sure people understand the difference between the city of Washington and the federal government.
"It's a matter of us separating the federal Washington, D.C. from D.C. the city and making sure that visitors understand the dynamics of the two," he said. "Over 14% of the population in Washington identify as LGBTQ. As a community, we're very welcoming and we try to separate ourselves from whatever the rhetoric might be, from a federal perspective."
Ferguson is encouraging people to attend WorldPride D.C. even if they are concerned about that rhetoric, so they can advocate for the community.
"Now more than ever, since this is WorldPride, we need advocacy," he said. "And there's no better place to focus on advocacy than Washington, D.C., to support all the letters of the LGBTQ+ community and make sure that rights are spoken of at the federal level. ... Now more than ever, the global community should come to support the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S."
WorldPride events start on May 17 and run through June 8 and include a parade, international march and rally, two-day street festival and free concerts headlined by Cynthia Erivo and Doechii.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
21 minutes ago
- CNN
ICE chief defends agents wearing masks during immigration raids
ICE chief defends agents wearing masks during immigration raids Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons is defending federal immigration agents for wearing masks during raids across the US, citing safety concerns. The tactic has sparked backlash and raised questions about transparency and accountability. 00:58 - Source: CNN See reactions to the Trump-Musk feud See some reactions to the intense public feud that erupted between President Donald Trump and his one-time ally, billionaire Elon Musk. 01:05 - Source: CNN Trump on Musk: 'The poor guy's got a problem' In a phone call with CNN's Dana Bash, President Donald Trump said he is 'not even thinking about' billionaire Elon Musk and won't be speaking to him in the near future. The comments come a day after Trump and Musk traded barbs on social media as their relationship deteriorated in spectacular public fashion. 00:43 - Source: CNN Trump and Musk escalate public feud An intense public feud erupted between President Donald Trump and his one-time ally, billionaire Elon Musk, with an argument about Trump's massive tax and domestic policy bill raging across social media and in the Oval Office. CNN's senior White House correspondent Kristen Holmes reports. 03:03 - Source: CNN Kara Swisher on the 'nuclear' feud between Trump and Musk CNN's Anderson Cooper talks with Kara Swisher about the stunning public feud between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. 01:30 - Source: CNN German leader on 'terrible' impact of Trump's tariffs In an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz talks about the impact President Trump's tariffs are having on the auto industry. 01:13 - Source: CNN Curtis Yarvin is inspiring a new generation of MAGA CNN's Hadas Gold interviews anti-democracy author Curtis Yarvin about his argument for an all-powerful executive in the White House. 02:24 - Source: CNN DNC Trolls Trump with Taco Truck The Democratic National Committee parked a taco truck outside the RNC headquarters in Washington DC Tuesday, as a way to troll the president over an acronym created by a Financial Times commentator about the president's frequent walk backs and pauses to his tariff's. 00:52 - Source: CNN Musk calls Trump's bill 'disgusting abomination' Elon Musk lashed out at President Donald Trump's agenda bill — which the president is pressuring GOP senators to support — calling it a 'disgusting abomination.' CNN's Kaitlan Collins reports. 00:59 - Source: CNN Dana Bash presses Trump's budget chief about cancer cuts CNN's Dana Bash presses Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought on the Trump administration's proposal to cut non-defense spending by more than 22% — including deep reductions to education, food assistance, and billions in cancer research funding. As Vought defends the cuts and criticizes the NIH, Bash challenges him on the real-world impact to life-saving medical research. 01:35 - Source: CNN Trump reacts to video of Macron's apparent shove from wife President Trump was asked by reporters about the viral video appearing to show French President Emmanuel Macron being pushed by his wife Brigitte as they disembarked from a plane in Vietnam. Macron, at the time, quickly dismissed the video. 00:34 - Source: CNN Trans high school athlete wins events amid controversy A transgender athlete, whose participation sparked a national controversy and a temporary rule change, took first place in two of her three events in the California High School Track and Field Championship. 01:09 - Source: CNN South Carolina voter says 'no' to moving center South Carolina has often bucked the electoral trend – voting for candidates who lost in Iowa or New Hampshire and thus helping pick which candidate will move on to the general election. CNN's Jeff Simon spoke to multiple voters at a Democrat dinner in Columbia, South Carolina about the party's leadership and future. 01:25 - Source: CNN Hegseth warns 'threat China poses is real' US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking to Asia's premier defense forum in Singapore, delivered a dire warning to the world: China's designs on Taiwan pose a threat to global peace and stability that requires 'our allies and partners do their part on defense.' While Hegseth made clear that Washington does not seek conflict with China, he stressed the Trump administration would not let aggression from Beijing stand. 00:50 - Source: CNN GOP senator pressed on Medicaid in heated town hall GOP Sen. Joni Ernst faced concerns from town hall attendees over potential cuts to Medicaid and SNAP programs as a result of President Donald Trump's sweeping domestic policy bill, saying at one point, 'Well, we all are going to die,' and insisting that those who are eligible for Medicaid will continue to receive payments. 01:12 - Source: CNN Fareed Zakaria breaks down Trump's tariff battle CNN's Fareed Zakaria breaks down what's going on with President Donald Trump's battle with the Supreme Court over tariffs. 00:58 - Source: CNN President Trump's timeline for things seems to almost always be 'in two weeks' President Donald Trump told reporters it will take about 'two weeks' to determine whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is serious about ending the war in Ukraine. That two week timeline, CNN's Abby Phillip says, is a familiar one. 01:48 - Source: CNN President Trump is on a pardoning spree President Donald Trump used his pardon power to grant clemency to a wave of individuals who had been convicted of crimes that range from public corruption, guns and even maritime-related offenses, according to multiple officials. CNN's Kaitlan Collins reports. 00:53 - Source: CNN Trump responds to Wall Street term 'TACO': Trump Always Chickens Out President Donald Trump was asked about "TACO," an acronym that means "Trump Always Chickens Out," which is used by Wall Street workers for his on-and-off approach to tariffs. Calling it "the nastiest question," Trump defended his tariff policy by calling it "negotiation." 01:13 - Source: CNN Harvard students and faculty speak out against Trump Harvard students and faculty spoke to CNN ahead of commencement as Donald Trump said the university should cap foreign enrollment. The Trump administration has recently sought to cancel $100 million in contracts with the school. 02:03 - Source: CNN
Associated Press
29 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Mukesh Modi Opens Indie Film Festival Awards with Ribbon-Cutting by Mayor Eric Adams, Indian Dignitaries & Global Icons
Mukesh Modi Launches IFFA with Grand Ribbon-Cutting by NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Indian Consul General Binay Pradhan, Minister Ramdas Athawale & Mr. Navneet Sehgal NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, June 8, 2025 / / -- Star-Studded Launch: Mukesh Modi Opens Indie Film Festival Awards with Ribbon-Cutting by Mayor Eric Adams, Indian Dignitaries, and Global Media Leaders The Indie Film Festival Awards (IFFA) kicked off with a grand and star-studded opening ceremony in the heart of Manhattan, celebrating the power of storytelling, global cinema, and cultural unity. The event began with an auspicious prayer by Pandit Shri Jagdish Tripathi, setting a spiritually rich and vibrant tone for the festivities. The ceremonial ribbon-cutting was graced by some of the most distinguished dignitaries from both the United States and India: Hon. Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, Indian Consul General, Amb. Binay Pradhan, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment (Government of India), Shri Ramdas Athawale, and Chairman of Prasar Bharati, Mr. Navneet Kumar Sehgal. Their presence marked a historic moment in bridging cultures through the medium of independent cinema. A Vision Realized by Founder Mukesh Modi The emcee of the evening, Piya Jyoti Kachroo, warmly welcomed the audience and introduced IFFA Founder Mr. Mukesh Modi, who addressed the gathering with enthusiasm and gratitude. Speaking to the media, Mr. Modi shared that the festival received 116 film submissions from over 20 countries, with more than 50 entries officially nominated. These nominations, selected through public voting and a dedicated jury panel, represent the finest in Feature Films, Short Films, Student Films, Documentaries, and Animation. Mr. Modi emphasized that the nominated films would be screened at the iconic Quad Cinema in Manhattan, providing an exceptional platform for emerging and established filmmakers from around the globe. Dignitary Remarks and Recognition Mayor Eric Adams delivered a heartfelt remark commending Mukesh Modi for bringing such a meaningful international festival to New York City, reinforcing the city's status as a global hub for culture and the arts. Minister Ramdas Athawale lauded the initiative as a remarkable cultural exchange and praised Modi for championing Indian talent on an international stage. Consul General Amb. Binay Pradhan expressed pride that 8 films from India were among the selections and appreciated the festival's effort in showcasing the diversity of Indian cinema to a global audience. Mr. Navneet Sehgal, Chairman of Prasar Bharati, extended his appreciation to IFFA for giving him the platform to announce the launch of the Waves OTT platform. He encouraged filmmakers to submit their content to the platform, which operates on a revenue-sharing model, offering creators new opportunities for global distribution. Community Support and Opening Films Prominent figures in the Indian-American and media communities also lent their support and remarks, including Dr. Dipak Nandi, Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Mr. Sunil Hali, and Dr. Raj Bhayani. Their presence underscored the festival's strong cultural and philanthropic foundation. The opening night was attended by over 125 esteemed guests, including filmmakers, media professionals, diplomats, and community leaders. Guests enjoyed curated drinks and refreshments, creating a welcoming and celebratory ambiance. Premiere Screenings Begin The festival officially began with the opening film 'TORN', a powerful drama starring Morgan Freeman and Jordan Alexander, directed by Ryen Willam Thomas and produced by D Star Entertainment in association with Ashwin Films. The evening continued with the screening of 'Sapne Jinke Ho Gaye Apne' and a variety of other nominated films. Gratitude and Acknowledgements Mukesh Modi concluded the evening by expressing heartfelt thanks to all sponsors, media partners, volunteers, friends, and family members whose tireless support made the festival possible. ________________________________________ About IFFA The Indie Film Festival Awards (IFFA) is a global platform that celebrates the creative voices of independent filmmakers from around the world. With a focus on diversity, innovation, and storytelling, IFFA aims to connect cultures and promote cinematic excellence. ________________________________________ For media inquiries, interviews, or passes, please contact: Email: [email protected] Follow us: @indiefilmfestivalawards | #IFFA2025 | #IndieFilmFestivalAwards Mukesh Modi B & H Buzz Creators +1 917-215-1491 email us here Visit us on social media: Instagram Facebook YouTube X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Associated Press
29 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Wealthywet's Miami Swim Week 2025 Debut Signals a New Era of Luxury in Swimwear
A breakthrough debut challenges trend-driven, disposable fashion with timeless elegance and symbolic storytelling. MIAMI BEACH, Fla., June 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wealthywet made a powerful runway debut at Miami Swim Week, The Shows this summer delivering a refined statement in an industry oversaturated with trend-driven cycles. With a presentation rooted in elegance and emotional depth, the brand offered a compelling alternative to disposable fashion: swimwear designed to endure in both style and meaning. Models moved with quiet confidence, adorned in sculptural one-pieces and minimalist bikinis that blended structure with softness. The palette was muted yet rich, allowing the craftsmanship to speak for itself. This was not fashion for spectacle, it was fashion for the woman who knows herself. In a defining creative choice, each model carried a symbolic prop: a French novel, a rose, a vintage golf club. These elements weren't just decorative, they were narrative. They reflected the brand's values of thoughtful femininity, romance, and refined leisure. The runway turned into a cinematic moment, where fashion became a form of storytelling. The crowd responded with heartfelt applause. Editors, influencers, and insiders alike recognized the debut as more than a show, but a shift in energy. Wealthywet didn't just present swimwear. It invited the industry to remember what intentional design feels like. As fast fashion fades, Wealthywet rises, quietly but unmistakably, as a new voice in luxury. Shop the debut collection at Contact: Wealthywet ***@ Photos: Press release distributed by PRLog View original content: SOURCE Wealthywet Swimwear
