Latest news with #CapitalPrideParade
UPI
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
WorldPride 2025 hosts 50th Anniversary Capital Pride event
1 of 3 | Marchers carry a pride banner in the WorldPride 2025 Parade and 50th anniversary of the Capital Pride Parade in Washington, D.C., on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI | License Photo June 7 (UPI) -- Thousands converged to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Capital Pride Parade Saturday in Washington, D.C., amid an extended WorldPride LGBTQ+ celebration. The two-day WorldPride Music Fest and parade marked Saturday's portion of a three-day celebration of Capital Pride that concludes on Sunday. The event is billed as the "world's largest LGBTQ+" celebration and includes a music festival that is being held on three stages and features performers like Jennifer Lopez. "Over the years, your love and your support have been a source of strength for me, and today I am here to celebrate with you," Lopez said during her performance Friday night at the event's RFK Campus Festival Grounds. "I'm so happy to be able to be here to celebrate community, diversity, love and freedom," Lopez told her audience. Paris Hilton, Marina, Rita Ora and several other acts also performed on Friday. Musical acts scheduled to perform on Saturday include RuPaul, Troye Sivan and Rene Rapp, Sofi Tukker, Purple Disco Machineand others. Saturday's Capital Pride Parade began at 2 p.m. EDT and lasted for six hours as it proceeded from the intersection of 14th and T Street N.W. and through Thomas Circle before turning onto Pennsylvania Avenue and concluding near the Navy Memorial. Spectators and visitors filled restaurants and drinking establishments along the parade route. Parade participants included cheerleaders, a 300-member choir and volunteers holding a 1,000-foot rainbow flag. Deacon Maccubbin, who organized the first Capital Pride Parade in 1975, served as the parade's grand marshal. So did actresses ReneeRapp and Laverne Cox. Singer and actress Cynthia Erivo was scheduled to headline a parade-ending concert at 3rd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. The extended WorldPride event annually rotates among leading world cities and got underway on May 17 in Washington, D.C. The event concludes on Sunday with a rally and march that begins at the Lincoln Memorial and ends at the U.S. Capitol.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hours before WorldPride, US Park Police, NPS reopen key Pride gathering spot
Hours before the Capital Pride Parade during WorldPride in Washington, D.C., fencing at a key gathering spot for Pride celebrations is being taken down, two sources told ABC News. The decision comes following public outcry and a reversal by the U.S. Park Police and the National Park Service, which had made the decision to close off Dupont Circle Park ahead of Saturday's parade, which marks the 50th anniversary of Capital Pride. Two sources confirmed to ABC News that the park, long the site of unofficial Pride parties and gatherings in the city, is being reopened ahead of the event. The fencing was initially requested by the Metropolitan Police Department in April due to safety concerns following past incidents during Pride events, though there are no known credible threats to the nation's capital as tens of thousands gather to celebrate, officials told ABC News. After a debate between federal officials, city police and LGBTQ+ activists, the U.S. Park Police announced the park would close from 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, through approximately 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 8. MORE: Trump's military parade includes a dog and pony show. And the dog is named Doc Holliday While D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith later rescinded the request to close the park, the National Park Service continued with the plan, prompting backlash from local politicians and activists. "D.C. is no stranger to high-profile gatherings," said Smith, the first African American woman to lead the U.S. Park Police in its 200-year-plus history, after attempting to get the closure rescinded after public backlash. "We have a proven track record of hosting them safely and successfully, and this year will be no different." Mayor Muriel Bowser then called for the decision to be reversed, and the reversal was granted. Preparations for the international celebration have been years in the making, and at least one party promoter had already advertised an event in the park before the closing was announced. Federal officials had said that closing the park was part of a broader federal security plan amid what they said were concerns about crowd control and potential disruptions. In recent years, the space has seen several incidents that that officials say prompted concern from law enforcement. According to authorities, in 2019, a person was arrested after gunshots caused crowds to flee. In 2023, the park was vandalized, resulting in $175,000 in damage to the historic fountain. In 2024, a group of minors was found drinking, smoking marijuana and fighting in the park. They later ran into nearby businesses and reportedly stole items. In a letter obtained by ABC News, the U.S. Park Police initially wrote that the closure was necessary to "secure the park, deter potential violence, reduce the risk of destructive acts and decrease the need for extensive law enforcement presences." MORE: 'We see you': In Trump-era Washington, World Pride 2025 organizers aim to bring 'hope' to LGBTQ+ community MPD will have an increased presence throughout D.C. during WorldPride and Capital Pride. It will coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions and activate special units to assist with crowd management and traffic. Police will also increase patrols in high-crime areas starting this weekend through the end of August. "MPD, alongside all of our district agencies and public safety partners, have been working for many months to plan for these large-scale events that are happening this summer, and our joint planning efforts have included site visits, tabletop exercise, intelligence coordination and layered security strategies tailored uniquely to these events to ensure that we can keep our city safe for World Pride 2025," Smith said. "We have been planning for over a year." Days after WorldPride, the nation's capital will host a June 14 military parade marking the 250th anniversary of the Army, though officials said there aren't any known credible threats for that event either. That Army parade will be the sixth National Special Security Event that Washington has hosted this year. "There's no place more experienced than the District of Columbia in executing these large-scale events," Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Lindsey Appiah said last week.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Thousands anticipated to attend WorldPride Parade
WASHINGTON () — Washington, D.C.'s iconic parade kicks off Saturday afternoon in the midst of this year's historic WorldPride celebrations. As such, the Capital Pride Parade is transforming into the WorldPride Parade, honoring the history of the Pride movement and acknowledging the evolution of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood in the District. After the parade, stick around for the , featuring Cynthia Erivo on Saturday and Doechii on Sunday. Here's what you need to know before you go. Significant road closures for WorldPride Parade, Block Party The WorldPride Parade is transforming Pennsylvania Avenue into a 'corridor of joy,' organizers said, starting in the Logan Circle neighborhood at 2 p.m. Start: 1844 14th St. NW Proceeding south on 14th Street to Thomas Circle NW Continuing south on 14th Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW East on Pennsylvania Avenue to 9th Street NW South on 9th Street to Constitution Avenue NW Dispersal on Constitution Avenue NW, between 7th and 14th Streets (919 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) Throughout the route, there will be accessibility zones, a family area, block party and more. Grammy Award-winning artist Doechii to close out WorldPride DC The Capital Pride Alliance has a of permitted and prohibited items. Allowed: Sunscreen Water bottles Medication Portable phone chargers Other personal items Prohibited: Backpacks and large bags Any weapons Alcoholic beverages Drones or other aerial devices Glass containers Pets (with the exception of service animals) Bikes, scooters and/or skateboards within the parade area Illegal substances There are a few accessible seating locations on the parade route. Location: 14th and T Streets NW (near Room & Board) Admission is free, but registration is required Folding chairs and space for wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis American Sign Language interpreters are available Entry begins at 1 p.m., but the area will close at the conclusion of the parade Location: 1455 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (south of Freedom Plaza) Admission is free, but registration is required Bleacher seating and space for wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis Entry begins at 1 p.m., but the area will close at the conclusion of the parade Over 95 houses participating in Capitol Hill Yard Sale Extravaganza The Grand Stand Bleachers (must have a pre-purchased ticket): Freedom Plaza, located at 1400 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Parade VIP Viewing Area (must have a pre-purchased ticket: Franklin Park – West Lawn, located at 1331 I St. NW A full list of road closures can be found . It's highly encouraged that parade-goers use public transportation. Dupont Circle, U Street and McPherson Square are closest to the parade route. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hours before WorldPride, US Park Police, NPS reopen key Pride gathering spot
Hours before the Capital Pride Parade during WorldPride in Washington, D.C., fencing at a key gathering spot for Pride celebrations is being taken down, two sources told ABC News. The decision comes following public outcry and a reversal by the U.S. Park Police and the National Park Service, which had made the decision to close off Dupont Circle Park ahead of Saturday's parade, which marks the 50th anniversary of Capital Pride. Two sources confirmed to ABC News that the park, long the site of unofficial Pride parties and gatherings in the city, is being reopened ahead of the event. The fencing was initially requested by the Metropolitan Police Department in April due to safety concerns following past incidents during Pride events, though there are no known credible threats to the nation's capital as tens of thousands gather to celebrate, officials told ABC News. After a debate between federal officials, city police and LGBTQ+ activists, the U.S. Park Police announced the park would close from 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, through approximately 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 8. MORE: Trump's military parade includes a dog and pony show. And the dog is named Doc Holliday While D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith later rescinded the request to close the park, the National Park Service continued with the plan, prompting backlash from local politicians and activists. "D.C. is no stranger to high-profile gatherings," said Smith, the first African American woman to lead the U.S. Park Police in its 200-year-plus history, after attempting to get the closure rescinded after public backlash. "We have a proven track record of hosting them safely and successfully, and this year will be no different." Mayor Muriel Bowser then called for the decision to be reversed, and the reversal was granted. Preparations for the international celebration have been years in the making, and at least one party promoter had already advertised an event in the park before the closing was announced. Federal officials had said that closing the park was part of a broader federal security plan amid what they said were concerns about crowd control and potential disruptions. In recent years, the space has seen several incidents that that officials say prompted concern from law enforcement. According to authorities, in 2019, a person was arrested after gunshots caused crowds to flee. In 2023, the park was vandalized, resulting in $175,000 in damage to the historic fountain. In 2024, a group of minors was found drinking, smoking marijuana and fighting in the park. They later ran into nearby businesses and reportedly stole items. In a letter obtained by ABC News, the U.S. Park Police initially wrote that the closure was necessary to "secure the park, deter potential violence, reduce the risk of destructive acts and decrease the need for extensive law enforcement presences." MORE: 'We see you': In Trump-era Washington, World Pride 2025 organizers aim to bring 'hope' to LGBTQ+ community MPD will have an increased presence throughout D.C. during WorldPride and Capital Pride. It will coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions and activate special units to assist with crowd management and traffic. Police will also increase patrols in high-crime areas starting this weekend through the end of August. "MPD, alongside all of our district agencies and public safety partners, have been working for many months to plan for these large-scale events that are happening this summer, and our joint planning efforts have included site visits, tabletop exercise, intelligence coordination and layered security strategies tailored uniquely to these events to ensure that we can keep our city safe for World Pride 2025," Smith said. "We have been planning for over a year." Days after WorldPride, the nation's capital will host a June 14 military parade marking the 250th anniversary of the Army, though officials said there aren't any known credible threats for that event either. That Army parade will be the sixth National Special Security Event that Washington has hosted this year. "There's no place more experienced than the District of Columbia in executing these large-scale events," Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Lindsey Appiah said last week.
