D.C.'s Pride season got into full swing in late May and early June, with festivals, galas, and celebrations across the region drawing LGBTQ people and allies together to mark the cultural and political moment.

Electronic Music and Festival Season

Project GLOW, D.C.'s electronic music festival, took over the grounds of the former RFK Stadium on May 30 and 31. The festival featured multiple stages, including a dedicated Secret Garden stage for LGBTQ performers and fans. The event drew dance music enthusiasts eager to celebrate community in a festival setting as the weather warmed.

Beyond the capital, regional Pride celebrations filled the calendar. Hagerstown Hopes held the Hagerstown Pride Festival outside Hub City Brewery on Saturday, May 30, bringing together the community in Maryland's largest city. Meanwhile, Shepherdstown, West Virginia, hosted its second annual Pride parade on Monday, June 1, extending the celebration across state lines.

DC Black Pride Opens With Star Power

DC Black Pride, the flagship celebration centered on Black LGBTQ culture and community, launched its season with an opening reception at the Westin DC Downtown on Friday, May 22. The event drew hundreds and featured performances from six local and regional artists, including Billy the Goat, Jay Columbus, Akeem Woods, Rue Pratt, Be Steadwell, and Bennu Byrd.

Grammy Award-winning R&B artist Durand Bernarr headlined the gala, while comedian Anthony Oakes hosted. Speakers included Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, and Kenya Hutton, president of the Center For Black Equity, alongside representatives from health organizations and sponsors. The event signaled the energy and investment now flowing into celebrations centered on Black queer joy.

A Season of Connection

The staggered celebrations across venues and regions reflect how Pride has evolved in the region. Rather than a single day or parade, D.C. and its surroundings now host a full season of events, each with its own focus, audience, and energy. For many attendees, the gatherings offered an opportunity to celebrate identity, hear from leaders, enjoy live performance, and build community as the political climate continues to shift around LGBTQ rights.

Source: Washington Blade

Cover photo: Elias Souza / Pexels

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