After the raucous rainbow-hued festivities of Saturday’s parade, the ultimate day of World Pride 2025 in Washington kicked off on a extra downbeat observe.
Hundreds gathered below gray skies Sunday morning on the Lincoln Memorial for a rally and protest march, because the group gathers its energy for a looming battle below U.S. President Donald Trump’s second administration.
“This isn’t only a occasion,” Ashley Smith, board president of Capital Delight Alliance.
“It is a rally for our lives.”
Smith acknowledged that worldwide attendance numbers for the bi-annual World Delight had been measurably down, with many potential attendees avoiding journey to the U.S. attributable to both concern of harassment or in protest of Trump’s insurance policies.
“That ought to disturb us and mobilize us,” Smith mentioned.
Protesters cheered on LGBTQ2 activists taking the stage whereas waving each conventional Delight flags and flags representing transgender, bisexual, intersex and different communities.
Many had rainbow glitter and rhinestones adorning their faces. They held indicators declaring “Combat again,” “Homosexual is sweet,” “Ban bombs not bogs” and “We won’t be erased.”
Trump’s marketing campaign towards transgender protections and oft-stated antipathy for drag reveals have set the group on edge, with some hoping to see a renewed wave of avenue politics in response.
“Trans individuals simply wish to be liked. Everyone needs to dwell their very own lives and I don’t perceive the issue with all of it,” mentioned Tyler Cargill, who got here carrying an elaborate costume with a hat topped by a reproduction of the U.S. Capitol constructing.
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Wes Kincaid drove roughly six hours from Charlotte, N.C., to attend this 12 months. Sitting on a park bench close to the reflecting pond, Kincaid mentioned he made a degree of attending this 12 months, “as a result of it’s extra vital than ever to point out up for our group.”
Reminders of the cuts to federal authorities applications had been on full show, Sunday. One attendee waved a pole bearing a large rainbow flag together with a big USAID flag; one other held a “Proud homosexual federal employee” signal; and a 3rd held an umbrella with the logos of assorted federal program going through cuts — together with the PBS brand.
Trump’s anti-trans rhetoric had fuelled fears of violence or protests focusing on World Delight individuals; at one level earlier this spring, rumors circulated that the Proud Boys had been planning to disrupt this weekend’s celebrations. These considerations prompted organizers to put in safety fencing across the whole two-day avenue occasion on a multi-block stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue.
However up to now, the one clear act of aggression has been the vandalizing of a queer bar final week. Late Saturday evening, there was a pair of violent incidents close to Dupont Circle — one of many epicentres of the World Delight celebrations. Two juveniles had been stabbed and a person was shot within the foot in separate incidents. The Metropolitan Police Division says it’s not clear if both incident was instantly associated to World Delight.
A chilly rain started falling round midday Sunday because the rally audio system reduce quick their feedback and ready to march. Some attendees filtered away whereas others huddled below umbrellas and ponchos.
“Rain won’t cease us, and after rain comes rainbows,” mentioned one speaker from the stage.
The speeches didn’t simply goal the Trump administration or the Republican occasion. Some turned their ire on Democratic politicians, who they are saying have wilted below the strain of Republican management of the White Home and each homes of Congress.
“We’ve to name out individuals who have deserted our motion,” mentioned Tyler Hack of the Christopher Avenue Challenge.
“Being a Democrat is greater than carrying the occasion affiliation,” Hack added.
“It’s about unapologetic help for the trans group.”
Whereas the primary march headed towards the U.S. Capitol, a separate group splintered off and headed towards the White Home, unfurling a big “TRUMP MUST GO NOW” banner.
Those that stayed to courageous the climate mentioned their presence amid less-than-ideal circumstances was very important.
“Individuals are nonetheless out right here, regardless of the rain, regardless of their exhaustion,” mentioned Gillian Brewer, a college scholar finding out physics from Silver Spring, Maryland. “We’re not going anyplace.”
Brewer expressed some frustration that the turnout for Sunday’s protest march was decrease than for the World Delight parade the day earlier than, which she determined to skip.
“That is extra vital,” Brewer added. “You’ll be able to occasion all you need however on the finish of the day, the protest is why we are able to occasion.”
Natalie Farmer, who traveled from San Diego together with her spouse, attributed the distinction in numbers between the march and Saturday’s parade to individuals being drained from celebrating the earlier evening.
“A few of us must do the rallying to maintain the occasion going,” Farmer mentioned. “All of us battle in several methods.”
© 2025 The Canadian Press
