The D.C. Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum is opening a special exhibition called “LGBT Jews in the Federal City” on Friday, May 16, that will remain at the museum at 575 3rd St., N.W. until Jan. 4, 2026.

Museum officials have said they are pleased that the LGBT exhibition will be open concurrently with WorldPride 2025 D.C., which takes place May 17-June 8. The exhibition also takes place during Jewish American Heritage Month in May and during LGBTQ Pride Month in June, the museum points out in a statement.

“This landmark exhibition explores a turbulent century of celebration, activism, and change in the nation’s capital led by D.C.’s LGBTQ+ Jewish community,” the museum statement says. “This is a local story with national resonance, turning the spotlight on Washington, D.C. to show the city’s vast impact on LGBTQ+ history and culture in the United States.”

LGBT Jews in the Federal City includes “more than 100 artifacts and photographs representing the DMV region’s Jewish LGBTQ+ celebrations, spaces, struggles, joys, and personal stories,” the stamen points out.

A pre-opening tour of the exhibition provided for the Washington Blade shows that among the displays are first-ever shown materials from Bet Mishpachah, D.C.’s LGBTQ supportive synagogue, which is the nation’s fourth-oldest LGBTQ friendly synagogue.

Also included is a prominent display about Barrett Brick, a longtime D.C. LGBT rights advocate and Jewish community leader who served as a board member and president of Bet Mishpachah in the 1980s and as executive director of the World Congress of Gay and Lesbian Jewish organizations from 1987 to 1992. Brick passed away following a 10-year battle with cancer in 2013.

Another display in the museum’s several rooms accommodating the exhibition includes the ability to listen to audio clips of local LGBTQ community members sharing in their own voices their oral histories provided by D.C.’s Rainbow History Project.

Other displays include campaign posters and photos of prominent gay rights icon Frank Kameny, who led efforts to end discrimination against LGBTQ people from the federal government; and a panel from the AIDS Memorial Quilt that includes the name of a prominent Jewish Washingtonian who died during the AIDS epidemic.

“Through prompts, questions, and thoughtful design throughout the exhibition, visitors will be encouraged to ponder new ways to understand Jewish teachings and values as they relate to gender and sexuality,” the museum’s statement says.

“After leaving the exhibition, visitors can contribute to the Museum’s collecting and storytelling by sharing photographs, personal archives, or by recording stories,” it says.

The museum is open for visitors to see the LGBT exhibition and other museum exhibits 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Admission to LGBT Jews in the Federal City is $12. 

With WorldPride upon us, Washington, D.C. is preparing to welcome an estimated 2 million people who will flock to the District to celebrate queer love, identity and resistance, with another 1 million regional LGBTQ community members expected to attend.

With so many people visiting from across the ocean (as well as across the Potomac) amid a less-than-supportive presidential administration, the issue of safety has become a major concern for those attending and hosting events.

Various social media platforms — including Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Reddit — have become spaces for residents and tourists alike to air their concerns about safety and security. Many have cited the Trump-Vance administration by name as the source of their fear.

“As much as I appreciate PRIDE — can’t help but think @realdonaldtrump is going to step in at the last minute and y’all are going to have to scramble for backup plans…” one person commented under a WorldPride Instagram post listing some of the events planned for Pride.

“Trump better leave this alone and let us do our thing,” said another user under the same post.

Beyond general unease, others pointed to concrete concerns, citing the Trump administration’s policies and past behavior as reasons for alarm. From detaining outspoken critics to restricting international travel, the fear of interference feels rooted in precedent.

“Just worrying a bit for anyone traveling to the USA right now, in particular if they are not a citizen,” another person commented on a Capital Pride Instagram post. “Especially if they have stuff on their phone etc. that shows that they’re not 100% in love with Trump’s policies. Don’t get me wrong, it’s more important than ever to protest and celebrate in D.C. for the right to be different. Just wondering how we can make it as safe as possible??”

“So the reality of the situation is that 1) the threat profile has increased 2) federal and local resources dedicated to security have massively shrunk 3) the federal government is overtly hostile to the protection of queer people,” said user Xcelsiorhs on Reddit. “There are compelling reasons not to host WorldPride in a country which is unconcerned with gay rights. The security nexus is just one complication and trans/queer immigration concerns are also towards the top of the list.”

“I am extremely worried about the security of the event. I really hope outside security is brought in to make it safe,” said another Reddit user. “Especially the festival and parade that are open to anyone.”

Last week Capital Pride, the local organization in charge of Washington’s Pride celebrations, hosted a webinar dedicated to community fears regarding health and safety. More than 150 people attended the virtual event to hear what the organization’s leaders had to say.

Organizers say they are prepared to address any challenges that arise.

“Tens of thousands of hours have been dedicated to this event,” said Sadhand Miraminy, the director of operations for Capital Pride and host of the safety webinar, ensuring safety is a top priority of the event organizers. “You all are in good hands.”

“It does take a city,” said Linda Lindamood, the director for health and safety for WorldPride, who highlighted various changes from Pride events in years past. “This is the city where people come to have their voices heard… We have worked diligently to address those ‘what ifs…’”

“There is a backup plan for everything,” Miraminy said, following participant questions about some of those “what ifs.”

Trevor Knight, the partner engagement program manager for D.C. Homeland Security, assured attendees that, so far, nothing indicates the event is a target.

“We do not have any credible threats to WorldPride,” Knight said, but he did note changes in some Pride protocols in the nation’s capital.

One of the biggest changes will be an established perimeter around the street festival on Pennsylvania Avenue. This year, it will be entirely fenced in with only nine entrance points — all of which will have metal detectors, bag checks, and nearby law enforcement.

Some social media users criticized the move, citing the history of Pride as justification. Others, like Reddit user ATLinDC, welcomed the change if it means a safer celebration.

“People uncomfortable with law enforcement having a visible presence in and around bars need to get over it. Our spaces need protecting should something go wrong. We do not need another Pulse,” they commented. “I welcome daddy cops on every corner!”

Despite some fears, the general feeling after the meeting — and among some online — was that they felt listened to and saw the organizations doing everything in their power to keep LGBTQ people safe.

“I have confidence that local bar owners and organizers are going to put their best foot forward on security,” said Reddit user Xcelsiorhs. “And the reality of the situation is it will not be enough and the scale of the problem far exceeds their capacity to respond to it. And it is not plausible the resourcing gap will be bridged.”

“The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is working closely with our local, state, and federal partners as we prepare for WorldPride 2025. As with any other events in the District, it is our priority to ensure the safety and security of District residents and visitors. Further details about securing these events, road closures, and additional impacts will be released as we get closer to these events,” said Lee Lepe, public information officer for MPD.

“While there are no known threats to WorldPride 2025, we always encourage the public to remain vigilant. If you see something, say something. Please report threats and emergencies to 911. Keep your community safe by reporting suspicious activity by calling 202-727-9099, texting 50411, or visiting iwatchdc.org.”

D.C. police officials were noncommittal when asked if outside police forces from Virginia and Maryland would assist with security.

“I can confirm we are looking into that,” Tom Lynch, supervisory public affairs specialist for MPD, told the Blade in an email. “We will have more to share on this once it’s confirmed.”

Despite the concerns, Ryan Bos, executive director of Capital Pride, emphasized that those trying to keep LGBTQ people from celebrating Pride are the very reason the event must go on.

“We must remain visible,” said Bos. “We must continue to fight and show up.”

D.C.’s Rainbow History Project is scheduled to open its WorldPride 2025 exhibition called “Pickets, Protests, and Parades: The History of Gay Pride in Washington” on Sunday, May 18, in Freedom Plaza.

Located on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. between 13th and 14th streets less than three blocks from the White House, the exhibition will be open to the public free of charge for 24 hours through July 6.

The exhibition “will chronicle the local LGBTQ+ Pride movement and how the pickets and protests of the 1960s led to the vibrant celebrations of the 2020s,” a statement released by Rainbow History Project says.

The statement notes that the exhibition’s displays will include photos and information about a 1965 protest in front of the White House by 10 gay men and lesbians carrying picket signs in what is believed to be one of the city’s and possibly the nation’s first public demonstrations in support of the then homosexual community.

“The exhibition disrupts the popularly held belief that the LGBTQ+ rights movement began with the Stonewall Riots in 1969 in New York,” the statement points out. It says the 1965 gay protest outside the White House, which took place four years before Stonewall, represents “the start of D.C.’s rich queer history.”

“Covering 1965 to the present, the exhibition explores the history of Pride in D.C. in 10 distinct thematic eras,” according to the statement. “Large hero images around the perimeter will draw people into the exhibit to explore a timeline wall with historic quotes from Pride’s organizers. Each of the 10 eras are detailed in thematic cubes rich with history and visuals.”

The statement says Rainbow History Project is seeking community members to serve as Exhibit Monitors to assist in operating the display in four shifts each day and night to be compensated from between $80 and $100 per shift depending on the time of the shift.

Information about applying to become an exhibit monitor can be accessed at Rainbow History’s website.