News
DOJ touts anti-LGBT views, task force at ‘religious freedom’ summit
Sessions accused of ‘undermining LGBTQ rights’
Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of a Religious Liberty Task Force. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
A summit at the U.S. Justice Department on Monday ostensibly intended to promote religious freedom, including the creation of a Religious Liberty Task Force, often highlighted efforts to enable anti-LGBT discrimination.
At the summit in the Justice Department’s Great Hall, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of the task force to implement “religious freedom” guidance he issued last year.
“The task force will help the department fully implement our religious liberty guidance by ensuring that all Justice Department components — and we got a lot of components around the country — are upholding that guidance in the cases they bring and defend, the arguments they make in court, the policies and regulations they adopt and how we conduct our operations,” Sessions said.
According to the Justice Department, Sessions will serve as chair of the task force, which will be co-chaired by Acting Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio and Associate Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy Beth Williams.
Sessions said a primary mission of the Religious Liberty Task Force will be ensuring Justice Department employees “know their duty is to accommodate people of faith.”
“This administration is animated by the same American view that has led us for 242 years that every American has a right to believe and worship and exercise their faith in the public square,” Sessions added.
The underlying guidance on which the task force is based seeks to allow individuals and businesses to act in the name of religious freedom — often used as an exercise for anti-LGBT discrimination — without fear of government reprisal. Nowhere in the guidance is there a limiting principle assuring the right to free exercise of religion should be an excuse to engage in anti-LGBT discrimination.
Announcing the new task force, Sessions referenced the Masterpiece Cakeshop case in which a Colorado baker was sued after he refused to make a custom-made wedding cake for a same-sex couple. The U.S. Supreme Court narrowly ruled in his favor based on the facts of his case, citing anti-religion sentiment on the Colorado Civil Rights Commission.
Sessions commended Phillips for having endured an “ordeal faced so gravely,” touting an amicus brief the Justice Department filed on his behalf before the Supreme Court. U.S. Solicitor General Noel Francisco also argued in favor of Phillips before justices in oral arguments.
“Let’s be frank: A dangerous movement, undetected by many, but real, is now challenging and eroding our great tradition of religious freedom,” Sessions said at the start of his remarks. “There can be no doubt, it’s no little matter. It must be confronted intellectually and politically, and defeated.”
LGBT rights supporters said in response to the creation of the Religious Liberty Task Force its purpose was to further the Trump administration’s goal of compromising LGBT rights.
Louise Melling, deputy legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union, said the agenda of the Religious Liberty Task Force “isn’t consistent with religious freedom.”
“Religious freedom protects our right to our beliefs, not a right to discriminate or harm others,” Melling said. “Jeff Session’s Department of Justice is again turning that understanding of religious freedom on its head.”
Lucas Acosta, director of LGBTQ media for the Democratic National Committee, said in a statement the task force is “just the latest assault in this administration’s continued campaign against LGBTQ people and our civil rights.”
“By creating this task force, Sessions is establishing a unit dedicated to undermining LGBTQ rights and giving anti-LGBTQ far-right extremists like task force head Jesse Panuccio a taxpayer-funded platform to push their anti-equality agenda,” Acosta said. “Rather than ensuring every person has equal protections and opportunities, Sessions is shamefully doubling down on bigotry.”
But the creation of the Religious Liberty Task Force was just one portion of the summit, which also included the voices of participants who urged a commitment to religious freedom to advance anti-LGBT discrimination.
Archbishop of Louisville Joseph Edward Kurtz, who formerly served as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said religious freedom is facing challenges that amount to “power-seeking for the purpose of imposing one’s will on others.”
Kurtz cited as an example Catholic adoption agencies being “targeted for closure” for refusing to place children with LGBT families out of religious objections.
“One of the biggest concerns is the ability of our child welfare providers to continue to be able to place children with foster and adoptive families consistent with our teaching,” Kurtz said.
Although no government is actively seeking to close Catholic adoption agencies, they have threatened to shut their doors on their own in the wake of the legalization of same-sex marriage because they feel they’ll be forced to place children with gay couples who marry.
As a result, a growing number or states have enacted anti-LGBT adoption laws allowing taxpayer-funded agencies to refuse to place children with LGBT families over religious objections. House Republicans have inserted an amendment in a pending appropriations bill that would penalize states and localities for having policies barring anti-LGBT discrimination among adoption agencies.
Phillips, the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, was himself present at the summit and took part in a panel of individuals who say they are facing challenges to their religious freedom.
Moderating his panel was Justice Department spokesperson Kerri Kupec, formerly a spokesperson for the anti-LGBT Alliance Defending Freedom. At a time when that term is used as justification for anti-LGBT discrimination, Kupec said in her introduction of the panel religious freedom is often “housed in scare quotes, as if it’s not a real thing, or even worse, a bad thing, which is tragic.”
Much of Kupec’s questioning of Phillips sought to elicit sympathy for him, which meant his act of refusing to make a custom-made wedding cake for a same-sex couple who entered his store was glossed over as he explained his commitment to his religious views.
In addition to refusing to make a same-sex wedding cake, Phillips said his religious beliefs compel him to close on Sundays, refuse to service Halloween celebrations or make cakes with denigrating messages.
“It’s the message of the cake that I evaluate, not the person who ordered the cake,” Phillips said. “In one instance, I had a man who wanted me to make a cake basically telling his boss that he was a jerk, so I wouldn’t do that, but I’ve also had people asked me to do cakes that would disparage gay people, the gay lifestyle, but I wouldn’t do that either because they’re hurtful cakes.”
As the litigation went forward, Phillips said he received death threats as well as a threat over the phone against his daughter. As a result, Phillips said he wouldn’t allow employees to answer the phone at Masterpiece Cakeshop and would only take calls himself.
Noting the U.S. Supreme Court only takes a few select cases each year, Phillips became emotional when he recalled news that justices had agreed to take up his petition after the state of Colorado ruled against him.
Even though the result of the case was narrowly in his favor and didn’t open up a First Amendment right for anti-LGBT discrimination, Phillips said it was worth the effort.
“True tolerance has to be a two-way street,” Phillips said. “We’re thrilled that the United States ruled in our favor, this ruling solidifying religious freedom in our country, but it’s not just for me, it’s for all us, every American should now be able to live and work freely and according to their conscience without fear of punishment from the government.”
Other speakers at the summit expressed concerns about threats to religious minorities in a manner that progressives would likely agree is a threat to religious freedom.
Among them was Harpreet Singh, who works with Muslim, Arab, Sikh, South Asian and Hindu religions on behalf of the Justice Department, and Asma Uddin, senior scholar at the Religious Freedom Center of the Freedom Forum Institute, who talked about anti-Muslim sentiments.
Singh said his agency has found hate crimes against minority religions have been increasing, which he said is substantiated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s annual reports and studies from universities, although “there’s a lot of underreporting going on.”
But other speakers on the panel railed against efforts to uphold LGBT rights as they face compromise in the name of religious freedom, including Emilie Kao, director of the Richard & Helen DeVos Center for Religion & Civil Society at the anti-LGBT Heritage Foundation.
Kao was critical of litigation filed by the ACLU against the Michigan law enabling Catholic adoption agencies to refuse placement to LGBT families over religious objections.
Asserting same-sex couples seeking to adopt face no problem in access to adoption, Kao said the plaintiff in the lawsuit drove past four other adoption agencies to reach St. Vincent’s Catholic Charities, which she said “still holds the belief that they should put every child with a mother and father.”
“The lesbian couple says they were personally offended by St. Vincent’s not placing a child with them,” Kao said. “I think it’s important for us to recognize that throughout the history of our country and the Supreme Court’s cases, we have always protected the right of people to follow their religious beliefs, and we’ve never protected the right not to have your feelings hurt.”
Michael McConnell, a law professor at the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford University, warned of the growing compromise that religious liberty faces in the wake of growing “sexual freedom.”
“An extremely popular argument in religious circles has been that religious accommodations are necessarily unconstitutional if they lead to so-called third-party harm,” McConnell said. “If there’s anyone whose rights or interests…are interfered with, that that means the accommodation is simply unconstitutional. To my mind, that’s an extremely implausible argument because virtually every accommodation, and indeed, virtually any application of any constitutional right — free speech, property, due process — there’s always someone on the other side of ledger who’s interests are being harmed.”
District of Columbia
Your guide to D.C. region’s many Pride celebrations
From cities to small towns, a busy season ahead
LGBTQ Pride festivals and marches are planned in cities and towns across the region. D.C.’s annual Capital Pride is expected to draw huge crowds with several events planned over many days. Other D.C.-based Pride events include D.C. Black Pride, D.C. Trans Pride and more. Other large-scale Pride festivals in the region are planned for Baltimore, Richmond, and Annapolis. Several smaller cities and suburban communities are planning LGBTQ Pride events throughout the summer and into the fall.
DC Black Pride
A staggering array of events are planned for DC Black Pride 2026, “New Black Renaissance,” from May 22-25. The host hotel is the Westin Downtown (999 9th St., N.W.). For complete descriptions of events and to purchase tickets, visit dcblackpride.org. Partner events are scheduled in venues around the city.
The Welcome to DC Black Pride Rooftop Happy Hour, Brown Sugar, is scheduled for 5-10 p.m. on Thursday, May 21 at Decades DC Rooftop (1219 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). Advance general admission tickets are $18.50 available at eventbee.com.
The Mr. and Miss DC Black Pride Pageant is scheduled for Thursday, May 21 from 6-9 p.m. at the Westin DC Downtown.
Comedian Anthony Oakes performs at the All Gays Go to Prison Comedy Show on Thursday, May 21 from 7-9 p.m. at Thrive DC (528 H St., N.E.)
The DC Black Pride Kickoff Rooftop Party is scheduled for Thursday, May 21 from 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.).
The 10th annual DC Black Pride Unity Ball is scheduled for Thursday, May 21 from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. at the Westin DC Downtown. The event is free, but registration is required.
Daryl Wilson Promotions presents The Pre Game [Wet Dreamz] at Icon DC (2001 11th St., N.W.) on Thursday, May 21 from 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
There will be a Rainbow Row organization and vendor expo at the Westin DC Downtown on the ballroom level. It will be open from 5-9 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday.
Daryl Wilson Promotions presents Welcome Reception [Wet Dreamz] at the Westin DC Downtown on Friday, May 22 from 3-9 p.m.
Bounce Friday! A Quinchfest Event will be at Thurst Lounge (2204 14th St., N.W.) on Friday, May 22. Doors open at 5 p.m.
The DC Black Pride Opening Reception will be at the Westin DC Downtown on Friday, May 22. Doors open at 5 p.m. Comedian Anthony Oakes is the host, Durand Bernarr is the headliner, and there will be special performances by Bang Garcon, Jay Columbus, Akeem Woods, Rue Pratt, Be Steadwell and Bennu Byrd. ASL interpreters will be available. The event is sold out.
Xavier Entertainment and Daryl Wilson Promotions present 3000 Men Block Party at Karma DC (2221 Adams Pl., N.E.). Passes for Xavier Entertainment events for the weekend are available from xavierpartydc.com. General admission all-access passes will not exceed $160.
A party for women who love women, Bliss presents “Dipped: All Nude Party” (dress in nude tones), is scheduled for Friday, May 22 from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. at Strand (1400 I St., N.W.). Advance tickets are $23.50. VIP bottle service is available. Tickets are available at eventbee.com.
The DC Black Pride Fun Run is scheduled for Saturday, May 23 from 8 a.m. until noon. The 5K fun run and walk starts at the Navy Yard at the Frederick Douglass Bridge (355 Water St. S.E.). All are welcome at all paces, whether running for fitness or fellowship. It is $20 and register to run at runsignup.com.
The House and Ballroom Leadership Community of Practice Summit is being held at the Westin DC Downtown on May 21-23. More information is on dcblackpride.org.
A number of workshops are scheduled throughout the weekend at the Westin DC Downtown for DC Black Pride, including workshops on such topics as religious trauma, attraction and identity, system navigation, aging, body image, parenting, Black LGBTQIA+ history, and more. A full list of workshops is available at dcblackpride.org.
Black Trans Pride is scheduled for Saturday, May 23 from 1-6 p.m. at the Westin DC Downtown. Register for the event at dcblackpride.org.
The DC Black Pride Mary Bowman Poetry Slam and Open Mic is scheduled for Saturday, May 23 from 6-8 p.m. at the Westin DC Downtown. The event is free.
Desire Without Definition, an “after dark sapphic conversation where connection, desire, and identity take center stage” will be held at Spark Social (2009 14th St., N.W.) on Saturday, May 23 from 7-10 p.m.
Several DC Black Pride parties are scheduled for Saturday, May 23. Tickets for the parties are available from the “Schedule” tab on dcblackpride.org.
The seventh annual Brunch & Babes drag event presented by the Capitol Ballroom Council is scheduled to begin seating at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 24 at Hook Hall (3400 Georgia Ave., N.W.). Seated tickets (starting at $60) include a brunch buffet, bottomless mimosas and drag performances. Standing room tickets are $20. Tickets can be purchased at givebutter.com/brunch-babes26.
The Official DC Black Pride Funky Dance Day Party for Mature Women, “Do You Want To Get Funky With Me?,” presented by Women in the Life Association and the National LGBTQ Task Force is scheduled for Sunday, May 24 from 12-6 p.m. at The Continent DC (100 Vermont Ave., N.W.). The free event is 21+. Food and beverage are for purchase. Reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
African-American Collective Theater (ACT) presents original LGBTQ+ short play readings at OUT/spoken scheduled for Sunday, May 24 from 5-8 p.m. at Undercroft Theatre, Mt. Vernon Pl. UMC, lower level (900 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.). Tickets are available at a-act.org.
The Pride comedy day party Comedy & Cocktails: Pride Edition is scheduled for Sunday, May 24 from 4:30-9:30 p.m. at Pure Lounge (1326 U St., N.W.). Early bird ticket sales at $23.18 per ticket end on May 16. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.
A number of parties are scheduled for Sunday, May 24. The Sweet Like Brown Sugar brunch is scheduled for 1-5 p.m. at Selva DC (1223 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). A green-themed G-Spot: The Ultimate Day Party is scheduled from 3-9 p.m. at Bravo Bravo (1001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). SWEET ESCAPE: Rooftop Finale Day Party is scheduled for 4-10 p.m. at Twelve After Twelve (1212 18th St. N.W.). The Sunday Funday Rooftop Party is scheduled for 4 p.m.-4 a.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.). The Block Is Hot Day Party is scheduled for 5-11 p.m. at The Bullpen (1201 Half St., S.E.). The R&B vs. House Party “for the big boys, the admirers, the allies and whoever ready to catch a real vibe” is scheduled for 10 p.m.-3 a.m. at Johnny Pistolas (2333 18th St., N.W.). The Daryl Wilson Sunday Night Super Party is scheduled for 10 p.m.- 4 a.m. at The Park at 14th (920 14th St., N.W.). Tickets and further information for the parties are available at dcblackpride.org/schedule.htm.
The annual Pride In The Park at Fort Dupont Park (3600 F St., S.E.) is presented this year by Xavier Entertainment. The free event is planned for Monday, May 25 from 12-7 p.m.
DC Black Pride parties on Monday, May 25 include the QuenchFest finale: Monday Monday at Thurst Lounge (2204 14th St., N.W.) from 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; the Pride in the Park Rooftop After Party at Nellie’s Sports Bar (900 U St., N.W.) from 6-11 p.m.; Meatloaf Man Hunt Rooftop Party at Ivy City Smokehouse (1356 Okie St., N.E.) from 10 p.m.-2 a.m.; and Thirst Trap at Icon DC (2001 11th St., N.W.) from 11 p.m.-4 a.m.
Community Pride events
Trans Pride Washington, D.C. is scheduled for Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The conference and celebration will include a community fair, the Engendered Spirits awards ceremony, workshops, panel discussions, performances and more. Find more information and instructions on registration on Instagram @transpridewashingtondc. The location of the event will be given to attendees after registration.
There will also be a Trans Pride White, Blue & Pink After Party on Saturday, May 16 from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. The location for the party will be given following registration.
The PrideCon Youth Pride Fest is scheduled for Saturday, June 20 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for youth ages 6-18 and their families. The event is free, but registration is required. The location of the event will be revealed to participants after registration. Register on Eventbrite.
No information has been released for Latinx Pride events yet, but follow the Latinx History Project on Facebook for announcements.
Silver Pride and API Pride events have yet to be announced, but there have been events in previous years.
Capital Pride
The 51st annual Capital Pride in Washington, D.C. will be later in June this year than in years past due to the upcoming “America 250” celebrations. There are events scheduled throughout the month, however. In addition to the number of official events produced by the Capital Pride Alliance, several restaurants, bars, clubs and organizations have planned Pride parties and gatherings to mark the occasion.
The Capital Pride Honors is scheduled for Sunday, June 7. The ticketed event will honor members of the community and allies for their commitment to LGBTQ equality. The location of the event and further information has yet to be released, but check back at capitalpride.org for updates.
The Washington Blade is holding the annual Pride on the Pier at The Wharf DC on Saturday, June 13 from 4-9 p.m. The event is free, but VIP tickets are available at prideonthepierdc.com.
The seventh annual District of PRIDE Showcase will be held at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.) on Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m. The talent showcase will feature live performances from members of the LGBTQ community. The event is free. To register and to get more information, visit Eventbrite.
The Capital Pride Rooftop Pool Party is scheduled for Thursday, June 18 from 7-11 p.m. at the Penthouse Pool and Lounge (1212 4th Street, S.E.). Tickets run from $30-$40 and the event is 21+. Tickets are available on capitalpride.org
The RIOT! Official Capital Pride Opening Party is scheduled for Friday, June 19 from 9 p.m.-3:30 a.m. at Echostage (2135 Queens Chapel Rd., N.E.). Bob the Drag Queen will be running a DJ set and Myki Meeks scheduled as the headlining performer. Advance tickets run from $39-$59 and will be $69 at the door. Capital Pride General and VIP pass packages also include admission and can be purchased on capitalpride.org. The event is 18+.
The Crack of Noon Parade Brunch is scheduled for Saturday, June 20 from noon until 3 p.m. at Viceroy Washington DC (1430 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.). It is an all-you-can-eat gourmet brunch with mimosas. Tickets for the event are limited and range from $75-$90 or as a part of the VIP package available on capitalpride.org. The event is 21+.
The Capital Pride Parade is one of the largest in the region and is expected to draw tens of thousands of participants and spectators. The annual parade is scheduled for Saturday, June 20 from 3-7:30 p.m. and will move through the Shaw, Logan Circle, Downtown and Penn Quarter neighborhoods. The parade is anticipated to begin at 14th Street and T Street, N.W. and end at Pennsylvania Avenue and 9th Street, N.W., though organizers state that the route is subject to change. The event is free to spectate and open to people of all ages.
EXLIX-Her: Official Capital Pride Women’s Party is scheduled for Saturday, June 20 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. at Decades DC (1219 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). The event is 21+. Tickets may be purchased on capitalpride.org/event/womens-party.
The Capital Pride Festival is scheduled for Sunday, June 21 from 12-10 p.m. on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. The event will include food courts, multiple beverage gardens, vendors, community organizations, games, art, performances, dancing and more. Donations are appreciated by organizers, but the event is free. There are designated beverage garden areas for attendees 21+, but the majority of the festival is open to people of all ages. VIP passes for an area near the stage will be available on capitalpride.org in the coming days.
The event promoters at KINETIC Presents have four large parties planned for venues across D.C. during Pride. The kickoff event, Lust, is planned for Thursday, June 18 from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. The event is 21+ with music by Dan Slater and TOMI. The opening party, UNCUT XXL: Heavy Load, is scheduled for Friday, June 19 from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. and is 21+. KINETIC partners with Capital Pride to produce the Official Main Event party, Toy Land, on Saturday, June 20 from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Toy Land is 18+ and features music by GSP and Matt Suave. Finally, the closing party, discoVERS, is scheduled for Sunday, June 21 from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. discoVERS is a 21+ event with music provided by Alexis Tucci and Clinton Foster. There will be four venues, but they have not yet been publicly announced. Tickets are available on Eventbrite and start at $198.20 for an individual with a cheaper rate for purchasing two tickets at a time, as well as VIP ticket options.
Baltimore Pride
A number of events are planned for the 51st annual Baltimore Pride from June 8-14. More information for each event can be found on baltimorepride.org.
A Pride Week Kickoff event is scheduled for Monday, June 8 from 3-8 p.m. at The Ynot Lot (101 W. North Ave., Baltimore, Md.) The event will include a press conference and awards ceremony with a mural unveiling.
The Twilight on the Terrace Gala is scheduled for Friday, June 12 from 7 p.m. to midnight at the M&T Bank Exchange (401 W. Fayette St., Baltimore, Md.). The signature Pride evening will feature dinner, performances, awards, and dancing.
The Mt. Vernon Block Party is scheduled for Friday, June 12 from 3-8 p.m. on Charles Street (699 Washington Pl., Baltimore, Md.). It promises to be a lively street festival with DJs, vendors and food.
One of the largest Pride parades in the region, the Baltimore Pride Parade is planned for Saturday, June 13 from 12-3 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. There will be floats, marching bands, community groups, and special guests.
The Baltimore Pride Festival is scheduled for Sunday, June 14 from 12=8 p.m. at Druid Hill park. The closing day is packed with performances, workshops, and celebration.
Regional Prides
The fifth annual Equality Prince William Pride in Manassas, Va. is scheduled for Saturday, May 16 in historic downtown Manassas at the Harris Pavilion (9201 Center St.) from noon until 4 p.m. The free event features live music, DJ sets, vendors, arts and crafts, prizes and performances. For more information, visit equalityprincewilliam.org.
The Charles County Department of Health sponsors the fourth annual PrEP for Pride in White Plains, Md. on Saturday, May 30 from 12-5 p.m. The event will be held on the campus of the health department (4545 Crain Highway, White Plains, Md.) and will feature community resources, music, art, food trucks, vendors, as well as health and wellness information. For more details, visit Instagram @mdwellness_org and RSVP to the free event on Eventbrite.
The Hagerstown Pride Festival will be held in the parking lot of Hub City Brewery (25 W. Church Street, Hagerstown, Md.) on Saturday, May 30 from 12-5 p.m. Visit the Facebook event page for more information. There will be an afterparty at The Lodge (21614 National Pike, Boonsboro, Md.) featuring the best of regional drag with doors opening at 8 p.m. The afterparty cover is $15. More information for the afterparty is available on Instagram @thelodgemd.
Fauquier Pride will hold a 2026 Pride Kickoff Party at Cast Ron Craft House (11 South 2nd Street, Warrenton, Va.) on Saturday, May 30 from 7-11 p.m. The event is 18+ and has an entry fee of $17.85. There will be performances, food, drink, an auction, and an exciting time with headliner Anja Dick. Tickets and information is available on Eventbrite.
The Hampton Roads Black Gay Pride Festival is scheduled for Sunday, May 31 at Mount Trashmore Park Road in Virginia Beach, Va. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free, but VIP tickets are available for $33.85 on Eventbrite.
The second annual Shepherdstown Gay Pride Parade will begin at 141 W. German Street in Shepherdstown, W.Va. on Monday, June 1 at 6 p.m. More information is available on the Facebook event page.
The fifth annual Fairfax City Pride will be held at The Sherwood Center (3740 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, Va.) on Saturday, June 6 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. More information is available in the events directory on fairfaxva.gov.
The fifth annual Pride at Mosaic will be held at the popular Mosaic District shopping area (2905 District Ave., Fairfax, Va.) in Fairfax, Va. from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, June 6. For more information, visit mosaicdistrict.com.
The Suffolk Pride Festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 6 from 12-7 p.m. at 3000 Bennetts Creek Park Road in Suffolk, Va. The free festival will feature live entertainment, community resources, local vendors and a welcoming space. More information can be found on eventeny.com.
Delaware Pride is scheduled for Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Dover Legislative Green in Dover, Del. The free, all-ages event will feature vendors, drag artists, a beer garden, live music, food trucks and panels. More information is available at delawarepride.org.
Arlington County, Equality Arlington and Freddie’s Beach Bar are planning a 23rd Street Pride Block Party on Saturday, June 6 from 3-7 p.m. to be held outside Freddie’s Beach Bar (555 23rd St. S, Arlington, Va.). More information can be found on equalityarlington.org.
The sixth annual Old Ellicott City Pride is announced to be held in downtown Ellicott City, Md. on Saturday, June 6. The venue for the event has not yet been confirmed, but check back at howardcountypride.org/events for updates.
The fifth annual Loudoun Pride Festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 6 from 12-6 p.m. at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg, Va. Tickets are available on loudounpride.org for $5.
The fifth annual Pride on High Street in Portsmouth, Va., is scheduled for Saturday, June 6 from 12-6 p.m. More information is available on portsmouthprideva.com.
The fourth annual Culpeper Pride is scheduled for Sunday, June 7 from 12-8 p.m. at Mountain Run Winery (10753 Mountain Run Lake Road, Culpeper, Va.). There will be live entertainment, local vendors, community organizations, and food. For more information, visit the Culpeper Pride Facebook events page.
Takoma Pride will be on Sunday, June 7 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at 201 Ethan Allen Avenue, Takoma Park, Md. A street festival will be held at 6929 Laurel Ave., Takoma Park, Md. from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, visit mainstreettakoma.org.
The Human Rights Commission of Rockville will hold the 10th annual Rockville Pride at Rockville Town Center Park at The Square (131 Gibbs St., Rockville, Md.) on Sunday, June 7 from 2-5 p.m. The event is free, open to all ages and is wheelchair accessible. More information is available on rockvillemd.gov.
The fifth annual Delmarva Pride is scheduled for Saturday, June 13 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on S. Harrison Street in Easton, Md. The event is free and open to people of all ages. More information can be found at delmarvapridecenter.com.
The Lost River Pride Festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 13 from 12-4 at the local farmers market (1089 Mill Gap Road, Lost River, W.V.), with events scheduled for Lost River Pride Weekend from June 12-14. Find more information at lostriverpride.com.
The sixth annual Catonsville Pride is scheduled for June 13 at The Children’s Home (205 Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville, Md.) A “save the date” message has been posted to sites.google.com/view/catonsvillepride/home, but no further information is available at this time.
Hampton Roads Pride has events scheduled from June 26-28. The 13th annual Pride Block Party is scheduled for Friday, June 26. The event is 18+. The 38th annual PrideFest is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 from 12-8 p.m. at 113 Waterside Drive, Norfolk, Va. and will include a boat parade and a full day of live performances. On June 28, the 757 Pride March is planned to end at Neptune’s Park for the 6th annual Pride at the Beach for an evening of live performances, food and community. More information for these events and more can be found at hamptonroadspride.org.
A few events are scheduled in Frederick, Md. for Frederick Pride. The second annual Frederick Pride Parade is planned for Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m. A save the date page has been created, but check back at thefrederickcenter.org for specific details. The 14th annual Frederick Pride Festival is planned for Saturday, June 27 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Carroll Creek Linear Park in downtown Frederick.
The third annual Herndon Pride is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 from 12-5 p.m. at Arts Herndon (750 Center St., Herndon, Va.). There will be music, local vendors, new activities, theater and a “Hands on Art” children’s arts space. More information is available on Herndon Pride’s Facebook events page.
The ninth annual Alexandria Pride is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 from 2-6 p.m. at John Carlyle Square Park (825 John Carlyle St., Alexandria, Va.). Organizers say to expect 100 exhibitors, drag story hours, live music, health services, a mobile art lab, dancing and more. Find more information at alexandriava.gov/LGBTQ.
The sixth annual FXBG Pride is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Riverfront Park in downtown Fredericksburg, Va. (701 Sophia Street). Organizers have not yet released details for the schedule of events, but check back at fxbgpride.org for further information.
The Montgomery County Pride in the Plaza is scheduled for Sunday, June 28 from 12-8 p.m. at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, Md. For more information, visit liveinyourtruth.org/pride-in-the-plaza.
The eighth annual Westminster Pride Festival is scheduled for Saturday, July 11 from 12-5 p.m. at Westminster City Park (Westminster, Md.). For more information, visit westminsterpride.org.
Sussex Pride is hosting Rehoboth Beach Pride from July 15-19 in Rehoboth Beach, Del. Events include an interfaith service, a Dine and Donate with the Rehoboth Beach Bears, workshops, the festival, meetups, workshops, an evening show and a book signing. The Rehoboth Beach Pride Festival will be held on Saturday, July 18 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. Blade editor Kevin Naff will moderate a panel discussion at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center addressing the increase in HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections in the past few years amid funding setbacks. Information detailing the full event schedule, meetup instructions and workshop topics can be found at sussexpride.org/rehobothbeach.
The eighth annual Black Pride RVA Weekend Festival presented by UGRC is scheduled for July 17-20 in Richmond, Va. Events include an Official Kick-Off Party at Godfrey’s (308 E. Grace Street) on Thursday, July 17 from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.; the ticketed Queer Talk/Root Awards at the Black History Museum (122 W. Leigh Street, Richmond, Va.) on Friday, July 18; The free Day of Purpose Festival at Diversity (1407 Sherwood Ave., Richmond, Va.) on Saturday, July 19 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; the ticketed Blacktopia Ball at Diversity on Saturday from 7 p.m.-1 a.m.; and the free Pride in the Park event on Sunday, June 20 from 3-7 p.m. at a location yet to be determined. More information can be found at ugrcrva.org.
The third annual Front Royal Pride is planned for Saturday, July 25 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Main Street in Front Royal (414 E. Main St., Front Royal, Va.). For more information, visit frpride.com.
Richmond’s Virginia Pride Fest is scheduled for Sept. 12 on the Midtown Green in Richmond, Va. from 12-8 p.m. For more information, visit diversityrichmond.org.
The Shenandoah Valley Pride Alliance presents the Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival on Sunday, September 20 from 12:30-6 p.m. at the Turner Pavilion (409 South Main St.) in downtown Harrisonburg, Va. For more information, visit shenandoahvalleypride.org or @shenvalleypride on Instagram.
C’ville Pride is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26 from 12:30-7:30 p.m. in Charlottesville, Va. at the Ting Pavilion (700 E. Main St.). Find more information on Instagram @charlottesvillepride.
One of the larger regional Pride celebrations is held in Annapolis, Md. Annapolis Pride is scheduled for Oct. 3 with a parade at noon and a festival from 1-6 p.m. Further details have not yet been released to the public, but check back at annapolispride.org for more information.
Other Pride festivals have been scheduled for October in Cumberland, Md. and Howard County, Md.
Outside the region, Pride celebrations are scheduled in cities and towns all over the world. Highlights include the Los Angeles Pride Parade on June 14 (lapride.org), New York City Pride on June 28 (nycpride.org), Chicago Pride Fest on June 20 and the Chicago Pride Parade on June 28 (pridechicago.org), Atlanta Pride on Oct. 11-12 (atlantapride.org) and WorldPride 2026 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands from July 25 – Aug. 8 (pride.amsterdam/en/worldpride).
The Vatican
New Vatican report acknowledges LGBTQ Catholics feel isolated in the church
Document contains testimonies of two gay married men
A report the Vatican released on Tuesday acknowledges LGBTQ Catholics have felt isolated within the church.
The report, which the Vatican’s General Secretariat of the Synod’s Study Group 9 released, includes testimony from two married gay Catholics from the U.S. and Portugal.
“Regarding the resistances — limiting ourselves to those emerging from the lived experiences shared with us — we wish to highlight the following: the solitude, anguish, and stigma that accompany persons with same-sex attractions and their families, not only in society but also within the church; this is often linked to the temptation to hide in a ‘double life,'” reads the report. “Within this problematic outlook lie the positions expressed in the pressure to undergo reparative therapies or, even more gravely, in the simplistic advice to enter the sacrament of marriage.”
“At the root of both the emerging openings and the persisting resistances, it seems possible to identify a difficulty in coordinating pastoral practice and the doctrinal approach. Other testimonies received by our study group from believers with same-sex attractions further confirm how arduous it is for individuals and Christian communities to reconcile “doctrinal firmness” with “pastoral welcome,'” it adds.
The report appears to criticize so-called conversion therapy. It also states “every person, first and foremost, is singular, irreducible, irreplaceable, and original” and “this is the meaning of the Biblical-theological theme of the human being, male and female, created in the image and likeness of God.”
The National Catholic Reporter notes “a group of theologians, including bishops, priests, a sister and a layperson” the Vatican commissioned “to study ‘controversial’ issues that Pope Francis’s Synod on Synodality raised wrote the report.
Francis in 2023 launched the multi-year synod to examine on ways to reform the church.
The Argentine-born pontiff died in April 2025. Pope Leo XIV, who was born in Chicago, succeeded him.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday met with Leo at the Vatican. The meeting took place against the backdrop of increased tensions between the U.S. and the Holy See over the Iran war.
LGBTQ Catholic groups largely welcome report
LGBTQ Catholic groups welcomed the report; even though it will not change church teachings on homosexuality, marriage, and gender identity.
“It was a really bold choice to make LGBTQ issues — or homosexuality — one of the case studies,” Brian Flanagan, a senior fellow at New Ways Ministry, a Maryland-based LGBTQ Catholic organization, told the Washington Blade on Wednesday during a telephone interview.
Flanagan is also the John Cardinal Cody Chair of Catholic Theology at Loyola University in Chicago.
“They (the study group) could have punted and said something easier,” he said. “Instead, they’re putting what was frankly one of the hottest issues leading up to and after the Synod and addressing it more head on.”
New Ways Ministry Executive Director Francis DeBernardo in a statement described the report as a “breath of refreshing air, the first acknowledgment that LGBTQ+ issues were taken seriously by the three-year global consultation of all levels of the church.”
“By establishing mechanisms and recommendations to continue dialoguing with LGBTQ+ people, the report is a significant step forward in the church’s process to become a more welcoming place for its LGBTQ+ members,” he said.
Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA, an LGBTQ Catholic organization, in her own statement said the report “demonstrates a welcome humility and openness to learning from the People of God about people’s lives and faith journeys.”
“It is clear that the study group members understand that the doctrines of the church undermine the deep relationship with God that many LGBTQ+ people have, or try to have, and that this needs to be corrected,” she said. “Church officials have decades of testimony from people who have found their sexual orientation or gender identity to be a blessing and a gift, and their relationships to be sacred. To see this reality reflected and respected in this document is a long-awaited positive step.”
Duddy-Burke added the report largely ignores “the experiences of transgender and nonbinary people.” She further notes it “provides few concrete recommendations and proposes no doctrinal changes.”
“Rather, it calls for dialogue, encounter, and communal theological reflection to shape how the Catholic Church moves forward in addressing doctrine and pastoral practice,” said Duddy-Burke. “The paradigm shift repeatedly called for in this report is a significant and very welcome change. Experience, especially of those most impacted, must be key to developing dogma.”
District of Columbia
Memorial service for trans rights advocate SaVanna Wanzer set for May 17
Beloved activist was founder of D.C. Trans Pride, Black Trans Pride events
A celebration of life for D.C. transgender rights advocate SaVanna Wanzer has been scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, at D.C.’s Westminster Presbyterian Church, according to statements released by her brother, Lee Livingston Perine and Whitman-Walker Health, the local LGBTQ supportive medical center where Wanzer served as a volunteer for many years.
Wanzer, 63, a lifelong D.C. resident, died April 23 of natural causes, Perine told the Washington Blade.
“Join us as we gather to honor SaVanna Wanzer, a woman whose leadership, vision, and care deeply shaped communities in Washington, D.C. and beyond,” the Whitman-Walker statement says.
“SaVanna created spaces where transgender people, especially Black and Brown transgender individuals could gather, be affirmed, and lead,” the statement adds. “From D.C. Trans Pride to D.C. Black Trans Pride and May Is All About Trans, her impact continues to be felt,” it says in referring to events that Wanzer played a lead role in organizing.
“A longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, home of D.C.’s first Trans Pride, this celebration reflects both her spiritual home and the community she nurtured and serves as a meaningful conclusion to Trans Pride Weekend,” according to the statement.
It says the service will include American Sign Language interpretation and will be livestreamed on the Westminster DC Facebook page.
It also says a celebratory vigil for Wanzer was being planned for Saturday night, May 16, also at Westminster Presbyterian Church to provide an opportunity “for SaVanna’s friends to gather and share their stories, memories, and love for her.”
Perine said the Saturday event will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. and will be led by longtime D.C. LGBTQ rights advocate and event organizer Rayceen Pendarvis. In his statement he describes the Saturday event as an “evening of reflection and fellowship as we honor the life, legacy, and unstoppable spirit of SaVanna Wanzer.”
His statement adds, “Community members are invited to share stories, memories, and testimonies in celebration of SaVanna’s life.
Whitman-Walker spokesperson Lisa Amore said Whitman-Walker is extending support for the memorial events by helping to put out an announcement, but it is not the organizer of the events.
The Whitman-Walker statement says live music will begin at 12:15 p.m. prior to the May 17 memorial service at Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 400 I St., S.W.
It says if Westminster becomes filled to capacity, nearby Riverside Baptist Church at 699 Maine Ave., S.W. has offered to open its doors to host additional guests who will be able to view the service via a livestream arrangement,
It says a “Meal Of Love” will follow the Sunday service at Westminster.
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