District of Columbia
WorldPride hotel bookings hint at disappointing turnout
Welcome events set for this weekend but predictions of 3 million visitors not panning out
Beneath the optimistic press releases from WorldPride D.C. organizers lies a disappointing reality: Predictions of up to three million visitors traveling to the region for the events are not materializing.
Indeed, a quick look at hotel occupancy rates reveals wide open availability across D.C. for the June 6-9 weekend with many hotels offering discounted rates.
LGBTQ activists from Europe, Mexico, Canada, and other parts of the U.S. have announced they decided not to come to Washington, D.C. for WorldPride because of the hostile, anti-LGBTQ policies of President Donald Trump and his administration. The activists indicating they would not come to WorldPride D.C. have said they were especially concerned over the Trump administration’s anti-transgender policies.
Kyle Deckelbaum, an official with Destination D.C., an organization that promotes tourism and large-scale events, and that has been supporting WorldPride D.C. for at least two years, said his group has received differing reports about the attendance at WorldPride.
He said that as of May 21, the most recent data show that hotel bookings for the WorldPride opening ceremony weekend of May 30-June 1, and for the closing ceremony weekend of June 6-8, are down by 3 percent compared to the same two weekends in 2024. D.C.’s regularly scheduled annual Capital Pride Festival and Parade took place the second weekend of June 2024.
But Deckelbaum points out that the 3 percent lower bookings are for D.C. hotels only, not those in the surrounding Virginia and Maryland counties, where many WorldPride participants are expected to stay. He also notes that bookings do not reflect the full “occupancy” of a hotel room, saying it is common that two or more visitors can share a hotel room.
“The way to look at hotel booking pace is it is a kind of indicator of travel, but it does not necessarily indicate occupancy, nor would it indicate attendance,” he said, referring to the overall attendance at WorldPride.
Deckelbaum said another factor is that there are more hotels that have opened in D.C. since last year, increasing the supply of rooms, which could account for a slightly lower booking rate.
“And there are a lot of factors at play outside of WorldPride, where occupancy has been tracking just below last year every weekend this year because there is a decrease in international visitation,” he said. “That’s overall to the U.S., that’s not D.C. specific.”
On the optimistic side, Deckelbaum notes that a “surge in positive op-ed articles from around the world” have appeared recently in support of WorldPride D.C. in newspapers in countries such as United Kingdom and Canada.
“We are seeing an uptick in op-ed submissions from international markets that explain people’s reasons for coming,” he said.
Last month, Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination D.C., told the Blade he could not predict whether as many as 2 million or more visitors would come as WorldPride organizers had predicted earlier this year.
“So, as we talk to hotels, we would have liked to see the city fully sold out at this point,” he said.
The Capital Pride Alliance, the D.C.-based group serving as lead organizer of WorldPride D.C., has pointed out that the local D.C. government has a longtime strong record of support for the LGBTQ community. They have also argued that LGBTQ activists should come to WorldPride as a form of protest against the Trump administration, among other things, by joining the planned LGBTQ and allied March on Washington for Freedom, set to take place June 8 and travel from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol.
Ryan Bos, executive director of Capital Pride Alliance, said the group doesn’t believe media reports of lower hotel bookings are predictive of the actual number of people that will turn out for WorldPride D.C. Although he did not offer a prediction of the size of the turnout, he said the enthusiasm and large number of people who turned out for the first week of WorldPride events was impressive.
“The energy and respect among each other were energizing and continued as other events popped up through Latinx Pride and API [Asian Pacific Islander] Pride and this past weekend with D.C. Black Pride, which was a huge success,” he said.
“People understand this is an historic moment, how important it is that our community supports each other, that every LGBTQ business, organization, social group that we rally together to ensure that our community shows up,” Bos told the Blade in a May 27 phone interview.
“Celebration is a form of protest,” he said. “So, protest is defiance, resilience and joy. And it’s not just about WorldPride,” Bos continued. “This is about us ensuring that we can persevere and be resilient across our country and around the world. And to ensure that all of our Prides continue to take place and that we do not go back in the closet.”
He added, “We have nearly 300 events between the ones Capital Pride Alliance is organizing to all the amazing partners in the community to have something for everybody, and we are excited to welcome so many who deserve to be seen so they can experience the D.C. that isn’t the federal government, that is part of this fabric of freedom, this community, these neighborhoods that make D.C. such a great place to live.”
A statement released on May 27 by WorldPride D.C. 2025 organizers says the events that began May 17 and dozens more set to take place through June 8 represent a “celebration of LGBTQ+ culture, identity, and unity.”
The statement adds that the events make up a “packed calendar of festivals, sports, concerts, and cultural experiences marking 50 years of Pride in D.C.”
It points out that this week’s highlights included the start of the WorldPride Film Festival, scheduled for May 27-29, the annual Pride Flag Raising ceremony organized by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, which was set for May 29, and the kickoff of the Capital Cup Sports Festival set for May 30-June 4.
As if that were not enough, the organizers’ statement notes that the WorldPride Welcome Ceremony and Concert set for Saturday, May 31, at the Washington Nationals baseball stadium with headliner Shakira performing and welcoming remarks by key dignitaries would set the pace for the remainder of the WorldPride events.
But while indicating all is going according to plans, the statement does not respond to multiple media reports that earlier predictions that WorldPride D.C. would attract between two and three million visitors does not appear to be happening.
WorldPride organizers announced last week that actress and trans activist Laverne Cox, powerhouse performer Reneé Rapp, and LGBTQ trailblazer Deacon Maccubbin will serve as grand marshals for this year’s WorldPride parade set for June 7.
“I am so honored to serve as one of the grand marshals for WorldPride this year. This has been one of the most difficult times in recent history for queer and trans people globally,” Cox said. “But in the face of all the rhetorical, legislative and physical attacks, we continue to have the courage to embrace who we truly are, to celebrate our beauty, resilience and bravery as a community. We refuse to allow fear to keep us from ourselves and each other. We remain out loud and proud.”
“Pride is everything. It is protection, it is visibility, it is intersectional. But most importantly, it is a celebration of existence and protest,” Rapp said.
District of Columbia
Faith and interfaith-based events for WorldPride
Whatever you hold sacred this Pride is a faith-based event
As WorldPride begins, the Washington LGBTQ+ community is eager to welcome our queer neighbors from around the country and around the world. From the ASL Open Mic to the Art Tour of Queer Icons and Trailblazers, WorldPride is hosting a diverse selection of events catered to the varied interests, identities, and actions of the wider LGBTQ+ community.
Faith communities from across the Washington, D.C. area have planned individual and interfaith events for LGBTQ+ visitors. Faith communities acknowledge that religion is not a vital part of all LGBTQ+ peoples’ lives. Around the world, queer people have been hurt by religious institutions (through conversion therapy, colonial violence, and other forces of harm). At the same time, for many LGBTQ+ individuals, faith is an important way in which they navigate the world, make meaning, and connect with others who have shared experiences.
A clear statement of faith and spirituality was launched this week at WorldPride. The Lavender Interfaith Collective’s call to action for WorldPride was published yesterday in the Blade.
This call was released to counteract the virulent increase in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and violence. The message of the interfaith call to action calls everyone to the essential work of sustaining queer joy as celebration, resistance and liberation. The call to action opens with the clear affirmation that “across faiths, identities, and nations, we are united by one unshakable truth: every person is worthy, every voice sacred, every body divine. Our unity is not rooted in a single tradition but in a collective belief in the sacred worth of every person.”
Hosting both faith and interfaith events this year highlights the region’s commitment to queer-affirming, multi-faith community, such as the Pride Interfaith Service, whereas others, such as the Interfaith Community Tour at the Rainbow History Project’s Pickets, Protests, and Parades: The History of Gay Pride in Washington exhibition, are tailored to this particularly historical moment and looking back on the rich history of D.C.’s LGBTQ+ community.
In order to raise awareness for what is scheduled, here is a list of the broad strokes of faith-based events that are scheduled for WorldPride this year. This list is not comprehensive because faith is multi-faceted and applies to any experience that a person views as sacred, which can include everything from protesting to prayer to cheering on your favorite drag king. So in many ways, whatever you hold sacred this Pride is a faith-based event.
May 16-January 4: LGBT Jews in the Federal City
Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum, 575 3rd Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001
Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum’s “LGBT Jews in the Federal City” explores a turbulent century of celebration, activism, and change in the nation’s capital. This landmark exhibition is the first of its kind to explore DC history, Jewish history, and queer history together, drawing from the Museum’s robust LGBTQ+ archive. Immerse yourself in historical and contemporary photography, artifacts, and oral histories. Learn about legal milestones, far-ranging protests, vibrant cultural life, and change in religious spaces.
The exhibition will open in time for Washington, D.C.’s observation of its 50th Capital Pride celebration and as the city hosts WorldPride for the first time, offering an unprecedented opportunity to infuse Pride with local Jewish history.
June 1, 1:30-3:30 pm: Pride in Religious Pluralism Seminar
Metropolitan Community Church Washington, DC
Coordinated by The LGBTQ Task Force
This panel brings together historians, organizers, and leaders dedicated to working at the intersection of interfaith cooperation and 2SLGBTQIA+ representation and advocacy. Come and learn about the ways that we protect and uplift the work of our movements while reimagining the ways in which our communities work together for a collective vision of peace.
The event is co-hosted by the National LGBTQ Task Force, CapitalPride Alliance, and the Lavender Interfaith Collective (LInC).
Please register at this link.
June 1, 4-5:45 pm: Sunday Choral Evensong with Acolyte Valediction
Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, DC 20016
Brought to you by Washington National Cathedral
This centuries-old service blends prayers and Psalms with congregational hymns, showcasing the best of Anglican tradition. This service of sung prayer closes the day in praise to God, led by the Cathedral Choir. This service includes the Cathedral’s premiere of Our Wildest Imagining, a choral anthem commissioned in honor of the Right Rev. V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The cathedral is pleased to be among a group of churches and performing arts organizations from around the country who commissioned the piece by Philadelphia composer Dominick DiOrio. The anthem text features words from sermons, stories, and sayings by Bishop Robinson, as well as selections from Psalm 27, which was personally meaningful to Bishop Robinson during some of his darkest times. Join them in-person, or watch the livestream on our Evensong page or on the Cathedral’s YouTube channel.
Please register at this link.
June 1, 6-9 pm: DMV World Pride Mass Choir
Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ, 3845 South Capitol Street Southwest, Washington, DC 20032
Brought to you by Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ
An evening of celebration, faith and worship in the Black church tradition, featuring the most gifted Gospel artists in the region. are assembling choirs and congregations from Open and Affirming (ally) churches across the DMV to join this regional mass choir! Rehearsals are May 27 and 30th. The concert will be Sunday June 1 at 6pm at Covenant Baptist UCC.
June 2, 5-6 pm: Interfaith Community History Tour
Freedom Plaza, Washington, DC
Coordinated by Center Faith
This special tour will explore LGBTQ+ faith and interfaith history in the Washington, DC area. Although there has been considerable scholarship focused on LGBTQ community and advocacy in D.C., there is a deficit of scholarship focused on LGBTQ religion in the area. Religion plays an important role in LGBTQ advocacy movements, through queer-affirming ministers and communities, along with queer-phobic churches in the city.
Part of this tour will draw on the three-part series that I published in the Blade that references the online exhibition LGBTQ+ Religion in the Capital that I published with the Rainbow History Project. Eric Eldritch and I will lead this tour and discuss the beginnings of the new Center Faith History Project focused on collecting these histories. Please register at this link.
June 3, 7 pm: World Pride DC Interfaith Service
All Souls Church Unitarian Washington, DC
Brought to you by Center Faith, a program of the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center
The Capital Pride Interfaith Service is an integrated service respectfully demonstrating the breadth, depth, and sincerity of our faith, countering any misconception that anti-gay fundamentalists have a monopoly on faith and religion. We take pride that our community expresses its religious faiths in a myriad of ways, each sacred and revered with years of tradition.
Join us for the 42nd anniversary of our local LGBTQ+ community celebration of religious pluralism and interfaith collaboration. You can read more about past Pride Interfaith Services based on my reflections of the 2023 and 2024 services in the Blade.
Please register at this link.
June 6, 9 am-4 pm: Trans Visibility, Empowerment, Aid and Wellness Day
National City Christian Church Washington, DC
Coordinated by National Trans Visibility March and the United Church of Christ
A day dedicated to mental, spiritual, financial, and emotional empowerment through gatherings, and workshops. For people of faith, they may specifically be interested in the Empowerment Service, scheduled from 1:40-2:40 pm at the United Church of Christ, Washington, DC. This is a session dedicated to spiritual and emotional well-being.
Find a breakdown of the events at this link.
June 6, 6-9 pm: World Pride Shabbat Service and Dinner
Adas Israel Congregation Washington, DC
Brought to you by Bet Mishpachah
Join Bet Mishpachah, DC’s LGBTQ+ Synagogue, the World Congress of LGBT Jews, Washington Hebrew Congregation, GLOE, Sixth and I, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, NJB+, and Temple Sinai for World Pride Shabbat hosted at Adas Israel Congregation. Join us for a joyous celebration of love, unity, and community. Come together for drinks, snacks, and a warm atmosphere to honor our LGBTQ+ Jewish community.
Following the happy hour, we will gather for a Pride Shabbat service led by Rabbi Jake Singer-Beilin and featuring clergy from around the Washington community. Let’s raise a glass to inclusivity and acceptance! Immediately following the service will be a Shabbat dinner. Space is limited, so register as soon as possible.
Please register at this link.
June 6, 7:30 pm: Lavender Light Gospel Chorus (NYC) + three more choruses
National City Christian Church Washington, DC
Please join a celebration featuring the Lavender Light Gospel Choir (New York, NY), Rock Creek Singers (Washington, DC), Seasons of Love (Washington, DC), and Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus.
June 7, 9:30-12:30 am: Eid al-Adha for All: An Inclusive Celebration for Queer Muslims & Allies
Foundry United Methodist Church Washington, DC
Coordinated by QTAPI Pride Coalition/ AQUA DC
Location: Foundry UMC1500 16th Street Northwest, Wash. DC 20036
Join Hidayah US and DC Queer Muslims, in partnership with AQUA DC and API Pride, for an inclusive Eid al-Adha prayer service in celebration of World Pride 2025. Taking place on Saturday, June 7 at Foundry United Methodist Church, this gathering will include a khutbah (sermon), congregational Eid salah (prayer), and a reception with light refreshments and community tabling. This event aims to create a safe space for queer Muslims to celebrate this important holiday together.
The prayer will follow an open arrangement where attendees may stand wherever they feel most comfortable, regardless of gender or sexual identity. This event is free and open to LGBTQ+ Muslims and allies, ages 18 and older (or younger if accompanied by a guardian).
All attendees must agree to the event’s safeguarding policies, which include a commitment to respect the Muslim and LGBTQ+ communities and a prohibition on audio or video recording during the event. Let’s come together to honor traditions, build connections, and share in the spirit of love and acceptance. We look forward to seeing you there! Then join us to march in the Parade afterwards!
Please register at this link.
June 8, 2-3:30 pm: Join QTAPI for King Kamehameha Lei Draping Ceremony
US Capitol Building, Statuary Hall, 1st Street Southwest, Washington, DC 20515
Join QTAPI Coalition, the first and only explicitly queer delegation, to present leis at the King Kamehameha Lei Draping Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol; an annual event held to honor King Kamehameha I, the first monarch and unifier of the Hawaiian Kingdom. This traditional ceremony typically takes place in June to coincide with King Kamehameha Day celebrations in Hawaii. The ceremony is centered around the statue of King Kamehameha I, which is part of the National Statuary Hall Collection in the U.S. Capitol and the only monarch in the collection.
After cultural performances and keynotes from dignitaries and the Hawaii congressional delegation, the statue is adorned with beautiful and long lei, symbolizing respect and admiration for the great king. All are welcome to join in on celebrating and highlighting native Hawaiian, and Polynesian culture, history, and ritual! This ceremony is attended by Hawaii officials, including members of Hawaii’s Congressional delegation, Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees, and state and county officials, in addition to other US territory delegates and DC officials.
Registration required to enter Statuary Hall, dress code: Hawaiian business casual. Indicate “AQUA – API Pride” for “Organization or Group.”
Please register at this link (by June 1st).
As D.C. prepares to welcome the world for the biggest Pride celebration of the year, “America’s Metro system” is encouraging visitors and locals alike to take the Metro to WorldPride events.
On May 24, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority unveiled a series of specially wrapped vehicles in honor of the upcoming WorldPride celebration. The colorful fleet — featuring a set of train cars, a bus, and a Metro operations vehicle — is decked out in vibrant rainbow stripes alongside the message: “Metro proudly welcomes the world.”
Riders can track the WorldPride-themed train and bus in real time by visiting wmata.com/live and clicking on the “Special Edition” option.
To accommodate the estimated two to three million visitors expected in the D.C. area, WMATA is also boosting rail service from June 6-8. Service enhancements include the extended operation of the Yellow Line to Greenbelt Station — typically the end of the Green Line — on both Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, in an effort to ease crowding on Metro lines serving WorldPride events.
Metro is also expanding hours that weekend to help Pride-goers get to and from celebrations:
- Friday, June 6: Metro service extended by one hour, closing at 2 a.m.
- Saturday, June 7: Metro opens one hour earlier at 6 a.m. and closes at 2 a.m.
- Sunday, June 8: Metro opens at 6 a.m. and closes at midnight
Keep in mind that last train times vary by station. To avoid missing the final train, check the “Stations” page on the WMATA website or app. Metrobus will continue to operate several 24-hour routes throughout D.C.
During daytime hours, trains arrive every 4–6 minutes at most central stations, with service every 8–12 minutes at stations further out.
“Washington D.C. is a city of major international events and WorldPride is no different,” said Metro General Manager Randy Clarke. “Metro is the best way to get around, and we are making it even easier with a new seamless way to pay for fares coming soon, our new MetroPulse app to help navigate the system, and increased service on WorldPride’s closing weekend.”
One of the biggest updates ahead of WorldPride is the launch of Metro’s new “Tap. Ride. Go.” fare payment system. Beginning Wednesday, riders can enter the Metrorail system simply by tapping a credit card, debit card, or mobile wallet at fare gates — eliminating the need to purchase a physical SmarTrip card. Riders must use the same card to tap in and out, and should note that transfer discounts will not apply when using this payment method. The feature will expand to Metrobus and Metro-operated parking facilities at a later date.
For full details on all Metro updates related to WorldPride, visit wmata.com.
District of Columbia
Wanda Alston Foundation launches culinary program for LGBTQ youth
Slay & Sauté campaign seeks to raise funds for cooking utensils
The Wanda Alston Foundation, the D.C. nonprofit organization that has provided housing and support services for homeless LGBTQ youth since its founding in 2008, announced it has launched a campaign to raise $15,000 for a new culinary program to “equip our LGBTQ+ youth with cooking skills, kitchen gadgets, and a taste for joy,” according to its executive director, Cesar Toledo.
In a May 14 statement, Toledo said the Alston Foundation had been selected to receive food and shelter funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, “but due to the federal freeze, it’s unlikely those critical resources will reach us.”
He said the new program being launched is in partnership with the DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K organization, an LGBTQ runners group. The funds will be used to provide 20 Alston House residents “with air fryers, rice cookers, smoothie blenders, healthy food, and condiments,” Toledo said.
He said the campaign, which has been named Slay & Sauté, is offering donors a chance to win WorldPride concert tickets if they submit their donation before June 1. His announcement says among the concerts for which tickets could be won are Grace Jones and Janelle Monae, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Werq the World, MIXTAPE Pride, and Betty Who.
“Thanks to supporters across the District, we’re able to continue providing not just shelter but comfort and joy to LGBTQ+ youth!” Toledo said in his statement.
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