Capital Pride Returns to DC a Year After Start of Pandemic
This year’s events were scaled back because of the pandemic. But for many, it was a great day to come together to celebrate equality more than a year after the pandemic started
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Capital Pride events continued well into the night as folks in D.C. came together to celebrate equality and LGBTQ+ rights. News4’s Darcy Spencer reports.
Capital Pride events continued well into Saturday night as folks in D.C. came together to celebrate equality and LGBTQ+ rights.
The day started at Dupont Circle with a march and then the celebration headed to Freedom Plaza, where there was a rally attended by Mayor Muriel Bowser.
"LGBTQ residents, allies, all D.C. residents are called to stand shoulder to shoulder and arm to arm when any of us is attacked," Bowser said.
This year’s events were scaled back because of the pandemic. But for many, it was a great day to come together to celebrate equality more than a year after the pandemic started.
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"This is my first time here. I'm here supporting my best friend, and this is amazing," one woman said.
Dupont Circle became the gathering place and people from all across the region were happy that COVID-19 restrictions lifted in time to have the event celebrating the LGBTQ community.
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 12: People gather to dance and celebrate Pride 2021 at a rally in Freedom Plaza on June 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pride Month, hosted by the Capital Pride Alliance, celebrates the LGBTQ community in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 12: Members and allies of the LGBTQ community participate in the Pride Walk and Rally through downtown Washington, DC on June 12, 2021. The Pride Month celebration is hosted by the Capital Pride Alliance, a non-profit organization serving the needs of the LGBTQ community in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 12: Members and allies of the LGBTQ community dance and celebrate at the end of the Pride Walk and Rally in Freedom Plaza on June 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. The Pride Month celebration is hosted by the Capital Pride Alliance, a non-profit organization serving the needs of the LGBTQ community in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 12: People gather to dance and celebrate Pride 2021 at a rally in Freedom Plaza on June 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pride Month, hosted by the Capital Pride Alliance, celebrates the LGBTQ community in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Tasos Katopodis/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, center right, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, center left, attend the Capitol Pride Walk and Rally in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Saturday, June 12, 2021. The enormity of Harris’s task to curb migration from Central America became clear during a two-day visit to Guatemala and Mexico this past week, where her modest offerings of U.S. aid were overshadowed by political attacks from Washington. Photographer: Tasos Katopodis/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 12: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris joins marchers for the Capital Pride Parade on June 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. Capital Pride returned to Washington DC, after being canceled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 12: Members and allies of the LGBTQ community participate in the Pride Walk and Rally through downtown Washington, DC on June 12, 2021. The Pride Month celebration is hosted by the Capital Pride Alliance, a non-profit organization serving the needs of the LGBTQ community in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 12: Members and allies of the LGBTQ community dance and celebrate at the end of the Pride Walk and Rally in Freedom Plaza on June 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. The Pride Month celebration is hosted by the Capital Pride Alliance, a non-profit organization serving the needs of the LGBTQ community in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 12: Members and allies of the LGBTQ community dance and celebrate at the end of the Pride Walk and Rally in Freedom Plaza on June 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. The Pride Month celebration is hosted by the Capital Pride Alliance, a non-profit organization serving the needs of the LGBTQ community in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 12: Members and allies of the LGBTQ community march from Dupont Circle toward downtown Washington in the Pride Walk and Rally on June 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. The Pride Month celebration is hosted by the Capital Pride Alliance, a non-profit organization serving the needs of the LGBTQ community in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 12: People cheer as the Pridemobile Parade leaves Freedom Plaza for a city-wide tour on June 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pride Month, hosted by the Capital Pride Alliance, celebrates the LGBTQ community in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 12: Riders prepare for the Pridemobile Parade in Freedom Plaza on June 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pride Month, hosted by the Capital Pride Alliance, celebrates the LGBTQ community in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 12: People cheer as the Pridemobile Parade leaves Freedom Plaza for a city-wide tour on June 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pride Month, hosted by the Capital Pride Alliance, celebrates the LGBTQ community in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 12: Members of the LGBTQ community confront anti-Pride protestors behind a police line in Dupont Circle on June 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pride Month, hosted by the Capital Pride Alliance, celebrates the LGBTQ community in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 12: Members of the LGBTQ community confront anti-Pride protestors behind a police line in Dupont Circle on June 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pride Month, hosted by the Capital Pride Alliance, celebrates the LGBTQ community in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
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"The energy is not the same, but we're gonna push through and pump through because it is a celebration of us being empowered and being ourselves," a participant said.
The popular parade was replaced this year by a car parade instead.
The pridemobile parade wound through neighborhoods from Anacostia to Adams Morgan, to Shaw and Dupont, sharing messages of love on decorating crowds and avoiding huge crowds.
The last year was hard on so many. The event was a time for participants to relax, be in a safe space with trusted friends and family and be themselves.
"This is my first year being out as trans," another participant said. "So for me, I really wanted to get out this year with me and my girlfriend and my friends."
