(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser was joined by District officials, advocates, and community members to officially kick off LGBTQIA+ Pride Month with the annual LGBTQIA+ Flag Raising at the John A. Wilson Building. This year’s ceremony held special significance, marking the 20th anniversary of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs (MOLGBTQA).
“Washington, DC has never waited for the rest of the country to do the right thing — and that is especially true when it comes to protecting and celebrating our LGBTQIA+ community,” said Mayor Bowser. “For 20 years, the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs has been a national model for what it looks like when a city puts resources, policy, and commitment behind inclusion. This Pride Month, we celebrate that legacy — and we celebrate the LGBTQIA+ Washingtonians who have made our city more visible, more vibrant, and more free.”
Today, Mayor Bowser is also inviting residents across Washington, DC to join the Bowser Administration and community partners in celebrating LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. Pride festivities began in May and continue throughout June, with events led by MOLGBTQA, the Capital Pride Alliance, and Diversity of Pride coalitions.
Washington, DC has long been a leader in LGBTQIA+ rights. In 1973, the District voted, ahead of the nation, to update DC’s human rights law to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The DC Human Rights Act remains one of the most comprehensive laws of its kind in the nation, having added protections for gender identity and gender expression in 2006. In 2009, DC was among the first places in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage, ahead of the 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationally. Since then, the District has continued to make many strides in protecting and advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community, with dedicated housing resources and shelter, investments in workforce programming, and more.
“This Pride Month, we celebrate 51 years of Pride in Washington, DC and 20 years of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs. Pride is a celebration of our community’s resilience, visibility, and joy — and a reminder that DC will continue leading as a city where LGBTQIA+ residents can live openly, safely, and proudly,” said Director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs Japer Bowles.
Throughout the month, residents can join the Bowser Administration and the community to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. Events include:
7th Annual District of Pride Showcase
Celebrate LGBTQIA+ leadership, community, and pride at the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs’ signature District of Pride Showcase. Join us for an unforgettable evening highlighting the incredible talent and creativity of DC’s LGBTQIA+ community through live music, drag performances, spoken word, and more. District of Pride brings together artists, performers, and community members for a joyful celebration of culture, expression, and visibility during Pride Month.
- When: Wednesday, June 17 at 7 pm
- Where: Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street NW
- RSVP: tinyurl.com/DOPShowcase2026
Walk with Mayor Bowser in the Capital Pride Parade
Mayor Bowser will lead the DC Government contingent in the 2026 Capital Pride Parade, alongside MOLGBTQA, community leaders, advisory committee members, Legacy Award honorees, and District agency partners. This moment celebrates two decades of partnership, advocacy, and progress for LGBTQIA+ Washingtonians, and the parade highlights the District’s continued commitment to inclusion, visibility, and equity while bringing together government and community in one of Pride Month’s largest celebrations.
- When: Saturday, June 20 | line up at 2 pm; parade steps off at 3 pm
- Where: 14th Steet NW & U Street NW
- RSVP: tinyurl.com/MMBPrideParade2026
For more information on these events and other Pride Month activities, visit linktree.com/DCLGBTQ or follow @DCLGBTQ on Instagram and X. For additional information, including a full list of Capital Pride Celebration events, visit capitalpride.org.
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