WorldPride Is More Important Than Event
As we prepare for WorldPride in DC, we continue to work actively to ensure the safety for all visitors and residents. Our vibrant LGBTQ+ community in Washington, DC is the largest of any in the U.S. with over 14% of residents identifying as such. DC is, and will remain, one of the most inclusive and diverse cities in the world and is well practiced in hosting major events safely and securely.
As the LGBTQ+ community continues its fight for equality, visibility, and justice, WorldPride serves as a powerful rallying cry, and we are working to unite voices worldwide in support of our movement. The actions being taken by the new administration underline the importance of our continued work and highlight the need for the global community to gather during WorldPride, where we will advocate for and uplift the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ communities understand the strength that comes from having a unified voice. This moment calls for unity beyond our community though. WorldPride is also a call to our allies – everyone who supports our human rights around the world – we need individuals, families, companies, and organizations to stand with us, and to advocate for us, as we stand in the face of laws that look to erase decades of progress.
Our message to WorldPride attendees is that you are safe and welcome here. We are working on a range of programs and measures to ensure that safety is paramount as we celebrate and advocate for our global community. WorldPride will continue to adapt and update our coordination efforts as the situation continues to evolve. Among the major activities taking place is the International March on Washington and Rally on Sunday, June 8, 2025, to unite citizens, activists, and human rights leaders from around the world. We believe that WorldPride has a vital role to play in bringing together people from different countries and backgrounds to speak out in favor of those who seek justice, equity, peace and freedom, and stand against bigotry, hatred, divisiveness, discrimination, homophobia and transphobia.
Interagency Planning and Coordination
As a World Class City with regularly planned international events, Washington, DC has extensive experience in planning large-scale gatherings. We work closely with multiple safety and security agencies such as the Mayor’s Special Events Task Group (MSETG), Metropolitan Police Department, Homeland Security, Capitol Police, National Park Police, and others. All plans and procedures for our large-scale events are produced in partnership with these agencies.
Safety measures include pre-event web-related surveillance, on-site security/police, advanced life support stations, roving medic teams, aerial surveillance, and anti-scaling systems and barricades where applicable.
The MSETG is an organization of city, federal, and regional partners responsible for the public safety, security, and transportation planning of highly visible, local, national, and global events hosted in the District of Columbia as well as those co-hosted in other jurisdictions of the National Capital Region.