D.C. Pride – D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser kicked off Pride Month Monday with the city’s fourth annual flag raising on the John A. Wilson Building steps, calling the moment a promise that equality will not be postponed, delayed, or denied.
On the front steps of the John A. Wilson Building, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser stood before a crowd of about 60 people—city council members, vendors, and LGBTQ+ advocates—and marked the first day of Pride Month with the city’s fourth annual flag raising.
“We’re celebrating Pride Month in the gayest city in the world. ” Bowser said. framing the gathering as both celebration and insistence. She pointed to “Fifty-one years of pride in the future 51st state. ” and said both movements are rooted in the belief that “Every person deserves to be seen. heard and fully represented.”.
Japer Bowles. director of the Mayor’s Office of Lesbian. Gay. Bisexual. Transgender and Questioning Affairs. described what his community wants Washington to mean by its welcome. “When we look at Washington. D.C. they see this city as one of most welcoming and affirming cities in the world for LGBTQ+ people. ” he said.
This year, Bowles said, marks the 20th year the District has had an Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs. Bowles has served as director since 2021, and he said he is “floored” by how much D.C. is respected by the people he works to serve.
“There were people who believed our community would never fully be seen,” Bowles said. “There were people who believed that equality was something to be postponed, delayed or denied. And yet here we stand.”
After the speeches, Bowser, Bowles, and city leaders gathered at a flagpole. They raised a District flag with a multicolored pride flag attached underneath. Bowser said the pride flag represents the city’s commitment to serve all its citizens equally and with respect.
Bowser returned to the idea of momentum—how public promises must keep moving forward. “We speak with one clear voice,” she said. “D.C., of course, is a welcoming city, but also we know that our work has been robust, but it is not done.”
Last year, the District hosted events tied to World Pride, celebrating 50 years of the Pride movement. For this Pride season. the mayor’s office highlighted multiple events across the month in which Bowser and her office will be directly involved. including the Capital Pride Parade and the 7th Annual District of Pride Showcase.
Washington DC Pride Month Muriel Bowser LGBTQ+ flag raising John A. Wilson Building Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs Capital Pride Parade District of Pride Showcase World Pride