The Capital Pride Alliance Receives the Official Handover from Sydney WorldPride to Host WorldPride 2025 in Washington, DC

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Members and representatives from the Capital Pride Alliance (CPA),  Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office, Events DC, and the Equality Chamber of Commerce DC (ECCDC) traveled to Sydney, Australia to support WorldPride 2023, hosted by Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and Sydney WorldPride. Destination DC provided in-destination Australian representation in support of our venture. In November 2022, InterPride, an international association of over 400 Pride organizations from over 70 countries, announced that the Capital Pride Alliance (CPA) had been selected to host WorldPride in 2025.  

“CPA is thrilled and honored to be the next host of WorldPride in 2025,” said CPA Executive Director Ryan Bos. “We are excited for the opportunity to share the best of the Washington, DC region with visitors from around the globe, particularly during the 50th Anniversary of Pride in DC. WorldPride provides an expansive platform to further the fight for civil and human rights, and to help secure freedoms for members of the LGBTQ+ community.”  

“We congratulate Sydney WorldPride on a successful, empowering, and legacy-setting WorldPride,” said Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. “As DC now takes the mantle and starts preparing to host WorldPride in 2025, we look forward to working with the Capital Pride Alliance and InterPride to ensure a celebration that will be centered on our DC values and be a celebration of the diversity and strength of DC’s LGBTQ+ community. We can’t wait to welcome you to Washington, DC in 2025.”  

Washington, DC has the largest percentage of residents in the United States who identify as LGBTQ+ according to an analysis by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law. There are 36 national and international LGBTQ+ organizations headquartered in the city, and annual LGBTQ+ community events create a positive economic impact for local business-owners.  

“Reflective of the city’s values, diversity, equity, and inclusion have always been key pillars of Destination DC, said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, President and CEO of Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC. “We are proud that Washington, DC is a place that welcomes and validates all people and has been the center of many positive historic milestones for the LGBTQ+ community.” We welcome visitors to explore our unique culture, and look forward to working alongside our members, InterPride, and Capital Pride Alliance to create an incredible visitor experience and positive economic impact for our residents.” 

Sydney’s three-weeklong WorldPride included hundreds of events including an opening concert, evening parade, a Human Rights Conference, a march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and a closing ceremony. CPA participated in the parade as part of the InterPride contingent; the event was viewed by millions of people both at the parade and from home. On the final day of the Human Rights Conference, the First Nations Community, who represent Australia’s indigenous people, presented CPA with a Message Stick. The Message Stick is a new tradition that will be presented to other indigenous communities during future WorldPride celebrations. The official handover of the WorldPride title was passed to Washington, DC during the closing ceremony on Sunday, March 5th. A video clip of Mayor Muriel Bowser was played to thousands of attendees, and CPA Board President, Ashley Smith, invited the world to DC in 2025. 

Smith said that “WorldPride embodies the best parts of humanity, community, the will to learn, and the ability to celebrate our achievements freely and safely as a global family. It’s also a time to allow ourselves to have fun and make unforgettable memories with millions of friends new and old from around the globe.” 

WorldPride Washington, DC will take place from May 23 through June 8, 2025. Visitors will experience a variety of world-class events in the heart of the nation’s capital, including a monumental festival, parade, and concert. There will also be a global sports festival, Human Rights Conference, and rally. Washington, DC offers something for everyone, whether it be dancing the night away or experiencing the city’s large collection of free cultural institutions. 

 

For more information, visit www.WorldPrideDC.org and www.CapitalPride.org.