Tie-dye shirts and rainbow flags decorate the streets on one particular weekend in D.C. Pride representation is coming to D.C. for the 47th anniversary this year. Capital Pride is an annual LGTBQ+ pride celebration in D.C. for Pride Month that started in 1975. The celebration is a week long, however the main attractions take place on June 11 and 12.The weekend will include many activities for all ages such as a parade, festival and concert according to Capital Pride Alliance.

June is national pride month to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. Stonewall Uprising was a series of events between police and LGBTQ+ protesters which stretched over six days. The Stonewall riots were spontaneous protest against police harassment and social discrimmination endured by different sexual minorities.

The parade is being presented by Marriott International on June 11 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Participants will walk a 1.5 mile route held at the Logan & Dupont Circle neighborhoods. The theme for this year is “reUNITED,” to represent the community coming together and to create a positive change in the world. This will be the first year the parade will consist of embellished vehicles. Visit Capital Pride’s website for more information on tickets. 

“It was a celebration with picnics, flags, people listening to music and a lot of dancing,” senior Ardavan Davoodi said. 

People are recommended to dress in red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple to represent the LGBTQ+ flag. Colorful accessories, face paint, body glitter, makeup and rainbow flags are another way to incorporate pride into the theme. 

“Most people were wearing rainbow colors and holding pride flags,” senior Kaitlyn Yost said.

The festival and concert will take place on June 12 from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at America’s Mainstreet, Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. There will be two food courts, two beverage gardens that are open for all ages and a variety of food vendors offered at the festival. The concert venue will be open 1:00 pm through 8:00 pm with special guest Joe Jonas performing. Tickets for special access to the concert pit are sold at GoLively. Otherwise, the festival and concert are free to the public.

The Capital Pride celebration is open for everyone, no matter the sexuality. The event plans on emphasizing building stronger connections towards all people.

“Not everyone who attended necessarily was a part of the LGBTQ+ community,” Davoodi said. “My friends came as allies to support and have fun. Not having allies goes against the whole purpose of the celebration.”

Many students who attend choose to go with their friends as a way to not only spend time with each other, but also to show their awareness and support together.

“I’m planning on going with my friend group because it seems like a positive activity to do in the summer,” junior Julia Molodow said. “It seems fun and I think there should be more attention to events like this.”

Capital Pride’s mission is to celebrate, educate, support and inspire. This event creates a no judgment zone for all who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community.

“The energy was amazing and having so many people just like you in one space was so amazing,” Yost said. “I’ve never felt more accepted in my life.”