WASHINGTON, D.C. – This Saturday, the streets of the nation’s capital will be filled with color, pride, and unity as WorldPride D.C. kicks off its highly anticipated parade—and leading the charge will be a 1,000-foot-long rainbow flag, a powerful symbol of LGBTQ+ visibility and resilience.
The massive flag, designed to be carried by 500 members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, is being presented by the Gilbert Baker Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of Gilbert Baker, the creator of the original Rainbow Flag.
A Bold Statement for Equality
Charley Beal, President of the Gilbert Baker Foundation, called the moment a “vivid act of defiance” and a “declaration of LGBTQ+ presence” amid growing legislative and cultural challenges facing the community.
“In Utah, you can bring a Nazi flag into school, but you can’t bring a rainbow flag in—I think that’s terrible,” Beal said, highlighting what he believes to be the ongoing double standards and injustices targeting LGBTQ+ symbols and expression.
The Foundation has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts as several states introduce or pass laws banning LGBTQ+ symbols, flags, or educational content in public institutions. Saturday’s display is intended to serve not only as a celebration but also as a form of peaceful protest and unity.
About the Gilbert Baker Foundation
The Gilbert Baker Foundation was established to honor the life and work of Gilbert Baker, who designed the Rainbow Flag in 1978 as a symbol of pride, diversity, and inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community. Since its founding, the organization has worked to defend the flag’s symbolic importance and expand its visibility in response to rising political and legal threats across the country.
This weekend’s WorldPride event is seen as a pinnacle moment in that mission.
Parade Route and Timing
The WorldPride Parade is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, and will feature thousands of participants, including advocacy groups, local organizations, and international delegations.
While the full parade route has not been detailed in this release, city officials and organizers recommend checking the official WorldPride D.C. website or social media channels for updated maps and road closures ahead of the event.
Local authorities are also reminding attendees to prepare for possible showers and storms, especially on Sunday, when some of the strongest weather is expected during Pride Weekend festivities.
More Than a Celebration
Organizers and supporters emphasize that WorldPride 2025 is not only about celebration—it’s about visibility, resistance, and affirming the rights of LGBTQ+ people at a time when those rights are being challenged in several parts of the country.
The 1,000-foot flag, stretching across multiple city blocks, is designed to be a living banner of inclusion, one that reflects decades of history and a continued fight for equality.
As thousands prepare to march through Washington with music, color, and pride, the message is clear: the LGBTQ+ community is here, it is visible, and it will not be erased.
Stay tuned for live coverage and updates throughout the day.
Leave a Reply