CAPITAL PRIDE REVEALS 2023 THEME AND ACKNOWLEDGES WASHINGTON, DC AS HOST OF THE NEXT WORLD PRIDE
Washington, DC, March 17, 2023…Yesterday, the Capital Pride Alliance (CPA) held its annual “Capital Pride Reveal,” hosted and presented by the Kimpton Hotel Monaco. Over 300 people gathered for reveal of the theme for Capital Pride 2023, Peace, Love, Revolution, and listened to Japer Bowles, Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs for the Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser, acknowledge DC as the official host of WorldPride 2025. Attendees learned that the Pride Parade will once again be generously presented by Marriott International and will travel the same route as last year, the Block Party will continue on 17th Street for the second year, and MGM National Harbor is proudly presenting one of the largest Pride Festivals in the United States, with the U.S. Capitol as the backdrop. Finally, Hot 99.5, Pride Radio, and DARCARS are excited to present the Pride Concert.
“We are thrilled to introduce our theme for Capital Pride 2023 as we gear up to welcome the world to DC in 2025, which is also the 50th Anniversary of Pride in DC,” said CPA Executive Director Ryan Bos. “This year’s theme kicks off a three-year campaign leading into the message that we want to share with the world in 2025,” Ryan explained.
Social justice issues, including those involving the LGBTQ+ community, were shaped by moments that turned into movements beginning in the 1950s and in the years that followed. These movements created a REVOLUTION of change that sparked the beginning of newfound freedoms. The fight for these liberties instilled a sense of Pride in members of the LGBTQ+ community in the decades since. PEACE and LOVE motivated many of these pioneers to be brave and inspired others to fight for human rights for years to come.
Recent challenges have arisen in state houses and in Congress where the LGBTQ+ community once again finds itself under fire from those who would deny us our basic civil rights. But our fight for freedom continues and will require direct action in the streets and the halls of government. To continue sustainable, positive change and create a more inclusive nation and progressive world, we must recommit ourselves to the foundations of our movement.
#PeaceLoveRevolution
“We are grateful for the contributions that we have received and for the assistance that we have been able to provide through the Pride 365 Fund,” said Ashley Smith, CPA Board President. “As a community, let’s be sure to show our support to the many Pride organizations that also put on amazing programming throughout the year, Smith continued. “In addition, we look forward to our partnership with the DC Center and the future opportunities that the new community center is going to provide us.”
Through the events of Capital Pride and its many partnerships, last year CPA was able to raise over $200,000 for the Pride 365 fund. The success of last year allowed CPA to invest and partner with The DC Center for the LGBT Community to establish a new LGBTQ+ community center for Washington, DC, and continue the support of partner organizations that organize events such as, DC Black Pride, Trans Pride, Youth Pride, Silver Pride, Latinx Pride, and AAPI Pride. In addition, CPA was able to provide grants to local organizations that would not otherwise have been able to participate in the Parade or Festival. A portion of the funds also went to assist the former employees of Casa Ruby.
CPA also wants to thank Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and the Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams/Truly) for their ongoing generous support.
