We Thank You for Being reUNITED!

To our wonderful LGBTQ+ community:

We want to thank you for bringing your individuality, intersectionality, and bravery to the 2022 Capital Pride Celebration. Together we uplifted the members of our community as we were #reUNITED at last. This June you showed that Pride still matters and always will.

Pride is a time to celebrate, reflect, and create change. Celebration week was no exception as we commemorated 47 years of Pride in the Nation’s Capital. It had been just over three years since the last Pride Celebration in 2019, and the amount of support and excitement leading up to this moment provided our team with the strength to continue our important work on behalf of our LGBTQ+ community. Representing this vibrant community in the nation’s capital comes with great responsibility and provides us with a unique national platform. We are honored to have welcomed Vice President Kamala Harris to address our celebration for the first time, and hope that our work continues to inspire real change, particularly at this critical time.

The outpouring of kind words and messages from those who attended our events, or watched them online, has been heartwarming. Here is a small collection of the many experiences that have particularly touched us:

“My two children, both with disabilities, became noticeably overwhelmed during the Parade. One of your volunteers quickly took time away from his duties to provide us with extra space, engaging with them, and providing them with colorful mementos from the event. Before long, they were cheering collectively with excitement. Moments like these, when connections are made with fellow humans, where one truly sees a person, is what keeps us coming to Pride.”

“I would like to compliment the level of equity this year for Deaf people. The interpreting set-up was wonderful. I truly hope you continue in this vein for the next few years. Happy Pride!”

“Congratulations on a MONUMENTAL weekend! Perhaps the biggest Festival yet? You and your team should feel PROUD for providing such a fun and inclusive space to the community. After so many dark days, many of us forgot what joy feels like. Certainly, my FAVORITE DC Pride weekend. Can we do it again next weekend?”

“Playtime Project had an amazing time co-hosting the Family Fun Zone at this year’s parade. Participants loved the programs we were able to provide as well as the newly implemented viewing area designed for families with small children. Through this event, we were also able to bring together several organizations, resulting in lasting partnerships that will create positive change for years to come. You truly put the Alliance in Capital Pride Alliance.”

“This year’s Capitol Pride was a long awaited and well needed celebration for our community after two years of isolation and virtual connections. The stakes were too high, and your team delivered. We enjoyed all of the perfectly orchestrated and operated festivities. You deserve our deepest thanks and greatest appreciation for a Pride to remember. Please extend our community’s appreciation to each member of your team for a flawless operation.”

We also want to thank the Mayor’s Special Event Task Group for their agency support this year. An event of this magnitude requires a great deal of planning, coordination, and infrastructure. We anticipate that this level of support will continue in the future as we host the largest annual Parade and Festival in the nation’s Capital and provide significant benefits to the city and the region.

This year’s Pride Celebration would not have been possible without the support of our corporate advocates and their employee resource groups. Their financial contributions are crucial to our operations. We seek partnerships with advocates that affirm and support our message of educating and celebrating the diversity of our community, challenging discrimination, and working toward full equality for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.

In particular, we would like to thank our Presidential Advocates Marriott International, for presenting the Parade, MGM National Harbor, for presenting the Festival, our Concert Presenters Hot 99.5/PRIDE Radio and DARCARS, and Google.  In addition, our Vice-Presidential Advocates Amazon, Boston Beer Company, Salesforce, and Tito’s.

Lastly, we’d like to thank our incredible volunteers for their unwavering support and countless hours of service throughout the year. Their commitment to serve the community provides long-lasting memories for those who know and love Pride, as well as those who are experiencing it for the first time.

We believe that Pride is more than any single event, it is a commitment that we make all year long. Our team will continue to work to create inclusive events, thought provoking programs, and long-lasting partnerships that celebrate our collective accomplishments, diversity, and resilience.

Remember to #HavePride365!

The Capital Pride Alliance Team