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Black Pride is the first official black gay pride event in the United States and one of two officially recognized festivals for the African American LGBT community. DC Latinx Pride happens in early June.ĭ.C. It changed its name to Gay and Lesbian Pride Day in 1981, and to Capital Pride in 2000.Īlong with Capital Pride, Washington DC also hosts DC Black Pride, Youth Pride, Silver Pride, and Capital Trans Pride earlier in May. Capital Pride is held in early June each year in Washington, D.C.Ĭapital Pride was originally called Gay Pride Day. For ten days, you can expect the nation’s capital to come alive with a host of lively events including a pride brunch, a block party, and of course one incredible pride parade. “So have a good time as much as possible.The first DC Pride, also known today as Capital Pride, took place in 1972, and since then it has handsomely evolved into one of the biggest, most exciting pride celebrations in the USA. “If you did spend your last dollar to come this week, which we know some people do, we give you some money so you can enjoy yourself a little bit,” Hutton says. Anyone can enter the raffles by scanning QR codes that will be around the hotel and event space. These gift cards can be won in raffles across the weekend. Some sponsors of DC Black Pride have donated gift cards from places like Target and Shake Shack. Tickets for that event are on sale online. Proceeds from the brunch will benefit the Capitol Ballroom Council, helping to raise money for the local House and Ballroom community. Mariah Paris Balenciaga from RuPaul’s Drag Race will host the show, backed up by a slate of local and visiting queens. The DC Black Pride Brunch & Babes is Sunday, May 29, at Karma DC. So definitely I would love to be able to participate and see that.” If anyone has ever seen these entertainers perform, they bring the heat, they bring the business. “But the brunch is definitely, definitely it. “It’s really hard to pick just one,” he says. This year there are more than 20 categories to be walked with prizes totaling over $5,000.Īsked what event he was most excited about, Hutton replied like a parent asked which child was his favorite. The ball consists of competitors walking down a runway to music with various categories and themes while judges critique from the side. Last year’s Unity Ball, although virtual, was a major draw. The weekend kicks off with the DC Black Pride Unity Ball at the Renaissance Downtown Hotel on Thursday, May 26. “We’re going to also have rapid test kits available for anyone that if you start feeling a little funny on Friday or Saturday,” Hutton says. While not mandatory for Pride-goers, all staff are required to wear masks and will be providing additional safety measures as well. Downtown, where most of the events will take place. To mitigate against a potential surge in COVID infections, the Center for Black Equity has purchased thousands of masks that will be distributed throughout the Renaissance Washington D.C. Gilead, the drug manufacturer and sponsor of both the “wellness lounge” and a sexual health workshop on Saturday, will provide sexual health services and medication, including post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), medications used to reduce the risk of contracting HIV. Hutton explained the strips and Narcan would be provided with “no questions asked. Hutton acknowledges that although joining together and having fun is one aspect of pride, safety is a top concern for the weekend.įentanyl testing strips and Narcan will be available throughout the weekend, just in case someone is in need of medical assistance following a possible overdose. That feedback was clear and explained why in-person events are so essential to the DC Black Pride celebration. Early 2023 Grammy Predictions: Gayle, Latto & Tate McRae for Best New Artist