In 2025, WorldPride is coming to Washington, DC – the US capital and bustling LGBTQIA+ cultural centre. This milestone marks the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations in DC and represents an opportunity for the international community to delve into the city’s rich and bustling queer culture.
To get the inside story, GAY TIMES collaborated with Washington, DC creator Bri aka @queertalkdc to give us a tour of what the city has to offer.
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Pride, 365 days of the year
As Bri notes, queer life in Washington, DC doesn’t begin and end at Pride. In fact, there are a number of hot spots celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community every day.
Among these is Dupont Italian Kitchen, a restaurant and bar catering to the queer community and allies and serving fresh, delicious Italian food as well as hosting a weekly drag night.
Bri also highlights spots such as The Dirty Goose on U Street, a queer bar known for its rooftop and city views. Other nightlife venues to look out for include Pitchers, a sports-themed gay bar which also houses lesbian bar A League of her Own.
Celebrating the power of the LGBTQIA+ community
Continuing their tour of Washington, DC, Bri guides us through neighbourhoods which exemplify the power of the community.
To begin, they explore Dupont Circle: a focal point for all aspects of LGBTQIA+ life. Gaining a reputation as a major “gaybourhood” from as far back as the 1970s, the area remains an important queer meeting place and historical hub.
Another key landmark is the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center, a resource for the local queer and trans community, bringing together work by local queer artists as well as support groups for a range of identities and sexual health testing.
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The history of queer demonstrations in Washington, DC
In order to celebrate the full picture of LGBTQIA+ life in Washington, DC, we need to look to the past.
As Bri highlights, there is a rich history of queer and trans demonstrations in the city. One location which emphasises Washington, DC’s queer advocacy legacy is Lafayette Square, close to the White House and the National Mall.
This area has seen LGBTQIA+ pickets, marches, memorials and demonstrations over the years and has witnessed countless tales of resistance, resilience and joy.
Bri also recommends that queer folks hit the books and head over to Little District Books, a queer-owned and operated bookshop celebrating LGBTQIA+ stories – and the perfect place to delve into the history of queer protest.
Book your trip to Washington DC
A queer haven in its own right, Washington, DC brings together queer activism, culture and community into a vibrant and bustling LGBTQIA+ scene.
Fancy seeing it for yourself? Check out holiday packages here.
