InterPride, an international association of over 400 Pride organizations from over 70 countries, announced that the Capital Pride Alliance (CPA) has been selected to host WorldPride in 2025. “CPA is thrilled and honoured to have been awarded the privilege of hosting WorldPride 2025. We thank InterPride for the opportunity to share the best of the Washington, DC region with visitors from around the globe, particularly during the 50th Anniversary of Pride in DC,” said Ryan Bos, Executive Director of CPA. “WorldPride provides an expansive platform to further the fight for civil and human rights by inspiring changemakers, while collectively celebrating our achievements, diversity, and resilience as a local, national, and global community,” Bos explained. In 2021, WorldPride 2025 was originally awarded to Kaohsiung Pride; that organization withdrew its bid on August 12 of this year.

This honour is the result of a great deal of hard work by members of CPA and their partners who presented their original bid in November 2021. Last week, during InterPride’s annual World Conference, they provided member organizations an update as to why WorldPride should take place in 2025 and be hosted by Washington, DC. Voting took place over the course of five days. “We would like to thank the members of our team who put in countless hours to advocate on behalf of Washington, DC, in addition to our many local and national LGBTQ+ organizations, local businesses, government agencies, and our corporate advocates who provided support for the bid,” said Ashley Smith, Board President of CPA. “We’re humbled and excited to partner with InterPride to celebrate WorldPride in DC in conjunction with CPA’s 50th Anniversary,” Smith concluded.

The proposed dates for WorldPride DC are May 22 through June 8, 2025. WorldPride DC 2025 will feature a vibrant and innovative slate of cultural programs that highlight the best that Washington, DC has to offer. It will include a Human Rights Conference, in partnership with the 34th annual DC Black Pride, along with partner events, such as Trans Pride, Latinx Pride, AAPI Pride, Silver Pride, and Youth Pride. “Hosting WorldPride is a great opportunity for our community to come together to inspire positive change, and we are excited to have this opportunity to further the mission of DC Black Pride and to be a partner in producing the Human Rights Conference,” said Kenya Hutton, Director of DC Black Pride with Center for Black Equity.

Sports will also be featured prominently at WorldPride DC. According to Brent Minor, Team DC Executive Director, “Washington, DC has one of the most extensive local networks of LGBTQ+ sports teams and leagues in the world. We congratulate CPA and look forward to working with them on the WorldPride DC Sports Festival, in addition to incorporating sports into upcoming Pride celebrations.”

“Pride in DC is a manifestation of our DC values, an opportunity for people to celebrate themselves and for our entire community to celebrate diversity and inclusivity,” said Muriel Bowser, the Mayor of Washington, DC. “I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate 50 years of Pride in DC than hosting the largest LGBTQ+ event and bringing together people from around the world,” Mayor Bowser continued. “We are ready and excited to host WorldPride in the greatest city in the world. We’ll see you at the Pride of our lifetime in 2025,” she concluded.

“Washington, DC is thrilled to host WorldPride 2025. The international diversity and inclusive community in DC make the city the perfect host, and we’re excited about the opportunity to work with the Capital Pride Alliance and InterPride to welcome friends from all over the world to experience DC,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, President and CEO, Destination DC, the official marketing organization for Washington, DC. “It is a privilege to partner with the Capital Pride Alliance to host WorldPride 2025,” said Ralph Morton, senior vice president and managing director, sports & entertainment at Events DC. “We welcome every and all visitors, near and far, to the District of Columbia to enjoy our vibrant, diverse and international community at dynamic events and world-class sporting experiences.”

In 2023, members from CPA will travel to Sydney, Australia to support the next WorldPride, hosted by Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. CPA Executive Director, Ryan Bos observed that “after nearly three years of navigating through this difficult time, we share our community’s continued excitement for our annual large-scale events and traditions.” CPA plans on unveiling its plans for 2023 and beyond in the coming months. “There’s never been a more important time to support the Capital Pride Alliance, and we look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with the world,” Bos concluded.