Rewind back to 2017. Trump took office following his election win, and Republicans controlled both the House and the Senate. Superstar Katy Perry suffered a public relations disaster following the release of her latest album. Nintendo brought us a brand-spanking-new Switch, while a now-iconic horror movie—written and directed by a Black man—became a smash hit among critics and audiences alike.

Well, this feels familiar. Why, then, does Pride in 2025 feel so different? The year 2017 was my first D.C. Pride, and I distinctly remember having a blast and feeling celebratory, even in the wake of Trump’s election. Now instead of Pride, all I feel is anxious, which sucks given this year D.C. hosts WorldPride, too. Upon some reflection, I distilled three reasons as to why.

The first is highly pe

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