RAINBOW DECORATIONS AND PRIDE FLAGS ARE APPEARING ALL OVER THE NATION'S CAPITAL AS MORE FESTIVITIES START FOR WORLD PRIDE 2025.

THE BIANNUAL INTERNATIONAL EVENT TYPICALLY DRAWS MORE THAN A MILLION VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND ACROSS THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.

BUT THIS YEAR'S EVENTS WILL CARRY BOTH A SPECIAL RESONANCE AND A PARTICULAR SENSE OF COMMUNITY-WIDE ANXIETY DUE TO THE POLICIES OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S ADMINISTRATION.

SOUNDBITE (English) Citrine, DC Drag Queen:

“We have rhetoric that's trying to silence us, people that would rather us hide and not show ourselves. But this is the time, and hopefully it's a way to encourage everyone to be present for the entire year, not just for the month of June.”

THE LAST WORLD PRIDE, IN 2023, DREW MORE THAN 1 MILLION VISITORS TO SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, ACCORDING TO ESTIMATES.

LOCAL BUSINESSES IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ARE PREPARING FOR THE INFLUX OF VISITORS.

SOUNDBITE (English) Eli Downs, general manager of JR's Bar & Grill:

"We're ready for it. We are prepared for it. But it is it's going to be a lot to handle and like it's going to be a lot of people, but a lot of people having fun and celebrating who they are."

PRIDE EVENTS HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE IN WASHINGTON OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS, BUT IT ALL CULMINATES IN A TWO-DAY CLOSING FESTIVAL ON JUNE 7 AND 8 WITH A PARADE, RALLY AND CONCERTS ON PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.