Pabllo Vittar to perform at WorldPride

Capital Pride Alliance, the nonprofit DC group that organizes WorldPride 2025, received a $900,000 grant from the city this week to support multiple events, running from May 17th to June 8th, DC.

According to a release from DC Muriel Bowser and Events DC, the city’s official treaty, sports and events department, Capital Pride Alliance was one of 11 nonprofits hosting 2025 DC events to receive a total of $3.5 million in grants.

The announcement states that the grant program is being funded for the D.C. Deputy Mayor’s plan and economic development through a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Office.

Nina Albert, vice mayor of planning and economic development, told Washington Blade that the grants are already made up of federal funds paid to the city, and that they will not be affected by the $1 billion budget cuts imposed on the city by Congress earlier this year.

“WorldPride is one of 11 grantees and is truly thrilled to create a massive crowd and introduce the city to a national and international audience,” says Albert. “And I think it’s a really positive opportunity.”

A statement from the mayor’s office that announced the grant said funds could be used to support costs associated with holding large events, such as venue rental fees, security, labor costs, equipment and other infrastructure costs.

“All of these are things we do for our major events, including WorldPride,” said Ryan Bos, executive director of the Capital Pride Alliance. “So this grant resource will be extremely helpful when approaching the final weeks of World Pride Washington, DC preparation,” he said.

Bos said DC has been an important partner in helping to promote WorldPride 2025 since the plans began more than two years ago. “And now we look forward to them supporting us financially, passing us to the finish line and hosting a great event.”

BOS and Vice Mayor Albert said WorldPride organizers and DC government officials are doing everything they can to inform potential visitors from overseas and elsewhere in the US that the local DC government hosting WorldPride is highly supportive of the LGBTQ community.

The two said the world’s leading organizers and the city are pointing to potential visitors to different potential visitors than members of the Trump administration and Congress who introduced or advocated policies that are harmful to the LGBTQ community.

“DC is more than a federal city,” Boss told Blade. “It’s more than the White House, it’s more than the Capitol,” he said. “We have a vibrant, progressive and inclusive community with many neighborhoods and a great culture.”

Broccoli City, Inc. is the group that hosts DC’s annual Broccoli City Music Festival. Marcus Allen, a staff member of the group, contacted Blade to point out that Broccoli City is one of 11 events to receive the $250,000 DC Great Event Grant along with WorldPride.

Allen said there are a large number of LGBTQ people taking part in the Broccoli City Festival, which includes performances by musicians and performances by artists interested in people of African Americans and people of color. This year’s festival will be held from August 8th to 10th, with the main event being held at Washington Nationals Stadium.

“Visitors from all over the world come to DC and experience world-class festivals and events,” Mayor Bowser said in a grant statement. “These grants help bring that experience back to life with music, food and our neighbourhood spirit,” she said. “Together with Event DC, we are creating jobs, supporting local talent and showing off the vibrancy of our city.”

Here is the full list of organizations receiving this year’s large event grants:

Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Association

•National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc.

Asian Heritage Foundation

• Capital Pride Alliance

•US Football Federation

•Broccoli City, Inc.

•USA Rugby Football Union

Washington Tennis and Education Foundation

DC Jazz Festival

Wool Mammoth Theatre Company

•Fiesta DC, Inc.

“Event DC is focused on creating unique experiences that bring jobs, financial impacts and lasting memories for residents, tourists and guests,” said Angie M. Gates, president and CEO of DC, in a statement. “Through a large event grant program, we will be building community connections this year, celebrating unique cultures and supporting even more remarkable events that contribute to the economy.”