June Is The Best Month: Reflections on Capital Pride 2024

P.R.I.D.E. June is the best month, can’t you see! Okay, I know it was a stretch to make it sound similar to Aretha Franklin’s song, “Respect.” But I’m sure that if you’re reading this, you agree! 

June is absolutely the best month and because of the number of LGBTQ+ Pride parades that happen at the same time. This past week was the 2024 Capital Pride parade in Washington, D.C., and I had the pleasure of walking in the parade with my wife and her queer softball league, CAPS. CAPS stands for Chesapeake And Potomac Softball, a softball league for both members of the LGBTQ+ community and our allies, which has been going strong since 1983. If you’ve never been to a game or tournament, I highly recommend you check it out!

Walking in a parade and watching a parade are two very different experiences. When watching a parade, you’re most likely staying in place, seeing all the people and floats. You’re also receiving the free items that those in the parade may throw, like beads, stickers, fans, and other popular items. 

However, when you are walking in the parade, you are not in one place, and your only view is the people. The many, many, many people that come to watch the parade. You are the one who has the pleasure of waiving and passing or tossing items to spectators. You are also probably more tired at the end than those who just watched because of all of the walking.

Nonetheless, it’s an experience that I truly enjoyed! Words can’t describe the joy that you see on so many faces in the crowd and in the parade. The only thing you can do is smile. 

This year, the D.C. parade route was slightly different, as it did not go through the popular neighborhood of Dupont Circle, which is the unofficial LGBTQ+ heart of the city. This was because the district wanted to test out a new route to prepare for the World Pride Parade, which will be held in Washington, D.C., next year. This new route is designed to allow more people to view the parade and provide more space for participants. As someone who has been to many D.C. Pride parades., I could tell that  this route truly did provide more room for those watching and participating.

I look forward to being in attendance as a spectator next year!