Capital Pride Parade draws thousands to D.C. streets 

By D. Kevin McNeir 
Special to the AFRO

On a beautiful, sun-drenched afternoon in Washington, D.C., thousands of members of the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters filled the streets for the annual Capital Pride Parade on June 20. 

Hosted by the Capital Pride Alliance, the event’s message this year served as a clarion call to those who continue their efforts to erase the achievements made by the gay community and seek to diminish their visibility in American society. 

Native Washingtonian Monroe Alise, who served as one of the parade’s grand marshals, said the theme of the event, “Exist. Resist. Have the Audacity!” has long been her personal mantra. 

“Because of the current political climate of our country and the world, this year feels different, but that hasn’t stopped us from celebrating pride and protesting even louder for equal rights,” said Alise during an interview with the AFRO.  

Alise, a respected transgender advocate known for using storytelling to advance conversations about LGBTQ+ health equity, social justice and self-discovery, has built a digital series, “I’m CLOCKABLE,” that has garnered more than 6 million views in a recent 90-day period. 

“We’ve got to get back to our roots and honor our ancestors who paved the way for us today,” Alise said. “As a transgender woman, I know the only way to confront the stereotypes and caricatures about people like me is to confront the hatred and propaganda head on. People tend to believe what they hear until they have the opportunity to see us, to hear us, to meet and engage with us. It’s all about increasing our visibility.”

Alise emphasized the importance of loving oneself. For her that means embracing both her ethnicity and her identity. 

“I’m a Black, transgender woman born and raised in D.C., and I wear each part of me proudly and boldly,” Alise said. “We would be a better nation – a better world – if people would stop trying to segregate the queer community and instead embrace us and highlight our differences.”

As Alise waved to the crowd during the parade, she told the AFRO how honored she was to return home and to feel the love and support of her family and friends. 

“As soon as we’re finished today, I’m going to get some of my mother’s cooking and then honor my parents as part of our celebration for Father’s Day,” Alise said. “And as a way to express my cultural pride, I plan to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture. 

“You can’t get any better than visiting and experiencing the museum if you need a reminder that we have more than earned the right to say, ‘I’m Black and I’m proud.’”

Residents express their thoughts about pride 

Mother-daughter duo Marla Tate, 52, and Aunjellia Tate, 29, said the Pride Parade illustrates the benefits that come with self-love. 

“My mom has been gay all of her life and I’m here to show her, and the world, that I love every part of who she is and who she represents,” Aunjellia Tate said. “I don’t care what color of the rainbow flag she chooses, I’m proud to be her daughter just the same.” 

Marla Tate said while she can’t say how many times she’s joined the festivities, she always feels better after attending the parade. 

“I’m excited as always, but I’m also glad to see more police officers out here to keep us safe,” she said. “We’ve seen a dangerous surge in violence aimed at members of our community, especially transgenders. We need greater protection and stronger laws so we don’t continue to be victimized simply because of our sexual orientation and the color of our skin.” 

Carol Schwartz, 82, former D.C. Board of Education member, a former GOP at-large member of the D.C. City Council, and the only Republican since the restoration of home rule to have garnered more than 30 percent of the vote in a D.C. mayoral campaign, was embraced by scores of local residents before taking her place in the parade. 

“I’ve been an advocate and supporter since the very beginning when the District held its first Pride Parade and events back in the mid ‘70s and early ‘80s, and since then it’s been a must-attend event for me,” Schwartz said. “In fact, I’ve set my calendar to correspond with the week of D.C. Pride events and to make sure I’m in town for more than 40 years.”

“What we cannot allow is for the federal government to continue its efforts to move the clock backwards on gay rights,” she added. “D.C. government officials have always done a great job – it’s the other government of whom we should be ashamed and with whom we should be angry.”

George Harris, 35, a gay Black man who lives in the District, said he was initially unaware of the Pride Parade, but while walking in the vicinity he was compelled to investigate the source of the celebratory sounds. 

“This is my first time attending the parade and it’s been more than I could have imagined,” he said.  “Just being able to gather together as a community openly and safely to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride proves we’ve come a long way in America. But there’s still a lot more work to be done. I’d feel a lot better if the president would stop acting like he supports gay rights when it’s clear that he doesn’t. Talk is cheap.”