D.C. Mayor Welcomes WorldPride Attendees After Concert Cancellation

On Saturday, May 31, over 300 attendees gathered for a special WorldPride welcome reception hosted by Washington D.C.'s Mayor Muriel Bowser. The event, held at the Rubell Museum in Southwest D.C., was organized in response to the unexpected cancellation of a WorldPride welcome concert by famed singer Shakira. Shakira's concert was initially scheduled for the same day at Nationals Stadium, but unforeseen logistical issues forced her to cancel at the last minute.

Despite the change in plans, the reception at the Rubell Museum transformed into a grand celebration of unity and pride. The Mayor’s Office announced that the event’s scope was broadened to serve as a warm welcome to international and domestic visitors attending the WorldPride festivities. The Rubell Museum, a venue known for its contemporary art collections, was buzzing with excitement as attendees mingled, enjoyed refreshments, and listened to speakers.

A Transition from Concert to Reception

The decision to pivot from a concert to a reception was made swiftly by the Capital Pride Alliance, the D.C.-based organization leading the WorldPride 2025 preparations. According to Ashley Smith, the president of Capital Pride Alliance, the mayor's reception was not just a substitute for the canceled concert but a critical moment to kick off WorldPride activities. "It’s to not lose the importance of creating an opening experience for people who came internationally and domestically as well as to highlight the great work of our team and our city," Smith explained.

Among the event’s highlights was a moving performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, which set the tone for a night filled with camaraderie and celebration. The mayor herself added a touch of humor to the proceedings, jokingly addressing Shakira in her remarks. "Shakira, girl, get yourself over here," Mayor Bowser quipped, eliciting laughter and applause from the audience. "You’ve got the rest of the week. Get yourself here. We love you. We want to see you. We want to party with you. But we’re going to do it anyway."

D.C.'s Ongoing Commitment to LGBTQ Rights

Mayor Bowser took the opportunity to highlight Washington D.C.'s longstanding commitment to LGBTQ rights and its role as a leader in the fight for equality. "If you live here, you know this," she stated. "If you are visiting us let me tell you. D.C. has long been a leader in the fight for LGBTQ rights in the world. We’re proud to welcome the world to our city, to recognize the Fabric of Freedom as the theme of this year’s activities."

In her speech, Bowser expressed her gratitude to InterPride, the international organization that oversees WorldPride, for selecting D.C. as the host city for WorldPride 2025. Although D.C. initially lost its bid to host WorldPride to Taiwan in 2021, circumstances changed, leading to D.C. being named the host city.

Rick Andre, co-president of InterPride, was among the notable speakers at the event. He emphasized the significance of the event's theme, "Fabric of Freedom," which he described as a tribute to past struggles and current battles for a just future. "Around the world, LGBTQIA+ people still face discrimination, violence, and erasure," Andre remarked. "We’re together and we say we are here, and we are proud, and we will not be silenced."

Honoring Local LGBTQ Leaders and Advocates

In addition to Bowser and Andre, the reception featured speeches from several prominent figures in the local LGBTQ community, including Capital Pride Alliance President Ashley Smith, Executive Director Ryan Bos, and veteran LGBTQ advocate Rayceen Pendarvis. Bowser also invited her staff and D.C. government officials to join her on stage to be acknowledged for their dedicated service to the city and their support for WorldPride D.C.

In a show of unity, Bowser lauded the Capital Pride Alliance for organizing hundreds of events across all eight wards of Washington, D.C., ensuring that the spirit of WorldPride reaches every corner of the city. "I want to acknowledge the Capital Pride Alliance for spearheading hundreds of [World Pride] events in all eight wards across Washington, D.C.," she said.

While Shakira was unable to attend, she shared her heartfelt apologies and appreciation via social media. "Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am sad and heartbroken that I will not be able to be in Washington, D.C., with you tomorrow," she wrote. "I hope that I can come back to D.C. as soon as I am able. Meanwhile, please know that I am eternally thankful for your unconditional support."

The evening concluded with a strong sense of community and determination to continue celebrating inclusivity and diversity, setting the stage for what promises to be an extraordinary WorldPride in 2025.