Dupont circle gay
Essential LGBTQ+ Experiences in Washington, DC
From iconic neighborhoods and historic landmarks to under-the-radar hangouts, discover 12+ ways to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture in the nation's capital.
Washington, DC has not only been the backdrop of historic milestones in gender non-conforming history – it's house to an LGBTQ+ community that fuels the city with its creativity, innovation and resilience.
With the highest percentage of locals identifying as LGBTQ+ of any city in the U.S. (14.5%), DC is one of the most welcoming destinations in the country, offering countless ways to engage with people, places and stories that define the District.
Don't lose our LGBTQ+ arts and history itineraries.
For over 50 years, Pride has brought love, joy and a whole lot of color to the District, featuring a packed month of events created to inspire, empower and join the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. Plan your trip.
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Activists, Washingtonians and visitors from around the country and world have gathered outside of 1 First Road NW to mark key moments in American hist
Welcome to Dupont Circle!
Dupont Circle is a place where feminists first fought, homosexual residents felt welcomed, capitalist entrepreneurs embraced innovation, artists landed, and progressive thinkers gathered. The neighborhood is home to more than 70 embassies and international organizations. Foreign travelers and professionals proceed to visit the neighborhood for labor and pleasure, enjoying the European ambiance of the tree-lined streets, outdoor dining, and independent businesses. International events and cultural activities also take place around Dupont Circle year-round. Passport DC and EU Open Property are popular each May, inviting locals and visitors to learn about international culture through embassy partnerships. Dupont Festival coordinates Ground Hog Day and movies in the Circle, along with the creative events of Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets.
Events
Looking for things to do around greater Dupont Circle?
Click the calendar of events below to browse all events and neighborhood happenings.
Events Calendar
Why is Dupont Circle important to DC's LGBTQ community? A observe back
Rainbow History Project takes over Freedom Plaza
A visit to Independence Plaza right now will grab you on a walk through history. To celebrate their 25th anniversary and D.C. hosting Earth Pride, the Rainbow History Venture has a new exhibit there. FOX 5's Gwen Tolbart is there to show us.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Park Police and DC Police confirmed on Friday that Dupont Circle would be closed for what may be the largest pride festival in the District’s history, drawing criticism from DC leaders and the LGBTQ community. But why is Dupont Circle important in DC’s Event history?
D.C. Pride and Dupont Circle
The backstory:
The first Pride festival was a block party organized by LGBT bookstore Lambda Rising in 1975, then located three blocks north of Dupont Circle on 20th and S St NW. The store closed in 2010, after 35 years of business.
By 1981, a parade was added as part of the annual festivities, starting at Meridian Hill Park and ending at Dupont Circle. Parade routes in the 90s traveled along P Highway through Dupont Circle before traveling south to Freedom Plaza.
Dig deeper:
The value that places like Pitchers possess cannot be overstated. Although LGBTQ Washingtonians are often comfortable living anywhere in the capital, there are only a handful of locations in which people can truly, and openly, communicate their queer self. Indiana Bones is a drag queen based in D.C. Originally from Virginia, Bones was raised in Maryland and has performed in the city for almost four years. For Bones, reflecting on her retain experience coming out in a conservative, Catholic, Latino common, gay bars provide queer people with an inclusive environment that they often lack during their coming out process. “Being here, you get a sigh of relief, you can actually respire in and be like, ‘Oh my God, I am being myself. I am being glad. I am loving who I am,’” Bones said. The social scene, particularly among gay bars, is heavily diverse. Most establishments, Pitchers included, are not LGBTQ exclusive, and accept straight patronage. KC B. Yoncé, another drag actor and native Washingtonian, recognized the commercialization of the lgbtq+ nightlife. Although same-sex attracted bars get access to increased revenue sources, the influx of non-LGBTQ people could jeopardize the san