Rainbow parade defies US President

Rainbow flags flooded Washington’s streets as the US capital celebrated World Pride for LGBTQ rights, which are facing an assault by the Trump administration.

People cheer as parade participants march during the WorldPride 2025 celebrations in Washington. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

Rainbow flags flooded Washington’s streets on Saturday as the US capital celebrated World Pride with a massive show of support for LGBTQ rights, which are facing an assault by the Trump administration.

“We just have to show this administration that we are united, that we cannot be broken,” said Amy Froelich, a 46-year-old artist and teacher, dressed in a rainbow-coloured jumpsuit.

“We need to be an ally to our brothers and sisters and our trans community,” she said, seated next to her wife near the starting line for a massive parade that marks the culmination of weeks of festivities. “All of our laws and any protections that we’ve been working so hard for (are) getting reversed.”

The WorldPride festival, a rotating global event advocating for LGBTQ equality worldwide, is being hosted in Washington this year – a stone’s throw from the White House.

Since returning to power in January, Donald Trump and his administration have overhauled LGBTQ rights gained in recent decades, in particular by members of the trans community.

On his first day in office, Mr Trump declared the federal government would recognise only two genders – male and female – and he has since targeted transgender people in a slew of other orders.

Transgender American actor Laverne Cox, best known for her role in the series Orange is the New Black, addressed the crowd at the parade starting line.

“I knew I had to be here, surrounded by community, because you give me so much hope,” Cox said. “I don’t have any faith in our government … but I have faith in you.”

A few metres away, on the roof of the first bus in the parade, Yasmin Benoit, who came from Britain to show support for the US LGBT community, waved to the crowd.

“We are literally on Trump’s doorstep right now, and I’m sure he’s not thrilled about all of this,” the 28-year-old model and activist told AFP.

Ms Benoit said she had been detained by border police upon her arrival in the US, but was finally allowed to enter.

“It’s definitely not the easiest place to come to, but I feel like that makes it a little more important to try,” she said.

Mr Trump’s policies are on the minds of many taking part in this year’s festival. “It’s been a big dark cloud since he was elected, really,” said Ginny Kinsey, sitting in the shade with a friend.

Her wife, she said, had been working as a federal civil servant, but had been forced to change careers amid government funding cuts.

“My wife just switched jobs in the government, and she made the decision to not be out at her new job, (as) she was in her previous job,” she said.

“People are just hiding again.”

Trying to cool off with his fan under the blazing Washington sun, Bill George, 74, said he had come “to celebrate who we are”.

“We’re as human as anybody else,” said the retiree, who came out in 1975 and who has taken part in several rights protests.

“Conservatism is a wave that is actually attacking us again,” Mr George told AFP.

AFP