Capital Pride board member Vernon Wall still remembers when Miley Cyrus stood her ground at Capital Pride in 2017 during the first Trump Administration.

鈥淪he said, 鈥業 promised that when this person was elected, I was never going to do 鈥楶arty in the USA鈥� ever again,鈥欌�� Wall said. 鈥淪he said, 鈥楽tanding in front of the Capitol, right now, on this stage, I鈥檓 going to do it because I really want people to know that we are the USA and we are important.鈥欌��

Seven years later, the stage is bigger, and so is the message. More than 3 million are expected to come to D.C. for World Pride. But Pride in the District has always been about more than parties and flags.

This year, it will be a of the past and present of the LGBTQ+ community from May 17 to June 8.

鈥淚 want to make sure that people know that Pride began as a protest, but it鈥檚 also a celebration,鈥� Wall said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not either-or. And I think that sometimes we move into this dynamic of is it a Pride or are we celebrating? It鈥檚 both, and we want people to do both.鈥�

In a charged political climate, he鈥檚 heard extra worries from international travelers.

鈥淲e鈥檙e always responding and saying, 鈥極f all places to come when there鈥檚 such unrest and discomfort, D.C. is the place to be because we handle marches and protests all the time,鈥欌�� Wall said. 鈥淚 feel probably the safest coming here for Pride than I would any other place.鈥�

But he knows the political conversation is ever evolving.

鈥淣ow, if you ask me this tomorrow, that may be a different story, or in an hour when a tweet comes out,鈥� Wall said. 鈥淲ho knows? But right now, we鈥檙e feeling good.鈥�

Dupont Circle ANC commissioner Vincent Slatt said he鈥檚 heard some concern due to that have been enacted and threatened.

鈥淲hile it might scare away some people who wanted to come for a party, I think it鈥檚 going to attract a lot more that want to come for a protest,鈥� Slatt said. 鈥淭he history of Pride is that it鈥檚 both a party and a protest.鈥澛�

He said this isn鈥檛 a new concept.

鈥淚 study gay history, and so I know that we鈥檝e had hard times before,鈥� Slatt said. 鈥淭his isn鈥檛 the first unfriendly administration that we鈥檝e had to deal with, and when we look back at our history, we can see lots and lots and lots of our elders battle, and many times they won. Many times they lost.鈥�

World Pride will include a human rights conference, rally, march, parade, street festival and sports fest.

World Pride 2025 is set to be one of the biggest celebrations of the LGBTQIA+ community this year

From performers to events and how to get tickets, here鈥檚 everything you need to know

鈥� GAY TIMES (@gaytimes)

president Bob Witeck has seen Capital Pride serve as the voice of the nation鈥檚 capital for 30 years as a volunteer and past honoree. Now, he鈥檚 excited for it to host the world.

鈥淭hey had taken on this enormous obligation to present to the world the face of Pride in the United States,鈥� Witeck said. 鈥淥f course, that means a lot of partners, corporations, governments and volunteers trying to make it as positive of a celebration as we can.鈥�

However, he鈥檚 not as optimistic as he once was about the turnout.

鈥淚 fear that globally, that visitor audience is going to be smaller than we hoped,鈥� Witeck said. 鈥淎 lot of queer people living in Europe and all over the world are a little anxious about coming to the United States, not feeling like they鈥檒l get a full feeling of safety and respect.鈥澛�

Our obligation as Americans?

鈥淲e have to make sure that the spaces we鈥檙e gonna offer them, the programs we鈥檙e going to have and the events that we celebrate are going to be safe, respectful and full of positivity and joy,鈥� Witeck said.

The change in administration has eliminated some Pride venues, like the Kennedy Center.

A week of LGBT events scheduled for this summer鈥檚 World Pride festival at the has been canceled, following a leadership change and new priorities at the renowned cultural institution, according to organizers and artists involved.

鈥� NTD News (@NTDNews)

鈥淏ut also, it has created that sense of risk and vulnerability that people feel,鈥� Witeck said.

He also said the political turnover will make attendees more outspoken.

鈥淧eople are feeling emboldened to feel visible and to stand up,鈥� Witeck said. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 changing in a certain way, the militancy and the purpose of being at Pride. It鈥檚 not just a party; it never has been just a party, but it has been far more celebratory than serious.鈥�

There will also be unofficial programming around D.C. in neighborhoods like Logan Circle, Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle. The owner of two local gay and lesbian bars plans to entertain guests both inside his venue and as they wait in line.

鈥淚 hired a couple of RuPaul鈥檚 Drag Race girls to just go outside and talk to people and hang out with them so they aren鈥檛 bored in line,鈥� said Dave Peruzza, owner of Pitchers and a League of Her Own. 鈥淚 always feel like the worst thing about Prides is waiting in lines.鈥�

He looks forward to seeing the statement that the event will make.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 know if he who shall not be mentioned is going to do something on the Mall, but the permits have already been issued for Pride, and D.C. issues the permits for streets, so he can鈥檛 do anything about that,鈥� Peruzza said.

Peruzza also believes visitors should be rest assured that they鈥檒l be safe here in D.C.

鈥淥ur mayor is very pro-gay,鈥� Peruzza said. 鈥淥ur council鈥檚 very pro-gay. You are safe here. Just come and have a good time, and don鈥檛 listen to what a couple of naysayers are going to say online. Just come and have a good time. We鈥檒l keep you safe.鈥�

On Saturday, we joined Trans Pride Washington DC for ! A day full of impactful panels, sharing community resources, and giving Trans and Non-binary leaders their flowers.

Drop a if you enjoyed Trans Pride this weekend

鈥� Mayor鈥檚 Office of LGBTQ Affairs #DistrictofPride (@DCLGBTQ)

Security is top of mind for visitors and officials alike. The Metropolitan Police Department did not make a representative available for an interview. However, they shared this statement:

鈥淭he MPD is working closely with our local, state and federal partners as we prepare for World Pride 2025.鈥�

鈥淲hile there are no known threats to World Pride 2025, we always encourage the public to remain vigilant. If you see something, say something.鈥�

鈥淲e鈥檙e a lot safer here in this city than we are in other states across the country and around the globe,鈥� Slatt said.

D.C. isn鈥檛 just a host; it鈥檚 the movement鈥檚 backdrop. It鈥檚 where LGBTQ+ Americans in 1965. For some, it鈥檚 still home base.

An exhibit from the on display in during World Pride aims to deliver this message.

鈥淚 believe in the power of history to really explain what happens and how we got to where we are and hopefully influence us where we鈥檙e going,鈥� said Slatt, who鈥檚 also the Rainbow History Project鈥檚 curator. 鈥淯nderstanding the battles of the past can really help us win the battles of the future.鈥�

From protest to parade, organizers and attendees are ready to create history in motion and show the world how far D.C. has come.

鈥淵ou have a sense of, 鈥業 belong,鈥欌�� Witeck said. 鈥淭o me, looking up to those institutions and monuments reminds us that we鈥檙e part of America and an integral part, a very important part of America. We鈥檙e not outsiders.鈥�

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As Nationals fans celebrate the start of another baseball season, the streets of Navy Yard have already seen an increase in foot traffic.

For nearby businesses, the boost is good for more than just atmosphere 鈥� it brings a financial win as well.

Bluejacket, a nearby restaurant and brewery, saw a 50% increase in sales opening weekend.

鈥淏aseball is always a big influx for us,鈥� Bluejacket general manager David Delaplaine said. 鈥淭his year has certainly been even moreso, I鈥檇 say so far. 鈥� Between it being the Phillies for the home opener and it just being beautiful weather, cherry blossoms, all that, it was a bit busier.鈥�

That 50% increase, however, tends to be the peak for Bluejacket. Delaplaine said the restaurant expects a consistent 10 to 20% increase in sales on game days throughout the season.

All-Purpose Pizzeria, another Navy Yard game day spot, has also seen the benefits of baseball鈥檚 return.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been fantastic,鈥� All-Purpose Pizzeria general manager Leon Kent said. 鈥�… It was overnight. The streets were packed.鈥�

The Nationals are averaging nearly 32,000 fans per game so far this season. Local restaurants have prepared accordingly. 

鈥淚f you know what you need by certain dates, just kind of hitting those markers as it comes closer and closer to the date, theoretically by Thursday, or opening day, you are ready to go,鈥� Kent said.

Still, some fans prefer to eat inside the stadium.

鈥淚 like going inside the stadium and [mingling] around on the inside,鈥� Nationals fan Godfrey Williams said. 鈥淚 was just deciding on what we [were] going to have for dinner here.鈥�

The Nationals鈥� next home game is set for April 22 at 6:45 p.m. against the Baltimore Orioles.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a beautiful day, and I鈥檓 glad that baseball season started back,鈥� Williams said.

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Nesse is skeptical about Trump鈥檚 reelection and is among the 70% of Norwegians who , according to Statista.

鈥淭he most concerning part is that Trump brings a more uncertain world, and I believe almost all democratic countries need certainty,鈥� Nesse said. 鈥淭hey need to not rely on the United States.鈥�

Two prominent following this year鈥檚 U.S. election are higher tariffs that could result in a trade war and security concerns relating to NATO, according to Norwegian political science experts.

鈥淚 think that if you are to draw anything positive out of this really miserable situation [of Trump鈥檚 election], it is that we might get the realization we need to take more responsibility for our own security, our own economic security, our own health security and our own independence,鈥� Nesse said.

Despite skepticism, Einar Berntzen, a University of Bergen political science professor, said it鈥檚 in Norway鈥檚 best interest to maintain positive relationships with the U.S., regardless of who leads it.

鈥淪ince FDR鈥檚 famous [on Sept. 16, 1942], the U.S. has been and remains Norway鈥檚 closest and most important ally,鈥� Berntzen said.

Additionally, Norwegian writer, researcher and teacher Aaron John Spitzer said Norway looks westward to the U.S. for trade and cultural influence.

鈥淣orway is a big NATO country, so on a practical level, U.S. international relations actually have the ability to impact Norway,鈥� Spitzer said. 鈥淏ut I think more than anything, it鈥檚 a cultural orientation.鈥�

A protectionist mindset

Trump鈥檚 threat to unilaterally impose a blanket tariff on U.S. trade partners might unleash a 鈥渢it-for-tat鈥� trade war, Berntzen said.

鈥淸The trade war] will wreak havoc on international trade and supply chains that would also affect the small and open economy of Norway,鈥� Berntzen said.

Stein Kuhnle, a political scientist at the University of Bergen, said his main concern following the election is the Trump-imposed new isolationism and how it will hinder trade with Norway, Europe and transatlantic regions.

鈥淚 think there is more concern about the future of American democracy and fear about the U.S. moving in a more authoritarian direction,鈥� Kuhnle said.

鈥楢n aggressive and dangerous neighbor鈥�

Norwegians like Berntzen are concerned that Trump will create a peace treaty with Russian President Vladimir Putin behind Ukraine鈥檚 back.

鈥淎merican elections typically influence Norwegian opinion due to their importance for Norway as a small country with a geopolitically vulnerable position sharing a border with an aggressive and dangerous neighbor: Russia,鈥� Berntzen said.

This fear makes the U.S. Norway鈥檚 closest and most important ally in regard to military and security, Berntzen said.

鈥淣orwegians are adamant that Putin must not be allowed to win his war of aggression against Ukraine,鈥� Berntzen said. 鈥淪uch a 鈥榩eace鈥� would only embolden Putin鈥檚 expansionism and send an ominous message to other countries sharing a border with Russia.鈥�

Predictable, yet disheartening

Following the U.S. election, most Norwegians weren鈥檛 surprised but still disappointed with the results.

Nesse had a 鈥渂ad feeling鈥� about the election as he viewed Trump as leading in some of the key issues this election: the economy, immigration and security. However, he still thinks a Trump presidency is 鈥渁bsolutely ludacris.鈥�

鈥淲hen I woke up and saw that Trump has most likely won the election, I wasn鈥檛 shocked, but I was a bit like, 鈥榃hat the f鈥搆? Did they actually reelect him?鈥欌�� Nesse said.

Spitzer said while he was 鈥渕ind blown鈥� about Trump鈥檚 election in 2016, he didn鈥檛 find it as startling this year after seeing declining support for Harris compared to Joe Biden in 2020.

鈥淚 would say that very much unlike previous years, the general reaction this year to some degree among thinking people in Norway has been, 鈥楬oly s鈥搕, what have Democrats gotten wrong?鈥欌�� Spitzer said.

The post Norwegians on U.S. election results: 鈥榃hat have Democrats gotten wrong?鈥� first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

鈥淎s long as I鈥檓 comfortable walking around by myself at all hours, I鈥檓 OK,鈥� Maloney said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 really worry about it too much.鈥�

Not only does she feel safer, but the Logan Circle area has seen a 30% drop in violent crime and nearly in overall crime from 2023 to 2024.

Logan Circle Community Association president Karen Franklin attributes this decrease to Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto鈥檚 crime-prevention bill from early March.

鈥淥f course, we are pleased with the numbers and are hoping they continue to go down,鈥� Franklin said.

The legislation, , prioritizes prevention and ending cycles of violence, accountability for crime and government coordination and oversight. Highlights include establishing new felony offenses for gun penalties and strangulation, drug-free zones, gun tracking and more access to police body-worn-camera footage.

From 2023 to 2024, there was a 30% decrease in violent crimes and about 17% decrease in property crimes in the 2F Advisory Neighborhood Commission jurisdiction. (Data reflects Jan. 1 through Dec. 7 each year for consistency.)

There were 60 violent crimes in the area in 2023 and 42 in 2024. For property crimes, there were 729 in 2023 and 604 in 2024.

Despite the decrease, the neighborhood has still found itself in headlines for recent crimes 鈥� notably, a $30,000 merchandise heist in September and a near Shake Shack on 14th Street.

Maloney said she feels like there鈥檚 less concern among neighbors over day-to-day incidents. However, she still acknowledges there are shootings and drunk-driving-related car accidents in the area.

鈥淲e鈥檝e seen more of that, but I鈥檓 less concerned just walking around,鈥� Maloney said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 really know why. It鈥檚 just a feeling.鈥�

Audrey Gaitley, who works at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, described the shop鈥檚 14th Street location as in a 鈥渞owdy鈥� area.

鈥淚 know there is a decrease [in crime], but I haven鈥檛 felt any safer really,鈥� Gaitley said.

Nico Lewin, who lives in the area and practices tightrope at the Logan Circle park, said he hasn鈥檛 felt a decrease either. He said he sees property crimes as more of a threat than violent ones and doesn鈥檛 feel unsafe in his neighborhood.聽

鈥淵ou see a lot of break ins, especially into cars in the area,鈥� Lewin. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think it affects me that much; I don鈥檛 have a car, but I guess it鈥檚 more of what you see. I don鈥檛 hear about much violent crime in the area.鈥�

From 2023 to 2024, car break-ins decreased from 184 to 132, and motor vehicle theft decreased from 70 to 48. In the Secure D.C. bill, vehicle-related crimes are addressed through the expansion of the definition of carjacking to improve prosecution.

Maloney describes safety in D.C. as 鈥渙n par鈥� with other big cities. Her home city of St. Louis, Missouri, though, was of greater concern.

鈥淧eople are afraid to go to the ballgame and afraid to go downtown [in St. Louis,鈥� Maloney said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 feel that here. They鈥檙e more concerned with people breaking into their cars, more concerned with all of that kind of stuff.鈥�

The post Logan Circle crime drops nearly 20% from 2023 first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

Vito Maggiolo, a public information officer with D.C. fire and EMS, said the victim is an adult male who fell around 3:08 p.m. from an upper-level walkway to a lower level between the platform and wall. Firefighters rescued the victim and then transported him with critical injuries to an area hospital.

The scene was cleared within an hour, and Maggiolo said he was “not aware” of any temporary station closures.

Firefighters responded via the entrance at 14th and I Streets. The owner of Metro Variety, a gift shop at the Metro stop entrance, went by Mr. Chung and said he witnessed firefighters pass his store at the time of the incident but didn’t have additional information.

The upper level, which the victim fell from, has signs that read, “Danger: Fall Hazard. Do not attempt to climb.”

The cause of the victim’s fall has not been released.

D.C. resident Jillian Liu said a station closure wouldn’t affect her commute because she “doesn’t typically take the Blue or Orange or Silver lines at all.” Today, she came from a White House tour but would have walked to the Metro Center or Federal Triangle stations if McPherson Square temporarily closed.

Rod Wave, another D.C. resident, said on a Saturday a closure would be of negligible inconvenience to him.

“If it was during the week time, it would greatly affect my commute because this is how I get to work every day,” Wave said. “… There’s no parking around here.”

The most recent publicized incident of someone falling off a Metro platform was one month ago today when a Metro employee at the Farragut North station.

Liu said that as a commuter, she personally doesn’t have concerns of falling off a Metro platform or walkway.

“I guess I’ve never even thought of that sort of thing happening at the train station,” Liu said.

Wave agrees, but sometimes has concerns for others.

“If there’s people in a rush, like during rush hour during Tuesdays and Wednesdays typically, those are kind of busy times,” Wave said. “Not for me though, that was never really my big concern I would say.”

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, there were due to pedestrian rail trespassing in 2023. This year’s data isn’t yet available.

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Although they鈥檙e two neighborhoods with significant LGBTQ+ populations, voters shared with 最新蜜桃影像 that the social issues they鈥檙e focused on this election season include the economy, abortion, democracy, climate change and marijuana legalization.

鈥淚 have friends who are like, 鈥業f Trump wins, then [gay] marriage will go away, and we鈥檒l be stuffed back into the closet,鈥欌�� said Joseph Schroder, who wrote in his vote for president at the Shaw polling place. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think that鈥檚 actually true.鈥�

On the other hand, Clifton Hogan, who voted for Harris near Logan Circle, said he鈥檚 worried by Project 2025 ideologies as a gay man.

鈥淥bviously, gay marriage hasn鈥檛 been made illegal, but Roe v. Wade was decided precedent, but here we are two years later,鈥� Hogan said.聽

The Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library was a lively polling spot, with an outdoor line stretching the length of the building. The volunteer site coordinator, who did not share her name in fear of being perceived as representing the D.C. Board of Elections, said the voter turnout has been 鈥渙verwhelming in a good way.鈥�

The site coordinator said she’s seen a diverse and enthusiastic flock of voters, many of whom registered to vote on the spot. She said this contributed to the long wait times and line, which moved to the shaded side of the library around lunchtime after voters complained of baking in the heat.

People running for office, including Brooke Pinto for D.C. Council and Nicole Shea for Shaw鈥檚 Advisory Neighborhood Commission, were also outside the library with their teams campaigning and talking to voters.

Outside the library, Schroeder said he鈥檚 focused on the economy, federal debt, and the way the country budgets, which are top-of-mind issues. While his identity as a gay man changes how he culturally views things, he wrote in a candidate because his views don’t align with Kamala Harris nor Donald Trump.

鈥淚鈥檓 in D.C., so I feel like I have the privilege of being able to [say] my vote doesn鈥檛 matter,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f I was in Pennsylvania or something, I would have to make a real choice and probably vote for [Harris], but at the moment, I鈥檓 sort of casting a protest vote.鈥�

D.C. is notorious for voting blue in each election. In 2020, in the District voted for Joe Biden.

Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church near Logan Circle had a less lively outdoor crowd. Still, voters reported that the printed ballot system was out of order, so everyone was required to vote digitally. One man walked out of the polling place shortly after entering, declaring to passersby that the indoor line was too long for him to wait in during a break between food deliveries.

Jacynta Smith, registered to vote in North Carolina, said she鈥檚 focused on bodily autonomy and is hopeful as her home state is a swing state.

She was found outside the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church waiting for Corey Littman while he voted. Littman鈥檚 priorities are abortion, climate change and marijuana legalization.

Regarding LGBTQ+ issues: 鈥淚鈥檓 not personally in that community, but I do want them to have the protections everybody deserves,鈥� Littman said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not my highest priority, personally, but I do think it鈥檚 important.鈥�

Emily Menge voted for Harris at the Logan Circle polling place, prioritizing women鈥檚 rights and democracy.

鈥淒.C. is dramatically [Democrat], so I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 shocking that most of these people are voting for her,鈥� Menge said. 鈥淲ithout D.C. statehood, it … doesn鈥檛 make you feel great about your vote.鈥�

James Ashton, who was chanting 鈥淭rump, Trump, Trump鈥� under his breath as he exited the Shaw Library polling location, said he voted Republican due to the economy and border issues.

David Lublin, department chair and professor of government at American University, said he hasn鈥檛 seen many people say LGBTQ+ rights are a number one priority for voters in this election.聽

鈥淚n particular, I鈥檝e seen this election as a battle of whether abortion or immigration is the most important issue,鈥� Lublin said.

Lublin said transgender issues have been a discussion point for some Republicans, mainly due to gendered sports and restrooms, but 鈥渢he lack of discussion of same-sex marriage and related questions I think show to what an extent that it鈥檚 no longer really a debatable proposition in the U.S.”

The polls will close at 8 p.m. In the Shaw neighborhood, Kamala Harris will tonight at Howard University.

The post Logan Circle and Shaw: Voter priorities and what we saw on Election Day first appeared on 最新蜜桃影像.

Ed Bailey, who owns gay bars Trade and Number Nine in Logan Circle, said that he鈥檚 hoping everyone will be pleased with the election outcome if Kamala Harris is elected, but if not, the LGBTQ+ community will be able to use World Pride as a moment to make their stance known.

鈥淩egardless of how the election goes, it could be a difficult situation, but definitely, if you think about certain scenarios with certain people being in power, there鈥檚 a definite concern on how these events could unfold and what kind of support our community might get from the federal government if certain people are in power,鈥� Bailey said.

World Pride, which will bring a week鈥檚 worth of festivities to the District in June 2025, is 2 to 3 million visitors to the area. the welcome concert starting on May 31, followed by a human rights conference, a parade, a street festival and a concert over the next week or so.聽

Capital Pride Alliance, which usually hosts D.C.鈥檚 pride event, is responsible for World Pride 2025.

鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be an elevated, crazy boom for way more than just [the gay] community,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淎ll of the businesses in all of those areas are going to be busy because there鈥檚 going to be a lot of people.鈥�

Safety of LGBTQ+ people through heightened security and communication is top of mind for Bailey.

鈥淚n the gay community, we鈥檝e always been in a situation where we need to be cognizant of our very existence being a problem for some people, and therefore [we鈥檒l be] prepared to deal with things that might happen in that regard,鈥� Bailey said.

Capital Pride Alliance executive director Ryan Bos told 最新蜜桃影像 in an email that event planners are in discussion with local health and security agencies, the Mayor鈥檚 Special Event Task Group, Homeland Security, the mayor鈥檚 office and the D.C. government to prepare the D.C.-area for millions of visitors from around the world.

Jesus Quispe, managing partner of gay nightclub Bunker on U Street, also owns event agency Kinetic Presents, which is spearheading planning a weekend festival during World Pride.

鈥淲hat we鈥檝e been trying to do is make sure 鈥� tourists understand there鈥檚 a vibrant nightlife here for people to have fun,鈥� Quispe said. 鈥淔or World Pride, all eyes are going to be on us and we want to make sure that people see us at a very international level.鈥�

Quispe is also involved in advocacy efforts with the mayor鈥檚 office to allow short-term rentals of vacant storefronts for events and extend liquor licenses to 24 hours, similar to the .

鈥淭his is our time for small businesses to shine 鈥斅爎estaurants, clubs, bars and lounges because we got hit very hard with COVID,鈥� Quispe said.

Other World Pride safety measures have included partnerships with police and the District鈥檚 office of nightlife to account for road closures and added police presence as many restaurants and bars will be at or above capacity. Quispe said World Pride is also working to have a channel of communication with police and the District during the week so they know where the large events are going to be.聽

鈥淭hat鈥檚 the beauty of it because they’re understanding that there are going to be parties everywhere,鈥� Quispe said. 鈥淭hey know where they鈥檙e going to be, how big they’re going to be. They鈥檙e going to make sure that D.C. is well taken care of.鈥�

Quispe compares D.C. hosting World Pride to hosting the Olympics.

鈥淸We鈥檙e] investing a lot of money, time and discussion to make sure we can deliver one of the best events that鈥檚 ever happened in World Pride,鈥� he said.

Bailey anticipates it鈥檒l be the largest gathering of LGBTQ+ people in North America.

鈥淚t鈥檚 always exciting, and a lot of younger people haven鈥檛 always had the opportunity to get together in large numbers with our community,鈥� Bailey said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very powerful thing to be able to be around a huge crowd of people who accept you.鈥�

Erika Wichmann, who鈥檚 lived in the Logan Circle area for three years, said she鈥檚 excited to see a surge in local events during World Pride, especially post-pandemic.

As far as security, she鈥檚 confident World Pride has plans to account for the influx of people.

鈥淚f anything, I would worry about violence by protestors against the LGBT+ community and attendees,鈥� Wichmann said.

Quispe said he鈥檚 been growing with the gay community in D.C. as a longtime operator, so working in a World Pride host city 鈥渋s just a dream.鈥�

鈥淚f I would die the next year, I would die in peace and say, 鈥業鈥檝e done something so huge that I鈥檝e been waiting my entire life for,鈥欌�� he said.

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Local businesses like Shop Made in D.C. have released their own lines of Harris-Walz merch, while Republicans like Williamsburg resident Susan Sherren say they shop primarily online.

D.C. is notorious for voting Democrat each election season. In 2020, in the District voted for Joe Biden.

最新蜜桃影像 three in 10 Americans plan to sport candidate merchandise this election season, according to a national study.

The recent from EverythingBranded, a global merchandising hub, says that 36% of 1,000 American respondents said they have purchased or plan to purchase merchandise to support their chosen candidate in this election.

Shop Made in D.C., which sells products made by local creators, released a Harris merchandise line two days after she announced her campaign to show that 鈥渢he local economy and D.C. economy has the Harris-Walz [campaign鈥檚] back.鈥� The boutique’s normal offerings include candles, stationery and jewelry among other handmade gifts.

Some of the shop鈥檚 most popular campaign items are a $28 T-shirt that says 鈥淢adam Vice President鈥� with 鈥渧ice鈥� crossed out and stickers that say 鈥淜amala鈥� in the Barbie font ($4.50) and 鈥減rosecutor versus felon鈥� ($5).

鈥淲e鈥檝e had people express gratitude [because] we鈥檙e being very vocal instead of trying to take a neutral stance on the whole [election],鈥� said Rin Baker, assistant store manager of Shop Made in D.C.鈥檚 Union Market location.聽

Baker said the store鈥檚 diverse artists have brought a lot of energy surrounding the Harris-Walz campaign.

鈥淣eutrality is not an option at this point,鈥� Baker said. 鈥�… Being politically charged is just saying [to] the people who stock our stores and allow us to have a business, we have their backs and they have ours.鈥�

After the election, Shop Made in D.C. plans to continue selling Harris-Walz merch even if the ticket loses the election.

EverythingBranded鈥檚 national merch study says 72% of people who purchased campaign merchandise plan to keep it if their candidate isn鈥檛 elected, and 66% said they plan to hold onto these items for at least 5 to 10 years after the election.

Sidewalk sellers

Meanwhile, tourists often purchase political merchandise from street vendors outside the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. These sellers typically carry goods from both sides.

Sam Jun, who operates a merchandise truck outside the Air and Space Museum, said clothing for both candidates is popular. He said he鈥檚 sold about an equal amount of Harris and Trump merch, so he can鈥檛 tell who will win the election.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 know the details, but we have to sell both to make our business,鈥� Jun said.

However, outside the National Museum of African American History and Culture, vendors mainly sell Kamala Harris merchandise and other Black Lives Matter products.

Leroy Parham, a Democrat who independently sells Harris T-shirts outside the museum, said he wants to spread a message of 鈥渁 lot of love鈥� through his merchandise sales.

鈥淚t鈥檚 time for a change, and I think [Harris is] the right person to put in there,鈥� Parham said. 鈥淵ou still have a chance that we don鈥檛 go back, but it鈥檚 time for a change.鈥�

American University junior Nolan Menanno wears a Harris-Walz shirt his mom ordered online to show his support surrounding the election.聽

鈥淚f nobody wore any merch or put up signs, then it鈥檚 not the same level of enthusiasm around the election,鈥� Menanno said.

On the other hand, Sherren has a Trump dog collar, which she also ordered online to express her views and freedom of speech.

鈥淧olitical identification is important for some people,鈥� Sherren said. 鈥淭he message is about spreading party affiliation.鈥�

Advocate or not?

Dana Connell, a Chicago-based Columbia College professor with more than 30 years of experience in the retail industry, says large retailers normally don鈥檛 make their stances known because they have received backlash in the past. However, independent retailers have more choice in their business identities, which Connell said can, at times, be 鈥渞isky鈥� due to mixed customer perception.

鈥淭hey will have some customers who say, 鈥業鈥檓 not shopping here anymore because you put that merchandise in,鈥欌�� Connell said. 鈥淭hen they have other customers who say, 鈥業鈥檓 for sure shopping with you because your values align with my values.鈥欌��

Connell also said political merchandise is more common in online retailers like Etsy than brick-and-mortar retailers.

She said retailers, both online and in-store, support social topics like the environment or labor issues to take a stance and show consumers what鈥檚 important to them.

鈥淭here are absolutely retailers who say, 鈥楾hese are my values and these are the things that are important to me and my community, and I’m going to put that out there in my store,鈥欌�� Connell said. 鈥淭here are others who say, 鈥業鈥檓 staying far from it,鈥� and there are others who stand in the middle and say, 鈥業 don鈥檛 care who you vote for. Just vote.鈥欌��

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Almost a year later, he and events coordinator Melissa Harrison host watch parties for the reality dating show as it premiered on Netflix this month.

The couple has seen the Logan Circle bar bring in about a 50% increase from its normal Wednesday revenue during the Love is Blind watch parties.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 the kind of show that鈥檚 super fun to watch with a group of friends,鈥� Melissa said. 鈥淭he fact you can be on set with your friends hanging out and watching at a watch party at The Crown & Crow is definitely exciting.鈥�

They鈥檝e hosted two so far 鈥� one on the Oct. 1 premiere and another on the following Wednesday. There will be a watch party each Wednesday until the reunion episode releases Oct. 30.

Love is Blind is a hit Netflix dating series where couples can鈥檛 see each other鈥檚 appearance prior to getting engaged. After popping the question, they have about three weeks to explore their compatibility in the 鈥渞eal world鈥� until challenged with whether they鈥檒l wed at the altar.聽

At the show鈥檚 season six peak in March 2024, Love is Blind was the most-watched streaming title on any platform with 6 million minutes viewed, .

Season seven was filmed in Washington, D.C.

As a nod to the show, The Crown & Crow has created themed discounted drinks for the watch parties such as the 鈥淩ed Flag,鈥� 鈥淟ove is Tonic,鈥� 鈥淕aslighter,鈥� 鈥淪ocial Experiment鈥� and 鈥淏ottle Needed.鈥�

鈥淭he drink special will change as the season progresses as we find things within the season that would be relevant to make funny with a drink,鈥� Melissa said.

Guests in the sold-out crowd mingle and talk back to the TV each week.

鈥淚t was really festive and fun,鈥� Melissa said. 鈥淚 just had a smile on my face the whole time.鈥�

The watch parties have brought in some Crown & Crow regulars in addition to new Love is Blind fanatics. Friend groups, girls鈥� nights and dates sat around the tables positioned toward the TV.

Michael French of Chantilly, Virginia, was drawn to the watch party to sample the Love is Blind-themed drinks while meeting his girlfriend鈥檚 friends.

鈥淲e鈥檙e definitely into the show, and [we asked], 鈥榃hy not hang out and meet people and have fun at the same time instead of staying home?鈥欌�� French said.

The bar has moved its popular trivia night from Wednesday to Thursday to make way for Love is Blind.

鈥淲ednesdays are already a pretty strong night for us,鈥� Brian said. 鈥淲e were at capacity or close to it in the room where we have the watch party, so it would be challenging to perform any better than what we鈥檙e doing.鈥�

Stephen Zagor, a business professor at Columbia University who focuses on restaurants and food business, described restaurants as real estate businesses where tables are rented and average checks are the revenue.

鈥淚f you can bring a group of people in at a time that would normally not be your prime time and you鈥檙e able to build a menu 鈥� where people are going to maximize your profitability by being there, it鈥檚 a win-win,鈥� he said.

Zagor also said events like watch parties bring in new clientele while keeping their existing base satisfied.

鈥淩estaurants don鈥檛 sell food,鈥� Zagor said. 鈥淭hey sell experiences.鈥�

The bar received an influx in business as soon as it was announced as one of this season鈥檚 filming locations.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 just the watch parties,鈥� Brian said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just really a lot of buzz about the program and people wanting to see the venue as a result.鈥�

Melissa said watching the show premiere 鈥渙n set鈥� is particularly exciting for customers.

鈥淲e feel really strongly about people getting out in person with other human beings and looking at each other鈥檚 faces and making eye contact and developing real relationships and meeting,鈥� Melissa said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a perfect combination since the show is about making those connections as well.鈥�

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