World-Pride held a three-week celebration in Washington, D.C. from May 17 to June 8, 2025, which continues despite withdrawals and increased travel challenges.
World -Pride 2025 will be the city’s largest international event this year, according to the destination DC of the Washington DC destination marketing organization. It estimates it will generate $787 million in visitor spending.
Capital Pride Alliance and World Pride Washington, DC’s executive director Ryan Bos said the organizers are expected to have 3 million attendees, including 2 million overnight visitors and 1 million days of visitors.
Travel obstacles
International attendance may be subject to political influence.
On March 12, a global network of Crance, a global network representing 375 proud organizations in more than 70 countries, issued a travel consultation under the Trump administration’s execution order, saying that passports, visas and global entrance cards will recognize two men and women.
“If your passport has an ‘X’ as a gender mark or is different from your birth assignment, we strongly recommend that you contact the U.S. diplomatic mission to confirm entry requirements before traveling,” the consulting consultation said.
Several European countries including Germany, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom have updated their travel advice for trans and non-binary personnel
The African Human Rights Alliance calls for boycotting world offers. “The United States is not a safe country where LGBTQI+ people are heading to, border-related issues and internal policies,” said Melanie Nathan, a human rights advocate and executive director of the alliance.
Nathan stressed that the pride incident must continue, but its radicalist roots should be restored.
Border worries
Worries are beyond gender identity. A recent case involving Canadian citizens who were detained for 12 days in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have increased concerns about border enforcement before being deported.
“Imagine what happened to her transgender people. Given the current anti-aliasm transcendent climate in the United States, detained trans people may not be placed on their true gender,” Nathan said.
Some groups will boycott if they do not participate. Egale Canada is one of Canada’s largest LGBTQ advocacy groups and announced on February 6 that its members will not attend world offers and any other events due to Trump’s policies.
Corporate support has also been hit. Booz Allen Hamilton, a defense contractor and past supporter, withdrew financial support. In addition, Deloitte, Comcast and Dacas Automobile Group also proposed sponsorships, according to the New York Times.
San Francisco Pride Losts Corporate Support
San Francisco pride, scheduled for June 28-29, is also stressed. The event lost approximately $260,000 in corporate sponsorship. Suzanne Ford, the proud executive director of San Francisco, was the first to lead the organization.
“We are trying to make our dollar extend entertainment as much as possible,” Ford said. “That alone can fill the shortage of sponsor exits. ”
San Francisco Pride is one of the largest LGBTQ+ celebrations in the world. “I think everyone will be watching San Francisco’s pride this year to make sure we’re still here,” Ford said. “The pride Sunday and the parade along Market Street will send a clear signal to the Trump administration.”
The theme of San Francisco’s pride this year is “Queer Is Resistance.” Ford said the origin of pride was a reflection of protest and celebration of resilience.
The theme of world advantage is “the structure of freedom.” “Teachers, doctors, arts, culture, all communities are influenced by this administration. We are collectively expressing support that we still value the freedom of this country. Remind the world that freedom really means, that we all have the structure, theme, our theme.”
Safety measures and safety preparations
As tensions intensify, the proud organizers focus on safety.
WorldPride is working closely with the DC Mayor’s special event team, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Department of Homeland Security, Capitol Police and National Park Police.
“Washington, Washington, D.C. has extensive experience providing world-class security and hospitality for large-scale public events, and this is no exception. The region continues to work diligently with community organizers and partners to ensure WorldPride is a safe, accessible and bold celebration of our community.
Network surveillance, on-site security/police, aerial surveillance, and applicable anti-zoom systems and obstacles are being deployed.
“We will take security measures that we don’t even know. We are using our own private security measures to expand DC security, which will be unified and inconsistent. We will also be fencing in the festival area for the first time to ensure we protect exhibitors and their valuables and provide their valuables and ensure our people provide controlled entrances to keep our people safe,” BOS said.
Ford said San Francisco Pride is taking additional precautions to increase its security budget to more than $600,000. “We met earlier than ever before the San Francisco Police Department because we know the risks may increase this year and we want to be more alert.”
San Francisco Pride will feature drill metal detectors and hand-held rods at Civic Center and Street Fairs.
The luggage size limit will be implemented, with the limit set to 18 inches by 18 inches.
Pride has launched a dedicated security page with guidelines for attendees, and the San Francisco Police Department has also published Pride Security.
