Health + Safety

WorldPride Is More Important Than Ever

WorldPride is happening at a pivotal time, and we are working to unite voices worldwide in support of our movement and our lives as the LGBTQ+ community continues its fight for equality, visibility, and justice. Hosting this historic event in the U.S. capital – a place that has been so important to the movement – is a stark reminder that LGBTQ+ people exist and belong everywhere. DC remains one of the most inclusive cities in the nation. Local officials and law enforcement agencies around the region are working tirelessly to ensure that everyone is welcomed and able to participate fully in this important moment for our global community.

As the Capital Pride Alliance prepares for WorldPride in DC, we also continue to work actively with the DC Government to ensure the safety of visitors and residents planning to attend. We encourage everyone in our global community, our allies and supporters, to consider participating in this historic moment in whatever way they can. We recommend that all international travelers understand the advisories that may be issued by their home country. We recommend that travelers considering entry to the United States make an informed decision based on the potential risks involved, as we, alongside advocates and partner organizations, continue to actively navigate the measures being put in place by the current federal administration.

The DC Office of Human Rights (OHR) LGBTQIA+ Resource Portal

Explore LGBTQIA+ rights and resources through the DC Office of Human Rights’ LGBTQIA portal. Learn about protections available to you while living, working, or visiting Washington, DC, and how the city is committed to equity and inclusion for all.

Onsite & At-Home Health Services  

DC Health, along with other community partners, will provide onsite health and wellness activities, included health education and risk reduction along with access to Doxycycline (DoxyPrEP) and Mpox vaccines during the World Pride events. A health and wellness suite will be available during DC Black Pride and the World Pride Festival.   

The GetCheckedDC program will provides free, confidential sexual health testing and resources before, during, and after WorldPride:  

• Free at-home HIV/STD test kits  

• Walk-in testing at Labcorp locations  

• Linkage to care services for those who test positive  

• Encourage guests and staff to stay healthy and informed.  

• Access to these services: getcheckeddc.org 

Health and Safety Webinar

Safety & Security for WorldPride 2025

• Washington, DC is well practiced in hosting critical and sensitive events safely and securely. The city is where people come to make their voices heard.
• WorldPride DC 2025 has the full support of Mayor Bowser’s office and organizers are focused on ensuring safety is paramount for visitors and residents.
• The Mayor’s office has a top-to-bottom safety protocol in place, with the level of preparation on par with high-security events like inauguration.
• The culturally competent law enforcement professionals of DC’s Metropolitan Police Department work in tandem with numerous local agencies, including DC’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (DC HSEMA). Security measures both seen and unseen will be in place.
  • Efforts include pre-event web-related surveillance, on-site security/police, advanced life support stations, roving medic teams, aerial surveillance and anti-scaling systems and barricades where applicable.
  • The 2-day street festival will be fenced with a secure entrance.
  • Capital Pride is augmenting DC’s efforts with additional private security
• District leaders have been focused on reducing crime in the city. Violent crime is down 35% and efforts continue.
• Washington, DC is, and will remain, one of the most progressive and inclusive cities in the world, with a strong and vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
• DC has the largest percentage of residents who identify as LGBTQ+ in the United States (more than 14 percent).

Interagency Planning and Coordination

As a World Class City with regularly planned international events, Washington, DC has extensive experience in planning large-scale gatherings. We work closely with multiple safety and security agencies such as the Mayor’s Special Events Task Group (MSETG), Metropolitan Police Department, Homeland Security, Capitol Police, National Park Police, and others. All plans and procedures for our large-scale events are produced in partnership with these agencies.

Safety measures include pre-event web-related surveillance, on-site security/police, advanced life support stations, roving medic teams, aerial surveillance, and anti-scaling systems and barricades where applicable.

The MSETG is an organization of city, federal, and regional partners responsible for the public safety, security, and transportation planning of highly visible, local, national, and global events hosted in the District of Columbia as well as those co-hosted in other jurisdictions of the National Capital Region.

Create Safe Spaces for Everyone: Join the SIGBI Certification Program Inspired by the Legacy of The Stonewall Inn

The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative (SIGBI) is the official nonprofit of the Stonewall Inn, which is an original LGBTQ+ Safe Space and the Location of the Revolutionary 1969 Stonewall Riots.

The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative’s Safe Spaces Certification allows businesses, retail shops, food & beverage establishments, public spaces, and entertainment venues to show support for LGBTQ+ patrons, employees, customers, and neighbors.

This training is conducted at your own pace and only provided online.

Click Register and then Create an Account and Enter Company code: CapitalPride.

Questions may be directed to Mo Williams

WorldPride DC 2025 and Beyond: Building a Safe and Equal Downtown DC for All (ECC/ECF)

Marathon Certificate Series Overview:
T.H.R.I.V.E. – Together in Harmony, we Rise, Inspire, Value, and Empower

• Emphasizing collaboration, leadership, and business sustainability

A 25-minute session live format designed for engaging, micro-learning experiences with an added focus on Nightlife Inclusion to address safety, accessibility, belonging in social spaces, and cultural fluency for working with multiple languages in diverse LGBTQ+ communities.

The Washington, DC Welcome

Washington, DC’s Destination Marketing Organization, welcomes travel professionals and all who interact with city visitors to participate in destination training.

• Learning Outcomes:
  • The program is designed to train and engage learners to become DC City Experts.
  • Be trained in what makes Washington, DC so captivating to travelers.
  • Master the art of matching travelers’ special interests and travel styles with a personalized DC experience.
• Online and Self-paced
  • Destination Overview
    • 10 minutes
  • Special Agent Academy
    • 3-Module In-Depth Training on Washington, DC Tourism
    • 1-2 Hours