Rainbow Flags Fill Washington Streets as WorldPride Rallies Against Trump’s LGBTQ Rights Rollbacks

WASHINGTON, June 8 — Washington’s streets came alive with rainbow flags yesterday as the U.S. capital hosted WorldPride, a powerful celebration of LGBTQ rights amidst growing concern over rollbacks under the Trump administration.

“We need to show this administration that we are united and unbreakable,” said 46-year-old artist and teacher Amy Froelich, dressed in a vibrant rainbow jumpsuit. Sitting beside her wife on green chairs near the start of a massive pride parade, Froelich emphasized the importance of allyship: “We must stand with our trans siblings and the entire LGBTQ community. All the protections we've fought for are being stripped away.”

This year’s WorldPride—a global, rotating event promoting LGBTQ equality—is taking place in Washington, just blocks from the White House, and under the shadow of a president seen by many as dismantling the community’s hard-won rights.

Since returning to office in January, Donald Trump and his administration have rolled back several LGBTQ protections, with a particular focus on limiting the rights of transgender individuals. On his first day back in the Oval Office, Trump announced that the federal government would recognize only two genders—male and female—and has since issued multiple orders targeting the trans community.

Transgender actress and advocate Laverne Cox, known for her role in Orange Is the New Black, addressed the crowd at the parade’s starting point. “I knew I had to be here, surrounded by this community—you give me hope,” she said. “I don’t have faith in our government... but I have faith in all of you.”

Not far away, Yasmin Benoit, a British model and activist, stood on top of the lead bus, waving to the crowd. “We’re literally on Trump’s doorstep, and I doubt he’s happy about it,” said the 28-year-old, who shared that she had been briefly detained by border officials upon arriving in the U.S. “That just makes being here even more important,” she added.

The current political climate weighed heavily on many participants.

“It’s felt like a dark cloud ever since Trump was elected,” said Ginny Kinsey, relaxing in the shade with a friend. Her wife, a federal civil servant, had recently changed jobs and decided not to be open about her identity at her new workplace. “People are going back into hiding,” Kinsey said.

Nearby, 74-year-old Bill George, fanning himself under the hot Washington sun, reflected on decades of activism. “I’m here to celebrate who we are—we’re just as human as anyone else,” said the retiree, who came out in 1975. “Conservatism is once again targeting us. I’m furious with the Trump administration. We’ll protest every injustice we see.” — AFP