Circle Celebration
D.C.'s Youth Pride marks a second year back in Dupont Circle
D.C.’s 16th annual Youth Pride celebration went ahead as planned Saturday, April 28, with periods of cloudiness and sunshine, but none of the showers that have forced postponements in the past.
The Dupont Circle event, which featured booths from various LGBT and ally organizations, performances by local entertainers and several speakers, including D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), was organized by Youth Pride Alliance, a nonprofit organization for ”Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Ally youth empowerment.”
An array of entertainers graced the Youth Pride stage Saturday, including ”D.C.’s drag pop star” Khyisha, a dance performance from Mpodérate – a Latin and Native gay and transgender group, and members of Drag City:DC.
The event attracted youth from across the metro area and beyond. Emily Carson, a 22-year-old Toronto native who identifies as queer, said she was eager to attend this year’s Youth Pride celebration.
”It’s really exciting,” Carson said at the event. ”It was really interesting to come down here and see all the really young kids out.”
Others, like 17-year-old Rob Miller from Silver Spring, attended the event to discover a sense of solidarity within the community of LGBT youth and allies. ”I think it’s a good way for kids to go out and know that they’re not alone out there,” said Miller.
Miller was joined by 16-year-old Kara Hilliard, also of Silver Spring. Although they characterized their high school as open-minded and gay-friendly, they both agreed that Youth Pride was a good way for youth to come together in the District.
”Things like this are fun to meet other people that are like you,” said Hilliard. ”You feel like you’re not alone.”
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