DC park will close after all for WorldPride weekend
The National Park Service said Friday it would temporarily close the park at the center of Washington's historic LGBTQ neighborhood ahead of the city's annual Pride weekend, moving forward with plans that local officials believed had been scrapped.
The temporary closure of DuPont Circle Park came at the request of the U.S. Park Police (USPP), the Park Service said in an order uploaded Friday to its website approving the installation of anti-scale fencing around the park's perimeter through 6 p.m. Sunday.
'Less restrictive measures will not suffice due to the security-based assessment of the USPP that this park area needs to be kept clear,' the Park Service said.
In a letter dated June 4, Major Frank Hilsher wrote to Kevin Griess, superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks, that the USPP's closure request 'is based solely on several previous years of assaultive, destructive and disorderly behavior exhibited in Dupont Circle during the DC Pride weekend.'
'The USPP maintains that a physical barrier effecting a full closure of Dupont Circle is necessary,' Hilsher wrote, to 'secure the park, deter potential violence, reduce the risk of destructive acts and decrease the need for extensive law enforcement presences.'
An earlier letter sent in April to USPP Chief Jessica M.E. Taylor from Pamela A. Smith, chief of Washington's Metropolitan Police Department, recommended that tall no-climb fences be temporarily installed around the park.
'Over the years, DuPont Circle Park has been a popular location for Pride attendees to congregate, despite not being a sanctioned Pride event,' Smith wrote in the letter. 'In the past five years, the Metropolitan Police Department and the United States Park Police have taken proactive steps, including increased police presence and enhanced lighting around the park.'
'However, significant challenges persisted, including unpermitted large gathering with sound equipment, illegal vending and grilling, alcohol use, multiple physical altercation, and vandalism of the historic fountain and statue,' she added.
Smith withdrew MPD's request to temporarily close the park earlier this week 'after hearing from community leaders and residents,' she wrote in a June 3 letter to Taylor.
In the same letter, Smith pointed to specific disruptions that influenced her initial request, including a 2019 arrest in DuPont Circle Park after parkgoers heard gunshots and vandalism during Pride weekend in 2023 that resulted in roughly $175,000 in damage to the park's more than 100-year-old fountain.
The park's closure is another obstacle for those in charge of WorldPride, an international LGBTQ Pride celebration taking place this year in Washington. The Capital Pride Alliance, the organizers of WorldPride DC, have hit several snags related to Trump administration policies that disproportionately affect LGBTQ people.
In April, the group issued a travel advisory for transgender visitors from abroad, citing President Trump's executive order recognizing only two sexes, male and female, and a new State Department policy barring trans, nonbinary and intersex Americans from updating the sex designations on their passports. The same month, the Capital Pride Alliance announced it was moving WorldPride events from the Kennedy Center to 'ensure our entire LGBTQ+ community will be welcome' following Trump's takeover of the cultural institution in February.
In posts on Truth Social, Trump said drag performances at the Kennedy Center 'will stop' under his leadership and called drag, an art form that is deeply rooted in LGBTQ culture and history, 'anti-American propaganda.' The White House has also declined to issue a proclamation for Pride month.
In an emailed statement, the Capital Pride Alliance said it 'is frustrated and disappointed in the National Park Service's decision – again – to close Dupont Circle during the culmination of WorldPride this weekend.'
'This beloved landmark is central to the community that WorldPride intends to celebrate and honor. It's much more than a park, for generations it's been a gathering place for DC's LGBTQ+ community, hosting first amendment assemblies and memorial services for those we lost to the AIDS epidemic and following tragic events like the Pulse nightclub shooting,' the group said. 'This sudden move was made overnight without consultation with the Capital Pride Alliance or other local officials.'
No official WorldPride activities were planned in DuPont Circle Park, the Capital Pride Alliance said, 'thus no events will be impacted.'
D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2), representing the DuPont Circle neighborhood, said she is 'extremely disappointed and frustrated' that the park will not remain open for Pride weekend.
'This closure is disheartening to me and so many in our community who wanted to celebrate World Pride at this iconic symbol of our city's historic LGBTQ+ community,' Pinto wrote Friday in a post on the social platform X. '. I wish I had better news to share.'
'World Pride will continue this weekend and it will be a time of celebration and commitment to uplift our LGBTQ+ neighbors,' she added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Pride, pages and performance: Why drag story time matters more than ever
June is Pride month. It is a time for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two-Spirit, intersex and other sexuality- and gender-diverse (LGBTQ+) communities to come together to celebrate identities, build communities and advocate for justice and equality. This year's pride carries added weight. As American legal scholar Luke Boso writes, 'fear has taken hold in private, interpersonal, and public reactions,' following the rhetoric and policies promoted by United States President Donald Trump. His current term has been marked by a growing push to erase LGBTQ+ identities and limit queer expression in public life. Within this month of Pride, the Trump administration is planning to rename the USNS Harvey Milk naval ship, named after the late civil rights leader Harvey Milk. The implications of such actions, however, aren't limited to the U.S. Similar patterns of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric have been documented across democratic countries, where drag events and other expressions of queer visibility have become flashpoints for harassment as far-right groups try to build support and spread anti-LGBTQ+ views. But with fear also comes hope. Even as events like drag story times have become targets of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and protests, communities continue to organize, resist and affirm their right to public joy and visibility. Our research, recently funded by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, explores drag story times with the hope to learn more about how drag story time leaders select books, and how these events can foster best practices in literacy and inclusive education. Read more: Drag story times are more than just community events. They are creative, educational spaces often held in public venues such as libraries, schools or community centres. Typically led by a drag performer, these sessions invite children, along with parents, caregivers and educators, to enjoy storybooks that highlight themes like acceptance, self-expression, diversity and joy. Reading aloud with children serves as an avenue for the development of language and literacy. Young children can engage with vocabulary, content and ideas to construct meaning through texts that they may not, yet, have the skills to read on their own. At their core, drag story time events offer opportunities for child-centred literacy practices, such as dialogue and interactions throughout the 'read aloud,' to encourage children to consider ideas and connect them as the story moves along. Reading aloud to children is a powerful way to nurture emotional, social and cognitive growth. Stories offer children what literacy scholars call mirrors (reflective ways to see themselves), windows (into understanding others) and 'sliding glass doors,' — vantages for imagining new perspectives. When children encounter characters and families who reflect a range of lived experiences, it opens the door to conversations about empathy, acceptance and identity. A recent content analysis, by information sciences researcher Sarah Barriage and colleagues of 103 picture books read during drag story times in the U.S. found that few explicitly featured LGBTQ+ identities. The lead characters were predominantly white, cisgender, heterosexual and able-bodied, with only seven per cent of books featuring trans, non-binary or intersex leads, and another seven per cent portraying same-sex or undefined relationships. While this represents an increase in LGBTQ+ representation compared to other studies of story time books and classroom libraries, the overall percentage remains low. The findings of this study, while based on a small sample size, suggest that contrary to popular perception, drag story times, while featuring drag artists leading read-aloud sessions, are not consistently grounded in explicitly LGBTQ+ narratives. Rather, the books may be story-time favourites, (such as selections from Mo Williams' Pigeon series), or texts that tend to promote broadly inclusive and affirming messages of individuality, confidence, empathy, inclusion and imagination (such as Todd Parr's It's Okay to Be Different). This gap highlights the importance of thoughtfully selecting books that reflect a wider range of experiences, including LGBTQ+ main characters and stories. When children are shown diverse characters and stories, they begin to understand the world from multiple perspectives. Researchers with expertise in children's early literacy recommend that books for interactive read-alouds with children should reflect both the children's communities and communities different from their own. Such books can spark meaningful conversations, encourage critical thinking and help cultivate empathy and respect for difference. This prepares young readers for life in a multicultural society and helps build a more inclusive and compassionate world view. Apart from the specific book content shared with children at drag story time, these events provide opportunities for children and families to engage with diverse gender and sexuality expressions in a safe, inclusive setting with their caregivers. Such exposure does not cause confusion in children, but rather supports healthy development by fostering empathy, self-awareness and acceptance. This may come from or be expressed through the euphoria or joy that comes from feeling aligned and authentic in your gender. The idea of 'gender euphoria' comes from within the trans community as a way to push back against the narrow narrative that trans lives are defined only by dysphoria, trauma or discomfort. Instead, gender euphoria highlights the positive side that come with expressing or affirming one's gender identity. It can look different for everyone, from a quiet sense of contentment to a powerful feeling of joy. Queer joy is also a feature of drag story time, and is more than just feeling good. it is about living fully, even in the face of adversity. It is an act of resistance to a world that often tells queer and trans people they should not exist. Children still die because of hateful anti-LGTBQ+ speech. Together, gender euphoria and queer joy remind us that LGBTQ+ lives can be full of strength, creativity, connection and celebration. When children see diversity reflective in creative, positive and affirming ways, such as through stories, role models and community engagement, they are more likely to feel a sense of belonging and develop confidence in expressing their own identities. In this way, drag story times contribute meaningfully to both individual well-being and broader efforts towards inclusion. As part of our research, we plan to attend drag story times to learn more about current practices in Nova Scotia. At the national level, we will talk with performers about their experiences, practices, support and training needs and their goals and motivations. Then we'll co-host a workshop with performers and educators to share knowledge and build skills that combine the artistry of drag with best practices in literacy and inclusive education. Drag story times can be a healthy and supportive way for children to develop their sense of gender and sexuality identity, both within themselves and others. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organisation bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Phillip Joy, Mount Saint Vincent University; Andrea Fraser, Mount Saint Vincent University, and Conor Barker, Mount Saint Vincent University Read more: 5 ways to support children's early literacy skills and build family connections this summer When 'rights' divide: Trans kids need supportive families 10 ways to support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth this Pride Month Phillip Joy receives funding from The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Andrea Fraser receives funding from The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Conor Barker receives funding from the Social Studies and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).
Boston Globe
5 hours ago
- Boston Globe
New York to LA ramp up security after US airstrikes on Iran
Police in New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles have increased patrols at religious institutions, diplomatic facilities, and public spaces. Officials cited no credible threats at this time but highlighted the need for vigilance. The Department of Homeland Security said the Israel-Iran war has placed the U.S. in a 'heightened threat environment' through Sept. 22. Pro-Tehran hacktivists are expected to keep probing lightly defended US networks, while state-linked operators eye critical infrastructure, according to a bulletin issued on Sunday. The bulletin warned that a religious ruling from Iran's leadership to retaliate 'in the Homeland' would increase the likelihood of 'violent extremists' in the United States independently mobilizing. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up In the capital, the Metropolitan Police Department said it's closely monitoring the events in Iran and is coordinating with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to share information and monitor intelligence. Advertisement The New York Police Department said it's deployed additional officers across the city and is coordinating with the US Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies to monitor for any potential threats. Mayor Eric Adams said the city increased police presence at religious, cultural, and diplomatic sites throughout the five boroughs 'out of an abundance of caution.' Greater New York is home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, with about 1.4 million people. Advertisement Since 2001, the NYPD and its federal partners have disrupted about 30 plots targeting the city, the department said. Officials said those efforts reflect a broad strategy that combines intelligence gathering, overseas partnerships and rapid response capabilities — tools they're now using to assess any fallout from the US strikes on Iran. The department's Intelligence Bureau operates an international liaison program with embedded personnel in 13 countries, including in Israel, where an officer is providing real-time assessments from the region. The NYPD also maintains a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, where meetings can take place without fear of listening devices. Three DHS intelligence analysts are assigned to the department, facilitating the flow of classified information and supporting joint threat analyses. Additional capabilities include a foreign linguist program with more than 1,200 registered speakers across 85 languages, and the Domain Awareness System, a real-time surveillance and analytics platform developed in partnership with Microsoft. In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass said that officials in the second-largest US city are closely monitoring the situation. 'Out of an abundance of caution, LAPD is stepping up patrols near places of worship, community gathering spaces and other sensitive sites,' Bass said. 'We will remain vigilant.'
CNN
6 hours ago
- CNN
Start your week smart: US strikes Iran, Pride rollbacks, Tesla robotaxis, NATO summit, Bezos' wedding
5 Things The Middle East LGBTQ issues RelationshipsFacebookTweetLink Follow If everything goes according to plan, Tesla's long-awaited robotaxi service will roll out today in Austin, Texas. Tesla's CEO Elon Musk, who's been talking about robotaxis for years, has cautioned that the launch date isn't set in stone. Musk, of course, is also CEO of SpaceX — and has said he hopes to land humans on Mars by 2026. That timeline may need an adjustment after his monster Starship rocket exploded last week. Here's what else you need to know to start your week smart. • The US entered into conflict with Iran on Saturday after President Donald Trump ordered warplanes to drop bombs on three nuclear sites inside the country, thrusting him squarely into an escalating Middle East conflict even as he holds out hope the matter can be resolved diplomatically. Follow CNN's full coverage here.• Bodies of three hostages — an IDF soldier and two civilians — recovered from Gaza• Record-breaking heat will impact millions in US This June marked the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride celebrations in the nation's capital. In Washington, DC, and across the nation, Pride was the usual affair — parades, music, rainbow decorations — but some felt it was in some ways overshadowed by President Donald Trump's administration, which advocates say has rolled back rights for LGBTQ Americans. Ahead of this year's Pride Month, the Kennedy Center canceled a week's worth of events celebrating LGBTQ rights. The White House did not issue a Pride Month proclamation this year — or during Trump's first administration, reversing a tradition that started in 1999. 1️⃣ Pride and protest: Earlier this month, Washington, DC, hosted World Pride 2025, an international festival celebrating the LGBTQ community. The event included a parade and free concerts plus a march on the National Mall. 🏳️🌈 Icon spotlight: Harvey Milk was the first openly gay male politician elected to San Francisco's Board of Supervisors in 1977. The Trump administration ordered Milk's name be stripped from a US Naval Ship that had been named after him in 2019. Milk served in the Korean War and was forced to resign from the Navy due to his sexuality. 2️⃣ Brands stay quiet: Once common during Pride Month, LGBTQ-themed merchandise, rainbow decorations and social media campaigns were scaled back or silenced this year as some corporations avoid provoking the Trump administration, which plans to investigate companies with DEI programs. 3️⃣ Youth support and rights: The Trump administration announced last week the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's specialized services for LGBTQ youth will no longer be in operation starting July 17. The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors. 📸 In pictures: As a gay teen, his dad didn't support him. Now the pair are bringing drag shows to rural towns. 4️⃣ 'We're not afraid': CNN spoke with trans people over the age of 60 about their lives and what they've learned from watching the battle for trans rights unfold. Some say after watching decades of progress, the current moment feels like a step back. Others said they feel resilient. 5️⃣ Freedom under fire: With the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade, some advocates worry its decision that ruled same-sex marriage as a fundamental right could be next. Southern Baptists recently called for Obergefell v. Hodges to be overturned, as well as a ban on gay marriage. Get '5 Things' in your inbox If your day doesn't start until you're up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to your new favorite morning fix. Sign up here for the '5 Things' 2025 NATO summit will begin in the Netherlands amid the backdrop of US strikes on Iran and the ongoing war in Ukraine. One item on the table is whether all alliance members will agree to a broad defense spending target of 5% of gross domestic product, a key demand made by President Trump, who will attend the summit. Trump has frequently criticized NATO members for not spending enough money on defense and has threatened to leave the alliance. New York City will hold a Democratic mayoral primary. Eleven candidates are on the ballot, including former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and a pack of several progressive challengers led by Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. Meanwhile, in Venice, the stage is set for the highly anticipated nuptials between multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos and his bride-to-be, Lauren Sanchez. Three days of celebrations will reportedly kick off on Bezos' $500-million superyacht, Koru, which will be anchored in the Venice lagoon. WednesdayThe Senate Commerce Committee is scheduled to vote on President Trump's nominee to lead the FAA. During a hearing earlier this month, airline executive Bryan Bedford was grilled by senators on critical safety-related issues, including the required hours needed for pilots, the outdated air traffic control system and ongoing problems at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. ThursdayJune 26 marks 10 years since the Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage across the US. FridayThe Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda will sign a peace agreement in Washington, DC, that aims to end the fighting in eastern Congo. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend the signing ceremony. 🎧 Cuomo comeback?In this episode of the 'One Thing' podcast, CNN's Gloria Pazmino previews Tuesday's Democratic mayoral primary in New York City, where former governor Andrew Cuomo will attempt a political comeback. Listen here. Prev Next 📸 Check out more images from the week that was, curated by the CNN Photo team. 👀 At a glanceIn the NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder play a winner-take-all Game 7 tonight in Oklahoma City. In Game 6 last week, the Pacers beat the Thunder 108-91 to tie the series at 3-3. And the 2025 NBA Draft is set for Wednesday. The Dallas Mavericks won the draft lottery in May, securing the coveted top overall pick and the right to possibly select Duke University star forward Cooper Flagg. 📺 TV + streamingThe fourth season of FX's Emmy-winning show 'The Bear' arrives on Hulu on Wednesday. And the third and final season of 'Squid Game' arrives on Netflix on Friday. 🍿 In theaters'F1: The Movie' stars Brad Pitt as a washed-up Formula 1 racing driver coaxed out of retirement to mentor a rookie driver played by Damson Idris. 'F1' opens on Friday. 🧠 Looking for a challenge to start your week? Take CNN's weekly news quiz to see how much you remember! So far, 30% of readers got eight or more questions right. How will you fare? 🎶 'Stonewall'Saturday marks the 56th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a watershed moment for the LGBTQ+ pride movement in New York City. This song was released to commemorate Stonewall's 50th. (Click here to view) 5 Things Sunday was edited and produced by CNN's Tricia Escobedo and Dan Wine.
