Pickets, Protests, and Parades: The History of Gay Pride in Washington

The exhibition disrupts the popularly held belief that the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement began with the Stonewall Riots in 1969 New York. While this pushback to police violence was vital, DC’s LGBTQ+ history of resistance actually predates the Stonewall Riots. RHP recognizes this picket, four years before the Stonewall Riots, where 10 members of the Mattachine Society of Washington marched with signs in front of the White House–as the start of DC’s rich queer history.

Step into decades of LGBTQ+ history with our ten bold and immersive Era Cubes. Spanning from 1965 to today, each cube brings a defining era of DC.’s movement to life — packed with striking archival photos, rare historical insights, and vivid portraits of Community Pioneers who led the charge for visibility, justice, and change. Feel the power of words that sparked revolution. Each era features a Quote Wall showcasing unforgettable statements from activists, artists, and leaders who shaped DC’s Gay history.

Set between the White House and the Capitol, this powerful exhibit is more than a history lesson — it’s a living reminder that the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is far from over. As attacks on equality persist nationwide, this exhibit stands as a bold declaration: We’ve been fighting for six decades — and we’ll keep fighting for sixty more.

DETAILS

WHEN:

May 19th thru July 6th, 2025 during World Pride

WHERE:

Freedom Plaza, situated directly between the White House and Capitol Building.

WHAT:

A free outdoor exhibition chronicling the local LGBTQ+ Pride movement and how the pickets and protests of the 1960s led to the vibrant celebrations of the 2020s.

Explore Local LGBTQ+ History

VISIT THE EXHIBIT

The exhibition is on display for visitors to enjoy all day for free!

Upcoming Events:

  • May 24th: Exhibit Ribbon Cutting | Sign-up Now
  • May 25th – July 6th: Exhibit Walking Tours | Sign-up Now
  • May 26 – July 6: Behind the Scenes with the Senior Curator | Sign-up Now
VIEW EVENTS CALENDAR

SUPPORT THE EXHIBIT

This exhibition has been funded thus far by community organizations and individuals, opposed to traditional funding for Pride initiatives seeking funds from corporations. RHP is looking to raise an additional $20,000 to ensure sustainability for the organization for years to come.

Sponsorship opportunities are available, to learn more, email Board Secretary, Alex Fraioli at info@rainbowhistory.org.

MAKE AN ONLINE DONATION

DEVELOPING THE EXHIBIT

Since 2023, RHP’s research team – led by Board Member & Senior Curator, Vincent Slatt, and Assistant Curator and Image Coordinator Colette Combs – has been working diligently on this Project. This Project began by revisiting RHP’s online exhibition PRIDE: Party or Protest?, digging into the concept that Pride is over 30 years old yet the LGBTQ+ community is still working to write the story of Pride. This exhibition is the culmination of 25 years of RHP’s work and is the largest in RHP’s history. 

Slatt, Combs, and volunteers worked for the past two years, exploring RHP’s physical collection of documents, manuscripts and photographs has its home at the DC History Center as well as archives from across the United States, reaching out to Community Pioneers, and forging connections within the community.

RHP has shared every step of the research and exhibit development process, receiving community feedback throughout the two year process. By providing public updates and community listening sessions we have be enabled to telling a more complete story and recruit volunteers.

“This project started as a celebration and recognition of DC and nationwide gay rights pioneers. In the current environment, as the progress we’ve made and the very existence of some of our community members is under attack, it is also a protest–we’re still here, and we’re not going anywhere.” – Monika F. (she/her), Volunteer

“Research for this exhibit has been beyond inspiring to me. To see the ways our community has resisted and celebrated our existence despite the many hardships and attempts to silence us is a reminder that we are one moment in a long, shared history of queer joy and queer liberation.” – Karen (she/her), Volunteer

 

Connect with Us

PRESS

COVERAGE

Since 2023, our research team has been working on 10 themes to be featured in the exhibit on the history of Pride and sharing them with the community for feedback. We have published descriptions in the Washington Blade:

MEDIA RELEASES

MEDIA INQUIRES

Please email pride@rainbowhistory.org with all requests.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

 

 

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS