WorldPride in Trump’s America

As preparations for WorldPride DC 2025 continue,Sarah Creighton Keoghwas invited to explore the capital region of the USA, which spans Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC. The journey took her through charming historic streets, thriving LGBTQ+ communities, and some of the best queer-owned and queer-friendly spaces around. It was, however, impossible to ignore the backdrop of shifting political tides in the United States.

My trip began just after the presidential election results were announced, a moment that left me feeling uneasy about what was to come. The return of Donald Trump to the White House had already sparked anxieties within the LGBTQ+ community worldwide and had cast a looming shadow on the trip. With a growing fear that his administration would immediately move to roll back progress, I was surprised by the reassurance, resilience, and determination of the queer spaces and individuals I met throughout my stay, who reminded me exactly why we must celebrate this WorldPride.

With flights sponsored by Aer Lingus, I arrived in Washington, DC, before heading to Alexandria, Virginia, a short drive just across the river. For those travelling from Ireland, Aer Lingus offers up to seven direct flights a week from Dublin to Washington Dulles, with fares starting at €239 each way, including US pre-clearance at Dublin Airport. The seamless arrival made it all the easier to settle into the trip.

My journey began in Alexandria, a city renowned for its cobblestone streets, 18th-century row houses, and vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. One of the first stops in Old Town was Friends to Lovers, a queer and womanowned bookstore. Nestled in a cosy pink attic, the shop is brimming with romance novels, LGBTQ+ literature, and indie queer publications. To explore King Street in a more efficient and stylish way, I hopped on the vintage-style King Street trolley, which offers a free and charming ride through the historic district. For dinner, we went straight to Hank’s Oyster Bar, owned by renowned chef Jamie Leeds. A champion of LGBTQ+ leadership and equality, Leeds has created a warm, inclusive dining space that serves up incredible seafood. Another fantastic spot was Virginia’s Darling, a flower-adorned cocktail bar that transforms into Mae’s Market & Café by day.

The next morning, we embarked on a river cruise, indulging in bottomless brunch while taking in breathtaking views of the Washington Monument and Capitol Building—which, I must say, looked even better after a few mimosas.

After Alexandria, we took a quick drive to Richmond, Virginia, a city with a strong LGBTQ+ presence and a wealth of queer-owned businesses. One of the highlights was Liberty Public House, affectionately known as “the lesbian pancake house”, which is a mustvisit for its hearty brunch and welcoming atmosphere. In Carytown, also known as ‘The Mile of Style’, I explored an array of vintage shops and independent boutiques. The evening ended at Birdie’s, a cosy cocktail bar decked out for Christmas, which felt like stepping into a festive film set.

The following morning, we started early with breakfast at Joe’s Inn, a local diner-style institution that has been serving the community for decades, a true Richmond classic. Frederick may be a smaller city, but its LGBTQ+ community is thriving.

I spent the evening hopping between two separate queer nights—both hosted in Irish pubs, which added a unique small-town rivalry to the night. The company was excellent, and though the Guinness wasn’t quite like home, the warmth of the crowd more than made up for it.

The heart of Frederick’s LGBTQ+ scene is undoubtedly The Frederick Center, a vibrant community space housed in a three-story converted church. Immediately, we were struck by the welcoming atmosphere. The first floor is designed as a cosy gathering place, featured blankets, board games, and a complimentary coffee station. The upper levels held a library stocked with banned and queer-focused books, framed by cascading Pride flags that filled the space with colour. We were invited to join a discussion group for older LGBTQ+ individuals, where the participants shared heartfelt stories of navigating shifting political landscapes. Despite their anxieties, there was a strong sense of resilience and hope as they discussed plans for the upcoming Frederick Pride. Their determination to continue celebrating and advocating for the community was palpable, leaving us inspired.

After the discussion, we headed to Cunningham Falls for a peaceful hike. The trail provided a moment of reflection, and the natural beauty of the falls was a perfect antidote to the weight of some earlier conversations.

Refreshed, we made our way to Dublin Roasters, a queer-owned café serving locally roasted coffee. Dinner that evening was at The Ordinary Hen, a new LGBTQ+-owned restaurant that felt intimate and was filled with camaraderie. We were honoured to be joined by our new friends from the Frederick Center and Frederick’s mayor, Michael O’Connor. In an emotional moment, he addressed everyone in attendance, saying, “You are, and always will be, welcome in Frederick.”

Since my visit, I’ve often thought about those I met in Frederick and have been fortunate to stay in touch with a few. One of these connections is Kris Fair, the executive director of The Frederick Center. When I caught up with him, I asked how he was feeling ahead of Pride. His words were powerful: “Queer people exist in every corner of this country. They live in every town, county, and state. They work, raise families, and contribute to society. Most importantly, no legislation, executive order, or hateful rhetoric will erase this beautiful, resilient community.”

From Frederick, we travelled to Baltimore, a city known for its charm, and I was not let down. We stayed at Ulysses, a boutique hotel inspired by Art Deco movie palaces and the films of queer icon and Baltimore resident John Waters. The hotel’s vibrant decor and cinematic atmosphere made it a memorable stay.

Our first stop was a queer-run popcorn shop filled with quirky trinkets, but the biggest surprise was an unexpectedly risqué backroom featuring a collection of adult-themed trinkets. Next, we ventured to Mobtown Ballroom for a swing dance lesson, a joyful and inclusive experience that embodied Baltimore’s celebration of the unconventional.

From there, we visited the American Visionary Art Museum, a space dedicated to self-taught and outsider artists. The museum’s unique collection was a testament to creativity and individuality, a perfect fit for Baltimore’s reputation as a haven for artistic expression.

For dinner, we dined at Gertrude’s, located inside the Baltimore Museum of Art. The restaurant served Chesapeake Bay-inspired cuisine, and we enjoyed our meal in a beautiful sculpture garden featuring works by Calder and Rodin.

As the night unfolded, we visited Leon’s, Baltimore’s oldest gay bar, dating back to 1957. Stepping inside felt like entering a living piece of LGBTQ+ history. The bar’s warm, nostalgic atmosphere was filled with stories, laughter, and, of course, a little karaoke. Maybe it was my off-key singing or the run-in I had with a girl with particularly green eyes, but the night felt truly special. We certainly made a few new memories to add to Leon’s books.

Both Frederick and Baltimore revealed vibrant, welcoming communities steeped in resilience and pride. The connections I made, the stories I heard, and the celebrations I witnessed are memories I’ll carry with me for years to come.

As the trip approached its grand finale, we arrived in Washington, DC—the heart of WorldPride 2025. Over dinner at Pizzeria Paradiso, I met with Ryan Bos, Executive Director of the Capital Pride Alliance, who spoke about DC’s role in WorldPride: “Our vibrant LGBTQ+ community is the largest in the US, with over 14% of residents identifying as such. DC is, and will remain, one of the most inclusive and diverse cities in the world.”

Breakfast at ThreeFifty Bakery introduced me to Jimmy Hopper and his partner Michael Graham, whose love story was baked into the very foundation of their business. Later, a Monuments and Memorials Bike Tour provided a poignant reminder of history and progress. I ended my trip that evening at A League of Her Own, where I pretended to understand sports in the name of women’s football.

From Alexandria’s independent bookshops to Richmond’s beloved diners, from Frederick’s grassroots activism to Baltimore’s unapologetic creativity, and from DC’s rich political history to its current fight against oppression, the Capital Region USA is ready to host WorldPride 2025. Despite recent political shifts, the trip reminded me of the strength, joy, and resilience of LGBTQ+ communities—proving that no legislation, executive order, or hateful rhetoric will erase this beautiful, defiant, and thriving community. As Ryan Bos put it: “WorldPride is a rallying cry. We will stand together against bigotry, hatred, and discrimination. This is our time to celebrate, resist, and thrive.”

Thank you to Capital Region USA (CRUSA) and all its partners for making this trip possible. WorldPride DC 2025 takes place from May 17 to June 8, marking the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations in the US capital.