Because the U.S. capital city of Washington, D.C., is both a haven for the LGBTIQ+ community and the official location for World Pride 2025, it was imperative that the EU Delegation participate in local Pride celebrations. And we had a great time doing it!

On June 1, we placed rainbow bunting across the overhead cover in front of our office building. We officially declared our support on social media by changing our EU flag avatar to one with rainbow stars, and with social media posts announcing our participation in the upcoming Capital Pride Parade on Saturday, June 8, organized by Capital Pride Alliance.

Our parade contingent comprised colleagues from the EU Delegation and 14 Member State embassies: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain. In addition to EU flags, we provided the participating Member States with their national flags.

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The EU Ambassador Jovita Neliupšienė, the Ambassador of the Netherlands, and the Permanent Observer of Spain to the OAS led the group, immediately followed by EU Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Curtis and the Deputy Chiefs of Mission from Cyprus, France, Greece, the Netherlands, and Slovenia.

For the first time ever, we designed a primarily blue and gold float that incorporated a large rainbow centerpiece displaying the words “European Union.” The float also featured DJ Neekola (Tomorrowland and Tomorrowland-themed Brussels Airlines flights) as well as six dancers. Marchers also carried signs that displayed the EU emblem and with human rights messaging. You can view our Flickr album by clicking here.

On Sunday, June 30, staff members from EU office in San Francisco joined Member States consulates in marching as part of the European Consulates contingent in the city’s Pride Parade, the largest gathering of the LGBTIQ+ community in the country. Following the Parade, the group attended the Pride reception at the San Francisco City Hall, where they engaged with Mayor London Breed, city government officials, and civil society organizations.

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Finally, before June even began, the Washington office hosted a special edition of our periodic Pints & Policy series that focused on transatlantic efforts to support human rights for LGBTIQ+ persons around the world. On May 22 at Sauf Haus Bier Hall, EU Human Rights Officer Ali Cain and Washington Blade Editor Michael K. Lavers held a conversation in a casual format onstage before a crowd of nearly 75 people.