Pride Month Kicks off in City of Alexandria

Page updated on August 16, 2024 at 10:40 AM
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The City of Alexandria reaffirmed June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month during the seventh annual Alexandria Pride Fair on Saturday, June 1. Mayor Justin Wilson kicked off the Pride Fair with a proclamation reading.

"More than anything, Pride is a celebration. It is a celebration of our community," said Mayor Wilson. "It is a celebration of the fact that the LGBTQ+ community is an integral part of Alexandria. It is a celebration that the rich tapestry of Alexandria is incomplete without the LGBTQ+ community. We celebrate that in Pride and we celebrate that all year long."

Hundreds of visitors at the fair attended the popular Drag Story Hour, collected Pride freebies, enjoyed live music and food, created art, posed for Pride pictures, and learned about LGBTQ+ inclusive services in Alexandria. Free and confidential services were also provided, including confidential HIV testing, mental health, and other healthcare resources. 

Participants at Pride Fair gathered around table with rainbow tablecloth

Milestones in City Transit

Pride wrapped DASH bus on rainbow crosswalk

The City debuted rainbow crosswalks at the event, located at the cross section of Royal and King Streets. The crosswalks are a symbol of inclusivity, showing support for all residents in the heart of Alexandria, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) unveiled its first Pride-wrapped bus. The design of the decorative bus was inspired by the theme "free to love and free to ride" and communicates the commitment to celebrating and welcoming everyone, connecting people, and providing free bus rides to all.

two men walking on rainbow crosswalk

Get Involved in the Alexandria LGBTQ+ Task Force

Mayor Wilson highlighted the work of the Alexandria LGBTQ+ Task Force in the 2024 Pride Proclamation. The goal of the Task Force since 2007 is to create safe and inclusive service provision in the City of Alexandria that affirms a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity.

Find more information about the City’s LGBTQ+ Task Force and resources online.  For books and information related to LGBTQ+ Pride Month, visit the Alexandria Library’s LGBTQ Pride webpage.

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you. Please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960. 

Alexandria at 275: Connecting to our past to define a brighter future. 

Since its 1749 founding, the historic city of Alexandria has played a major role in our nation’s story and reflected its progress toward inclusivity. Join us at events from April through September as we mark Alexandria's 275th anniversary and embark on the next chapter in our city’s vibrant history at alexandriava.gov/ALX275.