Sharing the Pride

The 12-day Capital Pride 2011 celebration gets underway on Wednesday, June 1, and runs through Sunday, June 12. Downtown will host a few events, including the Kickoff & Orientation at the National Press Club (529 14th Street) from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm on June 1 and the Festival on Pennsylvania Avenue from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm on June 12.

Citywide and other nearby festivities and meetings make up this celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, which includes an Interfaith Service, Parade, a Heroes Gala & Silent Auction and other activities.

Other Downtown events include an Ice Breaker, or Official Capital Pride Happy Hour, at Vetro in Lima Lounge (1401 K Street) and Tours of the National Museum of Women in the Arts’ Collection (1250 New York Avenue).

The annual Parade steps off at 5:30 pm on Saturday, June 11, from Dupont Circle and ends at Thomas Circle, at the junction of Massachusetts and Vermont Avenues and 14th and M Streets.

Capital Pride, one of the nation’s largest LGBT events, draws more than 250,000 people annually. For more information, visit www.capitalpride.org.