With Rage and Humor, WorldPride Rally Targets Trump at Lincoln Memorial
Hundreds of LGBTQ+ people and allies gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Sunday as part of the WorldPride rally, voicing both anger and humor in protest against former President Donald Trump’s record on LGBTQ+ rights.
The rally, held on the same steps where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963, marked a shift from Saturday’s celebratory parade to a more overtly political tone. Speakers criticized Trump’s policies, including bans on transgender people in the military and the rollback of anti-discrimination protections.
Ashley Smith, president of the Capital Pride Alliance, called attention to the threats facing transgender people, immigrants, and undocumented communities. “LGBTQI+ people are under siege,” Smith said, denouncing what he described as a nationwide rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric.
The rally also spotlighted the broader social climate, referencing protests in Los Angeles where National Guard units were deployed to confront immigration demonstrators.
Trans Pride Washington DC’s executive director Bianca Sprague described a “deeply personal” attack on trans rights, criticizing laws that bar gender-affirming care for minors. While supporters of these laws argue they protect children, LGBTQ+ advocates see them as harmful and discriminatory.
Injecting humor into the protest, comedian Mimi Gonzalez parodied “I Will Survive,” targeting Trump and Elon Musk, while emphasizing unity with the pronouns “we, us, ours.”
The Trump administration has defended its record by pointing to appointments of openly gay officials, but critics say those gestures are overshadowed by actions undermining civil rights protections and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Though the turnout didn’t match the crowds of 1963, the symbolism of the location was powerful. “Dr. King was planting a seed for all of us,” Smith reminded the audience, reinforcing the link between the civil rights and LGBTQ+ equality movements.
