Scroll To Top
Pride

White House Postpones Huge Pride Celebration Because of Air Quality Concerns

White House Postpones Huge Pride Celebration Because of Air Quality Concerns

White House in pride colors and a hazy D.C. skyline

The event will now take place over the weekend.

Cwnewser

The White House Pride Month celebration, set to be the largest ever, has been postponed from Thursday evening until Saturday due to smoke from wildfires in Canada.

The White House announced the postponement Thursday afternoon.

The federal government’s air quality monitoring website reported that Washington’s air quality was “very unhealthy.” Residents were encouraged to remain indoors or wear masks.

The Washington Nationals postponed a home baseball game as well.

The event was scheduled to be the “largest Pride celebration in White House history, with LGBTQ families from across the country demonstrating that LGBTQ people belong in the people’s house,” Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden told reporters previously.

Event organizers say the celebration stands in contrast to Republican legislation and other attacks targeting LGBTQ+ individuals.

The White House event was set to feature an appearance by Betty Who, which was expected to draw thousands of people.

Canada’s wildfire season has started with an unusually intense start thanks to a lightning-caused fire in Quebec.

As a result of the fires, much smoke has reached the United States, contaminating air along the East Coast and the Midwest.

Biden was expected to discuss the announcement of several initiatives across the federal government aimed at protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people in the wake of GOP-led attacks on the rights of queer and trans people.

Cwnewser
30 Years of Out100Out / Advocate Magazine - Jonathan Groff & Wayne Brady

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

Christopher Wiggins

Christopher Wiggins is a senior national reporter for The Advocate. He has a rich career in storytelling and highlighting underrepresented voices. Growing up in a bilingual household in Germany, his German mother and U.S. Army father exposed him to diverse cultures early on, influencing his appreciation for varied perspectives and communication. His work in Washington, D.C., primarily covers the nexus of public policy, politics, law, and LGBTQ+ issues. Wiggins' reporting focuses on revealing lesser-known stories within the LGBTQ+ community. Key moments in his career include traveling with Vice President Kamala Harris and interviewing her in the West Wing about LGBTQ+ support. In addition to his national and political reporting, Wiggins represents The Advocate in the White House Press Pool and is a member of several professional journalistic organizations, including the White House Correspondents’ Association, Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, and Society of Professional Journalists. His involvement in these groups highlights his commitment to ethical journalism and excellence in the field. Follow him on X/Twitter @CWNewser (https://twitter.com/CWNewser) and Threads @CWNewserDC (https://www.threads.net/@cwnewserdc).
Christopher Wiggins is a senior national reporter for The Advocate. He has a rich career in storytelling and highlighting underrepresented voices. Growing up in a bilingual household in Germany, his German mother and U.S. Army father exposed him to diverse cultures early on, influencing his appreciation for varied perspectives and communication. His work in Washington, D.C., primarily covers the nexus of public policy, politics, law, and LGBTQ+ issues. Wiggins' reporting focuses on revealing lesser-known stories within the LGBTQ+ community. Key moments in his career include traveling with Vice President Kamala Harris and interviewing her in the West Wing about LGBTQ+ support. In addition to his national and political reporting, Wiggins represents The Advocate in the White House Press Pool and is a member of several professional journalistic organizations, including the White House Correspondents’ Association, Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, and Society of Professional Journalists. His involvement in these groups highlights his commitment to ethical journalism and excellence in the field. Follow him on X/Twitter @CWNewser (https://twitter.com/CWNewser) and Threads @CWNewserDC (https://www.threads.net/@cwnewserdc).