When World Pride comes to town, the celebrations aren’t limited to just June!
In late May, soon after tabling at D.C. Black Pride, Modern Military was honored to participate in D.C.’s first-ever Military and Veteran Pride Weekend. This three-day initiative was organized by the D.C. Mayor’s Office in partnership with World Pride to celebrate the diverse LGBTQ+ military and veteran community ahead of the full World Pride/Capital Pride weekend. These events were co-hosted alongside two of our partner organizations, SPARTA and Minority Veterans of America.
The Modern Military team repped at all three events, which were all widely attended by both locals and out-of-town visitors. We all felt the power of community support and solidarity — something we all need now more than ever. Here is a quick recap of the incredible events we participated in!
Thursday, May 29: Military Veteran Mixer and Drag Show
Hosted by DC Mayor’s Office, SPARTA and Modern Military at Red Bear Brewing
We kicked off DC Military Pride weekend at Red Bear Brewing in Washington, D.C. with a packed night of joy and connection. Attendees joined us, Minority Veterans of America, SPARTA, and the Mayor’s Office to support LGBTQ+ service members to celebrate and be in community with fellow service members, veterans, and allies.
There were unforgettable drag performances from MaKayla Starr, Smash, and Sauvage. Red Bear Brewing also started a fundraiser with a service member sponsored beer, and guests got free appetizers. Our team also shared suicide prevention resources for the LGBTQ+ military and veteran community, especially given that right now we are all going through it and need to make sure we have the resources and information we need to care of ourselves and each other.
Friday, May 30: Our Stories, Our Truth: LGBTQ+ Veterans’ Stories of Joy and Resistance
Hosted by Minority Veterans of America at Spark Social
Our incredible partner organization Minority Veterans of America hosted this event as part of their living series, which serves as a platform to speak our collective truth and to speak truth to power.
The lived experiences of LGBTQ+ service members and veterans are filled with contradictions. From “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policies to all-out bans on our service, there is a distinct and incongruous feeling of exclusion that exists alongside the pride we feel for having served — or still serving — a country that doesn’t always include or serve us. Our pride still holds strong while we fight against the systems of oppression that keep us marginalized.
Saturday, May 31: DC World Pride Military & Veteran Field Day
Hosted by Modern Military, SPARTA, and Minority Veterans of America at Alethia Tanner Park
Along with our two partner organizations and the D.C. Mayor’s Offices of Veteran and LGBTQ+ Affairs, Modern Military hosted a fun Family Field Day in a gorgeous Alethia Tanner Park despite intermittent rain.
Dozens of service members, veterans, family members, and allies spent the day playing in a cornhole tournament, eating a free full plate of tacos and a drink from Little Miner Tacos, and having VIP seats to a family-friendly drag performance by MaKayla Star. There was also a rainbow unicorn bounce house for kids and an obstacle course bounce house for the grownups.
This joyful celebration was an excellent way to close out out Military & Veteran Pride weekend.
What’s next? More Pride!
Modern Military is excited to participate in more World Pride activities this coming weekend. We will be tabling at the two-day festival, which is normally only one day, along with marching in the parade on Sunday. We’ll share more updates afterward!
