WorldPride Washington, D.C. Human Rights Conference 2025: Full Schedule

2025 marks the 50th Anniversary of Pride celebrations in Washington, DC! The Capital Pride Alliance is excited for Washington, DC to host WorldPride 2025 and share this momentous and exciting milestone with our international community.

9:00am EDT

WELCOME & OPENING PLENARY

Wednesday June 4, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am EDT

National Theatre DC

Official Welcome | WorldPride Washington, D.C. Human Rights Committee and InterPride
Land Acknowledgment
Opening Poem
TBA
TBA
Keynote | “The Most Powerful Weapon: Education as a Tool for Acceptance"
Keynote | "Global Tactics for Intersectional LGBTIQ+ Rights and Liberation: Building Resilient, Community-led Movements"

Speakers

RICHA TRIPATHI

High School Student & LGBTQ+ Student Rights Advocate

Richa Tripathi (any/all) is a junior at John F. Kennedy High School in Maryland. Since their freshman year of high school, they have been active in local LGBTQ+ student advocacy as part of the leadership for the student organization, MoCo Pride Youth, and the Director for the LGBTQ... Read More →

PHYLL OPOKU-GYIMAH aka LADY PHYLL

CEO and Co-Founder, UK Black Pride (UKBP)

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah is the nucleus of the award-winning celebration and protest that is UK Black Pride. Widely known as Lady Phyll – partly due to her decision to reject an MBE in the New Year’s Honours' list to protest Britain’s role in formulating anti-LGBTQI+ penal codes... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am EDT
National Theatre DC 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Plenary Session

11:30am EDT

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN SOLIDARITY PANEL: PARENTING THROUGH THE TUMULT

Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon III

Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon III 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

11:30am EDT

INDIGIQUEER: CENTERING INDIGENOUS STORYTELLING

Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II

Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

11:30am EDT

RECLAIMING OUR POWER: ADVANCING BLACK LGBTQ+ RIGHTS ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon IV

As Black LGBTQ+ people represent the global majority, their voices, experiences, and leadership are essential to advancing human rights worldwide. This dynamic panel will bring together organizers of Black Prides from across the globe—activists, policymakers, and cultural leaders—who are on the front lines of this movement. They will examine the current landscape of Black LGBTQ+ rights, highlighting regions where systemic oppression persists and sharing strategies for driving policy reform through grassroots organizing and international advocacy. The discussion will explore the intersectionality of race, gender identity, and sexual orientation, shedding light on how these overlapping identities shape access to rights, resources, and representation. Panelists will also emphasize the power of visibility, addressing how authentic storytelling and accurate representation in media, politics, and social movements can challenge stereotypes and reshape cultural narratives. Health equity will be a key focus, with conversations on combating disparities in HIV prevention, mental health, and access to culturally competent care. Finally, the panel will explore coalition building and solidarity, offering strategies to strengthen alliances with other marginalized groups, amplifying the broader human rights movement. With a compelling call to action, attendees will be inspired to support Black LGBTQ+ organizations, advocate for policy reforms, and champion a more just and equitable global society.

Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon IV 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

11:30am EDT

WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE OF HUMAN RIGHTS: INCREASING UNDERSTANDING, REDUCING PREJUDICE, & ENDING DISCRIMINATION

Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon I

Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon I

Breakout Session

11:30am EDT

BOOMERANG ADVOCACY

Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EDT

National Theatre DC

Speakers

PROFESSOR PAULA GERBER

Professor Paula Gerber combines a razor-sharp legal intellect with passionate activism, to fight for the dismantling of discriminatory systems around the globe.She is a law professor at Monash University, which is not only the largest university in Australia, but also has a significant... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EDT
National Theatre DC 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Spotlight Session

1:30pm EDT

LGBTQIA2S+ MIGRANT TRAUMA & RESILIENCE: FROM DISPLACEMENT TO BELONGING

Wednesday June 4, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon IV

LGBTQIA2S+ individuals navigating migration often face profound challenges, including displacement, identity conflict, systemic inequities, and the universal quest for belonging. While these experiences are deeply personal, they reflect broader desires for acceptance, visibility, and empowerment shared across the LGBTQIA2S+ community. This session will explore the unique stressors faced by LGBTQIA2S+ migrants while highlighting how their resilience offers valuable lessons for building a more inclusive and united movement.

Through storytelling, data-driven insights, and interactive discussions, participants will examine the intersections of migration trauma, identity conflict, and the fight for LGBTQIA2S+ visibility. Real-world examples will showcase how migration narratives have challenged oppressive systems, fostered empathy, and built coalitions across diverse communities. By examining these stories, attendees will uncover universal strategies for expanding the LGBTQIA2S+ movement’s “tent,” embracing intersectional experiences, and harnessing resilience for collective betterment.

Attendees will gain tools to amplify marginalized voices, create intentional spaces for visibility, and expand networks that foster collaboration across borders and identities. By focusing on bridge-building and actionable strategies, this session aims to inspire participants to embrace the lessons of migrant resilience and use them to strengthen the LGBTQIA2S+ community as a whole.

Speakers

TAYLOR HIRSCHBERG

WINTER SNITZ-MEZA

Founder, LATINXRISING

BASEL TOUCHAN

History UnErased

Dr. Basel Touchan is a Middle Eastern gay immigrant who transitioned from a career in medicine to focus on human rights advocacy and systems change after seeking refuge in the U.S. during the Syrian civil war. Currently, he serves as a Learning and Development Consultant with History... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon IV 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

1:30pm EDT

STIRRED STORIES: INCLUSIVE STORYTELLING TO ELEVATE MARGINALIZED VOICES

Wednesday June 4, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon I

Wednesday June 4, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon I

Breakout Session

1:30pm EDT

SACRED DIGNITY: FAITH PERSPECTIVES ON LGBTQIA+ HUMAN RIGHTS

Wednesday June 4, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT

National Theatre DC

Speakers

BISHOP DR. ALLYSON ABRAMS

Bishop/Pastor, Empowerment Liberation Cathedral

As the voice of a new generation of liberation theologians, a feminist with a unique calling, and a political facilitator with the life experiences and credentials for ministering and leading historical congregations, Bishop Allyson Nelson Abrams, founder, prelate, and pastor of Empowerment... Read More →

PAUL RAUSHENBUSH

INTERFAITH ALLIANCE

MARIANNE DUDDY-BURKE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DIGNITY USA

BISHOP MARIANN EDGAR BUDDE

Mariann Edgar Budde serves as spiritual leader for 86 Episcopal congregations and ten Episcopal schools in the District of Columbia and four Maryland counties. The first woman elected to this position, she also serves as the chair of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
National Theatre DC 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Spotlight Session

1:30pm EDT

BOOMERANG ADVOCACY II: THE WORKSHOP

Wednesday June 4, 2025 1:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II

Speakers

PROFESSOR PAULA GERBER

Wednesday June 4, 2025 1:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Workshop

3:00pm EDT

THE AFRICAN CONTINENT: THE STATE OF LGBTQIA2S+ HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION

Wednesday June 4, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon III

Speakers

STEVEN MULEME

Executive Director, Visual Echoes for Human Rights Advocacy (VEHRA)

I am an inspiring activist and community organizer who is a very committed, disciplined and well organized LGBTIQ frontline activist, connected both at national and the internal level working to advance progress on LGBTIQ rights. Over the years, I have worked to combat social stigma... Read More →

ESTHER ADHIAMBO

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Initiative for Equality and Non Discrimination (INEND)

Essy is the founder and Executive Director of INEND, an organisation that promotes the human rights of sexual and gender minorities in Kenya. Previously, she she led the development of a training programme and blueprint for sensitising religious leaders on compassion and love... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon III 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

3:00pm EDT

THE RAINBOW PRIDE FLAG: ORIGINS OF THE LEGACY WE CARRY

Wednesday June 4, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT

National Theatre DC

Speakers

CHARLEY BEAL

President, Gilbert Baker Foundation

Charley Beal is a lifelong social activist who attended his first civil rights demonstration in Lansing, Michigan in 1962. He is also an award-winning art director for film and television, working with renowned directors including Mike Nichols, Nora Ephron, Ridley Scott, and Gus Van... Read More →

MONICA HELMS

Gilbert Baker Foundation

Monica Helms is an activist, author, and veteran of the United States Navy. She is the creator of the Transgender Pride Flag and the founder of the Transgender American Veterans Association. Monica lives in Atlanta with her wife Darlene where she continues her advocacy for the trans... Read More →

AJ HIKES

Gilbert Baker Foundation

AJ Hikes (they/them) is a social justice advocate, community organizer, TED Talk Speaker, and is unapologetically queer and Black. As Deputy Executive Director for Strategy & Culture at the ACLU National Office, AJ serves as chief counselor and principal partner to the executive director... Read More →

CATHY MARINO-THOMAS

Board Member, Gilbert Baker Foundation

Cathy lives with her wife, Sheila and daughter Jacqueline. Sheila and Cathy have been together 32 years. The family lives in Queens, New York.Cathy spent many years as a Buddy in the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) Buddy Program visiting people afflicted with HIV/AIDS and assisting... Read More →

Wednesday June 4, 2025 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
National Theatre DC 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Spotlight Session

9:00am EDT

LGBTQIA2S+ MENTAL HEALTH: THE JOURNEY TO SELF-ACCEPTANCE, AFFIRMATION, & LOVE

Thursday June 5, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon IV

Speakers

Dr. Shane A. Westmoreland

Adolescent LGBQT+ Mental Health | Researcher | Psychologist, SAW Interpreting | Training & Consulting

SHAWN KA'RON BUMPASE

Community Consultant

Proud Graduate of the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor in Criminal Justice, I am the founder of Kentucky Black Pride, I’m a case manager for the United Way of the Bluegrass. Community activist for gay rights in Lexington, KY. I host and advocate for TQPOC health care education... Read More →

UCHENNA LIZMAY UMEH, MD aka DR. LULU

CEO/Owner, Dr. Lulu's Coaching & Consulting Lounge

Dr. Lulu (Uchenna Umeh, MD, MBA, FAAP) is a Nigerian-born physician, author, speaker, and fierce advocate for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and their families. A proud mother of a transgender daughter, Dr. Lulu brings her lived experiences and 34 years of professional expertise to her work, blending... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon IV 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

9:00am EDT

REINVIGORATING ADVOCACY IN REMEMBRANCE OF WORLD AIDS DAY

Thursday June 5, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II

This session will outline the history of World AIDS Day, highlighting its role in raising awareness, commemorating lives lost, and combating HIV stigma. It will explore innovative strategies for modernizing community mobilization, focusing on how organizations can adapt to contemporary challenges using digital platforms, social media, and creative storytelling. Attendees will learn practical approaches to event planning, street campaigns, and workshops, with a focus on engaging diverse audiences—particularly youth, people of color, and underserved communities. The session will provide actionable tools to reinvigorate advocacy and ensure the ongoing relevance of World AIDS Day.

Speakers

CHIRON HOOSON

Chiron Hooson, a 28-year-old mixed-race gay man, is a dynamic advocate for LGBTQIA+ communities in Australia. Since moving to Melbourne over two years ago, Chiron has excelled as the Conference & Events Coordinator at Thorne Harbour Health, where he organizes events that uplift and... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

9:00am EDT

ROBERT F. KENNEDY HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY IN ACTION: CREATING MEANINGFUL CHANGE

Thursday June 5, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon III

In this session, led by RFK Human Rights’ Human Rights Education Program Director, attendees will gain a high-level overview of effective advocacy and mobilization techniques. The workshop will provide actionable insights and strategies for creating tangible, positive change in communities, empowering participants to turn their passion for justice into impactful action. From grassroots organizing to strategic campaigns, this session will offer practical steps that attendees can take to advocate for human rights and drive lasting social transformation, both locally and globally.

Speakers

KAREN ROBINSON

Program Director, Human Rights Education, ROBERT F. KENNEDY HUMAN RIGHTS

Karen Robinson has over 30 years of experience in human rights education, community and youth development, and community organizing.Karen started her career in the field of community engagement and youth development at American University where she helped start what was then the Center... Read More →

ALLISON GILMORE

Program Manager, John Lewis Young Leaders, ROBERT F. KENNEDY HUMAN RIGHTS

Allison Gilmore is a community leader and impactor with experience in nonprofit, government, and education. Hailing from St. Louis Missouri, Allison attended North Carolina A&T State University where she received her bachelors degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. While in... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon III 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

9:00am EDT

DAY 2 WELCOME & OPENING

Thursday June 5, 2025 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

National Theatre DC

Welcome and Introduction
Keynote
Keynote
Keynote
Keynote

Speakers

YASMIN BENOIT

Yasmin Benoit is a British model, multi-award-winning asexual activist, writer, speaker, consultant and researcher. Described as the "unlikely face of asexuality" by Cosmopolitan Magazine, she quickly became a leading voice for the community after publicly coming out in 2017. She... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
National Theatre DC 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Spotlight Session

10:30am EDT

LESSONS FROM ICELAND: REYKJAVÍC PRIDE & EQUAL RIGHTS

Thursday June 5, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon III

Thursday June 5, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon III 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

10:30am EDT

TRANSGENDER RIGHTS GLOBALLY: CENTERING NARRATIVES WITHIN INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORKS & LOCAL CONTEXTS

Thursday June 5, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II

This session highlights trans-led movements around the globe that are challenging power structures, shifting policy, and building radical futures. Panelists will share organizing strategies, coalition work, and lessons from the frontlines of global resistance—and why liberation must be led by those most impacted.

Speakers

NAYYAB ALI

Executive Director, Transgender Rights Consultants Pakistan

Ms. Nayyab Ali is a researcher, renowned human rights and political activist, and Capacity development expert with professional experience working on gender equality, livelihoods, and economic empowerment. She has a background in human and institutional capacity development; and expertise... Read More →

PIP BAITINGER

MYLES MARKHAM

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, TRANS LIFELINE

Myles Markham is a transmasculine Native Hawaiian/Japanese American who has worked in the movement for LGBTQIA2S+ rights and dignity for over a decade. Myles has contributed to various initiatives across the non-profit and religious sectors related to education, advocacy, community... Read More →

ROSE MONTOYA

I have written about Trans, Latina, Deaf and Hearing Impaired, and Christian identities for publications such as TIME and am a featured columnist for The Los Angeles Blade. I have spoken with audiences from Yale to the White House Press Club. I first gained national traction as a... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

10:30am EDT

GLOBAL SOUTH PERSPECTIVES: BUILDING ADVOCACY SELF-SUSTAINING MODELS

Thursday June 5, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon IV

Speakers

NICOLETTE MCKENZIE BRYAN

I have been a passionate advocate at the forefront of the LGBTQ movement in Jamaica, deeply committed to advancing equality and creating safe spaces for marginalized communities. In 2016, I served as the co-chair for Jamaica's first public Pride celebrations, a historic milestone... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon IV 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Workshop

11:00am EDT

BRIDGING ECONOMICS AND LGBTQIA2S+ HUMAN RIGHTS

Thursday June 5, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT

National Theatre DC

Renowned economist and LGBTQ+ rights advocate Dr. M.V. Lee Badgett leads this compelling session exploring the intersection of economic policy and LGBTQ+ human rights. Drawing on global research and real-world case studies, Dr. Badgett highlights how economic inclusion and equality for LGBTQ+ communities drive social progress and sustainable development. Attendees will gain insights into the economic costs of discrimination, the benefits of inclusive workplaces, and policy strategies that promote equality. This session offers valuable perspectives for policymakers, advocates, researchers, and business leaders committed to advancing equity through economic empowerment.

Speakers

M. V. LEE BADGETT, PHD

Economics professor, Williams Institute at UCLA; Univ of Massachusetts Amherst

M. V. Lee Badgett, PhD, is a pioneering researcher of the global cost of homophobia and transphobia, economic empowerment of LGBTI+ people, and LGBTI+ economic inequality. She’s the Chief Economist and co-founder of Koppa: The LGBTI+ Economic Power Lab. In addition, Badgett is Professor... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
National Theatre DC 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Spotlight Session

11:40am EDT

OUR SACRED BODIES: A DECOLONIZED LENS TO EXPLORE TRANS IDENTITY

Thursday June 5, 2025 11:40am - 12:30pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II

Speakers

REVEREND LEONINA ARISMENDI

Artivist, Word, Beats and Life Toward 2040 Fellow

Leonina Arismendi is a Queer, Uruguayan-born multidisciplinary artist, activist, and award-winning writer whose work interweaves art, food justice, environmentalism, and social change. In 2015, Leonina founded Art Mart, the first LGBTQ+ safe space in Fredericksburg, VA, creating a... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 11:40am - 12:30pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

11:40am EDT

SAFE LOCKER ROOM

Thursday June 5, 2025 11:40am - 12:30pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon IV

Speakers

HENK NIJMEIJER

Provincie Drenthe, Rainbow Ambassador

My name is Henk Nijmeijer, and I am the Ambassador of Rainbow Policy of the Province of Drenthe in The Netherlands. I am also a candidate Senator of the First Chamber of the Dutch Parliament, a former member of the Parliament of the province Drenthe (2015-2023) and a Rainbow Alliance... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 11:40am - 12:30pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon IV 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

11:40am EDT

THEE MUSES: OWNING OUR IMAGE, OWNING OUR IMPACT

Thursday June 5, 2025 11:40am - 12:30pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon III

Thursday June 5, 2025 11:40am - 12:30pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon III 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

1:00pm EDT

BEAUTIFULLY ACE: THE ASEXUALITY SPECTRUM

Thursday June 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon IV

Speakers

YASMIN BENOIT

Thursday June 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon IV 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

1:00pm EDT

KOPPA LGBTI+ ECONOMIC POWER LAB: FOSTERING OUR COMMUNITY'S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT & HUMAN RIGHTS GLOBALLY

Thursday June 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II

Speakers

M. V. LEE BADGETT, PHD

Economics professor, Williams Institute at UCLA; Univ of Massachusetts Amherst

Thursday June 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

1:00pm EDT

LGBTQ+ HEALTHCARE: A GLOBAL DISCUSSION

Thursday June 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon III

Speakers

Dr. Shane A. Westmoreland

Adolescent LGBQT+ Mental Health | Researcher | Psychologist, SAW Interpreting | Training & Consulting

TAYLOR HIRSCHBERG

DR. NAS MOHAMED

Owner and Physician, Osra Medical

CAMIEL WELLING

DR. HYMAN SCOTT, MD, MPH

Clinical Research Medical Director at Bridge HIV (SFDPH); Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine (UCSF) Assistant Clinical Professor, School of Medicine

Hyman Scott, MD, MPH is the Clinical Research Medical Director at Bridge HIV in the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH), and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He received his MD from Yale School of Medicine... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon III 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

1:00pm EDT

LEGAL LANDSCAPES: GLOBAL & DOMESTIC LAWS SHAPING LGBTQIA2S+ RIGHTS

Thursday June 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT

National Theatre DC

Legal experts Craig Konnoth and Suzanne Goldberg take a deep dive into the current state of laws affecting LGBTQ+ people across the U.S. and around the world. From healthcare access and anti-discrimination protections to freedom of expression and family rights, this session unpacks the legal developments that are shaping daily life for LGBTQ+ communities. With thoughtful analysis and real-world context, Konnoth and Goldberg explore how recent shifts in legislation and court rulings are driving both progress and new challenges.

Speakers

CRAIG KONNOTH

Professor of Law, University of Virginia School of Law

Craig Konnoth writes in health and civil rights, as well as on health data regulation. He is also active in LGBT rights litigation, and has filed briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court and the Tenth Circuit on LGBT rights issues. His publications have appeared or will appear in the Yale... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
National Theatre DC 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Spotlight Session

2:30pm EDT

INTERSEX UNDILUTED

Thursday June 5, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon III

In many countries, intersex issues are seen largely as medical “disorders” that need to be corrected through medical interventions. There isn’t much of a focus on the human rights and bodily autonomy of the individual. Stigma and violations have created interconnected issues that continue to inform discourse on how to better support and advance intersex rights.

Thinking about the future of the Intersex movement from a global perspective is important because it requires us to examine intersex issues, context, strategies, and barriers to justice through different frameworks. As intersex activists, we examine these issues through a human rights framework that is rooted in lived experiences, with solidarity as a beacon of hope.

This session will allow for the intersex voices from most regions to be heard, and for allies to learn more about our cause and the opportunities to support from an informed perspective.

Thursday June 5, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon III 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

2:30pm EDT

REDEFINING FAMILY: BLACK QUEER PARENTS IN THE FIGHT FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE & COMMUNITY CARE

Thursday June 5, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II

The session will explore the intersection of reproductive justice, community care, and the unique experiences of Black queer parents. As the founder of xHood, a thriving network for Black queer parents, participants will be guided through the realities of navigating parenthood within systems often designed to exclude or marginalize.

This session will highlight the transformative potential of centering Black queer parents in conversations about reproductive rights and justice. It will delve into the systemic barriers we face, from limited access to inclusive fertility treatments and parental rights protections, to the social stigmas around non-normative family structures. By addressing these challenges, how Black queer parents redefine family to include chosen families, community care networks, and collective resilience will all be addressed.

Attendees will leave with an understanding of how reproductive justice extends beyond access to healthcare, to include the right to create and nurture families in safe, supported, and affirming environments. Through storytelling, research, and actionable insights, this session will inspire advocacy and community-led solutions that uplift Black queer families as essential contributors to a more equitable world.

Whether an advocate, ally, or a member of the LGBTQ+ community, this session will provide tools and perspectives to deepen our commitment to justice and inclusion. Together, we can reimagine family as a source of liberation and power."

Speakers

MIA COOLEY

FOUNDER, XHOOD

Mia Cooley (she/her) is the founder of xHood, an organization dedicated to creating safe, affirming spaces for Black LGBTQ+ parents to connect, build community, and thrive. A proud Black queer woman and mother, Mia is deeply passionate about addressing the unique challenges faced... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

2:30pm EDT

GLAAD: GLOBALIZING LGBTQIA2S+ ADVOCACY & ACTIVATING THE FUTURE

Thursday June 5, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm EDT

National Theatre DC

As GLAAD marks its 40th anniversary, this panel explores how the organization’s influential advocacy model is expanding across borders to meet the evolving needs of LGBTQ+ communities worldwide. With media as a powerful force for change, panelists will discuss how GLAAD is adapting its strategies, shaping narratives, and forging global partnerships to protect and advance LGBTQ+ rights in an increasingly connected world. This session will also coincide with the release of new GLAAD data, offering fresh insights into representation, public opinion, and the road ahead for global advocacy.

Thursday June 5, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm EDT
National Theatre DC 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Spotlight Session

2:30pm EDT

EMBRACING OUR SCARS: SELF HARM 101

Thursday June 5, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon IV

Self-harm remains a topic not talked about enough, especially with the growing concern for the safety of LGBTQIA+ youth. For many, self-harm is an invisible struggle, often compounded by stigma and shame that leads young people to conceal their behaviors. As more LGBTQIA+ youth come out at younger ages, there is increased attention on the heightened risks faced by this group, including a higher incidence of self-destructive behaviors related to social stigma and negative experiences. Research has shown that self-harm, along with depression and suicide, occurs at significantly higher rates among LGBTQIA+ youth compared to their peers. This disparity shows the critical need for providing LGBTQIA+ youth with resources that affirm their identities and increase support.

As professionals and parents, it is important to be equipped with a clear understanding of the types of self-harm, average age range when it can occur, causes, populations, risk factors, as well as its connection to mental health challenges such as depression and suicide. It is imperative to provide protective factors for LGBTQIA+ youth in helping to replace self-harming behaviors with positive coping strategies.

Compassionate, empathetic approaches are essential in engaging LGBTQIA+ youth, and this presentation provides evidence-based strategies for professionals, parents, and educators to respond to self-harm with care, sensitivity, and empowerment. By drawing on therapeutic techniques, lived experiences, evidence-based interventions backed in research, and experience from working with queer youth, this presentation offers actionable steps for combating self-harm and supporting LGBTQIA+ youth in their journey toward healing and resilience.

Speakers

BREE WILES

Social Worker, Revolutionize Your Soul

Bree is a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a rich background spanning over a decade in the mental health field. Her passion for advocacy shines through in her tireless efforts to champion LGBTQ+ youth, drawing from both her personal journey and professional expertise... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon IV 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Workshop

4:00pm EDT

HOLLYWOOD HEROS PANEL: THE POWER & RESPONSIBILITY OF OUT ARTIST-ACTIVISTS

Thursday June 5, 2025 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT

National Theatre DC

This panel brings together influential out LGBTQ+ individuals who are leveraging their platforms to drive social change and challenge harmful norms. Through thoughtful discussion, panelists will reflect on their experiences navigating public visibility, the complexities of advocacy, and the responsibility that comes with being a vocal member of the LGBTQ+ community. With a focus on both personal and professional journeys, the conversation will explore how visibility can serve as a powerful tool for advancing equality, amplifying marginalized voices, and reshaping societal perceptions of LGBTQ+ identities.

Thursday June 5, 2025 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
National Theatre DC 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Plenary Session

9:00am EDT

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: OAG'S SOCIAL JUSTICE WORK PROTECTING THE LGBTQIA2S+ COMMUNITY

Friday June 6, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II

Friday June 6, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

9:00am EDT

LGBTQ+ VICTORY FUND: TBA

Friday June 6, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salons III & IV

Friday June 6, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salons III & IV 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

9:00am EDT

TRANS U.S.A.: MORE THAN A CROWN – INCLUSIVE PAGEANTRY TO EMPOWER TRANS LEADERS, ADVOCATES, & ROLE MODELS

Friday June 6, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon I

Friday June 6, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon I

Breakout Session

9:00am EDT

DAY 3 WELCOME & OPENING

Friday June 6, 2025 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

National Theatre DC

Keynote
Entertainment Panel

Speakers

TAYLOR CHANDLER

Author Media Personality, Taylor Lianne Chandler, LLC

Author, Media Personality, Mental Health Advocate, Trans Rights Activist, Elevating Black & brown voices through Advocacy, Marketing, creating safe spaces! President of FLUX AIDS Healthcare, Washington, DC. Board Member: Capital Pride Alliance HealthHIV Advisory Board Mayor’s Office... Read More →

DOMINIQUE MORGAN

MONROE ALISE

Friday June 6, 2025 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
National Theatre DC 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Spotlight Session

10:30am EDT

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN: TBA

Friday June 6, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II

Friday June 6, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon II 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

10:30am EDT

LGBTQ+ VICTORY FUND: TBA

Friday June 6, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salons III & IV

Friday June 6, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salons III & IV 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Breakout Session

10:30am EDT

QUEER ART ACROSS HISTORY: OUR HERITAGE SPANNING EVERY COUNTRY, EVERY EPOCH

Friday June 6, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT

JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon I

Speakers

JONATHAN D. KATZ

Associate Professor of Practice, History of Art and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies,, University of Pennsylvania

Jonathan D. Katz is a founding figure in queer art history, responsible for the very first queer scholarship on a number of artists. His scholarship spans a period from the late 19th-century to the present, with an emphasis on the US, but with serious attention to Europe, Latin America... Read More →

Friday June 6, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
JW Marriott Washington, DC – Salon I

Breakout Session

11:00am EDT

FIERCE, FABULOUS, AND FIRED UP: DRAG TAKES A STAND

Friday June 6, 2025 11:00am - 11:40am EDT

National Theatre DC

In a world where gender expression is often policed, drag serves as a bold and unapologetic act of resistance, creativity, and empowerment. This panel explores how drag artists across the globe are using their platforms to challenge norms, push boundaries, and take a stand for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. From the runways to the streets, drag is not just an art form—it's a movement. Join us as we dive into the ways drag culture confronts issues of systemic oppression, celebrates identity, and sparks critical conversations on race, class, and queerness. Get ready to be inspired, energized, and reminded that the revolution will always be fabulous.

Speakers

COURTNEY ACT

Boy, Girl, Artist, Advocate—Courtney Act is more than just the sum of her parts. In 2003, Shane Jenek auditioned for the first season of Australian Idol. Turned away, he bent the rules—and his gender—returning the next day as Courtney Act. A star was born. Courtney was signed... Read More →

BOB THE DRAG QUEEN

The nickname of non-binary comic/actor Caldwell Tidicue, “Bob The Drag Queen” describes herself as “hilarious, beautiful, talented and...humble.” Bob’s unabashed confidence won her the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” on season 8 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race... Read More →

MRS. KASHA DAVIS

PEPPERMINT

Peppermint….Everyone’s Favorite FlavorPeppermint’s star has continued to rise since her smashing success as first runner upon Season 9 of Rupaul’s Drag Race. Soon after she became the first trans woman tooriginate a principal role on Broadway when she was cast as Pythio in... Read More →

PETTER WELLENBERG

As the founding director of Bland Drakar och Dragqueens (Amongst Dragons and Drag Queens), Petter leads the largest drag theatre company in the Nordics, presenting up to 200 shows annually for audiences of all ages in Sweden and Finland. In 2022, he wrote and directed an original musical for children at Konserthuset Stockholm (Royal... Read More →

Friday June 6, 2025 11:00am - 11:40am EDT
National Theatre DC 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Spotlight Session

11:40am EDT

CLOSING PLENARY & PASSING OF THE MESSAGE STICK

Friday June 6, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm EDT

National Theatre DC

WorldPride Washington, D.C. 2025 Human Rights Conference Committee

Friday June 6, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm EDT
National Theatre DC 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA

Plenary Session

12:00pm EDT

DRAG RACE CELEBRATORY PERFORMANCE CLOSING

Friday June 6, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

National Theatre DC

Speakers