Around Town

PHOTOS: Alexandria celebrates Pride Fair at new John Carlyle Square location

By James Cullum
1/20

In recognition of Pride Month, Alexandria leaders joined hundreds of visitors in celebrating the city’s annual LGBTQIA+ Pride Fair on Saturday (June 27).

With City Hall in Old Town under renovation, this was the first time that the Pride fair was held at John Carlyle Square (300 John Carlyle Street). Dozens of vendors lined the park for the event, which was hosted by the city, the Del Ray Community Partnership, Inova Pride Clinic, Kindred Tree Healing Center and VEG ER for Pets.

Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, who read a City Council proclamation on Pride, said she likes the new location for the festival.

“I love the vibe,” Bagley said. “And can we give a shout out to Carlyle Square? I’m thinking this is a pretty good idea.”

Emcee Rayceen Pendarvis told the audience that Alexandria Pride is not only a celebration, it’s a commitment.

“A commitment to equality, visibility and a belief that everyone deserves to live authentically, safely and with dignity and love,” Pendarvis said. “Your presence here today affirms this and lets our community and around the world know that we stand together.”

This November, Virginians will vote in a referendum removing the ban on same-sex marriage from the Virginia Constitution. The ban was overturned in federal court in 2014, but the the language remained in the state constitution.

Del. R. Kirk McPike (D-5), who is co-chairing a statewide effort to repeal an unenforceable ban on same-sex marriage in Virginia, encouraged voters to go to the polls.

“You know how to vote,” McPike said. “Let’s get out and vote, and let’s make the hope of Pride into actions we can be proud of. Let’s continue the progress towards equality in Virginia.”

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.