Pride celebration is all about love, visibility, and community
By Julia Key
Rainbow flags, bags, shirts, and shoes took over the Mosaic District in Merrifield for its fifth annual Pride Celebration on Saturday.
Strawberry Park was filled with Lady Gaga and Dolly Parton music, as over a hundred people danced and cheered for Pride Month.
Drag Queen Tara Hoot took to the stage to read children’s books and perform lip-syncs wearing a bright red-and-white dotted dress, giant jewelry, a very teased yellow wig, over-the-top makeup and waving around rainbow boas and scarves.
Hoot, who does drag events for all ages, was named D.C.’s 2025 Top Drag Performer by readers of the Washington City Paper and also hosts the event that won Top Drag Show.
In between entertaining, Hoot opened up about how so many people celebrating Pride makes her happy.
“I love seeing so many people here from babies to kids and adults, and I love reading books to you all,” Hoot said. “Remember, it’s so important to always spread love because that is what Pride is all about – love and great style.”
Hoot’s final lip-sync performance was to her “favorite gay song”: Miley Cyrus’ “Rainbowland” with Dolly Parton. Hoot’s infectious dancing raised the crowd to their feet while she repeated the chorus: “We are rainbows, me and you, every color, every hue, let’s shine through.”
Booths lined the blocked-off street with prizes, vendors, information about LGBTQ+ safety, and opportunities to make art.
Some Mosaic vendors, like Bartaco and Muse Paintbar, handed out rainbow accessories or the opportunity to spin a wheel for a prize or a discount.
The booth hosted by Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) informed visitors about LGBTQ+ resources in the area and ways parents and friends can be supportive.
“I’m here today with my mom, and that’s really special to me,” said Miriam Brid of Fairfax. “She’s never seen a drag queen before, which I know she enjoyed, but I really came with her to show off gay culture and how it’s all rooted in love.”
Brid said she used to come to Pride events in secret because she didn’t know if she would be accepted.
“A year ago and two years ago, I would have been here with my friends, all nervous about being accepted and washing off my rainbow face paint before getting home,” she said. “Now I’m here and the happiest I’ve been with my mom, who has never been anything but loving.”
Parents like Brid’s were scattered across the park, waving ribbons and walking around with their teens and kids.
Bridget Hossler, a parent who came with her son and his boyfriend, said she was so happy to see them with other people like them.
“Sometimes as a parent it’s hard to understand and empathize with your kid because you have no idea what they’re going through or what their world is like,” Hossler said. “Bringing the boys was the best idea because they get to see love like theirs.”
Hossler stopped at the PFLAG booth to talk about the importance of Pride.
“The PFLAG people are so kind because approaching conversations about sexuality can be challenging, especially for someone who has never been in the minority when it comes to sexual identity,” she said. “I’m just so grateful for all these resources and nice people; there’s not a single face without a smile on it.”
Julia Key, Annandale Today’s summer intern, is a resident of Burke and a journalism student at Penn State University.
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