Rainbow History Project reenacted first gay rights picket in DC

Anna Chen
·1 min read

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The Rainbow History Project reenacted the first gay rights picket Wednesday at Lafayette Square.

The original rally and Wednesday’s rally took place 59 years ago on April 17 at Lafayette Square. Volunteers carried replicas of the original protest signs that advocate for gay rights.

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Vincent Slatt, director of archiving at the Rainbow History Project, said next year is WorldPride in D.C.

“In 2025 D.C. will be hosting international pride festivities and we’re going to have an extra two million people here to participate in that.” Slatt said. “For that, which will be the 60th anniversary of the picket, we’re doing a massive exhibit on the history of pride in Washington, D.C.”

The White House picket was the first public demonstration for gay rights in the country.

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