A contingent from OutBermuda has travelled to Washington to represent the island’s LGBTQ+ community on a global stage.

The capital city and federal district of the United States is hosting World Pride 2025 — a series of international Pride events co-ordinated by InterPride in conjunction with local Pride festivals.

Joshua Samuels, the executive director of OutBermuda, was already in the city attending the Human Rights Conference ahead of the parade today.

He was joined by seven members of OutBermuda’s planning team yesterday along with close to ten other LGBTQ+ allies from Bermuda and Washington.

Mr Samuels said: “Every year, it brings together people from all over and they host it in various places throughout the world.

“LGBTQ+ is about solidarity and inclusion, and World Pride is an opportunity to bring together different segments from around the world to build solidarity.

“A lot of the team members who plan Bermuda Pride have not been to a Pride outside of Bermuda, so it’s great exposure.

He added: “At OutBermuda, one of our five pillars is to join the global movement, and we see power in connecting with other people.

“Our theme this year is Pride is Protest, Pride is Power, Pride is Us — which recognises there is power in collective action.

“We want to expand our influence and support to LGBTQ+ people outside of Bermuda, particularly with the climate in US which has attacked rights. Part of this is an opportunity as a country to say we stand with our queer siblings in the US and support them in their struggle.”

During his time at the Human Rights Conference, Mr Samuels has been networking with other Pride organisers, including organisers of Black Pride events.

He has been sharing best practices and insights with a focus on people of colour, discussing how work needs to be done in a way that is “intersectional and recognises people’s complex identities”.

“It has been encouraging and inspiring for me to meet like-minded folk and discuss equity and inclusion,” Mr Samuels said.

“No matter where we are, people are facing similar issues.

“It has been great to be able to share Bermuda’s story about how we are really working in this movement towards equity and sharing our unique story about some of the conditions that need to change. These are included in our policy manifesto. We have been hearing from people around the world in similar fights.”

Mr Samuels said the Washington trip was an official charity engagement, and the OutBermuda participants were marching as a listed group.

“We will have Bermuda Pride flags, T-shirts with OutBermuda and Bermuda Pride, and we’re all wearing pink shirts representing the pink sand of Bermuda.

“A big part of Pride is the idea of celebration and joy. This work can be difficult and discouraging. The act of joy and celebration is an act of resistance. It keeps us going in this work — this is part of the movement.”

On Bermuda’s own Pride schedule, including the Pride Parade on July 5, Mr Samuels said OutBermuda plans to make it even more inclusive.

He explained: “This year, one of the groups we are looking to support and make more visible is transgender folks in Bermuda. Globally, there has been a rollback of rights in the US and UK, with different laws put forward to limit trans rights. In Bermuda, we are looking to stand in solidarity.”

There has been outrage in the LGBTQ+ community over the Trump Administration's rollback of their rights.

US president Donald Trump has issued executive orders limiting transgender rights, banning transgender people from serving in the armed forces and rescinding anti-discrimination policies for LGBTQ+.

The WorldPride marchers will come within one block of the White House grounds today during the parade in Washington.

Mr Samuels added: “Some of what influenced our theme this year reflects on what is happening in the world and the US with its administration. There are attitudes that hold us back and we recognise it in Bermuda.

“Change doesn’t come without pressure. We march because we have to; there are attitudes and laws that need to change. When we stand together, we create momentum for progress.

“The theme recognises that Pride belongs to all of us — everyone who believes in human rights.

“You don’t have to be gay or trans to join a Pride celebration. You just have to believe in human rights, and this your movement.”