D.C. Council reverses proposed budget cut called harmful to Pride events
The D.C. Council on May 16 reversed an earlier decision by one of its committees calling for cutting $1.5 million from a city program that has helped support the city’s Capital Pride parade and festival as well as other Pride-related events.
The program in question, known as the Festival Fund or Special Event Relief Fund, has for many years exempted community-based organizations like the Capital Pride Alliance from having to pay the costs of street closings and police and other public safety support services needed for such events.
Other events that benefit from the fund are the city’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival, the H Street Festival, and the Fiesta DC Hispanic event, among others.
At the request of D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large), the Council voted on May 16 to include the $1.5 million Festival Fund as part of the city’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget.
