Muriel Elizabeth Bowser (born August 2, 1972) is an American politician serving as the eighth Mayor of the District of Columbia since 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously represented Ward 4 as a member of the Council of the District of Columbia from 2007 to 2015. She is the second female Mayor of the District of Columbia after Sharon Pratt, and the first woman to be reelected to that position.
D.C. Leaders Raise Progress Pride Flag Over Wilson Building
slew of anti-LGBTQ bills and executive orders being pushed in other states that seek to limit LGBTQ visibility or roll back legal protections for the LGBTQ community.
Noting that the District of Columbia’s history of pro-LGBTQ advocacy dates back to the start of Home Rule, Bowser recalled historic moments of progress, including her vote in 2009, as a then-councilmember, to legalize marriage equality.She said she was proud to represent “the gayest city in the world,” a reference to a Williams Institute analysis finding that the District has the highest percentage of adults identifying as LGBTQ of any state.“We as a city have meant to make sure that our laws are progressive, to make sure that our government is representative, and to make sure that our programs and services make sure that every resident, from birth to seniors, have what they need to live a proud, healthy life in Washington, D.C.,” Bowser said to a crowd of approximately 200 people gathered outside the Wilson Building.D.C.
Council Chairman Phil Mendelson hailed some of the District’s recent budgeting decisions that seek to allot money for LGBTQ-specific causes, including a proposal by Bowser’s office to invest $5.25 million to support the planning and implementation of WorldPride 2025, which D.C.
will host next year.Mendelson also touted efforts to double funding for the new DC LGBTQ+ Community Center, which is currently under construction and will open later this year in the city’s Shaw neighborhood.D.C.
