Silver Pride: Honoring 50 Years of DC Pride on the World Stage!
As DC proudly hosts World Pride from May 16th – June 8th, Silver Pride stands as a tribute to older LGBTQ+ adults—the pioneers of progress, resilience, and change.
This generation lived through Stonewall, the AIDS epidemic, and the evolution of gender and sexual expression, leaving an indelible mark on history. Join us as we honor their contributions and celebrate their stories!
Marquee Silver Pride Events
Resource Fair & Tea Dance
📅 Wednesday, May 21st | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
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The Eaton Hotel
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Hosted by Rayceen Pendarvis, the ‘Empress of Pride!’
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Featuring live performances from The Experience Band & Show Go Go Band and a DJ! (Pending)
Explore resources from nonprofits dedicated to serving older LGBTQ+ adults while enjoying an afternoon of music, dancing, and community connection.
How We Got Here & What We Do Now: Wisdom & Stories from Silver Pride Legends
📅 Tuesday, May 27th | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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True Reformer Building (U St.)
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A powerful speaker series featuring three legendary LGBTQ+ champions.
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Moderated discussion led by Rayceen Pendarvis.
Join us as we hear from influential community leaders who have shaped LGBTQ+ history and continue to champion progress for future generations. Among these trailblazers are:
Left to Right: Jose Gutierrez, Gabrielle Thomas, Cheryl A. Head
Pictured first: Jose Gutierrez holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University Ana G. Mendez in Washington, DC. Jose is a local and national long time human rights and social justice activist, immigration advocate, latinx LGBTQ historian, artist, writer and a poet. He is the founder of the Jose Gutierrez Archives, the Latino GLBT History Project, the DC Latino Pride and co-founder of the Rainbow History Project.
Pictured Second: Gabrielle Thomas (Pronouns: she, her, her's) a facilitator, Advocate, Community & Health worker. She began her work in the LGBTQ community in 1989 as a caregiver for people with HIV. She has since worked for the local organizations US Helping Us, Transgender Health Empowerment, and Terrific, Inc. She currently works for Damien Ministries and it's "Trans Specific" programming called "Shugg's Place that, among other things, focuses on providing services for transgender older adults. Ms. Thomas is currently a HEP-C tester with the DC Health Department. She also works with the the Black Women's Learning Institute, focusing on Black and Brown cisgender and transgender women and their health disparities in the South.
Pictured third: Cheryl A. Head writes the award-winning, Charlie Mack Motown Mysteries, set in Detroit. Time’s Undoing, her 2023 historical fiction novel, unravels the mystery around the police murder of a young black man in Birmingham, Alabama’s Jim Crow era. The book is based on her family’s personal tragedy and was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, as well as the Agatha, Strand Book Critics, Macavity, Anthony, and Hurston Wright Legacy Awards. Head’s 2013 Long Way Home: A World War II Novel set in 1943 tells the story of the segregated service of Black, male and female soldiers who remained on the U.S. home front during the War. Prior to her fiction writing career, Cheryl was a television and radio producer and reporter and broadcast executive in Detroit and Washington, DC. She is a former Vice President of DC Black Pride, was named to the Hall of Fame of the LGBTQ Saints and Sinners Literary Festival in 2019, and is a recipient of the Alice B. Readers Award. Cheryl lives with her partner in Washington, DC and is Chair of the Board of the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention.
Partnership Opportunities
Partner with us to uplift and celebrate our community! Explore our sponsorship opportunities and find the best fit for your organization. Custom partnership options are available upon request.
📌 To get started, please complete the attached form. For more details, contact Greg Rockwell at grockwell@seaburyresources.org or (202) 849-8082.
We look forward to partnering with you!
More Silver Pride Celebrations! 🌈
Stay tuned for more exciting Silver Pride events! From community gatherings to special programs hosted by partner organizations, there’s always something happening. Check back often for new additions!