COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
OFFICE OF COUNCILMEMBER BROOKE PINTO
THE JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING
1350 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 106
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20004
June 29, 2023
Nyasha Smith, Secretary
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Secretary Smith,
Today, I, along with Councilmembers Parker, Allen, McDuffie, Gray, R. White, and Lewis
George, am introducing the “Support for the Capital Pride Parade Amendment Act of 2023.” This
legislation would waive fees for the costs of city services for administering the Capital Pride
Parade, Festival, and Block Party. Please find enclosed a signed copy of the legislation.
The Capital Pride Parade is a beloved tradition that honors and celebrates the history of the
LGBTQQIA+ community in the District. The first Capital Pride celebration was in 1975, with
about 2,000 people in attendance. In the 48 years since, the Capital Pride celebration has grown
into the largest annual event in the National Capital Region, and one of the largest and most
attended Pride events nationally. The event has expanded to include an annual parade, festival, and
block party. In 2023 alone, approximately 600,000 residents from across the District and visitors
from throughout the region attended Capital Pride, which offers a diverse assortment of
programming, events, and entertainment for families and adults.
Capital Pride is not only an important cultural asset to the District, but it also has a substantial
economic impact on our city. A 2021 analysis found that attendees spent approximately $217
million and that the event had an overall economic impact of $371 million in the region. This
economic impact includes an estimated $108 million on lodging, $11 million on tourism, $174
million on restaurants and food, $31 million on goods and services, and $74 million on donations
to nonprofit organizations. Additionally, the events can be attributed to an increase of more than
3,700 jobs. In 2025, Capital Pride will be the host of World Pride, bringing many more visitors to
the District from around the world to participate in these events and is expected to have an even
more substantial economic impact.
Capital Pride has one of the only remaining Pride festivals across the country that offers free
admission to all. Waiving the fees for the costs of city services will help the Capital Pride events
remain accessible to all and ensure that these events, which are an important part of the District’s
cultural offerings for residents and visitors alike, may continue.
Should you have any questions about this legislation, please contact my Legislative Director, Linn
Groft, at lgroft@dccouncil.gov.
Thank you,
Brooke Pinto
 1 ___________________________________ ___________________________________
2 Councilmember Zachary Parker Councilmember Brooke Pinto
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5 ___________________________________ ___________________________________
6 Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie Councilmember Charles Allen
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9 ___________________________________ ___________________________________
10 Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. Councilmember Vincent C. Gray
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13 ___________________________________
14 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George
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17 A BILL
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19 __________
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21 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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23 _________________
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25 To amend section 47-2826 of the District of Columbia Official Code to waive fees for the costs
26 of city services for administering the Capital Pride Parade.
27
28 BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
29 act may be cited as the “Support for the Capital Pride Parade Amendment Act of 2023”.
30 Sec. 2. Section 47-2826 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended by adding
31 a new subsection (f) to read as follows:
32 “(f) The Mayor shall waive all fees for the costs of services, as determined by the Mayor,
33 incurred by the city for administering the special annual events known as the Capital Pride
34 Parade, Festival, and Block Party; provided, that any expediting fees or penalties incurred by the
35 host shall not be waived. Fees waived shall include:
36 “(1) Special Event User Fees required by the Department of Licensing and
37 Consumer Protection;
38 “(2) Special Event User Fees and other fees required by the Metropolitan Police
39 Department;
40 “(3) Special Event User Fees and other fees required by the Alcoholic Beverage
41 and Cannabis Administration;
42 “(4) On-site permitting and monitoring inspectors, on-site monitoring fees,
43 Advanced Life Support Units, EMS bicycle teams and ambulance carts, use of trucks, and other
44 fees required by the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services;
45 “(5) Food vendor inspection fees and other fees required by the Department of
46 Health;
47 “(6) Clean-up prior to and after the event, trash removal, towing services, and
48 other fees required by the Department of Public Works; and
49 “(7) Flag installation and removal, traffic control officer assistance, variable
50 message boards, and other fees required by the Department of Transportation.”.
51 Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement.
52 The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal
53 impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975,
54 approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code §1-301.47a).
55 Sec. 4. Effective date.
56 This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the
57 Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as
58 provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December
59 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code §1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of
60 Columbia Register.