Members of an advisory panel are seeking ways to get Arlington County more directly involved in future Pride events.
“We’ve spent a lot of years in the past saying ‘we’re so close to DC, let’s just let Capital Pride take over most of Pride Month,'” said SC Nealy, a member of the county manager’s LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee.
Having the regional planning body take the lead “is fine to an extent, but I think Arlington really needs its own” effort, Nealy said.
She was speaking at a July committee meeting. The panel is set to next meet on Monday, Oct. 27, when the issue likely will be taken up again.
“A good role would be, if nothing else, brainstorming,” said Samantha Perez, who chairs the advisory committee. Local opportunities “could be even bigger and better when there’s a few months planning, getting things going.”
When numerous businesses pulled out of sponsorships for Arlington programming during WorldPride DC this year, the county supported some events, including a block party.
“It was very cool to see the county stepping up,” Perez said.
County Board member Maureen Coffey said she, too, was pleased with efforts taken at the local level in 2025.
“I am proud of the concerted effort the county made to expand local Pride celebrations this year,” Coffey told ARLnow, speaking for herself rather than the entire Board.
“We held our first-ever Pride block party, collaborated with local artists to light up the Bozman Government Center and to create two beautiful pop-up murals near the plaza, and boosted marketing around Pride and Pride events,” Coffey said.
Perez suggested an even bigger block party for 2026, perhaps along Crystal City’s Restaurant Row, but acknowledged it will take effort to determine “what does it cost to do that, what actually goes into making that happen.”
With proper planning, “there’s potential there,” the committee chair said.
The annual Arlington Pride celebration is privately run, but there were those at the committee meeting seeking more county-government involvement.
“Arlington County is totally capable of taking this over and doing a great job,” Nealy said.
Cynthia Liccese-Torres, the race and equity programs manager in the county manager’s office, said county officials were amenable to suggestions on how to make 2026 and future Pride celebrations more impactful in the county.
Coffey echoed the theme.
“While the LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee technically advises the county manager, I am thankful for their energy on this topic,” the Board member said. “I welcome all suggestions toward making 2026’s Pride celebrations bigger and better.”
