Every year, tens of thousands of people flock to Washington DC’s Dupont neighborhood to proudly display their colors. Members of the gay community, activist groups, corporate sponsors, and friends, families, and supportive strangers amassed along a parade route stretching from 23rd and P street, through Dupont, down 17th street, up 14th street before finding its way to a finish line in Logan Circle. The colorful and jovial atmosphere permeated through the parade route and beyond, as loudspeakers and earth rattling cheers radiated throughout the city. According to Mayor Vincent Gray, “it was the largest gathering [he’d] ever seen, in the event’s history.”