Youth Pride [Exhibit Panel]

Gay youth groups began meeting at the Gay Community Building in the 1970s, but age restrictions for many Pride events limited their participation. In 1996, the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) led Youth Pride Alliance efforts to create a unique festival for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered youth. The first Youth Pride had been staged in Boston in May 1995, attracting 500 people.

Youth Pride debuted in April 1997 as a festival in Dupont Circle. Like other Pride festivals, it featured food, music, organizational booths and appearances by local politicians. Since then, April has been Youth Pride Month. Youth Pride moved from Dupont Circle to the P Street Beach park area in 2001.