As WorldPride prepares to wash over Washington, D.C. in the next week, one of the biggest and most anticipated events of the celebration is the WorldPride Music Festival, a two-day spectacle that will bring tens of thousands together for a lineup that is as joy-filled as it is radical.
Produced by live event producer Jake Resnicow, in partnership with Capital Pride and Club Glow, the festival is set to take place June 6 and 7 at RFK Festival Grounds, featuring headlining performances by Jennifer Lopez and Troye Sivan, along with RuPaul, Paris Hilton, Tinashe, Kim Petras, Zedd, Raye, Rita Ora, Marina, Sofi Tukker, Galantis, Purple Disco Machine, and more.
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As preparations are underway for what’s been billed as the largest LGBTQ music festival in history, GLAAD’s Tony Morrison spoke with Resnicow on future-proofing LGBTQ nightlife and entertainment amid turbulent times for the LGBTQ community, especially transgender people, while remaining rooted in Pride’s purpose and mission
“This is a bold, joyful, and unapologetically queer mix of icons, legends, and rising stars across pop, dance, hip hop, and electronic music,” Resnicow told GLAAD. “Every artist on that stage represents something greater than entertainment; They reflect visibility, authenticity, and power.”
Resnicow has built a name for himself as one of the foremost producers of LGBTQ live events, from bringing the first-ever Pride (Dreamland) to Central Park last year to creating genre-pushing spectacles at major Pride activations around the world. For him, WorldPride in D.C.—which also marks 50 years of Pride in the nation’s capital—is both a homecoming and a challenge. And in the backdrop of more than 850 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in the U.S. so far in 2025, this year’s celebration arrives at a time when visibility itself is under attack.
“We leaned into the moment instead of avoiding it,” Resnicow said. “This is a time when our community needs connection more than ever. We selected artists who understand the stakes and have deep roots in our community.”
More than a festival, Resnicow’s production is designed as a safe space for LGBTQ people to feel alive, to express themselves, and to stand strong together—something that feels especially important amid ongoing global unrest and growing threats to LGBTQ rights at home.
“Joy is a powerful form of resistance,” Resnicow said.
“When tens of thousands of LGBTQ people and allies come together to dance, love, and live out loud, that’s a protest in itself. But we also ground our events in the history of Pride. We honor those who came before us, highlight activists doing the work today, and never forget what this movement stands for. Celebration and protest aren’t separate. They fuel each other.”
Beyond the music, the WorldPride Music Festival will feature cutting-edge art installations and immersive experiences that highlight the spectrum of LGBTQ culture. Proceeds from the event will benefit Capital Pride Alliance and other local LGBTQ organizations, ensuring that the celebration delivers real and lasting impact.
For Resnicow, the key to pulling off an event of this scale isn’t just about hype—it’s about trust and intention.
“We deliver more than we promise. From talent to flow, from sound to experience, we obsess over every detail. But above all, we listen. We know our audience, and we earn their trust by showing up and following through. This is not about hype or smoke and mirrors. It’s about making people feel seen and creating moments they’ll never forget.”
READ MORE: Jake Resnicow on the Future of LGBTQ Entertainment and Nightlife
Inclusion isn’t an afterthought—it’s foundational to how Resnicow curates his lineups and experiences. The WorldPride Music Festival will spotlight artists of diverse backgrounds, identities, and sounds—something Resnicow says was non-negotiable.
“Representation is core to what we do. WorldPride is global, and our lineup reflects that. We made sure the stage represents the full spectrum of race, gender, sexuality, and sound. Everyone should see themselves reflected in the artists, the crowd, and the energy. That’s how you build a truly inclusive experience.”
As thousands prepare to gather in Washington, D.C. for a historic Pride month, Resnicow’s message to attendees is clear: show up, be yourself, and be open to transformation.
“Get ready for something unforgettable. Come with your heart open and your spirit free. This is more than a festival. It’s a celebration of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. Whether you’re dancing under the stars or locking eyes with a stranger who becomes a friend, this is your moment. Let it change you.”
And to lawmakers targeting LGBTQ rights?
“To those lawmakers: we see what you’re doing, and we’re not backing down. This festival is our response. Every beat, every voice, every moment of joy is a rejection of fear and hate. Our lineup is a protest without signs or slogans. It’s a celebration that says we belong here, we are thriving, and we are not going anywhere.”
Limited tickets remain — head to WorldPride25.com for more.
