Charlotte Pride Draws Thousands, Celebrates Love and Unity Amid Political Tensions

The streets of Uptown Charlotte burst with color and life at the 2025 Pride parade and festival. The two-day event united thousands while national talks swirled about marriage rights.

On Sunday, Aug. 17, people filled the streets. Short bursts of music mixed with cheers. The combined festival and parade drew massive crowds, with numbers expected to hit six figures.

"It's welcoming. It's a fresh breath of air. It's a relief to bring me and my family to an area that supports," said Rayonna Lee Gutierrez to Queen City News. Lee Gutierrez moved to Charlotte this summer.

The celebration took on deeper meaning amid new challenges to rights. Just days before, a Supreme Court petition called for a fresh look at marriage laws. The timing made the event more vital than ever.

"I am gay. I have a wife of almost five years, and yes, it does seem fragile," Lee Gutierrez said. "There's a lot going on all over the world. I feel like even if you're not gay, if you're related to someone who's gay or you're friends with somebody who's gay, it's definitely a sensitive topic right now."

Meredith Thompson, who runs Charlotte Pride, spoke plainly about current issues. "Right now we're facing some upheaval and some attack and some targeting of our community, and so we just have to keep going," Thompson said.

Andrea Boone, who walked in the march, shared thoughts on the day. "We have to celebrate everybody, and I believe that today Charlotte showed out and showed love to the community, and it was beautiful," Boone said.

A guest known as Smokey caught the spirit of the day. "I appreciate it because it gives us a time to bring everyone together. Everyone feels a part of something," he said.