華盛頓特區市長提出預算支持2025年世界驕傲節，預計吸引逾300萬遊客

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's recently proposed budget plan for fiscal year 2025 has garnered a lot of attention. One of the key proposals is to allocate $5.25 million to support D.C.'s hosting of the June 2025 World Pride celebration. This international event is expected to attract more than 3 million visitors to the capital city, providing a significant boost to the local economy.

此外，鮑澤市長還提議增加市長LGBTQ事務辦公室的預算7.6%，即增加132,000美元，使該辦公室的總預算達到170萬美元。這將為當地提供LGBTQ服務的組織提供更多的支持和資源。

鮑澤市長的預算提案還包括為「無家可歸和住房不穩定」的跨性別和性別不合規範居民提供每年60萬美元的勞動力發展服務，以及為惠特曼-沃克健康中心馬克斯羅賓遜中心的新高級技術中心單獨撥款60萬美元的新資金。

Notably, city agencies facing funding cuts include HAHSTA, which is responsible for the management of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis, and which plays a key role in AIDS prevention and support services in Washington, D.C. The city's LGBTQ Affairs Director Japer Bowles said that finding resources to fill the funding gap created by the loss of federal funding is a major challenge for the city. Japer Bowles, director of the Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs, said that finding resources to fill the funding gap due to the loss of federal funds is a priority.

In the face of a projected revenue loss of $700 million, Mayor Bowser's proposed $21 billion total budget includes approximately $500 million in cuts to various city programs. To offset the revenue loss, the Mayor's proposal also includes a number of tax increases limited to sales and business-related taxes.

At the same time, the DC LGBTQ+ Budget Coalition, comprised of several local LGBTQ advocacy organizations, submitted its own FY2025 budget proposal to Mayor Bowser and the DC Council. The Coalition's proposal focuses on housing support for LGBTQ youth and seniors, services to support homeless LGBTQ youth, labor and employment services for transgender and gender non-conforming residents, and harm reduction centers to address drug overdose deaths.

While the mayor's budget proposal did not fully meet all of the DC LGBTQ+ Budget Coalition's requirements, Coalition Coordinator Heidi Ellis said they made progress in a number of areas, particularly in funding different housing services.

As World Pride 2025 approaches, preparations in Washington, D.C., have begun. Mayor Bowser and the relevant departments are working to ensure that the event not only showcases the diverse and inclusive nature of the capital city, but also provides a platform for local businesses and artists to showcase their work. As budget discussions progress further, DC's LGBTQ community and supporters will continue to be attentive and engaged in this important process.