In this moment of human rights crisis created by the c urrent U.S. administration\, it is imperative to build community and fight back for LGBTQ+ rights without apology or retreat. This year’s World Prid e theme is The Fabric of Freedom. Textiles have served as modes of resista nce for centuries\, especially by women and other marginalized groups. Sin ce 2012\, the Storytelling with Saris collaborative art project has been u sing the cotton sari — a 19-foot-long unstitched garment— as a site of com munity expression of bodily autonomy and gender and climate justice. Cotto n saris are covered in woodblock printing\, stencils\, painting\, drawing\ , embroidery\, appliqué\, and poetry and then used for large scale install ations and performances.

Over the last decade\, Storytelling with Saris workshops\, performances\, and installations have engaged thou sands of people in 13 U.S. states and 8 countries\, including Bangladesh\, Canada\, France\, Greece\, and Italy. Recent Storytelling with Saris proj ects\, performances\, workshops\, and roundtables in the U.S. and Banglade sh have specifically focused on LGBTQ+ issues\, gender roles and identity\ , bodily autonomy\, and increasing understanding and acceptance of gender- nonconforming persons through discussion\, education\, and collaborative a rt and performance.

For World Pride 2025\, Storytelling with Saris will present five healing and empowering art and poetry workshops o n gender/sexuality/identity to foster greater inclusion\, empathy\, and pr ide in this difficult political climate. The workshops will culminate in a community performance and march. We are partnering with Human Rights Camp aign\, Moms Clean Air Force\, and Asian Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Group. ASL is available for all events. All events in accessib le spaces. Please contact storytellingwithsaris@gmail.com for any accommod ation requests.

1. < a href='https://www.eventbrite.com/e/weaving-resistance-art-and-poetry-wor kshop-for-world-pride-dc-2025-tickets-1355038309059?aff=oddtdtcreator'>Wor kshop hosted by Moms Clean Air Force\, 555 12th Street NW\, May 16 fro m 5:30 to 7 pm. ASL confirmed.

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Link to register and details.

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2. Display of artwork Prokash/Reveal Sari Scroll on gend er/sexuality/identity at World Pride Welcome Center\, 737 7th Street NW (G allery Place Metro). Washington\, DC 20021\, from May 17-June 8\, Open Sat urday\, May 17th & Sunday\, May 18th
12:00 PM – 8:00 PM\; Saturday\, May 24th & Sunday\, May 25th 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM\; May 30th – June 8th\, o pen daily from
12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

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Link to World Pride Welcome and Visual Arts Center

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3. Workshop hosted by Asian Pacific Island er Domestic Violence Resource Group\, May 29 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm\; ASL re quested.
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Link to register
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4. Drop in workshops at World Pride DC HQ hosted by Human Rights Campaign\, 737 7th St NW\, May 31\, 12:00pm to 3:00pm and June 1 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. Drop in and contribute to the World Pride saris with art and poetry. ASL requested.
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Link to register for workshop on May 31
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Link to reg ister for wor kshop on June 1
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5. Drop in workshop at the Human Rights Conference at JW Marriott\, 1331 Pennsylvania A venue NW\, June 5 from 10 am to 2 pm
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Link to register for the Conference
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6. Outdoor “Weaving Resistance” community sewing performance\, Marie Reed Plaza\, 2201 18th St NW\, June 6 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm
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Link to Register for the June 6 Performance
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7. Cu lminating event: international march with massive “Weaving Resistance” sar i from Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol on Sunday June 8\, from 10 am to 12 noon. Meet at Foggy Bottom Metro between 9:30 am & 10 am. Step off at 10 am to go to Lincoln Memorial.
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Link to register to carry sari to the Capitol on June 8
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