Kamala Harris Becomes First Sitting V.P. to March in Pride Event

Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, joined in the Capital Pride Walk in Washington, D.C., Saturday, making her the first sitting vice president to participate in an LGBTQ+ Pride march.

Harris's appearance came as a surprise, and the crowd around her cheered, according to a White House press pool report. She and Emhoff marched for about a block down 13th Street, waving and wishing onlookers "Happy Pride," and stopped to speak to participants and spectators for about 10 minutes.

Harris called for passage of the Equality Act, a comprehensive LGBTQ+ civil rights bill that has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives but has yet to come to a vote in the Senate.

"We still have so much to do," she added, according to the pool report. "We celebrate all the accomplishments. Finally marriage is the law of the land. We need to make sure that our transgender community are all protected. ... There is so much more work to do and I know we are committed."

Harris and Emhoff were dressed appropriately for the event, Washington's NBC affiliate reports. She wore a pink blazer and a T-shirt printed with the words "Love Is Love," while he wore a T-shirt with "Love First" in rainbow letters.

As some COVID-19 restrictions are still in place, Capital Pride organized the walk in lieu of a traditional parade, and it culminated in a rally at Freedom Plaza, with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser speaking. A parade of cars, dubbed the Pridemobile Parade, took place afterward.