Khalid cries at WorldPride DC, embracing gay sexuality

Khalid’s Tearful Triumph at WorldPride DC

Khalid, the Grammy-nominated R&B star, delivered a performance that resonated deeply with fans at the WorldPride DC 2025 Free Street Festival & Closing Concert. As he closed his set, the 26-year-old singer, born Khalid Donnel Robinson, broke into tears, overwhelmed by the significance of his first-ever Pride event. This poignant moment, captured in a video by online users, came just months after Khalid publicly confirmed his gay identity in November 2024, marking a new chapter in his personal and professional journey.

For fans eager to know about this article offers a detailed look at his emotional performance, his path to self-acceptance, and the broader context of celebrities embracing their identities.

Khalid’s Rise to Stardom

Khalid’s journey from El Paso, Texas, to global stardom is a story of talent and authenticity. Born February 11, 1998, he burst onto the scene in 2016 with “Location.” A soulful single that peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned diamond certification. His debut album, American Teen (2017), went quadruple platinum. Ultimately, garnering Grammy nominations for Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best R&B Song.

Collaborations with artists like Normani (“Love Lies”), Logic (“1-800-273-8255”), and Marshmello (“Silence”) solidified his versatility, blending R&B, pop, and electronic influences. His second album, Free Spirit (2019), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, with “Talk” peaking at number three. Named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2019, Khalid’s impact extends beyond music. As seen in his emotional WorldPride moment.

His WorldPride performance underscored his ability to connect through vulnerability. His third album, Sincere (2024), and recent single “Please Don’t Fall in Love with Me” reflect his evolving artistry, now enriched by his public embrace of his identity.

Khalid’s Emotional WorldPride DC Performance

Khalid’s WorldPride DC 2025 performance was a historic milestone, marking his first appearance at a Pride event since coming out as gay. Performing on the Capitol Concert Stage, he captivated the crowd with hits like “Location” and “Better.” As the audience chanted his name, Khalid became visibly emotional, wiping away tears. “These are happy tears,” he told the crowd. “This is my first time performing at Pride. This is my first time being at Pride. Y’all got me choked up, oh my god.”

Addressing the sea of supporters, Khalid expressed gratitude: “I want to thank you guys so much for accepting me and supporting me. It means the world to me. It makes me so happy. I feel like I’m home here on this stage.” The moment, shared widely on social media, sparked an outpouring of love. This performance was more than a concert—it was a celebration of self-acceptance. Khalid reflected on the universal appeal of his music.

Khalid’s Journey to Coming Out

Khalid’s path to publicly embracing his sexuality was not without challenges. In November 2024, the “Young Dumb & Broke” singer was outed by social media personality Hugo D Almonte, who posted a photo of the two together with inflammatory captions. Rather than retreat, Khalid took control of his narrative, posting on X: “!!! there yall go. next topic please lol.” He clarified, “I got outted and the world still continues to turn. Let’s get this straight (lmao) I am not ashamed of my sexuality! In reality it ain’t nobody’s business! But I am okay with m love yall.”

Responding to fans, Khalid emphasized he was “never hiding,” pointing to his 2022 song “Satellite,” often dubbed an “LGBTQ anthem.” When a fan noted, “the closet was glass,” Khalid replied, “I wasn’t hiding anything! It’s just not any of your business.” His candor earned widespread support, with artists like MNEK and Amorphous condemning Almonte’s actions.

Khalid’s coming out was a bold reclaiming of his story. Despite the unwanted outing, Khalid’s resilience shone through, culminating in his heartfelt WorldPride performance. His latest single, “All I Know,” featuring Rudimental, reflects his continued growth as an artist embracing his truth.

WorldPride DC 2025: A Global Celebration

WorldPride DC 2025, held from May 17 to June 8, marked the 50th anniversary of Pride in Washington, D.C., drawing over three million visitors. Themed “The Fabric of Freedom,” the event featured a star-studded lineup, including Khalid, Doechii, Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, and RuPaul. The free Street Festival and Closing Concert on June 8, where Khalid performed, was a highlight, alongside the International March on Washington and a Human Rights Conference with activists like Laverne Cox and Raven-Symoné.

For those searching “WorldPride DC 2025 performers,” the event’s scale was unprecedented, contributing an estimated $787 million to D.C.’s economy. Khalid’s performance, alongside multicultural acts and community celebrations, embodied the event’s mission of unity and visibility. Social media posts on X praised the festival’s inclusivity, with

@PopCulture2000s calling Khalid’s set a “defining moment.”

A Wave of LGBTQ+ Visibility Among Music Stars

Khalid’s coming out adds him to a growing number of music artists proudly embracing their identities. Here are several notable artists from 2024 and early 2025 who have made headlines for coming out,

• Victoria Monét: Though long an advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, Victoria reasserted her queer identity in a 2024 Elle interview after winning multiple Grammys. “I make music for everyone, but I want young queer Black girls to know they’re seen.”
• Kevin Abstract: Former frontman of Brockhampton, Kevin Abstract continued to openly discuss his sexuality in 2024, calling his queerness “a superpower” and encouraging other male rappers to live freely.
• Kehlani: Already known for their openness, Kehlani redefined their fluid identity in a 2024 Teen Vogue piece, identifying as “queer, nonbinary, and proud.” Their continued evolution has made them a voice for Gen Z’s more inclusive understanding of gender and sexuality.
• Omar Apollo: The Latinx R&B star embraced his bisexuality more boldly in 2024 interviews, rejecting past ambiguity. “I’m not dodging it anymore—I’m bi and that’s me,” he told Rolling Stone.
• Lil Nas X: While Lil Nas X came out in 2019, his January 2025 Rolling Stone cover reignited conversations around being a gay Black man in hip-hop. He addressed both industry resistance and his impact: “I’m still not accepted by everyone, but I’m too legendary to care.”
• Doechii: The rising rapper and TDE signee casually confirmed her bisexuality during a 2025 Twitch livestream, telling fans, “I don’t care what y’all label it—I love who I love.”
• Chika: After returning from a mental health break, the Alabama rapper used her platform in 2024 to speak candidly about her experience as a queer artist dealing with industry pressure and personal identity.

A Powerful Moment For WorldPride

Khalid’s first Pride performance, was a powerful testament to resilience and community. After an unwanted outing, Khalid reclaimed his narrative, finding a “home” on the Pride stage. His tears reflected joy, not shame, resonating with attendees and online supporters alike.

This moment aligns with WorldPride’s mission to celebrate “the fabric of freedom,” amplifying voices like Khalid’s. For those seeking “Khalid sexuality journey,” his story offers hope. Further showing that acceptance—both self and communal—can triumph over adversity. As Khalid continues his career, his WorldPride performance will remain a defining milestone, inspiring fans to live their truth.