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CER26-0103 • 2025

17th Street High Heel Race Recognition Resolution of 2025

17th Street High Heel Race Recognition Resolution of 2025

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
R. White
Last action
2025-11-28
Official status
Approved
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how the resolution supports gender and sexual diversity beyond acknowledging its importance.

Resolution to Celebrate the 17th Street High Heel Race

This resolution celebrates and recognizes the annual 17th Street High Heel Race as a beloved LGBTQ+ tradition in Washington D.C.

What This Bill Does

  • Celebrates the annual 17th Street High Heel Race held on Halloween night.
  • Recognizes the race's history starting from 1986 when it was first organized by drag performers and enthusiasts.
  • Acknowledges the District of Columbia Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Affairs for organizing the event since 2018.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Participants in the 17th Street High Heel Race
  • Spectators attending the race

Terms To Know

LGBTQ+
An acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning communities.
Drag artists
Performers who dress in exaggerated costumes to entertain audiences, often as a form of artistic expression.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The resolution does not provide funding for the event.
  • It is ceremonial and does not create new laws or regulations.
  • The resolution only applies within the District of Columbia.

Bill History

  1. 2025-11-28 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Resolution ACR26-0101, Effective from Nov 04, 2025 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 013131

  2. 2025-11-04 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Retained by the Council

  3. 2025-11-04 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Legislative Meeting

  4. 2025-11-04 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Approved with Resolution Number ACR26-0101

  5. 2025-10-20 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    CER26-0103 Introduced by Councilmember R. White at Office of the Secretary

Official Summary Text

17th Street High Heel Race Recognition Resolution of 2025

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
1

A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

26-103

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

November 4, 2025

To celebrate the annual 17th Street High Heel Race, a unique and beloved LGBTQ+ tradition in
the District of Columbia.

WHEREAS, on Halloween night in 1986, a group of 25 drag performers and enthusiasts
held an informal contest that involved running in high heels from JR’s Bar, up 17th Street, N.W.
to Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse, upstairs to the bar for a shot of schnapps, and back;

WHEREAS, the 17th Street High Heel Race has since become an annual tradition that
brings together participants showcasing the diversity, creativity, and vibrancy of the District’s
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+)
communities, along with thousands of enthusiastic spectators;

WHEREAS, in 2018, the District of Columbia Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender, and Questioning Affairs assumed responsibility for organizing the annual 17th
Street High Heel Race;

WHEREAS, in the face of nationwide attacks on transgender people and drag artists, the
District of Columbia government still proudly protects and supports gender and sexual diversity
and celebrates the power of drag as a versatile, delightful form of art and play; and

WHEREAS, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, the beloved tradition will continue, as drag
artists assemble to show off their dazzling drag outfits, and sprint or saunter down a stretch of
historic 17th Street, N.W., which remains a hub of LGBTQ+ nightlife.

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “17th Street High Heel Race Recognition Resolution of 2025”.

Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia celebrates the 17th Street High Heel Race
and wishes the participants a fabulous evening.

Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.