Since 1999, June has been nationally recognized as Pride Month: originally designated “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month,” but expanded in 2011 to recognize the entirety of the LGBT+ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and all others who fall under the umbrella of marginalized sexual orientations and/or gender identities).
It was selected to commemorate June 28, 1969, the anniversary of the beginning of the Stonewall Uprising. At the time, homosexuality and the wearing of opposite-gender clothes were illegal, and bars and other establishments that permitted them were often subject to frequent, violent police raids, in which many patrons were not only arrested but physically and sexually assaulted. Stonewall Inn was one of the most popular underground locations for LGBT+ patrons of all ethnicities, notably because it was the only one that allowed them to openly dance. When police raided the bar on June 28, hundreds of patrons of Stonewall and neighboring gay bars fought back in an unprecedented way, kickstarting not only six days of rioting but the gay rights and empowerment movement as a whole.
This movement has lasted decades, eventually winning the LGBT+ community landmark legal rights, such as the rights to legally marry, to adopt and keep custody of their children, and to be protected from housing and workplace discrimination (Fair Housing Act of 2021). During Pride Month, we celebrate past victories for equality, defy continuing efforts to shame the LGBT+ community out of public life, and raise awareness of what progress still needs to be made.
New York City remains a hub for the LGBT+ community, and NYC Pride is a major celebration throughout the month. Many local establishments have their own festivities (including the Stonewall Inn, which is still active today), but one of the most notable events is the NYC Pride March, a massive parade in Manhattan. This year marks the 54th annual Pride March, which will take place on Sunday, June 25.
The parade route begins at 12:00 PM at 25th Street and Fifth Avenue. It then proceeds south down Fifth Avenue, west down Eighth Street, and then over Sixth Street and Christopher Street to pass by the Stonewall National Monument, north on Seventh Avenue by the New York City AIDS Memorial, and coming to a close at 16th Street and Seventh Avenue in Chelsea. All participants in the march must be part of a pre-registered group, but it is completely free to attend: all are welcome!
Expect large crowds outside and on public transportation, as well as road closures for the parade route and the merchandise, food, and other stands of PrideFest, the street fair accompanying the parade.
This year, the Pride March’s Grand Marshals include Billy Porter, Yasmin Benoit, AC Dumlao, Hope Giselle, Randolfe “Randy” Wicker, and Angelica Ross. Marchers join floats largely from nonprofit organizations. Accompanying events can be found here, and musical guests and other events that are part of PrideFest can be found here.
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