50 Years and Getting Stronger
Written by: Albert Terc
Photos by: Albert Terc and Aluche_Events
The anticipation for the 50th Pride celebration began at the end last years parade. For the first time World Pride participated in the annual show of love, community, advocacy and protest. This was the largest and longest parade I have been to and I have attended over 100 in NYC and other cities. The NYPD estimates over 3 million people attended one of the largest celebrations in the country all in the name of peace and love. There were zero arrests. Everyone was there to yell and scream and have a heck of a party. And that it was.
Grand Marshall Lay Phyll Getting the Love
The First Warriors
Glam Girls Living It Up
Hundreds of floats made their way down the parade starting on 26th Street and 5th Avenue and then making its way to the Stonewall Inn and back up 7th Avenue to 26th Streets. The thunder of Dykes on Bikes got the crowd ready for a spectacular day. People yelling and screaming continued when one of the Grand Marshals, the original members of the Gay Liberation Front, marched with plenty to be happy for. I’m pretty sure they had no idea what their effort and sacrifice would evolve into back then. 50 years later the celebration rocked NY. It was definitely the event of a lifetime for many. Grand Marshall Lady Phyll, founder of UK Black Pride, was really feeling the love from the crowd.
Australian Pride
Vanessa Working the Crowd
Venezuela In the House
All kinds of costumes and plenty of swag were on display for a 9 hour marathon of a parade. World Pride organized thousands of marchers from all around the globe. Many European countries started the display of the LBGT community with some amazing outfits. Later on the Asian community brought their charm and energy to get the crowd worked up. Middle Eastern countries got into the mix with some lively floats. African and West Indian countries brought the heat. South Americans represented very well. Just about every corner of the world was represented. Here in NY, they came express their love with who they wish to without fear of persecution from their own country.
England Makes Some Noise
Proud For Everyone To See
Enough Said
Of course a parade just isn’t a parade without A perennial favorite is the hometown band, The Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corp, had a lot of fun playing to the crowd. Fresh off their Mermaid Parade big performance, The Tail Shakers kicked it up a notch for the grand event. Accompanying the display of images of fallen icons were the high powered rhythmic all female drum band, Fogo Azul. They gave a beautiful performance and the best I have seen them do. Commercial sponsors were in abundance but the one that really got the crowd worked up was the MAC float. Celebrities Vanessa Williams and Wendy Williams were enjoying the amazing display of love and good vibes from the crowd. There was plenty of glam on display. Everyone was loving it and couldn’t get enough. This was THE parade of the year so far. I’m so proud to be a NYer and know my hometown can pull off an event of this magnitude in grand style. Love is Love.
Photos by Aluche_Events
See Ya Later
NYC Parade Life 
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