Parade sponsors estimated close to two million people attended the much anticipated Pride March. After a month-long celebration of Pride, the grand finale was one of the biggest events in the City thus far. I saw people celebrating their 50th March and their 1st March after they came out. All around there was lots of love shown to the marchers and revelers. Even though I have seen other Pride Parades be more rebellious, this version was a bit tamer perhaps because of the large presence of corporate sponsorship. There was even an organized protest Pride march in the City not far from the actual one with no floats and no corporate sponsors. Guess it’s a sign of the times. Some people are so hyper-sensitive lately. In a time when LGBQT rights are being tested in this country, there was really no outrage. After all, this parade was born from a riot at the Stonewall Inn.
Once all the local politicians made their way down the parade route starting on 5th Avenue to 8th street and then winding its way in front of the Stonewall Inn, then the real fun started. A crowd favorite, Sirens Motorcycle Club NYC made a thunderous entrance and got the crowd all worked up for what would be an amazing day of Pride. One of the most prolific marching bands in the City arrived. NYC’s Queer Big Apple Corps Marching Band played loud and proud. This years heavyweight of Grand Marshalls arrived to the delight of the crowd. Each Honoree has impacted the LGBQT community in a vast array and depth. Billy Porter is a top star entertainer with an EMMY, a GRAMMY and two time TONY award winner. Yasmin Benoit is a top model and influencer from the UK. AC Dumlao is Chief of Staff of Athlete Ally, a non-profit dedicated to helping student athletes across the globe. Hope Giselle, activist, author and artist and was taking in all the love the crowd was giving her. Randy Wicker is a trailblazer with a resume that might be as tall as the Empire State building.
A cavalcade of groups that provide services aimed to support the LGBQT community marched down the parade route. Many of these groups do outstanding work to help build a network for nearly every aspect of life including shelter, food, clothing, counseling for parents and children. Pride probably has the largest corporate sponsorship among all the big parades in the City. One group that received the largest ovation was from Disney, which is under attack by the Governor of Florida because Disney stood up to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Law.
A perennial favorite that always gets the crowd to scream louder are the Flaggots showing off their flag twirling skills. This year there was more representation from other countries in the EU, Asia, Latin America and Africa making this a truly global event right here in NYC. Each time I heard the crowd cheer on any of these groups, it made me wonder if they were also cheering for them because some would not be able to have this type of celebration in their own country without retribution…some as harsh as jail time or worse. The celebration continued with lots of fashion statements and plenty of swag thrown around from side to side. There are plenty of Pride parades throughout the country but NYC Pride is by far the best of its kind. Love is Love.
NYC Parade Life 