Millions Take to Streets in New York for Largest Pride Ever
Millions of LGBTI supporters took to the streets of New York on Sunday (30 June) to celebrate pride and renew calls for equality.
Some 150,000 participants from 600 contingents hosting more than 100 floats marched down the four-kilometer route, according to BBC News.
An estimated four million people, meanwhile, took to the streets to watch and celebrate New York City Pride Parade.
This year, New York hosted global LGBT-event WorldPride.
The mass march also marked 50 years since Stonewall Riots. On 28 June, 1969, LGBTI community members launched spontaneous protests against discrimination following raids of the Stonewall Inn.
People regard it as the birth of the modern LGBTI rights movement in the US.
Queer liberation in New York
But, for the first time, this year activists also marched a separate route to protest the mainstream pride.
A sign reading ‘RuPaul on Rushmore’
The Reclaim Pride Coalition organized the Queer Liberation March. The wanted to protest a pride parade they say has become too money-centric and will be devoid of police or corporate sponsors.View image on Twitter
Reclaim Pride Coalition@queermarch
45,000 strong for queer pride not corporate pride. #QueerLiberationMarch #ReclaimPride3629:20 AM – Jun 30, 2019 · Manhattan, NY149 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
The estimated 45,000 attendees performed acts of resistance. For instance, on 23rd Street, in collaboration with ACT UP, they held a die-in to represent the 17 HIV+ asylum seekers who died in ICE custody.
The main march, titled New York City Heritage of Pride parade, meanwhile, passed important LGBTI landmarks. These included the Stonewall National Monument and the New York City Aids memorial.
The NYC Pride March – Happy #WorldPrideNYC everyone!2,5039:22 AM – Jun 30, 2019931 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
Among the Grand Marshals at this year’s Pride is the cast of hit FX show Pose, The Trevor Project, and the Gay Liberation Front (the original group who organized following the Stonewall riots).
New York Mayor and Democrat presidential hopeful Bill De Blasio walked in the parade with his wife.View image on Twitter
Mayor @BilldeBlasio marching in the #WorldPride2019 parade!2311:04 AM – Jun 30, 201916 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy
Representatives from around the world marched in New York. These included a team from London Pride and Taiwan, which became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage this year.
World-renowned artists, including Madonna and Lady Gaga, performed at the WorldPride closing ceremony on one of the city’s piers.