Thousands of people wrapped themselves in LGBTQ pride flags and donned their bright rainbow gear to celebrate the New York City Pride March on Sunday. Although it was a cloudy, humid day, gold and silver sparkled in the sky.
The march commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising, a catalyst for the modern LGBTQ rights movement. The New York march is the largest of its kind in the United States, with organizers expecting about 25,000 marchers and nearly two and a half million spectators this year.
Lucy Greiman, 52, of Waterbury, Conn., was among the paraders marching for the 20th time Sunday. Over the past two decades, the annual celebration has changed in many ways, he said, but one thing remains constant: the collective spirit of embracing who you are and living in the moment.
“Every year, I’m here to celebrate being together, to dress up and have fun,” he said. “Now to celebrate life.”
Despite the joyous mood, the upcoming presidential election and legislation threatening the rights of the LGBTQ community prompted many to show their support at the parade.
Edwin Josu, 69, said he hoped the pride shown on Sunday would inspire the younger generation to express themselves freely and fight for equality for all.
“This is an expression of our freedom; This is an expression of our diversity,” said Mr Josu.
This year, some paraders drew attention to the war in Gaza. Many of the floats flew Palestinian flags, and some attendees wore watermelon-designed kaffias and hats in solidarity with the Palestinian cause. As the parade reached Christopher Street near Waverly Place at noon, about a dozen pro-Palestinian demonstrators sat down in front of the float and blocked it for about half an hour as a large crowd chanted in support.
Police took the protesters into custody, their wrists bound with zip ties, around 3 p.m., and the parade resumed, with blood painted red to symbolize the blood left on the street.
Some children sat on the shoulders of adults enjoying prime view of the floats. Elderly couples cheer and wave flags with excited teenagers and infants.
Kate Winnick and her 9-month-old son, Levi, were among them. The parade, she said, is an opportunity to show them early on the community’s diversity and acceptance.
“Pride is political at its core; It is about effecting change,” she said.