Nearly two million people are expected to attend the annual gay pride events and celebrations taking place in New York City in June 2013. Recognised as the USA’s number one LGBT travel destination, New York City will be brimming with energy, diversity and excitement – from the flagship Heritage of Pride events in Manhattan to the range of events and celebrations happening in the boroughs of Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.
“New York City is an iconic destination for LGBT travel, particularly during our annual Pride Week celebrations,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organisation. “Following the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York two years ago, the city remains the most popular gay travel destination in the United States. We encourage visitors from around the world to book their travel now and experience the many pride festivities taking place throughout the five boroughs.”
Here, NYC & Company provides details on some of the key events across the five boroughs that will make New York City the ideal destination for visitors this June. Full listings of NYC 2013 pride activity can be accessed at www.nycgo.com/gay, where information on NYC’s gay history, LGBT neighbourhoods, landmarks and same-sex marriage is also available.
Manhattan
Heritage of Pride, which organises New York City’s flagship LGBT events and commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots that sparked the modern gay-rights movement, features the theme “Rain to Rainbows” for its line-up of pride events this year.
“After years of inequality in this country we are finally turning the course toward receiving full equality. While this won’t be achieved overnight we are proud of our community’s accomplishments over the last decade and look to the future with a positive stance on the state of LGBT rights,” says Chris Frederick, Managing Director of Heritage of Pride. “With the Supreme Court deciding on same-sex marriage days prior to NYC Pride’s largest day we are projecting an increase in attendance to nearly 2 million individuals and are excited to welcome the world with open arms.”
The PrideFest street fair, now in its 20th year, will take place on Sunday 30th June from 11am–6pm. Thousands of visitors attend the event at Hudson Street between Abingdon Square and West 14th Street each year, joining locals, corporate sponsors, community leaders and business owners.
With Edith Windsor (the central figure in the case challenging the federal Defense of Marriage Act), Harry Belafonte (singer, songwriter and longtime social activist) and Earl Fowlkes (president and CEO of the Center for Black Equity) as the grand marshals, The March will take place at 12 noon on Sunday 30th June. The parade, which has taken place to celebrate the gay community since 1970, begins at 36th Street and Fifth Avenue and ends in Greenwich Village. Free registration is now open online.
Three events will take place at Pier 26 (on the West Side Highway; attendees should cross at Laight Street) this year:
- The Rally will take place on Friday 28th June 28 from 7–10pm, showcasing speakers and well-known performers in honour of the first NYC pride rally that occurred one month after the Stonewall Riots
- Rapture on the River, one of the nation’s largest ladies-only dance events, will celebrate its 10-year anniversary on Saturday 29th June from 3–10pm. Tickets are available online
- On Sunday 30th June, Dance on the Pier is back for its 27th year with award-winning DJs and the world’s longest-running LGBT fireworks display along the Hudson River. The event, from 3–10pm, is the official close to NYC Pride events. Tickets are available online
To purchase tickets, register and access a comprehensive list of all events, visit www.nycpride.org or follow Heritage of Pride on Twitter (twitter.com/nycpride) or on Facebook (facebook.com/nycpride).
Bronx
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr, in partnership with Boogie Down Pride and Brainpower, will host the third annual Bronx LGBT Allies Award Ceremony on Thursday 20th June 2013 at the Rotunda at 851 Grand Concourse. The event will honour individuals who have made positive contributions to the LGBT community in the Bronx. For more information, go to bronxboropres.nyc.gov/.
Brooklyn
New York City’s most populous borough celebrates gay pride with events on Saturday 8th June 2013. Brooklyn Pride 2013 features the 16th annual Brooklyn Pride LGBT 5K Run through the historic Prospect Park. Runners must sign up at nycruns.com (limited to 500 participants). Runners can check in at 8am; the race starts at 10am.
Also on 8th June, visitors and locals can attend the Brooklyn Pride Festival from 11am–5pm on Fifth Avenue, between Third and Ninth Streets. This year’s festival will feature two stages for local performers and LGBT–friendly sports teams that will be playing behind the Old Stone House at J.J. Byrne Park.
At 7:30pm, the Brooklyn Pride Parade will begin at a new location, at Sterling Place, and march down Fifth Avenue, ending at Ninth Street.
For more information, please visit brooklynpride.org.
Queens
On Sunday 2nd June, Queens Pride, which promotes education and awareness of LGBT issues in the borough, hosts its Parade and Multicultural Festival from 12 noon to 6pm, in Jackson Heights, with the theme “Equality. Everyday. Everyone.” The parade starts at 85th Street and 37th Avenue at noon, and will follow 37th Avenue until 75th Street. Also starting at midday, the festival will take place until 6pm on 37th Road between 74th and 77th Streets. Parade participants will have the opportunity to win “Queenie Awards,” ranging from the best use of colour to the best drag performance.
For more information and to register for the events, see queenspride.org.
Staten Island
The Staten Island LGBT Community Center hosts the LGBT Pride Parade & Festival 2013 in the St George neighbourhood on Saturday 1st June from 12 noon to 5pm. The parade kicks off on Central Avenue at Slosson Terrace, ending at Tompkinsville Park, where the festival will feature LGBT–friendly entertainment, amusements and vendors until 5pm.
For more information and to register for the events, visit silgbtcenter.org or facebook.com/statenislandparade.
