This year’s Gay Pride Parade in New York was by far one of the greatest pride events I’ve ever had the pleasure of attending, both because of the crowd’s enthusiasm and the opportunity I had to join in on the march itself, seeing the event from an entirely new perspective. The impact of thousands of people lined up, decked out in rainbow and cheering at the top of their lungs doesn’t quite hit you until you’ve marched all the way to Christopher Street from 52nd — about 3 miles — and seen each and every one of them. From the Stonewall veterans to the youth to the young children of gay parents, from the transsexuals to the bisexuals to the just plain queer, from the Christians to the NYPD to the ever-popular drag queens, and from black to white to everything in between, it seemed like the entire universe was concentrated in the city to show their pride and their support. Their enthusiasm was especially motivating as we were walking for quite some time out in the heat, stopping for traffic and standing underneath the blaring sun (I’ve got the sunburnt shoulders to prove it!), and cheering so much our throats were parched and sore by the end of it. Thanks to those who supported us, though, especially the police who directed traffic and the kind people who handed out cups of water (with sliced lemon, even!) as we marched.
The kindness I saw in strangers helping and caring for one another during Pride made me feel, once again, extremely proud to be a part of the queer community — possibly one of the most peaceful and positive communities I know. To remember the event and say thanks to everyone who came with me, I’ve created a little slideshow of the pictures I managed to take while marching. Enjoy!
Wow, Lauren this is truly a touching slideshow! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it
That’s sooo awesome Laur. It looked like it was a lot of fun and obviously very meanful. I love when people can just get together and love each other. I actually wanted to go this year because I have a lot of friends that are LGVTQ, but unfortunately I missed it. It looks like it was really awesome. I’m glad you had such a great experience!!!!!! Oh and the slideshow is just breathtaking!
I’m so jealous. Where I live, white pride marches are banned outright. When they have occurred in nearby cities, they’ve been called off early by the police when the anti-white counter protesters attack the marchers with bricks, bottles, etc. Some day maybe those who openly prefer members of their own race will obtain the same freedoms and protections those who openly prefer members of their own gender are gaining today.