NEW YORK (AP) – The monthlong celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride reaches a vibrant high as New York City and other major urban centers globally host their annual parades and marches on Sunday. New York, known for having the oldest and largest Pride celebration in the United States, will commence festivities with a significant march down Fifth Avenue, featuring over 700 participating groups and drawing large crowds.
The marchers will traverse past the iconic Stonewall Inn, a historic gay bar in Greenwich Village that was at the center of the 1969 police raid that ignited widespread protests and catalyzed the LGBTQ+ rights movement. This landmark, now recognized as a national monument, serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles and progress of the community.
San Francisco will also host one of the largest Pride events, with participants marching down the central Market Street and culminating in concert stages at Civic Center Plaza. The city’s grand City Hall will be among the key venues for post-march celebrations, reflecting the festive and inclusive spirit of Pride.
Aside from New York and San Francisco, other significant North American cities such as Chicago, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Toronto are set to celebrate with vibrant Pride parades on Sunday. Globally, cities like Tokyo, Paris, and Sao Paulo have already held their events earlier this month, while cities like London and Rio de Janeiro will host their parades later in the year, in July and November respectively.
The inaugural Pride march took place in New York City in 1970, commemorating the one-year anniversary of the historic Stonewall uprising. Today's Pride celebrations often blend joyous street parties with political activism, but this year’s events are expected to take on a more defiant tone in response to recent political challenges.
As celebrations unfold, they coincide with the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark ruling on June 26, 2015, in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. However, opposition has emerged, particularly from Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, who have sought to roll back LGBTQ+ protective policies, especially regarding transgender rights.
The political landscape has become contentious, with actions taken by the Trump administration including a ban on transgender individuals in the military, restrictions on federal insurance coverage for gender-affirmation surgeries, and attempts to exclude transgender athletes from competing in women's sports.
This year’s theme for the Manhattan Pride celebration is aptly titled "Rise Up: Pride in Protest," while San Francisco’s theme, "Queer Joy is Resistance," captures the resilience and celebratory spirit of the LGBTQ+ community. Seattle Pride also embraces activism with its straightforward theme, "Louder." Seattle Pride’s executive director, Patti Hearn, emphasized the importance of making a stand and raising voices amidst current challenges, stating, "This is not a time to be quiet."
However, the LGBTQ+ rights movement faces its own set of obstacles this year, notably the loss of corporate sponsorship that has traditionally funded Pride events. Reports indicate that approximately 20% of NYC Pride's corporate sponsors have either dropped or reduced their support ahead of the events, with companies like PepsiCo and Nissan withdrawing. Similarly, San Francisco Pride organizers have lost key sponsorship from major donors including Comcast and Anheuser-Busch.
