Every year, New York City hosts one of the world’s biggest and best Pride celebrations. Sadly, many of the usual events—including the NYC Pride March—have been canceled this June due to COVID-19. But the LGBTQ+ community is finding new ways to celebrate inclusiveness, civil rights and self-expression with a slew of virtual events, many of which are being used to amplify Black voices and issues. Here are some of the celebrations to look forward to this Pride month.
Your Big Rainbow Guide to Celebrating Pride in NYC This Year
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First, Some Background On Pride In Nyc
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Gay Pride marches, which occurred the year after the Stonewall Riots. Quick history recap: In the early hours of June 28, 1969, NYC police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village. Gay rights activists fought back and their act of rebellion kicked off the modern gay rights movement. The marches began the following year as protests and displays of resistance against the exclusion, harassment and life-threatening violence that greeted the LGBTQ+ community in American life.