June 30, 2025
Verenice Mackey
Yesterday’s Annual Pride March looked back on the historic 1969 Stonewall Riot and forward to a World of equal rights and acceptance for all. Over the many years the March has been held in Greenwich Village since 1970, it felt like America was moving towards that goal. But recent developments have seemingly changed the direction of History, as State and Federal policies seek to roll back the progress the movement has made. Yesterday’s March demonstrated a fierce determination to survive whatever challenges come along now and in the future, just as the Stonewall activists did decades ago.
“Every year feels great. There’s always a lot of joy a lot of love.” ~Scarlett J. (R)
As always, a spirit of joy, love and celebration was the main vibe. Fabulous costumes, extreme makeup and enormous wigs were plentiful. But the scarcity of decked out corporate floats seen in the past hinted at a problem: intimidation in the face of hostility by the Trump Administration. The chilling effect of an “anti-DEI” crusade that has forced big law firms, major media outlets, and Ivy League Universities to kowtow or else is undeniable. So what looked like a Fortune 500 March in 2017 was a far cry from the more homegrown look yesterday.
Danny G marched with Imperial Court of NY in support of Transgender rights. “We’re here, we’re allies, and we’re having a great time.“
“This year, more than ever, we acknowledge that Pride can be celebrated in many ways, but at the heart of our mission, we recognize that we must also remain steadfast in protest,” said Kazz Alexander, NYC Pride Co-Chair. “The challenges we face today, particularly in this political climate, require us to stand together in solidarity. We must support one another, because when the most marginalized among us are granted their rights, all of us benefit. Pride is not merely a celebration of identity—it is a powerful statement of resistance, affirming that justice and equity will ultimately prevail for those who live and love on the margins.”
“In the face of increasing discrimination, we must continue to push forward,” added NYC Pride Co-Chair Michele Irimia “As New Yorkers, we know: Pride is resistance, Pride is activism and, most importantly, Pride is for everyone. ‘Rise Up: Pride in Protest’ reminds us that the fight for equality is far from over.”
Where History was made: Stonewall National Monument, and a sign in the Park.
On the other hand, the indomitable spirit of Youth was on full display in Washington Square Park. In fact, the place was jam packed with young people singing, dancing, and frolicking in the fountain. Vendors offered various drink concoctions as the scent of hundreds of burning blunts lingered in the air. An multicolor sculpture of a really big animal seemingly grazed beneath the Arch, and people tagged it with their name or a favorite saying. Everything seemed perfect in the moment and it was almost possible to forget about all the negativity from above, at least for a day.
HRH Sir Ron Hatchett. “Send that picture to the King and Queen of England. I mean it.”
NYC Pride | Heritage of Pride, a longtime national leader in LGBTQIA+ Pride organizing and advocacy, announces its official theme for 2025: “Rise Up: Pride in Protest.” As the LGBTQIA+ community faces increasing hostility and legislative attacks, this year’s theme is a reflection of the Pride movement’s origins in protest—and is a powerful call to action for our communities and allies to rally and march in defiant celebration, advocacy and solidarity. “Rise Up: Pride in Protest” meets the moment before us and honors the legacy of the first Pride March in 1970, which commemorated the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. ~ Press Release
