An oral history of the NYC Pride March
Locals share tales of outrageousness, anger and inspiration from the past years of the Pride March
New York City's massive Pride celebrations have a deep and important history in the city. The first march was held in 1970 one year after the Stonewall Uprising, and the event has grown into an annual civil rights demonstration.
While many colloquially call the event the Pride Parade, organizers refer to it as The March as a nod to the event’s heritage. After all, the first march was an unpermitted political protest of anti-LGBT policies and attitudes.
"Our commitment at Heritage of Pride is to continue recognizing our Pride event as a March until complete and full equality has been achieved for all LGBT people," event organizers said online.
This year, rainbow-clad activists and allies will take to the streets (and later NYC’s gay bars) in support of global LGBTQ rights at the NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 30. In recent years, The March has grown to include more than 700 groups with millions of spectators.
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When is the NYC Pride March?
The NYC Pride March is on Sunday, June 30, 2024, starting at 11am.
What is the theme for the 2024 Pride March?
NYC Pride 2024's theme is "Reflect. Empower. Unite." Events will celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and mark the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, as well as the 40th anniversary of Heritage of Pride.
Organizers selected the theme as a way to highlight the importance of the NYC Pride March as the intersection for Queer liberation and joy.
"The theme encourages individuals, advocates, community leaders and allies to reflect on the challenges they have overcome together and empowers them to take action in shaping our collective future," event organizers said in a press release. "At a time of division in our country and the world, this year’s theme calls for unity within and throughout the LGBTQIA+ community and is a call to action for ALL allies, especially those in government and the private sector, to demonstrate their alliance with the community-at-large at this critical time in our nation's history."
Who are the 2024 Pride March Grand Marshals?
The Grand Marshals for the 2024 Pride March are:
- Baddie Brooks, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter
- DaShawn Usher, senior director of communities of color and media at GLAAD
- Eshe Ukweli, a journalist and podcaster "dedicated to showing Gen-Z that they can truly have it all"
- Michelle Visage, a singer and TV personality who is an ally of the LGBTQ+ community
- Miss Major, a transgender activist championing the rights of transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals
- Robin Drake, a youth activist with a passion for bridging the gap between homelessness and recovery
- Raquel Willis, a writer and activist known for her intersectional advocacy work
How long does the NYC Pride March last?
In past years, the Pride March celebrations have gone on for between six and 12 hours.
What's the NYC Pride March route?
Though this year's exact route hasn't been announced, the Pride March typically kicks off at 25th Street and 5th Avenue, then proceeds south on 5th Avenue before heading west on 8th Street. After crossing over 6th Avenue, it continues on Christopher Street passing the Stonewall National Monument. It then turns north on 7th Avenue, passing the New York City AIDS Memorial, before ending at 16th Street and 7th Avenue.
Where can I see the NYC Pride March 2024?
If you can't make it in person along the route, the NYC Pride March is typically broadcast on ABC-7.
