As New York City hosts WorldPride 2019 – amid the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots – the NYC Pride March is expected to see double the usual crowd.
When the parade steps off on June 30, an estimated 4.5 million people will be there, including 115,000 marchers (about 67,000 more than last year). One hundred colorful floats will to make their way down a new parade route, passing by the historic Stonewall Inn and other LGBTQ landmarks in recognition of their significance.
“[Hosting WorldPride] is no small task,” said Chris Frederick, the executive director of NYC Pride. “It’s an incredible honor to be in this position and have this organization create these events of this magnitude. We don’t take it lightly and we understand that there is a historical relevance and importance to these events this year.”
NYC Pride, he said, is committed to creating the “most amazing, most memorable and most inspiring events” as possible.
This year is full of LGBTQ-centric celebrations, events and exhibitions, including more than 50 rallies, lectures, parties, film screenings, conferences, panels and concerts.
Paradegoers can expect to spot celebrities – including Indya Moore and other cast members of the city-set “Pose” – and politicians – Mayor Bill de Blasio, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Gov. Andrew Cuomo – amid the sea of rainbows.
Trans rights, especially for those who identify as female and of color, are heavy on the minds of those involved, Frederick said.
“Pride provides a platform that brings these issues to the forefront on massive scale,” he said. “If you’re looking at how this current administration is chipping away at, not just trans rights, but all of us through court appointments and policy. We are in a dangerous era right now, and it’s something we are constantly thinking about, and how we can talk about that and elevate it on the scale it needs to be elevated on.”
For those planning to attend the parade, here’s what you need to know.
Time
The march begins at noon, rain or shine. The first group usually makes it to the end of the route by 1:45 p.m., and the parade ends late. ABC7’s broadcast will go from noon to 4 p.m.
Route
Start: 26th Street and Fifth Avenue
Route: South on Fifth Avenue before heading west on Eighth Street. After crossing over Sixth Avenue, the march will continue on to Christopher Street, passing the Stonewall National Monument. Then it will turn north on Seventh Avenue, passing the New York City AIDS Memorial, before finishing up in Chelsea just north of 23rd Street and Seventh Avenue.
End: 23rd Street and Seventh Avenue
Grandstand location
General William Jenkins Worth Monument at Fifth Avenue and West 25th Street.
Accessible seating area
There is an accessible seating area with ASL interpreters but registration is required. Contact
march-help@nycpride.org or call (212) 807-6327 to reserve your spot.
Grand marshals
“Pose” cast
Cast members of the Ryan Murphy series – notable, and history-making, in its employment of numerous transgender actors – Dominique Jackson (Elektra), Indya Moore (Angel) and MJ Rodriguez (Blanca) are marching. The NYC-set show explores ball culture in the 1980s. (See how the characters rank in our book.)
Phyll Opoku-Gyimah
Opoku-Gyimah, known as Lady Phyll, is the mind behind UK Black Pride. An LGBTQ activist, you may have seen her column in Diva Magazine.
Monica Helms
As a transgender activist, author, and veteran of the U.S. Navy, Helms created the Transgender Pride Flag in 1999.
Gay Liberation Front
The Gay Liberation Front was the first LGBTQ activist organization formed after the Stonewall uprising and gave political shape and direction to the new generation of LGBTQ advocates.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is a suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ youth.
Tips for marchers and parade goers
- Stay hydrated
- Choose your location wisely. The upper blocks between 14th and 23rd streets are less congested. The village is the epicenter of the movement, so it can get “rather crowded,” Frederick said. “If you like crowds, go for it.”
- Events go long, so be prepared to stay for awhile. “If you come at 3, it’ll still be going and if you come at 5 it will still be going,” he said. “You can roll in whenever you want.”
