NYC Pride!

The final days of the most pride-filled month of the year will feature what is considered by many to be one of the biggest and best celebrations of all: NYC Pride. From June 20-28, Heritage of Pride will once again be organizing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Pride in New York City to commemorate and celebrate the Stonewall riots.

The events during Pride Week include:

- The Rally @ 42nd St. & 6th Ave. in Bryant Park on Saturday, June 20th, from 2:00 – 6:00 PM. The Rally will feature well-known performers and motivating speakers from the LGBT community kicking off this year’s Pride Week events. Among those scheduled to appear are comedians Marga Gomez and Gloria Bigelow, musicians Rachael Sage and Mélange Lavonne, and screenwriter, director (Milk), film and television producer, and LGBT rights activist, Dustin Lance Black.

- PrideFest @ Hudson St. between Abingdon Sq. & West 14th St. on Sunday, June 28th, from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM. PrideFest is the annual LGBT street fair. PrideFest seeks to bring together local residents and families, community leaders, and area business owners to celebrate in the street. This will be the 17th annual PrideFest event where the organizers continue to combine vendors, entertainers, and community activities for a day of fun celebration of LGBT Pride in the name of equality. Performances during PrideFest will include Lori Michaels, Jasper James, and Christine Martucci.

- Rapture on the River: A Woman’s Dance @ Pier 54, 13th St off the West Side Highway on Saturday, June 27th, from 6:00 – 11:00 PM. Rapture is the official NYC Pride Week Women’s Dance and it is now in its sixth year. Located on Pier 54, this has become a staple Pride event for women in New York City and all proceeds from Rapture on the River benefit New York City’s LGBT Pride Week events and community organizations.

- The March @ 5th Avenue and 52nd Street to Christopher and Greenwich Streets on Sunday, June 28th from 12-6 PM. The March began as an annual civil rights demonstration beginning the year after the Stonewall Riots in 1970. Over the years its purpose has broadened to include recognition of the fight against AIDS and to remember those we have lost to the illness, violence, and neglect. It has also evolved to include being a celebration of our lives and our community. To watch the March step-off you should be in the 50s or upper 40s on 5th Avenue. For larger crowds and high energy, anywhere in the village is ideal. For smaller crowds, many enjoy watching in the 30s, 20s, and teens on 5th Avenue.

Founded in 1984, Heritage of Pride took over the planning of New York City’s Pride events from the disbanded Christopher Street Liberation Day Committee, former organizers of the March and Rally, and the Christopher Street Festival Committee, the former organizers of the Festival. While HOP’s individual members set broad group policy, the organization is governed by a 12 person Executive Board elected by its membership.

For more information visit http://nycpride.org.