Colorful Spirit of #NYCpride
Power of People
“I want to do the right thing and not hide anymore. I want to march for tolerance, acceptance, and understanding. I want to take a stand and say, “Me, too.””
One of the best things about travel is that you become more open to the diversity of every kind. Diversity starts feeling less like an exclusion criterion and more of something that can be celebrated. As someone who has been changing places like a breeze traveling has helped me change my perception of “how can someone do this” into “everyone is welcome”. One of such major realizations came to life last year when I was in New York when I felt the spirit of much talked about NYCPride parade in person.
WHat is NYC Pride Parade?
From a drone view, it looks like suddenly the streets of New York overflow with rainbow colors but when you take a closer look you see the power of the largest movement in history.2019 was a special year as it circled half-century, 50years of the infamous police raid on the Stonewall Inn in 1969. Over five decades of fighting for freedom, equality, and justice. If you are in New York in June, book your time to be part of the NYC Pride parade.
Date : June 28th (recurring)
Place : Manhattan, NYC
Events : NYC Pride March, PrideFest, Pride Island
Estimated people : 4.5 million people will be there, including 115,000 marchers
Dress code - Be You🏳️🌈
What is the backstory?
In 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a bar (now, the Stonewall Memorial) located in New York City's Greenwich Village that served as a haven for the city's LGBTQ community. Most gay bars and clubs in New York at the time (including the Stonewall) were operated by the Mafia, who paid corruptible police officers to look the other way and blackmailed wealthy gay patrons by threatening to “out” them. Police raids on gay bars were common, but on that particular night, members of the city’s LGBT community fight back—sparking an uprising that would launch a new beginning of resistance and revolution.
the spirit of Pride
It is all about the power that a collective group of people can bring is phenomenal. Though the LGBTQ community has come a long way over 50 years people struggle coming out of the closet is a big challenge for so many people I know. I want to tell those amazing friends of mine who feel a little scared that maybe it is difficult but there is a large community ready to embrace them. Red flags, every community is going to have their fair share of angels and demons but they will always be there to support. Embracing who you are is better than being trapped in who you are not for a lifetime. At NYCPride I saw so many groups from around the world fly in to participate to make their voices of freedom heard. There was one thing I realized out there on those streets,” It might take years, but one day, the sun will shine bright and right.”
