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Huge crowds turned out in Manhattan on Sunday to celebrate the 2023 NYC Pride March.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community, their allies and elected officials march from Fifth Avenue through Greenwich Village, passing the historic Stonewall Inn.
What you need to know
- Nearly one million people lined the streets of Manhattan on Sunday to celebrate the Pride march
- According to the Human Rights Campaign, more than 20 states have banned gender-affirming care for transgender youth by 2021. An estimated 130,000 trans children and teens live in those states.
- To mark Pride, Governor Cathy Hochul signed a new law that protects access to gender-affirming care in New York, and urged other states to do the same.
“I always think of Marsha P. Johnson. She was a trans woman, she threw the first brick at Stonewall,” said Holden Smith, who attended the march as the first openly trans man.
He added, “No, I will not let anyone pressure me to be who I am.”
The streets of Manhattan turned into a sea of rainbows as New Yorkers proudly declared their love, acceptance and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
“Being a gay, I think gay people should be able to walk the streets without getting hurt,” said Parker Tiburcio, who attended the parade. “They should be able to accept themselves and be free to be themselves.”
The roots of the Pride movement began with the Stonewall rebellion in 1969.
A year later, the first NYC Pride March was held on Christopher Street.
“Because of the history we have, we have been able to grow as a holistic community. Without the Stonewall riots, we would not have the large community we have today,” Tiburcio said.
Over the past 50 years, there have been many strides toward equality as well as setbacks—from the AIDS epidemic of the ’80s to the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
But now, the LGBTQ+ community is facing a new wave of discrimination.
Justin Rowe, who attended the Pride march with her husband, said, “With the recent legislation against trans people and drag queens, this is really an important year for everyone to come out and celebrate and show support “
According to the Human Rights Campaign, more than 20 states have banned gender-affirming care for transgender youth by 2021. An estimated 130,000 trans children and teens live in those states.
“It is terrible for people who never feel like their body is at home. I feel so blessed to be white and live in New York. It’s a privilege to have that reach,” Smith said.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community say they will stand together in the face of harassment and discrimination, and provide a safe haven for those whose rights are under attack.
“I want everyone to feel safe, not only in the actual place they live, whether it’s safe with their family, safe in their hometown, but safe within themselves,” Smith said.
To mark Pride, Gov. Cathy Hochul signed a new law Sunday that protects access to gender-affirming care in New York, and urges other states to do the same.
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