NYC’s Pride March rolls out with mixed emotions amid concern about loss of abortion, other rights
Thousands celebrated the city’s Pride March this year with a mix of joy and fear.
Two days after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade — imperiling abortion in about half the nation and raising worries about the loss of other rights — New Yorkers took to the streets Sunday to celebrate LGBTQ identity and take a stand for hard-fought freedoms.
“I’m so scared for me and [my] peers. I don’t want our rights to be revoked that we’ve worked so hard for,” Juliana Vidal, an 18-year-old from the Bronx said amid throngs of marchers in Chelsea.
“Love is love and we need to feel safe,” she added.
Spectators watch as revelers march down Fifth Avenue during the annual NYC Pride March on Sunday. (Mary Altaffer/)
Local leaders repeated promises to support the LGBTQ community after the nation’s highest court ruled that abortion is no longer a constitutional right.
“New York is the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ rights movement and has always been the leader in advancing equality and justice for LGBTQ+ Americans, but elected officials in other states are using their powers to take those rights away,” warned Gov. Hochul, who on Sunday signed a law establishing a transgender wellness fund.
“We can ensure that our state truly is a safe and affirming place for everyone and that the voices of all are heard,” she added.
Planned Parenthood leads the New York City Pride Parade on Sunday. (ALEXI ROSENFELD/)
In spite of the tense political climate, plenty of people found a way to celebrate one of the original messages of the march.
“To see the love and support from all parts of the LGBT community — it’s outstanding,” Andy Skarow, 49, said as the parade made its way south from Midtown.
“If the rest of the country could do something like this and celebrate, there [would] be a lot more love,” chimed in his best friend Jim Behanna, 59.
The march was a family affair for June Rivera, his wife and their transgender teenage son.
“The last thing I wanted to do was alienate myself and my child, so I spoke to people in the LGBT community and it helped me understand what it means to be trans,” said the proud dad, 44.
”It feels great to have supportive parents,” said his child Kota Rivera, 15. “I’m so lucky to have parents that love and support me, that would give their all for me.”
Participants walk in the Pride March in Manhattan on Sunday.
“It feels great to have supportive parents,” said his child Kota Rivera, 15. “I’m so lucky to have parents that love and support me, that would give their all for me.”
Members of the LGBTQ community shower Angela Ghionzzi, 61, with hugs and glitter every Pride, said her son Matthew Picarillo, 29, who recently married his partner.
“Before gay marriage I was worried [about] being out in general, but I knew she would be OK with it,” he said. “She gives out mom hugs … it makes me happy to see.”
For the second year in a row, march organizers banned cops and correction officers from marching in their uniforms, a policy launched amid heated nationwide protests over the 2021 Minnesota police killing of George Floyd.
Undeterred, members of the Gay Officers Action League, or GOAL, showed up and chanted “let us march!” from the sides.
“Unfortunately, we were not able to resolve the differences by this Pride. We’re hoping they’re resolved by next year,” GOAL President Brian Downey said near the historic Stonewall Inn, birthplace of the modern LGBTQ movement.
“We’re enjoying ourselves, having a good time,” he added. “That is all that matters.”
“There is no rainbow flag without the blue,” said Sandra Drabes, who, like Downey and more than a dozen others, was wearing a black polo shirt with GOAL’s logo.
Many attendees seemed to be bracing themselves for rights’ struggles.
”I’m here to support the cause of basic human rights, gay rights and woman rights,” said Misha Tamarkin, a 32-year-old from Brooklyn. “I think it’s very important for the goodness of our country today.”
“We need to solve the problems from yesterday and move forward,” Tamarkin added.
