In the early morning of June 28, 1969, the Stonewall Inn was raided by police. A melee ensued, and history would never be the same. One year later the Christopher Street Liberation Day Committee launched the first Gay Pride March, commemorating the riots and the possibility of liberation it set off. The country (and world) took note as battles were won and the march grew year after year.
Today, it is one of the largest street parades in the world, dominated by the LGBT community but increasingly enjoyed by everyone. There are more than 400 imitators around the world, some boasting nearly equally vast and diverse turnouts.
This year there’s plenty in store to make New York Pride the biggest and bestest ever, especially with the arrival of full marriage equality right around the corner.
Here are five of our favorite aspects of NYC Pride…
Images by Jeffrey James Keyes