Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets yesterday to celebrate New York City’s Gay Pride. Homos, queers, dykes (and their bikes), trannies and allies followed Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum and founder of the Christopher Street, where it all began.
And trust we sent editor Andrew Belonsky and videographer Christian Gabriel out to capture all the ‘mo madness! (Read: Photos after the jump!)
One of the leading voices against anti-queer oppression, Kleinbaum – who runs the show over at Beth Simchat Torah – made sure to denounce those who use religion to denounce gays as sinners, “We stand for a progressive religious voice. Those who use religion to advocate an anti-gay agenda, I believe, are blaspheming God’s name.” Kleinbaum and Perry’s presence definitely set the tone for the parade, which included dozens of religious organizations. Harlem’s Rehoboth Temple’s gospel choir, meanwhile, performed quite the number, insisiting, “God made us queer!”
Mayor Mike Bloomberg and lesbian council speaker Christine Quinn also made an appearance, flanked by secret service. While most people went nuts for Quinn, there were also calls for her head. The Radical Queers, we’re sure, would have loved to have a second with her. Unfortunately, they say Heritage of Pride – the corporate-happy organizers – denied their permit. Thus, the lefties were forced to cut into the parade, planting themselves directly in front of Empire State Pride Agenda, an organization that pushes for gay “mainstream” rights.
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Bloomberg also got a bit of criticism after he jumped into the parade two blocks after St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Kleinbaum and Perry weren’t so pleased. NY Sun explains:
[Kleinbaum and Perry], the parade’s two grand marshals, criticized Mr. Bloomberg for not walking past the cathedral, which has during past parades been the site of protests of the Catholic church’s position on homosexuality and of counterprotests directed at the parade.
“Shame on you, Mr. Bloomberg,” Ms. Kleinbaum said at a news conference when asked about the mayor’s decision to start the march below the church. “We expect you to be at the head of this march.”
Rev. Perry said: “I think the mayor’s making a mistake if he’s going to run for president.”
That’s a presidential diss, for reals.
One of the most uplifting things about the parade, we thought, were all the children we saw. Perhaps we had never noticed before, but it seemed as if there were more children than ever before. And, of course, we saw every color, texture and shape of person imaginable. Asian, African, South American – you name it, they were there: an inspiring sight, to say the least. We may write on gays everyday, but it’s beyond refreshing to see our awesome power. Seriously, if given the chance, gays could lead the world into new territory. We cut across every social group – every race, class, religion, geographic region, nationality. Incredible.
Below you see a gallery of some images from New York City’s gay pride, some of which a reader named David Sigal sent over. Thanks a bunch, David. You’re a mensch.
Alexa
Thanks for the photos and video. I was going to go but I got sidelined by a migraine and spent the weekend heavily medicated in a darkened room instead 🙁 And my idiot friends who went managed to take zero pictures between them.
Paul Raposo
Great pics and video–Thank you!
“Seriously, if given the chance, gays could lead the world into new territory.”
We are pretty fucking awesome, aren’t we 8^)
poodle
hey i have to say that it was a pretty wonderful event.
a lot of birds, peacocks and other feathered friends had to give up a lot of their feathers for the parade.
i should have worn my silver thong and roller blades and i would have looked fabu.
i have to agree that to have to pay $55 or more to make it to the pier dance is a pretty sad statement. imagine if it were free.
Bryan
Great Video. I was at the parade and you boys captured it quite well. As always the action was as much on the sidelines as was in the street.
I totally agree about the pier dance, it’s like 2 gay prides, one for the E-queens with money who have house parties and go to the dance, and one for the rest of the city, with the parade, and cops, etc. (and even the pier dance has VIP so the rich queens don’t have to mingle with the “commoners”)
It really is time that a large free venue is created after the parade where gays of every stripe can get together and celebrate everything queer and great about how far we’ve come. Maybe then more individuals and corporations will see the parade as more than a classist corporate exercise and resume donations to HOP Inc.
The LGBTQ community needs to understand that the battle for equality isn’t won until people of ALL racial and social groups enjoy the same rights and freedoms as their straight and privileged counterparts. Until then all of this really isn’t equality.
Mauricio
Dear Andrew:
I am very glad that you saw the children. I am happy that you noticed how many shades and types there are. Standing in the crowd you learn, slowly at first, you become aware of the diversity, pre-conceived notions start melting away, you think, and then understand. No judgements should be made, all of us have something in common, each and everyone is trying to find a way or a road to happyness. Each and every person has value and deserves respect. What might be obvious to you is not easy for most. We are there for all the others that can’t. Somebody next to you might have a gay relative living in danger back home. Somebody next to you might finally understand why he/she felt so lonely growing up because she/he didn’t know all this existed. We are outside, walking, so many, free and without fear, we are safe among people like us. We can think and also have fun, look and hook up and meet the friends of our friends, there for the first time. MLS