It was only a matter of time. Following last week’s news that San Francisco Pride (held at the end of June) and San Diego Pride (held in July) had been cancelled, not postponed, New York City’s Heritage of Pride is the next to call off plans until next year.
NYC Pride takes place the same weekend as SF Pride, and both mark the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising of 1969. This year’s Prides were to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the nation’s first Pride march in 1970, on the one-year anniversary of Stonewall. Both cities plan to celebrate this occasion in 2021.
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“As the days have passed, it has become more and more clear that even with a decline in the spread [of the pandemic,] large-scale events such as ours are unlikely to happen in the near future,” Maryanne Roberto Fine, NYC Pride Co-Chair, said in a statement. “We understand that we need to reimagine NYC Pride events – and have already begun to do just that.”
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Janelle Monáe, Betty Who and Pussy Riot had already been booked to perform as part of the NYC Pride 2020 programming.
Last year the city hosted World Pride, which saw incredible numbers of participants and headliners like Grace Jones and Madonna, and appearances by the likes of Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys and many, many others.
“Pride is a staple in New York City, and is oftentimes a safe space for many,” David A. Correa, Interim Executive Director of Heritage of Pride, said. “This weighed on our members, board, and staff, knowing that we serve as a haven for vulnerable communities. It was not easy to arrive at the decision to cancel pride as we have come to know it over the years, especially given the financial impact this could have on LGBTQIA+ people and businesses, but our top priority remains the health and well-being of all those that participate with us. ”
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New York City remains the hardest-hit American city in the coronavirus pandemic.
NYC Pride joins an ever-expanding list of spring and summer events being canceled or postponed due to the virus.
Jim
In Austin we have Pride in August. Have no idea why. But I hope the organizers are planning to cancel it.
Just wondering the parade lasts hours, I mean you get to the point of saying I’m out a here.
How long are parades elsewhere.
surfpenis
Never under 4 hours, and sometimes as long as 5 hours, in Chicago. I have no idea what Lori is waiting on …. cancel this sucker now!!
Dr.Knowze
NYC Pride often runs up to 9 hours…. its an exhausting day for those in the parade who must line up at their stations before noon and then may not reach the end of the parade route for several more hours. If you’re at the start of the parade when everyone and everything is fresh, its really nice. As the day wears on people get cranky, frustrated, and exhausted from how the police allow for only occasional opportunities to actually cross over from one part of town to the next, with the most narrow single-file pathways between miles of barricades, with people tripping over or being kicked in the shins by others trying to navigate from one part of the parade to another.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
This fcuking virus finds new ways to suck every single day…..
Joshua333
Well, they might have a few online Prides instead. Which is better than nothing, I hope.
JessPH
Will the Folsom Street Fair continue if participants wear leather masks?
winemaker
Most likely the Folsom Street Fair and the Dore Alley Fair will be canceled as well. Like the Pride Parade, these are possible petri dishes thus causing this shutdown to last longer than necessary. It’s been almost 6 weeks here in San Francisco, many are way past cabin fever and are getting more and more desparate. Many are almost broke, can’t get unemployment ’cause the state unemployment website’s down or crashes due to the overwhelming amount of claims. And to add insult to injury, nasty ‘pigliosi’ delays much needed relief checks to the suffering in California and America with the attitude: ‘ so what, as long as i live my luxury lifestyle, who cares’. The American people are legitimately worried and concerned all while the head clown in Sacramento gives rhetoric and BS without solutions. Yes I’m tired of this so called ‘quarantine at home’ that really hasn’t solved much with people going outside to the beaches and public spaces without practicing ‘social distancing’.. And in California the BULLS**T continues. Who voted for this CRAP anyway?
Toofie
As disappointing as it is, what choice does NYC have? Better to cancel it now (and the other big June events) then have a rolling “maybe” that ultimately leads to cancellation anyway.