Wednesday, May 15, 2024
DestinationsEventsNew York

Find out what’s happening at NYC Pride 2023

For all those travellers who will be packing their bags and heading to NYC Pride, you’ll definitely have the time of your life at this jam-packed star-studded Pride event!

In March, NYC Pride had unveiled its official theme for 2023, “Strength in Solidarity.” And the big announcements have just kept coming! Award-winning global superstar Christina Aguilera, who is also headlining EuroPride in Malta this year, will be this year’s Pride Island headliner; Billy Porter, Yasmin Benoit, AC Dumlao, Hope Giselle and Randolfe “Randy” Wicker will head this year’s celebration as Grand Marshals, with Angelica Ross returning for a third year as co-host and featured performer of the broadcast special on ABC-7; and NYC Pride’s annual protest and activism event, The Rally, hosted by Jordyn Jay (she/her) and Milan Garçon (she/her), will take place on Saturday, June 17 at 4:30pm EDT outside of the NYC Pride offices at 154 Christopher Street. 

NYC Pride 2023
(Photo Credit: NYC Pride)

The Pride March will begin at 12:00 pm on June 25th from 25th Street and 5th Avenue. Marchers will proceed south on 5th Avenue before heading west on 8th Street. After crossing over 6th Avenue, the March will continue on Christopher Street passing the Stonewall National Monument. It will then turn north on 7th Avenue, passing the New York City AIDS Memorial, before dispersing in Chelsea at 16th Street and 7th Avenue. More than 75 percent of all marching groups are non-profit organizations, and more than half of all marching groups are participating free-of-charge.

“With legislation targeting LGBTQIA+ rights having more than doubled since last, the annual NYC Pride March remains not only relevant but incredibly necessary,” said Bansri Manek, NYC Pride March Director. “Embodying our theme of Strength in Solidarity, each of this year’s grand marshals have used their platforms to bridge gaps within our community to bring about positive change for all marginalized voices.

NYC Pride 2023
From left: NYC Pride Grand Marshals: Yasmin Benoit, AC Dumlao, Billy Porter, Randolfe “Randy” Wicker and Hope Giselle (Photo Credit: NYC Pride)

The NYC Pride March broadcast special will feature live performances and on-air interviews, the broadcast will air on ABC-7 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm ET on Sunday, June 25 as well on ABC7NY.com, ABC News Live, and ABC7 New York’s Connected TV Apps on streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku.

“I couldn’t be more excited to headline NYC Pride’s iconic Pride Island,” said Aguilera. “I’m always ready to celebrate the strength and resilience of all the individual members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies by dedicating this performance to our combined power when we act and work in solidarity.”

In addition to Xtina, Pride Island will also include other marquee talent, including Billboard #1 Remixer and Indie Music award nominee Guy Scheiman (Tel Aviv) featuring dance music sensation Karina Kay, and the New York City debut of resident DJ at Forever Tel Aviv Mor Avrahmi (Tel Aviv).

NYC Pride 2023
(Photo Credit: NYC Pride)

Tickets for Pride Island are on sale now at nycpride.org/prideisland.

The Rally, designed to advance dialogue about issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community, brings our community together to advocate for change at a time when over 650 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills are in play in state legislatures across the US, campaigning for the 2024 election cycle is beginning, calls for the the expansion of the Supreme Court are being issued and the fight for our liberation, equity and civil rights continues.

“As relevant and important as The March, The Rally is where diverse perspectives and calls to action from the LGBTQIA+ community coalesce into tangible moments of advocacy,” says NYC Pride Executive Director Sandra Pérez. “A record number of legislative challenges threaten our human rights and seek to erase our community, so it is more crucial than ever for us to create space to connect over our shared experiences and make our voices heard as our community showcases our combined strength in solidarity.”

(Photo Credit: NYC Pride)

“It’s imperative that Black trans voices be at the forefront of Pride, says The Rally co-host Jordyn Jay. As the Founder of Black Trans Femmes in the Arts Inc, I’m excited to co-host the NYC Pride Rally and uplift artists and activists who represent the Black trans community loudly and proudly.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to rally with NYC Pride this year,” says The Rally co-host Milan Garçon. “It’s time to amplify our voices while we fight for change and a better future for our community.”

The Rally is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged via https://www.showclix.com/event/2023-nycpride-rally.

The 2023 calendar will also feature other free events, including Youth Pride (June 24) and PrideFest (June 25). In addition to Pride Island, other ticketed events include The Brunch (June 18), Teaze (June 24), and Bliss Days (June 25).

More information on events can be found at nycpride.org/events. For more information about NYC Pride, including how to volunteer, visit nycpride.org.

Kyle Jackson

Kyle Jackson is an educator, writer and actor currently spending the bulk of his time between New York, New York and London, England. He is an active member of both the bear and leather communities and is a proud member of the MidAtlantic Chapter of ONYX.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.