New York City celebrates Gay Pride for a full week each June (June 17 to June 24, 2012), to honor what many consider to be one of the foremost events in the history of lesbian and gay rights, the Stonewall Riots, which commenced early in the morning on June 28, 1969.
Book rooms and compare rates on hotels in New York City during Gay Pride.
Also, be sure to consider some of the New York Pride events that take place in neighboring boroughs earlier in the month, such as Queens Gay Pride and Brooklyn Gay Pride, as well as events in neighboring states throughout the year, such as Connecticut Gay Pride in Hartford and New Jersey Gay Pride in Asbury Park, and Newark Gay Pride.
In New York City, Pride celebrations typically center around five events held over the entire fourth week of June (from Saturday, June 16 to Sunday, June 24, 2012): Details haven't yet been released, but traditionally the main events are the Rally (the earliest of the events, taking place the weekend before the March), PRIDEfest, The March, the Dance on the Pier, and Rapture on the River. The events mostly take place in the West Village, very close to the city's other gay-popular neighborhoods like Chelsea and the East Village.
Here's a quick look at each event as it occurred during last year's Pride - more will be posted here about NYC Gay Pride 2012 as information is made public:
The Pride Rally moved to a new location last year, at Central Park's SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield, accessed from 5th Avenue and East 72nd Street. It's held Saturday a week before the main Pride weekend - the rally runs from 3 until 6 pm. Entertainment at this year's event includs Emcees Ross Mathews and Christine O'Leary, with headlining acts that include Oh Land, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Lavender Light, Paperdoll, Danny Blu, Lady Zen, and many others. Also appearing at the rally this year is Damian Furtch, the young man who was violently gay-bashed in late March in Greenwich Village, but who courageously fought back against his attackers.
Rapture on the River: A Women's Dance occurs at Pier 54 (13th St. by the Hudson River, in Hudson River Park). This thumpin' dance, featuring the music from top DJs, starts earlier this year, at 3 pm on Saturday, and lasts until 11 pm. DJs Susan Levine and Mary Mac are providing the music this year.
New for this year is the VIP Rooftop Party, held Saturday, from 2 pm until 8 pm at the swankily renovated Hudson Terrace Rooftop Garden Lounge and Salon and Garden Terrace, at 621 West 46th Street, which is by the Hudson River, a half-block from the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. DJs Dan Deleon and Tracy Young are providing the music, and Jessica and Hunter are the party co-hosts. Get there early, as there's an open SKYY Vodka bar from 2 until 3 pm.
The March, now in its 42st year, commences at noon on Sunday at 5th Avenue and 36th Street - a shorter route that was developed last year - and winds its way downtown to the intersection of Christopher and Greenwich streets. Here's the official NYC Pride Parade route map. This is arguably the must-see event of Gay Pride in New York City, drawing thousands of spectators. Grand Marshals at NYC Pride March this year are Dan Savage and Terry Miller, who spearheaded the It Gets Better Project, and the Rev. Pat Bumgardner of New York City's MCC Church.
PRIDEfest is held on Sunday, from 11 am until 7 pm along Hudson Street between Abingdon Square and W. 14th St., at the junction of three great neighborhoods, Chelsea, the West Village, and the Meatpacking District. The festive (and free) GLBT street fair features dozens of vendors, entertainers, and community organizations. Performers include Grace Garland, Kylie Edmond, Luthea Salom, Nhojj, Reina Williams, and Sean 360X, and several others.
The always-festive Dance on the Pier: Dance 25 provides a grand finale for New York City Gay Pride. Thousands of GLBT revelers and friends congregate on Pier 54 (13th St. at the Hudson River) following the Pride March, at 2 pm on Sunday until a massive fireworks show at 10:30 pm. It's one of the great gay Manhattan parties of the year. Headlining this year is DJ Ana Paula, and there will be a special performance by Wynter Gordon.
Additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Check local gay papers, such as Next Magazine, Odyssey Magazine New York and the Gay City News for details. And be sure to check out the helpful GLBT website produced by the city's official tourism organization, NYC & Compancy.
