Geographically the largest borough in New York City, Queens is home to some of the Big Apple's most diverse and dynamic neighborhoods. Relatively few visitors venture across the East River from Manhattan to explore this underrated borough, which makes the Queens Gay Pride celebration, held in Jackson Heights in early June, a wonderful opportunity to get to know the area. Queens Pride takes place on Sunday, June 7, 2009, exactly a week before Brooklyn Gay Pride.
Book rooms and compare rates at hotels in Queens during Gay Pride
Book rooms and compare rates at hotels in New York City during Gay Pride
Here's a quick preview of the Queens Pride celebration this year:
The Queens Gay Pride Parade takes place at noon on Sunday, June 7, and begins at 89th Street and 37th Avenue, and then continues down 37th Avenue, ending at 75th Street. If you're arriving by Subway, take E, F, R, or G trains to the Roosevelt Avenue/Jackson Heights stop, or the 7 train to the 74th Street/Broadway stop.
From 11 am until 6 pm on Sunday, June 7, there's also a Multicultural Pride Festival just south of where the parade ends, on 37th Road between 73rd and 77th streets. The festival includes a Main Stage, with live music performances from 2 pm until 6 pm. This year's lineup includes Lumidee, Ahmond, Lovari, Kelso, Mimi Imfurst, Jason Walker, and AmberRose Marie, along with Cinemarosa Dance group, the Metropolitan Community Church Choir, and a number of speakers from the local community.
After Brooklyn, which holds its own Gay Pride Celebration in Park Slope later in June, Queens has the outer boroughs' most visible lesbian and gay population. It's home to more gay bars than any borough but Manhattan and also has a large queer African-American and Latino population. Most of the gay scene is centered around Jackson Heights, but you'll also find some noteworthy restaurants and businesses in increasingly trendy Astoria and Long Island City.
Of course, additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Gay Pride. Check local gay papers, such as Next Magazine and the New York Blade for details. And be sure to check out the helpful GLBT website produced by the city's official tourism organization, NYC & Compancy.
