The event was brought back for the first time since the pandemic in March 2020. The lesbian pride celebration, in its 29th year running, ended in celebration where groups of women splashed in the Washington Square Park fountain. Groups ranging from Google and the Gay Peruvians of the Americas to the Pride Troopers (that’s right, rainbow-colored Storm Troopers), passed out stickers, Mardi Gras beads, condoms, and rainbow wristbands. DOZENS of women went topless for New York Citys annual Dyke March despite Covid restrictions. The parade featured a constant flow of floats and marching groups (325 in all, all bedecked in rainbow colors).
The march concluded at the site of the Stonewall Riots of 1969, a watershed moment in LGBT history that ignited the Pride movement. Participants marched, danced, and strutted their way down Manhattan's 5th avenue, from 39th street to Christopher street in the West Village.
In September, the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy was repealed, allowing gays and lesbians to openly serve in the military. In May, President Barack Obama became the first president to openly state that he believes that gays and lesbians should be allowed to marry.
Held 42 years after the first gay pride march in 1970, this year's parade took on special signficance, as participants had much to celebrate: One year ago today, Governor Cuomo signed the Marriage Equality Act into law, legalizing gay marriage in the state of New York. On Sunday, New York City celebrated the Gay Pride Parade, an annual event which combines a rare mix of serious political action with pure rainbow happiness.
