Everything You Need To Know About Pride 2023 To Celebrate the LGBTQ+ Communities
Pride is back! In 2020, for the first time in its 50-year history, Pride events all over the nation—including the infamous New York City celebrations—were postponed and canceled due to the pandemic. While celebrations in 2021 kicked up a little, things were basically back to normal in 2022. This year, Pride 2023 will be similarly open and fully in-person. If you're unfamiliar with Pride in general, we're here to help. Here's everything you need to know about Pride 2023 and beyond.
What is Pride?
Pride is a celebration of LGBTQ+ identity and the freedom, beauty and wonder that comes from simply loving who you want to love, no matter how you express your gender. LGBTQIA+ Pride is meant to celebrate the dignity and joy in the representation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, non-binary, gender non-conforming and pansexual people, as well as anyone else who doesn't necessarily fit into cisgender and heteronormative boxes. The term "pride" is a deliberate one, as it directly counters the feelings of shame and guilt, as well as the stigma that is often slapped onto LGBTQIA+-identifying people.
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When is NYC Pride 2023?
NYC Pride March was first held in 1970 and is, of course, happening again this year. NYC Pride Parade takes place on Sunday, June 25, 2023. It starts at noon at 25th Street and 5th Avenue, heading south on 5th Avenue, then west on 8th Street. It's set to end around 3 pm.
Last year, Bansri Manek, NYC Pride March Director, noted that NYC Pride 2022 was at a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history.
"At a time when LGBTQIA+ people are under increased attack, the NYC Pride March is a beacon of hope and community," Manek said in a statement "Our grand marshals for this year truly embody the spirit of the theme for NYC Pride 2022, 'Unapologetically Us.' They have embraced their identities and used their platforms to help members of our community truly love and live their truth without fear or shame." 2022's grand marshals included reality TV personality and actress Ts Madison, comedian Punkie Johnson, educator/author Schuyler Bailar, artist Dominique Morgan and litigator/advocate Chase Strangio.
At the time of reporting, 2023's grand marshals have not been announced yet.
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When is Pride Month 2023?
Pride Month takes place in June every year.
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When is Pride?
Pride is its set of events within Pride Month. It varies city by city, but typically Pride parades take place every year between June 14 to June 28. Check your city's Pride site to see which weekend it falls on in June.
For example, the Chicago Pride 2023 parade is also happening on the last Sunday of the month, June 25, 2023.
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When is Pride Day 2023?
In the United States, the last Sunday in June is celebrated as “Gay Pride Day,” but many consider Pride Day to be June 28, also known as Christopher Street Liberation Day, which marks the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
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What is the history of the NYC Pride and Gay Pride?
On June 28, 1969, members of the LGBTQIA+ community rioted after police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in downtown New York City. It was considered the culmination of decades of abuse and oppression of the LGBTQ+ community, and the riots went on to be known as the Stonewall Uprising, or the Stonewall Riots. The first anniversary of the riots became known as Christopher Street Liberation Day, and is now known as Pride, according to Michael Venturiello, founder of Christopher Street Tours.
Though the origins of the Pride movement as a whole are often debated, bisexual activist Brenda Howard is often called "the mother of Pride." Howard is credited with organizing Pride marches in the years immediately following the Stonewall Riots to mark the anniversary of the events, as well as their significance and the ongoing work that the LGBTQIA+ communities face to achieve equality.
Soon after the 1969 raid four activists—Craig Rodwell, Fred Sargeant, Linda Rhodes and Ellen Broidy—proposed a march in New York City. That march happened on June 28, 1970.
Later that same day, Los Angeles held a “Christopher Street West” celebration on Hollywood Boulevard that drew thousands. There were also two “very small marches” in San Francisco and Chicago that year. Of all these, NYC was the largest.
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What other big Pride events are happening this year?
Pride Live, an annual Stonewall Day celebration in New York City, is taking place on June 23, 2023. This year, actress Angelica Ross is hosting and Christina Aguilera is headlining the event.
“Joining Pride Live and the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center to headline Stonewall Day 2023 is a huge honor, and I’m ready to celebrate!" Aguilera told Rolling Stone in a statement. "This community has supported me so much throughout my career, and I look forward to representing such a historic cause as we all continue to fight for LGBTQ+ rights.”
Los Angeles Pride 2023 is hosting LA Pride in the Park on June 9 and June 10, with Mariah Carey and Megan Thee Stallion headlining the LA State Historic Park event.
Mexico's Puerto Vallarta Pride 2023 is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, and expecting a massive turnout as well because of it.
For a more comprehensive look at Pride events across America and the world, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) has a pretty great list.
Are any Pride 2023 celebrations canceled?
With Republican politicians increasing their pursuit to ban drag shows and limit queer people's rights, some Pride events are already being canceled in response to it.
The Port St. Lucie Pride parade in Florida has been canceled while others in the state are adding a 21+ age restriction to their events to comply with a proposed bill from Gov. Ron DeSantis to keep kids out of drag shows and such events.
Knoxville, Tennessee's Knox Pride organizers have already stated they will also cancel 2023's festival and parade if Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signs a bill aimed at drag performers as well.
This homophobic and anti-trans political climate is making it harder for queer people to celebrate themselves and their community. So if you are able to celebrate Pride this year where you live, make sure to make the most of it.
Where are the most famous Pride parades?
There are so many cities that hold massive Pride festivals and parades.
The most famous Pride parades are:
NYC Pride in New York City
Chicago Pride
California's
New Orleans Pride
Capital Pride in Washington, D.C.
Taiwan Pride in Taipei
Reykjavík Pride in Iceland
Amsterdam Pride
Mexico City Pride
London Pride
Madrid Pride
Thessaloniki Pride in Greece
Zürich Pride
Toronto Pride
São Paulo Pride in Brazil
Oslo Pride in Norway
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