NYC Pride Parade, Heart of the City

Marching,
Where will the footsteps lead?
Moving up, we were all moving to the same beat.
Your thoughts are my thoughts. Your heart is mine.
Don’t hide, don’t hide – We love you.
 
Sunday, June 24th was the 49th annual Pride Parade. I went and was met with positivity and hope in this era of uprising turmoil concerning civil rights, which includes threats to equal treatment of the LGBTQ+ community. I went to support equality. No one should be discriminated against, harassed, or assaulted for their natural and normal sexuality. Love is love, Sex is sex.
 
I only took a few pictures since I just wanted to absorb it all, but I can tell you what I saw.

The whole day was one of the most beautiful I have witnessed and one of the most important events I have felt a part of. I remember saying to my friend how I love moments like these, moments where I’m surrounded by so many people that I feel so small and more like a cohesive group. Attached to others instead of just myself and my personal problems, my tiny problems compared to what this 49th march represents. There were thousands of people, a sea of color worn on people of all backgrounds, continuing on for blocks and blocks as if the streets of Manhattan turned into veins that pumped and flowed with rainbow-tinted blood. It was powerful, and I couldn’t stop smiling. It is not just a celebration though, political messages on signs protesting Trump and other crucial issues were heavily involved in the parade and on the sidewalks.
 
The parade also brought with it themes of body positivity and health. Attendees were undressed at varying levels, including many who were topless. This was one of those situations – which there are few of – where people who have breasts can dress the way they feel without as much concern of being harassed. Bare skin didn’t ask – it demanded to be accepted: Accept our bodies for the way they are, and accept us for what we do with them. One of my favorite parts of the day was walking through Washington Square park where some people were dancing in the fountain in their underwear. It felt like freedom, like a sigh of relief.
 
An area with vendors was set up so that people could take home health related items such as flyers, condoms, and sunscreen-infused lip balm. A lot of the parade floats were from healthcare organizations. I was happy to see this in addition to the overall point of the parade since health often relates to sexuality. From safer sex to support groups, it’s great to have reliable resources involved.
 
I’d go back in a heartbeat. And that’s what Pride was like in my eyes:
All of the people in the vein-like streets,
Flowing through,
Pumping the heart of the city,
Creating a life force that will survive. 

 
Happy Pride Month !
{Next year (2019) will be the 50th Pride Parade - and 50 years since The Stonewall Inn’s patrons fought back for their rights against the police who continually raided their bar. Back then in 1969, it was illegal for bars to serve alcohol to anyone known to be or thought of to be gay: https://thestonewallinnnyc.com/the-stonewall-inn-story/2017/4/4/ntmsg5ni7iixxdjimmg16hz6dvsi4v }

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