In June of 1969, members of the gay community demonstrated against a police raid that had taken place at the historic Stonewall Inn in the West Village. This became known as the Stonewall riots, which spurred gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people to organize into activist groups and fight for equality and the establishment of places in which they could be open about their sexual orientation without the fear of being arrested. The first NYC Pride Rally occurred in July 1969, when 500 people gathered for a “Gay Power” demonstration in Washington Square Park followed by a candlelight vigil in Sheridan Square. Nearly 45 years later, gay pride events are held at this time every year throughout the world, but none as exciting and prominent as where it all began, in New York City.
New York City is hosting a number of free events to celebrate Gay Pride, starting with a family night screening of The Wizard of Oz at 8:30p.m. tomorrow evening, June 24th at Pier 46 in Hudson River Park. There is a rally kick off on Friday evening, June 27th, from 6:00p.m to 9:30p.m at Pier 26 in Hudson River Park, where emcee Michelle Visage of Rupaul’s Drag Race will be joined by performances from Sharon Needles and Betty Who. The March, a civil rights demonstration and recognition of the fight against AIDS, will begin with people and 50 floats at 12:00p.m on Sunday, June 29th at 36th Street and 5th Avenue, ending at Christopher Street and Greenwich Avenue. Laverne Cox, Rea Carey and Jonathan Groff will serve as the 2014 Grand Marshals. PrideFest, the annual LGBT street fair with vendors, entertainers, and activists in the name of equality will run from 11:00a.m to 6:00p.m that same day on Hudson Street between Abingdon Square and West 14th Street.
In the brilliant words of Dr. Seuss, “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who don’t mind matter and those who matter don’t mind.” DASHA® is proud to provide services and treatment to all individuals, regardless of race, creed, color, sex or sexuality. For more information on Gay Pride in New York City, visit http://www.nycpride.org.
DASHA® wellness & spa is a luxury lifestyle brand and New York City-based wellness center created to offer a truly holistic approach to wellness. To learn more, visit dashawellness.com.
