The timing couldn’t have been better. Two days after the landmark 5-4 Supreme Court ruling that found the Constitution affirms same-sex couples have the right to marry, New York City’s Pride March, like others around the country, felt celebratory and joyful. As the New York Times reported on the fruitful effects the decision had for organizers, “Odd-numbered years we do well,” James Fallarino, a spokesman for the parade, said. One of the organizers, Chris Martin, said there were about 20 volunteers earlier last week to help inflate balloons. After the Supreme Court decision, his Facebook page was inundated with requests to be included.”
Before the March kicked off, there was a moment of silence as well as a proclamation that the event was not a parade, not until equal rights were obtained for all LGBT people. The New York Times also stated, “At East 36th Street, the actor Ian McKellen, a grand marshal, waved his rainbow flag at spectators. An announcer asked the crowd for a brief period of silence in honor of those who could not be there: those who died of H.I.V./AIDS, those who committed suicide, those who fell victim to hate crimes. Moments later, the gravity gave way again to festivity. The actor Tituss Burgess broke into the national anthem, and scantily clad men wove their way through the marchers.” Check out photos from the festivity below.
Sir Ian McKellen:
Tituss Burgess:
Governor Cuomo:
NYC Mayor de Blasio:
Senator Chuck Schumer:
