On June 28, the 46th annual LGBT Pride March down Fifth Avenue, organized by Heritage of Pride, took place, celebrating the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion and birth of the late 20th century Gay Liberation Movement, as well as the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision, two days earlier, to make legal same-sex marriage the law of the land. There were pairs of brides and pairs of grooms in the crowd; Lambda Legal and other organizations that helped bring about this historic change were roundly cheered; and the mood was exhilarating. It was this writer’s 45th Pride March and 13th with spouse Joe.
Celebrities we spotted included Lea De Laria; former Manhattan Borough President and erstwhile Mayoral candidate Ruth W. Messinger, who, as a City Councilmember, cast the deciding vote for gay rights in New York City in 1986; Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams; Fire Island’s own China, singers Porsche and Jennifer McClain with Michael Vincent and Rhett, and Sugar B. Real, of the Imperial Court of New York; veteran activists Mama Jean De Vente and Rollerena; and Leather activist Jo Arnone.
We marched with the Eagle NYC contingent and helped carry and wave the 20-by-40 foot Leather Pride flag, made by Mr. South Africa Leather 2013 Johann Jooste and lent to us by Philadelphia Leather Pride Night Producer Cowboi Jen.
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Photo by Bruce-Michael Gelbert
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Eagle NYC contingent (insets L-R: Rollerena | Porsche, Rhett & Jennifer McClain | Costume Cult | Eagle NYC float)
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