Pride marches across the country incorporate politics

June 30 (UPI) — Pride month celebrations culminated Sunday with parades across the world, including San Francisco and New York, where people supporting LGBTQ identities and rights, some dressed in multi-colored, elaborate clothing and costumes, marched in the streets.

In New York, thousands of Pride revelers rallied along Fifth Avenue in an event that also marked the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising of June 28, 1969, which sparked the gay rights movement in the United States.

“For 55 years, New Yorkers have proudly carried the banner that says, ‘This is the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ movement,'” Gov. Kathy Hochul, who participated in the march, told the crowd.

“And today, we continue pushing forward, recognizing the contributions from those individuals who stood up against the tides of their time, who said that ‘We have rights. We have rights to gather, to socialize, to dance, and to love who we want to love.'”

The event and march were held under the theme of “Reflect. Empower. Unite,” selected to highlight the importance of the city’s Pride march “As the intersection of Queer liberation and joy,” the organizing NYC Pride said in a statement.

The march and celebrations come amid an onslaught of Republican-led bills targeting the rights of the lGBT community. The American Civil Liberties Union is tracking some 527 such bills that have been entered into state legislatures this year.

NYC Pride Executive Director Sandra Pérez said earlier in a statement that the city’s march is how the community combats “all the negativity.”

“This is the celebration that brings people from every borough in the city and all parts of the world together, in joy, to share the accomplishments, talents and resilience of our community,” Pérez said.

“The March is where we demonstrate the strength that comes with inclusion, diversity and acceptance.”

Dashawn Usher, Miss Major, Raquel Willis, Michelle Visage, Eshe Ukwell and Baddie Brooks served as grand marshals for the event.

In San Francisco, city officials kicked off the festivities Saturday by marrying more than 200 couples as part of its annual tradition celebrating marriage equality.

Its march also occurred Sunday, with the city’s Pride theme being “Beacon of love.”

“Yes, San Francisco is a beacon of love, but also hope,” Mayor London Breed said in a statement.

“Right now, all across this country our LGBTQ+ community is under assault, with their basic rights being threatened, and we stand strong in support of this incredible community. Today is about celebrating the love that bonds individuals together and serves as the heart of the work we have ahead of us here in this City and across the nation.”

There were also large Pride marches in Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago and across the globe. The Chicago march typically draws 1 million people and organizers reduced the number of floats participating in this year’s festivities from 199 to 150, citing logical and safety concerns.