NEW YORK CITY’S 2016 ANNUAL PRIDE CELEBRATIONS TO SPOTLIGHT CITY’S PROUD LGBT HERITAGE

More than 2.1 million spectators will descend on New York City in June for the largest LGBT Pride event in the world

NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organisation, invites visitors from around the world to New York City for the 2016 annual Pride celebration which takes place from June 19–26. This year’s NYC Pride theme is “Equality Needs You.” Beyond the events taking place in Manhattan this June, Pride will also be celebrated in unique events throughout the City’s five boroughs. A comprehensive list of 2016 Pride activities can be found at nycgo.com/gay.

The first NYC Pride March occurred in 1970, a year after the Stonewall riots, which are considered to be the birth of the modern LGBT liberation movement. In 2019, on the 50th anniversary of the riots, New York City will host WorldPride, the first time the two-month series of events will be held in the United States.

“As the most diverse and welcoming destination in the world, New York City embraces LGBT visitors year-round, but NYC’s Pride celebration is a particularly exciting time to be in the City,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “Whether it’s in the West Village—the birthplace of the modern gay rights movement—Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, the East Village, Williamsburg or Jackson Heights, we encourage visitors and residents to participate in the iconic and vibrant Pride events taking place throughout New York City this June and July.”

Heritage of Pride organises and produces many of New York City’s annual Pride events in Manhattan including the Pride Rally, VIP Rooftop Party, Teaze, the March, PrideFest and the Dance on the Pier.

“More than 2.1 million spectators will descend on New York City in June, and NYC Pride is thrilled to welcome them once again for the largest LGBT Pride event in the world,” said Chris Frederick, Managing Director of NYC Pride. “Our theme for 2016 is ‘Equality Needs You,’ which serves as a reminder of the continuing fight for full equality and the effect a single individual can have on their world."

More information on the flagship Manhattan Pride activities can be found at nycpride.org. Highlights include:

• The Rally: The NYC Pride Rally officially kicks off Pride in New York City on June 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Hudson River Park’s Pier 26. The first rally occurred one month after the Stonewall riots in 1969. The tradition to gather and remember the origins of the Pride celebration takes place each year since then. Attendance is free and open to the public.
• Fantasy: This year’s Fantasy party theme is “Neon” and guests are encouraged to dress in their brightest colors at one of NYC’s newest and most popular clubs, The Diamond Horseshoe, located beneath the Paramount Hotel in Times Square. Fantasy starts on June 24 at 10:00 p.m.
• VIP Rooftop Party: Billed as the hottest Pride party of the year, the VIP Rooftop Party takes place at Hudson Terrace, one of the most exclusive rooftop venues that overlooks the greatest city in the world. The party is set for June 25 from 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Teaze: Teaze (formerly known as the Rapture on the River) is exclusively for women and celebrates new ways for all women to come together and celebrate Pride. The dance party takes place on June 25 from 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at Hudson River Park’s Pier 26. This year’s DJs include Samantha Ronson and Toni K.
• The March: The March on June 26 begins in Murray Hill at 36th Street and Fifth Avenue and culminates at Christopher Street and Greenwich Street in the West Village. Hundreds of organisations representing nonprofits, corporations and activist groups, along with many public figures, participate in the March each year. Led by grand marshals Jazz Jennings (the youngest grand marshal in NYC Pride history), Subhi Nahas (co-founder of the first LGBT magazine in Syria), and Cecilia Chung (an internationally recognized LGBT advocate), the NYC March is the largest pride march in the country and is expected to have more than 2 million people lining the route. 
• PrideFest: Immediately following the March on June 26, PrideFest is the annual LGBT street fair on Hudson Street, between Abingdon Square and West 14th Street, that combines vendors, entertainment acts and activities for a day of fun and celebration in the name of equality. PrideFest is free and open to the public. 
• Dance on the Pier: Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2016, the Dance on the Pier at Hudson River Park’s Pier 26 in Manhattan is one of the most anticipated music events of the year. Taking place on June 26 from 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., this year’s DJs include Ben Baker, Honey Soundsystem, Hoxton Whores and Alain Jackinsky.

Additionally, many local Pride events take place in NYC’s boroughs leading up to the citywide Pride celebration including the Bronx pride celebration on the evening of June 1 at Salsa Con Fuego; the 20th annual Brooklyn Pride march on June 11, on Fifth Avenue between 3rd and 9th Streets in Brooklyn; and the Queens Pride parade and festival on June 5, on 37th Avenue from 89th to 75th Streets in Jackson Heights. Coinciding with the NYC Pride events will be Harlem Pride Day, taking place on June 25 at Jackie Robinson Park. Staten Island hosts its Pride Fest following the citywide Pride festivities on July 16 at the historic Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden.