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On Wednesday, a huge crowd gathered on Christopher Street, outside the Stonewall Inn, to celebrate the Supreme Court’s rulings on the extended legality of gay marriage, and to hear the plaintiff in the case, Edie Windsor, speak about the victory for the gay community.
We think it’s safe to say that with the recent repeal of DOMA and California’s Proposition 8, this year’s LGBTQ Pride Weekend is going to be one of the best ever – even before considering that Cher will take part in it. We’ve found the best events for this weekend so you can join in the celebration.
FRIDAY, JUNE 28:
NYC Pride Kick Off Rally – 7 PM – 10 PM, Hudson River Park’s Pier 26 – Rumors recently surfaced that Lady Gaga would be speaking at the official NYC Pride Rally tonight. Pushing the potential of seeing whatever insane and fabulous outfit the icon will undoubtedly be wearing tonight aside, the rally is worth attending just for its historic value. It’s been happening annually since 1969, when 500 gathered for a “Gay Power” demonstration in Washington Square Park, one month after the infamous Stonewall Riots. This year’s confirmed speakers and performers include Pandora Boxx, Keith Price, Pam Ann, and Vicci Martinez.
Divas at the Stonewall – 10 PM, Stonewall Inn, 53 Christopher Street, Greenwich Village – There are dozens of gay bars and clubs in New York, many more glitzy and exciting than the Stonewall. But the Stonewall is a legend; since 1969, it became nationally recognized as a symbol of the gay liberation movement. It will be hosting dances all through the weekend, but it’s kicking off its pride celebrations with a classic diva show starring Jacque Dupree, Kitten Withawhip, and DJ Lawrence on the Decks.
SATURDAY, JUNE 29:
Rapture on the River – 3 PM – 10 PM, Hudson River Park’s Pier 26 – Too often, gay pride events put the focus on men, forgetting that the word “gay” should be inclusive of lesbians. To compensate for this, NYC Pride is hosting a dance event exclusively for women on the Hudson River. It’s one of America’s largest and longest-running women’s dance events, and this year it’s celebrating its 10th anniversary. Tickets are available here.
First Annual Gay Pride Party at the Wythe Hotel – 8 PM, 80 Wythe Avenue at N. 11th Williamsburg, Brooklyn – Williamsburg’s gorgeous Wythe Hotel, in a former textile factory, is teaming up with Gayletter to host a party in its main event hall and rooftop, from which you can expect stunning views of Manhattan. It’s absolutely free, and complementary Greenhook Gin cocktails will be served between 8 and 9 PM. Proceeds from the purchase of other drinks will be donated to Research Institute Without Walls. RSVP via Flavorpill.
Hey Queen! Queen of Pentacles Pride Party – 9 PM – 4 AM, Littlefield, 622 DeGraw Street, Gowanus – Hey Queen has been holding LGBTQ dances in Brooklyn once a month since 2009. Rage among go-go dancers and, unexpectedly, an art installation by Diego Montoya at Brooklyn’s performance and art venue Littlefield. Tickets are available here or at the door.
Eventbrite’s NYC Pride Event featuring Wendy Williams, Dawn Richards, and Foxy Brown – 10 PM – 4 AM, Hammerstein Ballroom, 311 West 34th Street – Talk show host Wendy Williams is hosting what claims to be “the biggest dance party in the world.” With 5,000 men scheduled to be in attendance, spread over 5 floors and throughout 30 bars, we might believe it. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.
SUNDAY, JUNE 30:
Pride {Poolside} – 12 – 6 PM, Hotel Americano, 518 W 27th St. – As evidenced by our enthusiasm for last weekend’s Big Gay Brunch, we love pool parties, especially ones that incorporate cocktails. If you missed the brunch, you might want to snatch up the V.I.P. tickets for a pool and cocktail party on the rooftop of Chelsea’s Hotel Americano here.
The March – 12 PM, 5th Avenue and 36th Street to Christopher St. and Greenwich St. – We just couldn’t exclude the iconic Pride March down 5th Avenue from our list. This year’s is set to feature 68 floats and 13,000 marchers.We’re looking forward to seeing the Fast and Fabulous Cycling Club, as well as Harlem Pride, Inc., which will have a fashion show down 5th and is promising to show us what the real Harlem Shake is. We’re too excited to even imagine it.
Gay For America at Pridefest – 11 AM – 6 PM, Hudson Street between Jane Street andHoratio Street – We are way gay for philosopher Michael Dummet’s theory that our reality is defined and constrained by language. As such, we’re excited (and very gay for) the launch of Gay for America, an apparel and lifestyle brand that is working to adjust the definition of the word “gay” and infuse it with more positive and loving connotations, depriving it of its power as a verbal weapon. The company donates 10% of its profits to the Human Rights Campaign. Come out of the closet and show just how gay you are for your city, beer, or mustaches, at Gay for America next to the NBC News booth at Pridefest.
Scissor Sundays at the Rusty Knot – 4 PM – 10 PM, The Rusty Knot, 425 West Street, West Village – If you want a more laid-back finale to Pride Weekend, spend a dew hours at the nautical bar The Rusty Knot, complete with a view of the water, a fish tank, and tiki drinks. (The kitsch here actually works.) The bar hosts dance parties every Sunday which aren’t specifically catered to a LGBTQ demographic, but are fabulous nonetheless.
All White Yacht Party – 6 PM – 10 PM, Hornblower Landing at Hudson River Park’s Pier 40 – One crazy cool yacht, 600 people, fireworks exploding over the Hudson, and easily stainable clothing – we’ll take it. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.
WiLD THANG! Gay Pride Event – 6 PM – 2 AM, Marquee, 289 10th Avenue – If you want the most diverse (and well-coordinated) LGBTQ party possible, the newly revamped Marquee is where it’s at. The party, presented by Whitney Day and Hot Rabbit, promises “go-go mania,” an “Electric Violinist Diva,” and a Spanish-English-Portuguese language singer-rapper whose style incorporates Baile Funk, Ghettotech, dancehall, and Miamiobass. (Go back and re-read that sentence in the voice of Stefan from SNL.) General admission is $20, and table reservations are available.
Be sure to check out the official NYC Pride Facebook Page! Get in touch with the author @laraelmayan.
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