Giant Rainbow Slide in Flatiron Plaza Kicks Off Celebrations for Pride Week in NYC

Pride flags and rainbow themed art installations have popped up all over New York City this month and the latest interactive installation is inspiring New Yorkers to take political action. Tinder, the popular dating app, unveiled the 30-foot tall “Pride Slide” today in Flatiron Plaza, by Madison Square Park on East 23rd Street, as a kick-off to World PRIDE celebrations and Pride Week. The slide, which is up for one day only, represents more than just a play on words.

The Pride Slide is meant to encourage guests to “slide” into the DMs, direct messages, of local senators and urge them to support the Equality Act, a piece of legislation that would enact federal protection against the discrimination of the LGBTQ+ community. This bill was passed by the House of Representatives in May and still needs to be voted on by the U.S. Senate.

The company said the 30-foot slide is meant to represent the 30 U.S. states that “still do not protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination.” Each ride down the slide will trigger a donation from Tinder to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

Earlier this year, Tinder released an update which allows users to select from a broader list of sexual orientations, which include Straight, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Asexual, Demisexual, Pansexual, Queer and Questioning. Additionally, Tinder users in the U.S. this week will see a #RightToLove PSA when opening the app. Upon swiping right, users will be brought to the HRC’s website where they can send an email to their senator urging them to support the Equality Act.

World PRIDE NYC will be celebrated this year in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which took place in Greenwich Village. The riots are widely considered the most important event leading up to the LGBTQ+ rights movement. The opening ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit leading NYC organizations in the LGBTQ+ movement.

The Pride Slide is open to the public from 8 a.m to 7 p.m. today only.

If you are an Untapped Cities Insider, you can join a special guided walkthrough of the New-York Historical Society’s three-part exhibition, Stonewall 50, this weekend! Not a member yet? Become an Insider today to gain access to free behind-the-scenes tours and special events all year long! Learn more and book your spot here.

Next, check out A Guide to NYC Pride 2019: 25 Events to Check Out This Month and Giant Pride Flags Take Over One Times Square Digital Billboards.