New York politicians were out in force for Pride Sunday – after the NYPD said it was stepping up security ahead of the event.
Spotted among the mix of drag queens and activists marching down Fifth Avenue were the likes of Eric Adams, Kathy Hochul and Chuck Schumer – three of the approximately 100,000 participants taking part in the parade’s main motorcade.
This year’s march – the 53rd in the city’s history – is expected to draw around one million spectators, while featuring around 60 floats speaking out about the LGBTQ situation not just in New York, but across the country. .
Other notable figures who took part in the festivities included the Reverend Al Sharpton and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who joined Governor Hochul as she took time to address members of the crowd.
Meanwhile, a literal and figurative dark cloud has been cast over the festivities thanks to the tenuous forecast not only from the city’s police force, but also from its meteorologists – with a storm set to hit Manhattan around 2 p.m.
New York politicians such as Eric Adams were out in force for Pride Sunday – after the NYPD said it was stepping up security ahead of the event
Notable figures participating in the colorful procession included Governor Kathy Hochul, Chuck Schumer, the Reverend Al Sharpton and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who joined the governor as addressed crowd members.
That said, in the meantime, residents and revelers made the most of the weather seen at the start of the day – attending a series of outdoor parties that sprang up across the city.
Signage pasted along the planned parade route, meanwhile, touted how the city was “protecting LGBTQ+ New Yorkers” during the festivities — a stance reiterated by Hochul and several city appointees to preside. the event.
Included in this class were this year’s Grand Marshals – an assortment of activists including Yasmin Benoit, AC Dumlao, Randolfe ‘Randy’ Wicker, Billy Porter and Hope Giselle.
Spotted among the amalgam of drag queens and activists marching down Fifth Avenue, figures like Adams – one of some 100,000 parade participants who cops have warned will come “in an environment of high threat in the whole world” involving the gay community
This year’s march – the 53rd in the city’s history – is expected to attract around one million spectators, while featuring around 60 floats that speak out about the LGBTQ situation not just in New York, but across the country.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks at the 53rd NYC Pride Parade on Sunday
Senator Chuck Schumer is seen posing with a citizen as he walked down a cordoned off Fifth Avenue on Sunday
New York Attorney General Letitia James attends the 2023 NYC Pride Parade on Sunday
This year’s grand marshals include activist Hope Giselle (pictured), as well as Yasmin Benoit, AC Dumlao, Billy Porter and Randolfe “Randy” Wicker
Grand Marshal Billy Porter, seen here with Hochul and fellow Marshal Giselle, is seen speaking during procedural days
Each year, the city explodes in an array of color and activism for its LGBTQ-themed parade.
The march started at 11 a.m. on 25th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, near the Flatiron building
The first Pride March was held in 1970 and has been a bastion of progressive ideals in the city ever since.
It often attracts scantily clad, sometimes rowdy revelers – with police this time warning the march is taking place ‘in a globally high threat environment’ involving the LGBTQ community
The parade causes the closure of several streets, not only for the main procession, but also for an array of parties across the borough
This year’s march is expected to draw one million spectators, 100,000 participants and 60 floats
