Cher and Gaga Headline NYC Pride 2013 in Rainbow Spectacular
Two days after the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the striking down of California’s Proposition 8, Lady Gaga appeared at the NYC Pride Rally and gave an eloquently personal speech about LGBT equality before singing an impassioned rendition of the national anthem while holding a rainbow flag in her upraised arm.
The first Pride rally happened in June of 1969, one month after the Stonewall Riots, when more than 500 gathered for a “Gay Power” demonstration in New York’s Washington Square Park.
Forty-four years later, the Empire State Building glowed rainbow spectacular with a sparkle in its halo in honor of NYC Pride Week.
Pride Weekend was an all-star gay cavalcade of talent, marked by performances from Lady Gaga, Cher, and Deborah Cox, as well as Candis Cayne.
On Sunday, the 44th annual LGBT Pride March followed a freshly-painted lavender line down the center of Fifth Avenue – from 36th Street to the western end of Christopher Street in the Village.
More than 1.8 million spectators cheered on a who’s-who of power politicos, including Governor Cuomo, Senator Schumer, Mayor Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, although the crowd’s favorite stars were clearly the three Grand Marshals: Earl Fowlkes, Harry Belafonte, and Supreme Court plaintiff Edie Windsor, for whom the massive crowd rained down adulation, cheers, and applause.
More than 13,000 people (and canines) marched in the Pride March, dancing and cheering to music from nearly 70 bedizened and bedazzled floats, while 3,000 NYC Pride volunteers provided assistance and direction.
Crowd favorites included FLAGGOTS, a merry band of male flaggers whose flag and baton expertise wowed the crowds into jubilant applause, as well as “From Russia With Love,” a placard-carrying group of LGBT Russians who reminded onlookers that Russia’s homophobic government has banned LGBT marches for the next 100 years.
The New York Police Department Marching Band generated huge applause for their synchronized marching and inspired playing.
Some of the afternoon’s best signs were declarations of love and commitment from long-term relationships – and one newlywed same-sex couple carried a sign proclaiming “JUST MARRIED TODAY.”
The 27th annual NYC Pride Dance on the Pier featured DJs Luis Perez, Dave Aude, and Oscar G., as well as a riveting performance by Broadway and recording star Deborah Cox – but it was Cher for whom the sold-out crowd remained packed person-to-person along Pier 26 on Hudson River Park.
One of Cher’s fanatical followers was Vinnie, a young man who’d seen Cher perform “either 34 or 36 times, depending on if you count appearances,” and who wore a handmade Cher t-shirt, complete with Cher belt buckle, and Sonny and Cher wristwatch.
NYC Pride weekend wrapped up with the world’s longest-running LGBT fireworks display along the Hudson.
“From rain to rainbows” was this year’s Pride theme – and as Chris Frederick, Managing Director of NYC Pride, eloquently stated, “Yesterday’s struggle is today’s heritage.”
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Nice!