After a month marked by celebration, political protest and reflection, the global WorldPride festival reached its rainbow-packed climax with New York’s annual Pride March on Sunday.
Thousands of people, whether they identified somewhere on the L.G.B.T.Q. spectrum or as supportive allies, packed the streets of Manhattan to take part.
“I’ve never seen so many people support the L.G.B.T.Q. community in my life,” said Wade Anderson, 21, who was visiting New York City for the first time.
With music blaring from passing floats, the assembled crowd clapped and cheered, showing off their bright apparel, fantastical wigs and elaborate makeup.
[See photos from this week’s Pride events, including the Dyke March, Pride Island and multiple drag performances.]
As each float and group made their way along the parade route, they left glitter, confetti and feathers in their wake. The multihued detritus was perhaps more numerous than usual, since this year’s parade was made longer than in years past, in part to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.
“We’ve been getting into the backs of cabs the past few days and seeing glitter in all the seams,” Nitya Vink, 47, said about herself and a friend. “‘How come there’s so much glitter in this car?’ we thought. ‘Oh, that’s Pride.’”