NYC Pride 2023: What Events To Look Forward To This Weekend

WEST VILLAGE, NEW YORK — June means Pride in the Big Apple, when LGBTQ New Yorkers take to the streets and celebrate who they are.

The monthlong celebration which began as a commemoration of the Stonewall Riots at the end of June — an event that kicked off the fight for LGBTQ rights — is taking on a new sense of urgency 50 years later.

For 2023 Pride Month, the theme is "Strength in Solidarity," meant as a way to strengthen and empower the community during a disturbing uptick in violence and attacks against the LGBTQIA+ community, the NYC Pride website reads.

"In a world where platforms of hatred and violence are upheld and even celebrated," the website states, "NYC Pride seeks to illuminate the good that can and has been accomplished through uplifting and supporting one another."

Billy Porter, Yasmin Benoit, AC Dumlao, Hope Giselle and Randolfe “Randy” Wicker were all named as Grand Marshals to lead this year's Pride March on Sunday, June 25.

This weekend marks the start of pride, kicking off with the Queens Pride parade on Sunday in Jackson Heights. But there's lots of other events where you can take part in celebrating the fight for LGBTQ rights, joy, love and life.

Saturday June 3

NewFest Pride Summer Series (SVA Theatre, 333 W 23rd St.)

New York's top presenter of LGBTQ film and media, NewFest's annual five-day celebration of queer and trans filmmakers kicks off on Thursday. The festival will feature film screenings, conversations with filmmakers, social events and a free outdoor screening of The Stroll, a movie about the Meatpacking District's sex workers. Other top picks include the New York City premiere of the Lin-Manuel Miranda produced "Aristotle & Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe," the Tilda Swindon starring "Problemista" and an opening night party for the Sofia Coppola produced "Fairyland." Movie buffs can also buy tickets to virtual screenings to watch over the weekend.

Breaking Boundaries: 50 Years of Images (Culture Lab LIC, 5-25 46th Ave, Long Island City)

Part of Culture Lab LIC's Pride Month celebration, this exhibition from photographer Mariette Pathy Allen will display her work documenting the transgender community for over 40 years. "Through her artistic practice, she has been a pioneering force in gender consciousness, contributing to numerous cultural and academic publications about gender variance and lecturing throughout the globe," reads the gallery's website. The show will be up for the whole month of June and is free to attend.

Pride Weekend at the New York Aquarium (Coney Island, Brooklyn)

The New York City Aquarium is celebrating Pride on Saturday and Sunday with family-focused events like crafting, photo opportunities, musical performances by the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus and Broadway Cares — plus all of the wonderful marine animals. All Pride programming is included with a regular ticket.

Hands On History: Queer Pride & Possibility (King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave, Queens)

For this weekend's King Manor Museum's free bi-monthly crafts-based Hands on History event, attendees can come and learn about the symbolism of flowers for queer folks in the Victorian Era, known as floriography, as you make rainbow salt dough heart ornaments popularized in the Victorian era.

Sunday, June 4

Queens Pride (37th Avenue between 89th and 75th streets in Jackson Heights)

The second oldest, and second largest, Pride parade in New York City is the first of the main parades in the city during Pride. Queens Pride brings the borough's diverse LGBTQ community out to celebrate for a day-long party filled with music, performances, local vendors and, of course, food. Founded in 1993, the parade is celebrating its 31st anniversary this year all along 37th Avenue from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Intrepid Museum Inclusive Pride Family Day (Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum West 46th Street)

Learn all about LBGTQ+ figures in space exploration and the Navy at the Intrepid Museum's Inclusive Pride Family Day. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., families can experience hands-on art and storytelling activities all about expressing yourself, and the chance to explore the museum at your own pace via a scavenger hunt. Entry to the museum is free, but requires pre-registration.

For more information on official NYC Pride events, click here for their website.