LGBT Community, Supporters Celebrate At Queens Pride Parade
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There wasn't a drop of rain anywhere around Sunday, but there were rainbows everywhere along 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens.
People lined the streets for the Queens Pride Parade. The celebration included brightly colored costumes, music and dancing.
"These are symbols of who we are and reminds us there are so many reasons to be proud of who we are," Kelsey Louie, CEO of GMHC (formerly Gay Men's Health Crisis), told WCBS 880's Jim Smith.
LGBT Community, Supporters Celebrate At Queens Pride Parade
"I'm proud of who I am, and I'm here to support everybody else who's just like me," one marcher told 1010 WINS' Roger Stern. "I support everybody."
The theme of the parade was pride, strength and unity.
The talk in response to the transition of Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce) created a new sense of acceptance of transgender people, Louie said.
"The most important thing is that it's bringing awareness," Louie said. "It's bringing attention to a population that hasn't gotten a lot of attention."
Bill de Blasio became the first mayor to serve as grand marshal in the event's 23-year history.
LGBT Community, Supporters Celebrate At Queens Pride Parade
Andrew Ronan, co-chair of Queens Pride, remembers the first parade and the heavy police presence needed to guard against possible trouble.
But now, "the neighborhood is so LGBT friendly and so safe," he said. "There's families with young children, LGBT parents all over the place. It's become a very accepting place."
