NYC Pride March: Protest, perseverance on display at annual celebration

A sense of defiance and perseverance was on display Sunday in Manhattan at the NYC Pride March.

The event’s official theme, "Rise Up: Pride in Protest," was chosen in response to what Heritage of Pride, the organization behind the parade and festival, "identified as increasing hostility and legislative attacks," according to a March press release.

"This year, more than ever, we acknowledge that Pride can be celebrated in many ways, but at the heart of our mission, we recognize that we must also remain steadfast in protest," Heritage of Pride co-chairman Kazz Alexander said in a statement.

Since President Donald Trump's return to the White House, his administration has moved swiftly to roll back certain rights for the LGBTQ community and to make other changes to how the community is recognized.

The Trump administration recently chose to rename a Navy ship named for Harvey Milk, the gay rights icon and Navy veteran who was born on Long Island.

And shortly after taking office, Trump signed an executive order rolling back protections for transgender people, declaring the measure was necessary to defend "women from gender ideology extremism."

The order stipulates the federal government will recognize only two sexes — male and female.

Some marchers Sunday held signs related to the current political climate, including one that read "No Kings, No Fascists" in reference to recent protests that accused Trump of an overreach of power.

According to Heritage of Pride, an estimated 2.5 million people were in attendance as spectators, marchers and attendees at the events, on par with previous years.

Long Islanders were among those who joined in.

For Rachel Wolf, 19, of Commack, it was her first time going to the festival.

"I love how supportive everyone is, and it's such a beautiful place to be," Wolf said.

Katherine Heinrichs, 24, of Middle Island, appreciated seeing people from all different walks of life enjoying the day.

"It's just amazing seeing a huge crowd of people here to celebrate love, so every time I'm here I feel welcomed," Heinrichs said. "I meet new friends every single year. It's just one big family."

The event Sunday also revealed an ongoing controversy between the NYPD's Gay Officers Action League, also known as GOAL, and the event organizers.

In 2021, law enforcement and corrections exhibitors were banned, in part as a response to cases of police brutality, such as the 2020 killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.

When the ban was reviewed this year, Heritage of Pride organizers determined that the league could take part in Sunday's march in uniform, as long as they didn't carry weapons.

But NYPD officers cannot wear their uniforms without their service weapons, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch wrote in a letter to event organizers on Saturday.

"It is also the height of hypocrisy to request the security and protection of thousands of armed, uniformed police officers for The March on Sunday and then ban from that event the very officers that proudly represent your community," she wrote, calling on organizers to reverse the decision in time for the parade.

Members of GOAL did not take part in the parade in uniform but a truck promoting the group included digital images and messages. One message read: "We will not be replaced."

"We are looking forward to continuing our dialogue as soon as the month of July to get ourselves working together to make sure that we have full inclusion in 2026," GOAL president Brian Downey said.

Newsday's Bahar Ostadan and The Associated Press contributed to this story.